Latest News | The Almshouse Association

Government responds to Association

The Almshouse Association has received a response from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to our letter sent regarding support for almshouse charities during the current cost of living crisis.

We raised a number of points from members concerning communal heat networks, the £400 energy bill grant and the energy price cap. In its response, BEIS states the following:

On communal heat networks

“The government wants heat network consumers to receive equal protection to gas and electricity consumers. That is why we announced at the Queen’s Speech on 10 May that a forthcoming Energy Security Bill will regulate the heat networks sector and that Ofgem will be appointed as regulator… This will secure fair pricing for domestic heat network customers as well as ensuring heat network operators are securing good purchasing deals for their consumers. This will mean that consumers are charged a fair rate for heating whilst encouraging investment in heat networks.”

On the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme

“Through the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), all domestic electricity customers in Great Britain will get £400 off their bills from October. We appreciate your concern about individual households not receiving the rebate as a result of the shared bill. Government is working on how to provide equivalent levels of support to those consumers without domestic electricity supply and we will provide further details shortly. Please also be made aware that households in England which are in council tax bands A-D will also receive a £150 rebate. The rebate to bills is being made directly by local authorities and started from this past April. This will benefit around 80% of all homes in England, including eligible heat network consumers.”

On the Household Support Fund

“The extension provides an additional £500 million for the Household Support Fund from April, bringing total funding to £1.5 billion since October 2021. The expectation is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills. It can also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and with wider essential costs. The scheme covers a wide range of vulnerable households including those with children of all ages and those without children. Households receiving other forms of assistance are not excluded from receiving support through this grant.”

The Association is glad that government is considering how support can be offered to charities running communal networks and shared bills. As outlined, if charities are running communal heat networks, then residents should receive £400 off their bills as long as they are a domestic electricity customer, however, the response still fails to provide the necessary certainty members need for the months ahead.

We will be making further representations to government stating that we need clear answers now.

Posted 27 June 22

P&G update: 27.06.22

The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable.

Our latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the bottom of the page.

GOVERNMENT

Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper Published – The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published its Fairer Private Rented Sector white paper. The white paper is seeking to reform the private rented sector (PRS) with plans to ban “no DSS/Benefits” lettings as well as overhauling so-called Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. It is also suggested that the Decent Homes Standard be extended to the PRS.

The Association will study the white paper for any potential threats to almshouse charities, however, as the paper deals with the private rented sector, there should not be any issues which concern the almshouse movement. The white paper does define ‘Renters’ as including licensees and so the Association will be seeking clarification on the government’s intentions.

The white paper can be found here.

CHARITY COMMISSION

Commission opens consultation on ‘new approach’ to Annual Returns – The Charity Commission has opened a consultation on a new approach to the Annual Return and on updating the questions asked in the returns. The aim of the new questions is to allow the Commission to regulate charities more effectively.

The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 1^st September 2022 and can be found here.

RECORD OF PREVIOUS 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:

Posted 27 June 22

Panel Member invites members to free webinar

Virtual Charity Training: The essential trustee and governance in practice – Thursday 14 July 2022 – Zoom Webinar

Stone Kings writes:

We have developed our training programme to equip charity trustees and members of senior management teams with the knowledge you need to carry out your roles effectively. Our Charity Essentials programme covers key Charity Commission guidance and the underlying charity law duties. The aim is to guide you to implement best practice and to prevent problems, as well as helping you deal with them should they arise, and also to recognise when further advice is needed.

The sessions are built around the Charity Commission’s core guidance, including “The Essential Trustee”, “Conflicts of Interest: a Guide for Charity Trustees”, and the Charity Governance Code endorsed by the Commission. This training will improve your understanding of the way in which the Charity Commission operates by exploring its regulatory functions, strategy and approach in a variety of areas including in relation to financial management and serious incident reporting. The session will look at case studies to examine best practice governance in practical settings. Topics include:

key duties and liabilities of charity trustees
financial governance and resilience
meetings and decision making in a virtual space
the Charity Commission’s approach to regulation
recognising and reporting serious incidents

All sessions provide the opportunity for you to put your questions to expert advisors.

This training is free to attend.

Speakers: Members of the Charity & Social Enterprise Team at Stone King LLP.

Timings: 10:00am – start, 11:15am – finish

Book now

Posted 27 Jun 22

AGM 15th June 22

The seventy-first Almshouse Association AGM was held on Wednesday 15 June 2022 9.45-10.10am at Grand Station, Sun Street, Wolverhampton WV10 0BF prior to the commencement of The Almshouse Association 2022 Members Day.

The AGM covered the main business and accounts of The Almshouse Association and was open to all member charities and Associate Members. The nominated representative for each member charity was invited to cast their vote. One vote per member charity.

AGM AGENDA ITEM	PRESENTED BY
Introduction: Reflection on 2021	Chair of the Board – Elizabeth Fathi
Minutes of the last virtual AGM held on 29^th September 2021 accepted and adopted	Chair of the Board – Elizabeth Fathi
Election of Board Members Article 32 states that each Board member can serve for a maximum of three terms of three years then must retire and seek reappointment through voting procedure.	Chair of the Board – Elizabeth Fathi Re-election to the following board member. – Andrew Barnes – Trustee and Chair of F&GP – Rob Douglas – Trustee – Quentin Elston – Trustee – David Healy – Trustee – Jim Kennedy – Trustee – Richard Knipe – Trustee – Margaret Stewart – Trustee
Presentation and Adoption of the 2021 Annual Report and Accounts	Honorary Treasurer – Simon Ling
Appointment of Auditor: Buzzacott LLP	Honorary Treasurer – Simon Ling
Any Other Business

Minutes: please click here

Posted 17 June 22

P&G update:13.06.22

Our latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the bottom of the page.

GOVERNMENT

Social Housing Regulation Bill introduced to Parliament – The Social Housing Regulation Bill was introduced to Parliament on June 8^th. The Bill will look to introduce a number of measures already explored by the Association to reform social housing standards. These changes would only apply to Registered Providers of Social Housing in England.

More information on the introduction of the Bill can be found here.

Government outlines timetable for Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – Almshouse charities that are Registered Providers may be interested in applying for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to help with improving energy efficiency. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has now published an indicative timeline for how the second wave of the fund will be rolled out:

Milestone
Guidance published
Competition launch
Competition close
Bid assessment ends
Successful projects notified
Grant funding agreement signed with successful applicants/project starts

Indicative date
July/August 2022
Late August/early Sep 22
8 weeks after launch
End of November 22
January 2023

March 2023

It should be noted that there are certain requirements which may make it difficult for individual almshouse charities to access this fund independently, such as the requirement to retrofit a minimum of 100 dwellings. This means it would be necessary to form consortiums to bid for funding. Members may wish to consider funding in one of the subsequent stages of the SHDF in the coming years and spend the next year developing relationships which could lead to consortiums.

More information on the SHDF can be found here.

Consultation and call for evidence on electrical safety in the social rented sector – A consultation has opened on electrical safety standards in the social rented sector. The consultation concerns plans to introduce mandatory safety checks on electrical installations at a minimum of five-yearly intervals. This will mirror the requirement in the private rented sector, and mandatory Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) on all electrical appliances that are provided by social landlords as part of a tenancy. These proposed changes would affect almshouse charities who are also Registered Providers of Social Housing.

Members should note that the Association already recommends that all members carry out the necessary safety checks on electrical installation every five years as part of quinquennial inspections.

Members can contact the Association on this issue or respond on their own here.

WALES

£4m fund announced to help with rising energy costs – Welsh Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt has launched a £4m fuel voucher scheme to help the most vulnerable households with the rising costs of energy bills. The scheme will target individuals on pre-payment meters and those not connected to the mains gas network.

Vouchers ranging from £30 in summer months and £49 in winter will be provided up to three times over a six-month period.

More information can be found here.

MISCELLANEOUS

Research project investigates rural homelessness – The University of Kent is conducting research into rural homelessness and is seeking the views of those who provide housing to those in rural areas.

Members operating in these areas may like to contribute and provide the insight of the almshouse movement. The survey can be found here.

RECORD OF PREVIOUS 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:

posted 13 June 22

Social Housing Regulation Bill

Association meets with DLUHC to discuss Social Housing Regulation Bill

The Almshouse Association recently met with representatives of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to express our concerns regarding the proposed changes which are being considered as part of the Social Housing Regulation Bill.

Chief among these concerns is that the proposed reforms could impact upon the status of charitable housing and undermine the almshouse model. We also raised concerns from members who feel that the new requirements could add a significant burden to trustees who already devote so much of their time to ensuring their residents are looked after.

We were pleased to hear that the Department have been working with the Charity Commission and that currently there are no plans to supersede the role of the Commission. Instead, the proposed reforms would provide the Regulator of Social Housing with the ability to intervene in the case of failing providers, with the help of the Commission.

We were also pleased that there is currently no intention for the Regulator to extend its remit beyond Registered Providers. Moreover, they have stated that they will continue to consider how they can improve standards in smaller providers without creating an unnecessary burden.

The Association will continue to hold discussions with the Department to ensure that the voice of the almshouse movement is properly represented. We aim to ensure that all new legislation clearly recognises almshouses so that members are clear on their obligations.

posted 10 June 22

Government’s Right to Buy plans

The Almshouse Association Response to Government Plans to Extend Right to Buy Policy

Almshouses are established by gifts of charity and run by volunteers. The charity is established to provide a home for those in poverty or vulnerable. They have been available to people in need for centuries.

Almshouses rightly enjoy an exemption from the Right to Buy policy. This exemption means that communities across the country do not face the prospect of losing much needed genuinely affordable housing. We are glad that this position does not currently appear to be under threat by the Government’s plans, however, today’s announcement regarding the intention to extend the Right to Buy to housing association tenants, risks threatening the supply of genuinely affordable housing for those who cannot access high private rents.

Without a guarantee to replace each social home that is sold, we risk exacerbating an already untenable environment.

We know the value of a safe, secure and warm home and, that for many, ownership is just not an option. This is why the Association will keep working to ensure that almshouses will continue to benefit from their exemption from Right to Buy so that almshouse charities can continue to carry out the vital services they provide to those most in need in our society.

The Association looks forward to working with our partners in the affordable housing sector to ensure that this policy does not decrease the availability of social housing.

Posted 9 June 22

A 550th Anniversary Celebration!

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visits The Hospital of St John, Heytesbury.

31^st May 2022 – There was much anticipation on the day of The Royal visit to The Hospital of St John in Heytesbury.

The sun shone brightly and the gardens looked wonderful. Preparations had been underway for 6 months, including the creation of a commemorative anniversary plaque which is displayed on a newly built circular bench that surrounds an ancient lime tree in the back garden where residents can meet and relax over a cup of tea.

A special chapel service started the celebrations before The Royal arrival and the chapel was filled with the beautiful aroma of fresh-cut lilies.

On his arrival, HRH The Duke of Gloucester was saluted by two Lord-Lieutenant Cadets at the main gateway entrance of The Hospital of St John and then welcomed by an array of local dignitaries, presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton.

They included The Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Chris Robbins and Deputy Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Phil Keeble, The Chairman of Heytesbury, Imber and Knook Parish Council, Mrs Vanessa Sturmey, The Chief Constable, Mr Keir Pritchard, Mr Nick Phillips, Chief Executive, The Almshouse Association and Mr Tim Etchells, Chairman of Trustees, The Hospital of St John and Paul Budd, OBE, Administrator, The Hospital of St John. Lord Heytesbury, Patron of the Hospital of St John, Canon Chancellor, Ed Probert and Revd Robin Hungerford, Trustee were also in attendance.

Residents enjoyed meeting HRH The Duke of Gloucester during a private tea party where conversations were joyful and lots of reminiscing took place. Twins Muriel and Maureen took centre stage along with Elizabeth, the oldest resident and Rodney.

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association said,

“We were delighted our Royal Vice Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester was part of this very special occasion. We are always pleased to support our Members to include our Royal Patron’s in their celebrations, where possible. The day was uplifting and was a boost for the almshouse movement.”

Special thanks to Paul Budd OBE, Mike and Helen, and The Lord Lieutenant’s Office for helping to organise such a wonderful event.

posted 7 June 22

P&G update: 30.05.22

Our latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the bottom of the page.

GOVERNMENT

£15 million government funding for garden communities – The Government has announced £15m in funding to support the growth of garden communities across England. The funding is part of a wider £69m programme to deliver 16,000 homes per year from 2025. The funding is targeted at 43 towns and villages across England who are listed as Garden Towns or Villages. A full list of the chosen areas can be found here.

Almshouses are uniquely placed to operate in these settings. As such, members operating in these areas and looking to further develop their provision may wish to get in touch with their local council to see how they can contribute to these communities.
Government announces further support to help with cost of living – Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined further support from the government to help with the cost of living.
The key announcements were as follows:
- The previously announced £200 loan for energy bills has now been raised to £400 and will now not need to be repaid.
- Two lump sum payments totalling £650 will be paid to 8 million of those on means tested benefits (see list below). The two payments will made from July and in the Autumn.
  - Universal Credit
  - Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  - Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  - Income Support
  - Working Tax Credit
  - Child Tax Credit
  - Pension Credit.
- 8 million pensioner households, who receive winter fuel payments, will receive a one-off payment of £300.
- 6 million people who receive non-means tested disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150.
  
  It was also outlined that, subject to review, benefits next year will increase by this year’s CPI. Local authorities providing support through the household support fund, or discretionary housing payments, will have funding extended by £500m from October.
  
  The Almshouse Association welcomes the additional support at this difficult time. However, we are disappointed that there has not been any further clarification for members who operate communal heating systems. We intend to write to the Chancellor and other ministers to outline our concerns and continue to call for greater support for these members who are already facing an extraordinary rise in the cost of energy. All information regarding the announcement can be found here.

DIGITAL AND COMMUNICATIONS

Update on Digital Switchover – In our most recent Almshouses Gazette we featured an article from Panel of Consultants member Careline365 (previously Lifeline24) regarding the need for members to take action ahead of the digital switchover in 2025.

Since that article was published there has been an update on the switchover which members should be aware of:
- BT has changed how they will approach the switchover, but have not pushed the completion date back, it is still currently set for 2025
- The rollout will continue, the difference now is that people who are unsure on the switch will have the option to opt out if they feel unready, however, everyone will still need to switch over eventually
- Almshouses are still advised to plan ahead and replace old analogue systems with up-to-date digital alarms, especially right now as the issues highlighted, that prompted the update, arises from old analogue technology being used on the new digital network.
  
  Members with further queries can get in touch with Carline365 via Mark Law 01603 964306, keyaccounts@careline.co.uk
Support with costs of TV licence – TV Licensing have provided a reminder of the support available for people who may be struggling to pay for their TV licence. There are a range of payment plans available to help customers to spread the cost of a TV licence, these include monthly or quarterly direct debits, or a TV Licensing payment card (which enables customers to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly online, via text or call, on the TVL Pay app, or at any PayPoint outlet).

A reminder of the concessions available and how to apply for these can be found on their website along with a wide range of FAQs.

SEE ALSO: Training: ARC TV Licences | (almshouses.org)

WALES

Final coronavirus restrictions removed – The Welsh Government is removing the final coronavirus regulations as of May 30^th. This means From Monday 30 May, the legal requirement to wear a face covering in health and care settings will end. Full announcement details can be found here.

RECORD OF PREVIOUS 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:

posted 30 May 22

2022 Members Day – book your place!

15th June 22 – Join us for the biggest networking event of the almshouse calendar!

The Almshouse Association is very pleased to announce that The Almshouse Association 2022 Members Day will take place on Wednesday 15th June 2022 at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton.

Special Guest Speakers and Panel experts including Richard Morrice (Historic England), Roland Karthaus (Architecture Matters), Tim Rutherford (Stone King LLP), Lisa Watson-Cook (Lester Aldridge), Adrian Nisbet (Argonaut HR), Diane Rutter (Charity Facilitator and Trainer), Sean Stafford (ACL) and Tim Richardson (Quinquennial Inspections).
Workshops on Governing Documents, Green Energy, Attracting New Trustees, Mediation and Dealing with Challenging Residents.
The Almshouse Association Awards – presenting to recipients of The Almshouse Association’s Patrons Award, The Almshouse Association Award for Excellence and Inspiration and The Gardens and People Award.
Networking.
Q & A with Panel of Experts.
Exhibition stands include The Charity Bank, Higos Insurance Services Ltd, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, Harrison Clark Rickerby’s solicitors, CCLA Investment Management, Moore Barlow LLP, Waverton Investment Management, Grout Insurance Brokers, Argonaut-HR and Fifield Glyn chartered surveyors.
Refreshments and lunch

For more information and to book your place, please click here to download our booking form.