Community control… still working after all these years (But what happens when it all goes WRONG?)

When it all goes wrong look for the answer in … Governance Paul Lusk and Ursula Barrington

“Governance is the task of defining the goals and standards of an organisation and ensuring that there are effective management and other structures that will enable the organisation to achieve those goals and standards” - CCH: Code of governance for TMOs

Good governance means everyone knows … Who can make decisions What they can do How to change the people who make decisions

Good governance means having... Rules – the constitution and standing orders Policies Procedures

Good governance means having and sticking to.. Rules – the constitution and standing orders Policies Procedures

Governance matters to Government organisations Companies Community groups

Governance goes wrong in … Government organisations Companies Community groups

What happens when governance goes wrong ? Linda finds out there’s a grant available. She fills in the form, sends if off – and then tells the committee she’s done it. They say: “Why are you always doing these things without asking us first?” She says: “No one round here does anything but me. If I don’t get on with things, nothing will happen! But they’re so ungrateful.”

What happens when governance goes wrong ? Dave see some great tools going cheap. Perfect for that training scheme for the kids! He buys the kit - and then asks the committee to pay him back. They say: “But our financial procedures say we must approve things first – and this isn’t even in the budget!” He says: “Stupid rules and paperwork getting in the way – why can’t people put the kids first?”

What happens when governance goes wrong ? Andy, Musa and Lennie are at the office every day. They get the phone calls, write the letters and meet the housing staff. They say: “We do the work round here, so we make the decisions.” The committee says nothing. It meets to get reports from Andy, Musa and Lennie – but it doesn’t want to make decisions. “We leave all that to them. They’re here every day, so they know best.”

Strong, effective community groups have … Volunteers who are active and want to do things And who want to take responsibility – not just complain and comment Landlords and councils ready to transfer real power

Governance and community groups – general questions Do we know who the members are? Are the rules clear about objectives, powers, control, authority? Is the committee in control? If there is much money involved, is it properly managed – and are personal liabilities properly covered?

Governance and tenant control – some key issues Clear roles and responsibility for Committee/Board Sub groups General meeting Staff Staff and contractors properly briefed and supervised Comprehensive policies and procedures Business plans and budgets - reviewed, monitored

CCH Code of Governance for TMOs / cch-codegov-tmo.doc

TMOs and Governance TMOs have delegated control as agent of the landlord The management agreement sets out what they control The landlord is ultimately responsible for good governance – must monitor and take action if needed

TMOs and Governance in RSLs TMOs have delegated control as agent of the landlord The management agreement sets out what they control There is no right to manage The Housing Corporation holds the board of the Registered Social Landlord responsible for governance