The latest policy, governance and political engagement news from The Almshouse Association.
National Policy Planning Framework
Our response to the consultation for the reviews of the NPPF has been sent to Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and the Minister. We wish to thank you all for your input as well as your great support and communication to your local MPs.
Nick Phillips is meeting MPs in Westminster to cover questions raised in early December.
Nick has spent time with MHCLG to discuss the proposal for the changes we wish to see made to the NPPF and to discuss the details of the Code of Conduct. It is still very early days and there is no certainty. It is likely that MHCLG are reviewing the details for ministers to consider.
We anticipate that The Almshouse Association will need to maintain engagement with MPs of both parties and Civil Servants in order to keep our position on the planning agenda.
Meetings with organisations such as The Regulator of Social Housing and the National Federation will continue on this agenda.
Competency and Conduct qualifications
4/11/24. Nick Phillips spent time with the development team at MHCLG reviewing the Competency and Conduct qualifications required in the housing sector.
Firstly, the team confirmed that the need to start or even be in a position to start by April 2025 had been dropped. They are not able to confirm that the proposals discussed would be adopted for the scheme but they were keen to discuss again the impact of the qualification on the part time clerks for almshouse charities. Nick made a very strong case for a “de-minimus” scale or part-time clerk role to stand outside the scope of the current proposed qualification requirements.
The team listed and asked questions although they are not in a position to respond on behalf of ministers. We will keep you updated but for now there is no panic in terms of the April 2025 trigger.
MP Meetings
Clive James MP
In November, Julian Marczak, Head of Member Services, and Wokingham MP Clive Jones held productive discussions at Westende Almshouses on the importance of almshouses being recognised as affordable housing in the NPPF.
Special thanks to trustees and Manager, Amy Garstang for hosting the meeting.
Nick Phillips met with Dame Priti Patel and Jeni Hoskin & Charles Ryland of Witlet & Witsell Property Management to discuss the almshouse model and the vital role of almshouses in providing affordable homes.
Special thanks to Dame Priti’s team & Jeni Hoskin for their help organising the meeting.
Taken from Rt Hon Priti Patel webpage
Priti meets Almshouse Association to discuss social housing
Published: 20th November 2024 – 5:03 pm Category: Local News
The MP for Witham, Priti Patel, recently met with local business Witlet, Witham United Charities and the national Almshouse Association to discuss the role of almshouses in providing social housing in the local area.
Charles Ryland, director of local family business Witlet, is working with Witham United Charities, and the Almshouse Association to support this historic local charity. The charity now owns 17 almshouse properties within the curtilage of the Church Street/Chalks Road Conservation Area, housing local people (often elderly) of limited financial means. During their meeting, Priti discussed with Charles and Almshouse Association Chief Executive Nick Phillips some of the current issues that prevent further growth of almshouses and their ability to provide affordable social housing options in local communities. The current definition of affordable housing in the NPPF excludes almshouses, and instead only recognises regulated housing providers. This limits almshouses’ access to section 106 support, unless they undergo an extensive process of becoming regulated (processes which are typically designed for housing associations with over 1,000 units). Most almshouses have less than 20 units, and 80% are not regulated by the Social Housing Regulator.
Priti said after the meeting: “I would like to thank Witlet, Witham United Charities and the Almshouse Association for meeting with me to discuss the vital role they are playing in providing social housing in the constituency. Almshouses face a unique set of challenges particularly when it comes to funding and recognition to support those most in need of housing. I will work with our local businesses and charities on this matter so that we can expand the social housing options they are able to provide.”
See also: Priti Patel backs affordable housing with Witham almshouses | Braintree and Witham Times
posted 14 November 2024