RBH announce controversial new plans which could see representative body's powers removed

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is seeking to remove powers from tenants and employees, by limiting the power of its representative body, a group made up of tenants and employees who have a say in how the housing association is run.

The scandal-hit housing association is consulting on a raft of amendments which would limit the powers of the representative body including removing its ability to appoint the chair of the board and non-executive directors, removing its right to approve the appointment of the chief executive, and taking away the ability to approve of the corporate strategy and policy framework.

The changes, if approved, would effectively transfer power away from the body which represents 12,000 homes despite RBH describing itself as “the UK’s first tenant and employee co-owned mutual housing society”.

The housing association says the changes are part of its “lessons learnt” review following the death of Awaab Ishak in December 2020 which was linked to mould in the flat he lived in with his parents.

Labour councillor Daniel Meredith, who is responsible for regeneration and housing in Rochdale, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that residents are worried about what the changes could mean for the future of their homes.

He said: “I have heard from a number of residents and even a member of the representative committee, who are concerned that this will remove tenant input into key corporate decisions.

“After the death of tragic Awaab Ishak, it is imperative that RBH involve residents at every stage of their decision making. This is the whole point of a cooperative. Engagement with residents is a necessity and would encourage the RBH board and Representative Body to deep root in the communities they represent. RBH with their new rule changes need residents at the core of their work.

“RBH is a close partner of Rochdale Council, to continue this work, I would ask that councillor representation is not removed. I would encourage all tenants to be involved in the consultation to make your voice heard.”

The housing association stressed that there are no proposed changes to councillor representation in the consultation. An engagement period ran from 12 September to 3 October on the changes, and RBH members will vote on whether to approve them in November.

RBH recently came under new leadership after interim chief executive Yvonne Arrowsmith, who was appointed as it was dealing with the aftermath of an inquest into Awaab’s death, stepped down.
 

Read more: Amanda Newton appointed as RBH’s new permanent chief executivePublished: 12 June 2023

New chief executive Amanda Newton explained that despite the proposed changes, employees and tenants will still play a key role in running RBH.

She told the LDRS: “We’re proposing to strengthen our governance arrangements so that we can meet the expectations of both our customers and the Regulator of Social Housing.

“The proposed changes will strengthen the role of our representative body who will have powers to scrutinise the services we deliver and hold the RBH board to account for the delivery of excellent services. This is a key part of RBH being able to evidence that we are compliant with our regulator’s expectations. Representatives will also continue to play a key role in the appointment of non-executive directors and in the development of our strategic direction.

“The changes will bring to life our mutual model and make sure that we continue to listen to and work with all our members, customers and employees. We are engaging on these changes now and will ask our members to vote in early November.

“Aside from the proposed rule changes, we’ve already increased the number of ways RBH tenants can get involved.

“We’ve launched four new tenant voice forums and monthly drop-ins across the borough. We’re also currently recruiting three new customer members to join our customer services committee, which is made up of customers and board members and is part of our formal governance structure. This is also part of strengthening our governance to enable us to meet the requirements of our regulator.

“I am looking forward to seeing tenants and employees continue to work together to bring to life our mutuality and build a positive future for RBH and the people of Rochdale borough.”

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporter