Service Reviews and Restructure - What do we need to know?

COVID-19 has presented several organisational challenges over the last few months, a notable concern of many organisations is their business efficiency. Whilst the pandemic had posed several problems and challenges, it may offer opportunity for Registered Providers (RP) with the opportunity to reflect on their current structure and process, and review this to ensure resilience across the organisation as a whole. We understand that many RP's will have an increased need to safeguard their financial viability, making it even more essential to review their staffing requirements and identify any efficiencies that can be made.

Service reviews provide an excellent means of assessing any strengths and vulnerabilities in your current business model.

Vacant Building Credit - is it being used to its full potential?

Vacant Building Credit (VBC) is a policy that entitles developers to a financial credit in relation to the affordable housing contribution. The calculation is set out in the Planning Practice Guidance as "the equivalent of the gross floorspace of any relevant vacant buildings being brought back into use or demolished as part of the scheme and deducted from the overall affordable housing contribution calculation."

Digital Housing Week

The week commencing 22 June was due to be The Chartered Institute of Housing week, however given the current pandemic this was not able to go ahead, although it was replaced by Digital Housing Week. This adaption is just another example of how the housing sector can quickly innovate.

The event was a great success and included prominent speakers from the both the housing sector and the construction industry, as well as the Rt Hon Christopher Pincher, MP housing minister and hosted by Inside Housing, who did a fantastic job.

Conditional Dispensation upheld by the Upper Tribunal - Aster Communities v Kerry Chapman & Ors 2020 UKUT 177 (LC)

We regularly advise Registered Providers of Social Housing on their duties to consult with leaseholders under Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 when planning to do qualifying works or enter into a qualifying long term agreements. On occasion, if it is not possible to fully comply with the Regulations, it can be necessary to seek dispensation from the First-Tier Tribunal (FTT) in order to recover costs through the service charge to lessees.

Forbes Solicitors appointed to national housing framework

Forbes Solicitors has been named on the Central Housing Investment Consortium Ltd ("CHIC") framework which reflects the firm's deep expertise and track record in the sector across its specialist teams.

CHIC is a consortium of Registered Providers and has around 90 members across the UK. Members can access and instruct legal services via the framework, which creates savings and efficiencies as well as signposting to the sector's leading lawyers.

The new framework was procured on behalf of CHIC by specialist legal consultants Kennedy Cater and will be effective for four years from 1st July 2020.

Healthy homes = Healthy people?

It has long been known that people from the most deprived areas of the country have poorer health and have a shorter life expectancy compared to people from more affluent areas. With the NHS under immense pressure especially given the COVID-19 pandemic it has become increasingly important for the housing sector to provide affordable healthy homes not just a constant supply of homes which although add to the Government's target figures may not actually be fit for purpose.

Head of Housing Regeneration Property hosts lockdown sleep out for charity Backup

Forbes Solicitors has raised £915.00 for Bolton-based charity Backup by taking part in a lockdown sleep out fundraiser.

Backup, which was founded in 1992 in partnership with Bolton Council and Irwell Valley Housing, is a charity that helps young people develop skills for independence and prevent homelessness providing temporary supported accommodation to people aged 16-25 in Bolton.

Forbes Solicitors’ housing and regeneration team supports and advises a number of charities, local authorities and registered providers of social and affordable housing, including a number who work closely with Backup.

Volunteers at the firm signed up to take part in Backup’s Spring Sleepout scheduled for April but unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, the fundraising event was cancelled. However, to continue showing support, Jennifer Hankinson who leads the Housing & Regeneration (Property) team at Forbes Solicitors opted to take part in a ‘lockdown sleepout’, spending the night in her garden instead. 

Jennifer Hankinson, Partner at Forbes Solicitors and head of Housing & Regeneration, said: “We see first-hand the impact of the housing crisis and the great amount of work that is done by the committed teams who transform lives through the commitment to this cause.

“The impact of Coronavirus has been devastating for charities. Many charities now face a huge funding shortfall because the usual calendar of fundraising events have been cancelled, which is why we felt it was important to continue to show our support with the lockdown sleepout.

“Homelessness is an ever-increasing issue unfortunately and charities such as Backup are really important, providing specialist help and support to those young people who perhaps feel unsafe at ‘home’ and so would rather take to the streets or who perhaps have nowhere they can call ‘home’.”

Spotlight on...

Laura Cieplak, Associate

I qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and joined Forbes Solicitors’ Employment Team in September 2015, progressing to the position of Associate in 2017. I work almost exclusively in the Housing and Social Care Sector and I have significant in-house experience following a two-year secondment to a large RP. My experience of acting for RPs is extensive but most notably I routinely advise on the following:

• Large restructure and reorganisations
• Managing employee relations
• Company Mergers and Acquisitions specifically in respect of TUPE
• Issues surrounding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Employment Tribunal Claims

As well as resolving day-to-day Employment and HR queries, I have a developed a specialism in HR Project Support such Organisational Design, Investigations and Audits.

Forbes Employment team has grown significantly in the last 5 years and I take pride in my down to earth, straightforward advice. I am also lucky enough to act as the team’s trainee mentor developing and supporting the talent of out trainee solicitors.

Qualifications

I attended Loughborough University and I graduated with a 2:1 BSc Honours Degree in Social Psychology. I then went on to study law at the College of Law, Chester where I passed the Graduate Diploma in Law with Commendation and the Legal Practice Course with Distinction.

Three words that describe me:

Thoughtful, Tenacious, Committed

Hobbies and Interests:

I am a ‘keen’ hockey player currently representing Chester Hockey Club. Since becoming a mum in 2018, I have taken a backstep from playing at a highly competitive level, but I still enjoy a good run out on a Saturday afternoon where possible. I also enjoy walking in the countryside, utilising our national trust membership and playing on the beautiful beaches in North Wales with family and friends.

Favourite Food and drink:

Mexican food, especially burritos, and a Sunday roast oh and not forgetting anything chocolate based, there are too many foods to be restricted to one! My favourite drink has to be a cold glass of prosecco (with a strawberry, of course!) but I am also partial to a Passoa and lemonade :).

Upcoming online events

• Managing Remote Employment Relations - 14th July
• Leasehold Fire Safety -Service Charge and Consultation Headaches - 15th July
• Agile Working and Maintaining Social Distancing in the Workplace - 21st July