Policy & Governance: 02.08.21 update | The Almshouse Association

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

Property and Planning

National Disability Strategy – The Government has published its National Disability Strategy which seeks to improve the life of disabled people across the country. Part of the strategy focuses on housing, particularly accessibility, with some immediate measure including:
- boosting the supply of housing for disabled people by raising accessibility standards for new homes, increasing the supply of affordable homes, including supported housing, and accelerating the adaptation of existing homes by improving the efficiency of local authority delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant, worth £573 million in 2021 to 2022
- extend disabled tenants’ rights on accessibility
- ensure the safety of disabled people in buildings, for when there are emergencies

Building Beautiful Places – Members who are considering developing new almshouses may be interested in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and new National Model Design Code which place ‘beauty’ at the heart of new buildings.

Charity

Charity Commission – updated guidance on charity accounting – The Charity Commission has updated its guidance on Charity reporting and accounting: the essentials November 2016 (CC15d) and on Independent examination of charity accounts: guidance for trustees (CC31) to include advice on the use of electronic signatures on the balance sheet, trustees’ annual report and independent examination.

Adult Social Care

Help with anti-social behaviour for social housing tenants – MHCLG has published guidance that clarifies the roles of the agencies responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour and the help and support available for residents. Although the guidance refers to ‘tenants’ it is generally applicable information.

Environment and Energy

Government Consultation Opens on automatic energy switching – The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published proposals to trial automatic switching for customers on expensive default energy tariffs to cheaper deals. The proposals include trials of a new system (to take place in 2024) in which some consumers on costly tariffs would be automatically switched to cheaper ones on the market unless they opt out. BEIS has published a related policy paper and consultation – closing 15 October 2021.

Miscellaneous

Risk management template for event organisers – DCMS has published a Risk management template for event organisers, which it offers as a resource to help event organisers to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in event settings. This may be of interest to members thinking about holding a celebratory tea party as part of The Almshouse Association’s 75^th anniversary.

Posted 2 August 21