Pre-appointment hearing with the Government's preferred candidate for the post of Housing Ombudsman - Communities and Local Government Committee Contents


2  The requirements of the post

5. The Housing Ombudsman administers the Housing Ombudsman Scheme. The purpose of the Scheme is for tenants and other individuals to have complaints about members investigated by a Housing Ombudsman. The Scheme states that the role of the Ombudsman is to resolve disputes involving members of the Scheme, including making awards of compensation or other remedies when appropriate, as well as to support effective landlord-tenant dispute resolution by others.

6. The Housing Ombudsman operates in accordance with the Scheme which was approved by the Secretary of State under the terms of the Housing Act 1996. The latest Scheme takes into account changes to the Ombudsman's jurisdiction made by the Localism Act 2011. The Scheme applies to social landlords registered, regulated or operating in England (including all local housing authorities) as well as to other landlords and managing agents who join voluntarily.

7. Membership of the Scheme is compulsory for landlords who are registered providers and local housing authorities. At 31 March 2014, 2,473 landlords were in membership, representing 4,560,577 housing units (compared to 2,900,900 in 2013), an increase of 57%, which is mainly due to the extended remit in regard to local housing authorities. Some 2,044 members were housing associations, representing 2,814,780 housing units. There were 1,703,205 units relating to 343 local housing authorities (including leaseholds). As at 31 March 2014 there were 86 voluntary, 'for profit' landlords or managing agents in the Scheme, representing 42,592 housing units.[5]

8. The Housing Ombudsman has an on-going working relationship with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to set appropriate levels of additional reporting and governance structures which are consistent with its obligations in terms of appropriate accountability to DCLG under the current Framework Document[6] and with the importance of protecting the independence of the Ombudsman and its corporate structure as a corporation sole.[7] As Accounting Officer, the Housing Ombudsman reports to DCLG in accordance with the Framework Document. As the quasi-judicial statutory appointee the Ombudsman reports to DCLG in accordance with the statute, the Scheme, and his or her Terms of Appointment.

9. The Housing Ombudsman receives its funding from annual, per-unit subscriptions from registered social landlords (who are required to join the Scheme) and from private sector landlords and managing agents who joined the Scheme on a voluntary basis. Also, for 2013-14, only, the Ombudsman received grant-in-aid of £630,000 to contribute to the additional costs as a result of its responsibility for dealing with complaints and disputes from residents of local housing authorities. In 2014-15 funding will be provided solely by subscriptions, payable by all members of the Scheme.[8]

10. The recruitment pack[9] drawn up by DCLG set the role and responsibilities of the Housing Ombudsman. These included:

·  leading the organisation in the delivery of its strategy and business plan and in line with the Scheme;

·  ensuring that strong governance is in place that meets best practice and government requirements;

·  adapting the strategic direction against an ever-changing environment, building on the existing vision, strategy, and objectives;

·  leading the senior team in the execution of the objectives, taking advice from the Audit, Risk, and Assurance Committee;

·  developing an annual business plan, budget, and subscription rate in agreement with DCLG;

·  being publicly visible as the ambassador for the Housing Ombudsman, influencing and networking with key decision makers and stakeholders;

·  acting as a champion for the work and role of the Housing Ombudsman at public events and meetings;

·  working collaboratively with landlords, DCLG, and other stakeholders;

·  holding the senior team to account for the effective use of public funds and driving value for money;

·  ensuring that the Housing Ombudsman's affairs are conducted in line with regularity and propriety standards, and that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times;

·  ensuring that the Housing Ombudsman operates within the limits of its statutory authority and in accordance with the authority delegated from its sponsoring Department and with guidance issued by it (over-arched by its Framework Document and annual Accounting Officer delegation letter);

·  complying at all times with the rules relating to the use of public funds (set out in Managing Public Money[10] and the Cabinet Office spending controls guidance[11]) and avoiding conflicts of interest; and

·  acting in accordance with the Seven Principles of Public Life.[12]

11. Candidates for the post were required to combine knowledge of the housing sector with the ability to lead an organisation, setting a clear vision and strategic direction and the ability to work in partnership with both DCLG and housing sectors. They also have to demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

·  political judgement and ability to work with partners in local and national Government with an understanding of the decision-making process within both, and a commitment to encouraging and championing local collaboration;

·  an ability to lead and manage a senior team and to set clear strategic direction for an organisation;

·  an ability to navigate a complex delivery landscape, with multiple and sometimes conflicting interests and to secure consensus on the way forward;

Desirable Criteria

·  a track record of ensuring effective governance in the management of organisations;

·  understanding of the housing, the rented sector, and disputes resolution; and

·  an experience of delivering change.

12. The appointment is full-time for up to two years (with the possibility of extension) at a salary of up to £120,000.[13]


5   Appendix 2 and The Housing Ombudsman Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013-14, HC (2014-15) 672, p2 Back

6   Framework document for the Housing Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman website, December 2013 Back

7   A corporation sole is an individual person who represents an official position which has a single separate legal entity. The death of the individual will not affect the corporation as there is a right of succession. A corporation sole can only be created by statute, Technical Manual published on Business, Innovation and Skills website, para 75.3, June 2011 Back

8   The Housing Ombudsman Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013-14, HC (2014-15) 672, p1 Back

9   Appendix 2 Back

10   Managing public money, HM Treasury, July 2013 Back

11   Cabinet Office controls, Cabinet Office, July 2014 Back

12   The seven principles of public life, Committee on Standards in Public Life, May 1995 Back

13   Appendix 2 Back


 
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Prepared 18 December 2014