Blackpool Coastal Housing (BCH) is a wholly owned company set up by the Council to manage its housing stock and provide related services to its tenant and leasehold customers.
This governance flowchart describes where responsibility and accountability for the delivery of Blackpool council housing lies across Blackpool Coastal Housing and Blackpool Council.
The structure for strategic governance and oversight can be found below with detailed explanation provided.
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with Regulatory standards.
To provide the necessary oversight to the companies from a shareholder’s perspective on areas of legal, statutory, regulatory or consumer standard compliance.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Elected members (including Leader of Council), BCH Chief Operating Officer (COO), and other directors e.g. Finance Director as required. |
Bi-Annual housing focussed reports |
Financial Performance Report Annual Report, including TSMs and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
BCH Business Plan |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Responsible for strategic housing, which include compliance with relevant housing regulation
Member Responsible for Complaints.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Quarterly Briefings with Consumer Standards Lead, Health & Safety Responsible Person and Housing Standards & Compliance Manager |
Quarterly and in line with reporting to Board |
Performance Scorecard and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code Annual Submission: Self-Assessment Policy and Service and Improvement Report |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Consumer Standards Lead and responsible for ensuring compliance with the Housing Regulator, and lead on the Housing client function.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Quarterly Briefings with Consumer Standards Lead, Health & Safety Responsible Person and Housing Standards & Compliance Manager |
Quarterly and in line with reporting to Board |
Performance Scorecard and and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Responsible for compliance with the Consumer Standards |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Setting and ensuring compliance with the values, vision, mission and strategic objectives of the company, ensuring its long term success.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Council and independent non-executive directors appointed by the Shareholder based on their skills and experience. Chaired by Deputy Leader of Council |
At least quarterly |
Performance report and scorecard, TSMs, complaints, Tenant Voice, key policies and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Ratification of key policies, strategies, service delivery plans. |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Responsibility for monitoring the performance of the authority, focussing on outcomes for service users, taking decisions on the allocation of resources and leadership of risk to ensure effective delivery
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
BC Corporate Leadership Team |
Quarterly and in line with reporting to Board |
Performance update and scorecard, TSMs. TSM Analysis Report and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Publication of TSMs |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
To provide oversight of the audit process and the system of internal controls and compliance with law, regulations, the company’s policies and procedures.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Board members, BCH COO, BCH Directors, BC Head of Audit, Head Information & Governance, Housing Standards & Compliance Manager |
At least 3 times a year |
Audit reports, risk register, detailed compliance and health and safety data and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Relevant policies and audit actions |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
To deal with employment matters relating to the senior managers accountable to the Board
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Board members, BC HR Advisor, BCH COO (unless determining matters relating to their post) |
At once a year |
COO appraisal outcomes and other employment matters as required |
SMT salary progression, recommendations to Board on senior appointments and pay arrangements |
- Capital Programme & Asset Compliance Meeting
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Ensure that the Council owned stock managed by its ALMO Blackpool Coastal Housing is safe, of good quality and is compliant with legislative health and safety requirements.
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports |
|
Chaired by Responsible Person for Health & Safety (Head of Property and Asset Management) Members include BCH SMT and heads of service relating to property standards and compliance |
Quarterly, scheduling in line with Audit. |
Scrutiny of performance data relating to stock condition as detailed in BCH’s Compliance Report and/or Scorecard and HRA: Capital Budget and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
Implements strategy, ensures compliance with regulation, manages delivery & performance of services.
Key operational meetings include Health & Safety Committee, Fire Working Group, Asbestos Working Group
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Key operation staff |
Varies |
Health & Safety Dashboard, Team Performance Scorecards and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Service Plans |
Function (in relation to delivery of social housing)
TOWER Scrutiny Panel provides an independent, customer focused, advisory and consultative role to BCH and Blackpool Council
| Membership | Frequency | Key Reports | Approvals |
|
Tenant Members |
Monthly |
Performance Scorecard, TSMs and assurance on compliance with the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023) |
Scrutiny recommendations |