Housing: Housing Executive reviewed
Friday, March 11th, 2011A group has been set up to oversee change within the Housing Executive after a report identified weaknesses. Emma Blee takes a look at its findings. While the Housing Executive has “good governance structures” in place, a range of improvements could be made. Alex Attwood ordered the review in October after it emerged that systems within the Housing Executive, including procurement practises, were not “sufficiently robust”. He also called for a “fundamental review” of the organisation which is due to be completed in March. The Minister announced an investigation into work...[full story]
Reform: Power and Government – Alex Attwood
Friday, March 11th, 2011Local democracy means that ministers must have power over policy, Alex Attwood has stated in a call for more reform. Officials and groups lobbying government need to change their attitude to ministers as devolution takes root, according to Alex Attwood. Speaking at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference, the Social Development Minister emphasised the primacy of elected ministers over officials. “The democratic interest is here and if ministers get into government and get into power, the democratic interest is going to get stronger,” he stated. Northern Ireland was “good at doing...[full story]
Corporate: Nama and the North – one year on
Friday, March 11th, 2011A year since Irish ‘bad bank’ Nama transferred in its first loans, Gary McDonald looks at the impact of the agency in the North. The true extent of Northern developers’ exposure to toxic debt in the Republic’s now beleaguered property market has been fully laid bare for the first time, and will do little to instil confidence in the sector. For it has emerged that loans totalling £3.35 billion made to Northern Ireland developers have already been transferred into the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), the Republic’s so-called “bad bank”. Senior Nama executive...[full story]
Infrastructure: Green New Deal
Monday, December 6th, 2010Plans to revive Northern Ireland’s economy and improve energy efficiency have been published by a lobby group. agendaNi takes a look at the proposals which promise to slash fuel bills and carbon emmissions. A number of groups have come together to launch the Northern Ireland Green New Deal, which aims to tackle the recession, energy security and climate change. The Housing Fund Business Plan, which was published in November, provides details of a £253 million investment scheme which would improve the energy efficiency of 100,000 homes over a three- year period. However, government...[full story]
Housing: Alex Attwood – Against the storm
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010Housing is central to how the Executive responds to Westminster’s cuts, Alex Attwood states. Northern Ireland’s needs demand special attention and protecting vulnerable householders must be a priority for local ministers. Ministerial introduction: Alex Attwood MLA The Osborne benefit, capital and revenue cuts have the potential to be ‘a perfect storm’. Just as the ERSI said about the Republic of Ireland last month – deep cuts done quickly can lock an economy into high unemployment and low growth. The consequences are clear for Northern Ireland, not least as we are in recession...[full story]
Housing: Housing Executive under scrutiny
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010A close analysis of the Housing Executive is under way as a governance audit and a wider review of its work take place. The Housing Executive has come under intense scrutiny after the launch of two separate inquiries into its conduct and future shape. Alex Attwood announced a fundamental review of the Housing Executive in an Assembly statement on 11 October. The review will report in March. This is the first major review of the organisation since its establishment in 1971. By the public sector’s standards, it is a large body, with 3,242 staff, over 90,000 tenants and a budget over...[full story]
Housing: Coalition housing plans
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010For comparison, agendaNi considers the Coalition Government’s changes to housing policy in England to date. The Department for Communities and Local Government (usually branded as ‘Communities and Local Government’) handles housing policy in England. Housing Minister Grant Shapps reports to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles; both are Conservatives. The Government’s first housing announcement (on 20 May) was the suspension of the controversial home information packs, required for house sales. The packs, which also applied in Wales, will eventually be abolished and are being...[full story]
