"Invest in and deliver good governance"
During the year, the Board agreed to adopt the new National Housing Code of Governance (2020). Highlights of this work included:
Collectively revisiting and recording agreed culture, behaviours and values
An appraisal of board and committee effectiveness
Revising board succession plans to move towards two three-year standard terms
Review of subsidiaries within the Group against intended purpose
Parallel to this work, a separate staff group progressed a review of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), which cumulated in an action plan to be delivered over the following year.
An essential ingredient of good governance is having the right people and skills to steward English Rural and inform strategic decision making. Two new Board Members, Mark Pragnell and Henry Lee, joined during the year with their skills matched to those considered most needed. As well as strengthening the Board, membership of both standing committees was reviewed and added to, making sure that relevant skills were matched from Board Members and independents. Further board recruitment is planned for the coming year and to date English Rural continues to attract exceptional talent to its governing bodies on a voluntary basis, this reflecting its strength of reputation and commitment of those involved.
Building on the Together with Tenants early adopter work, the Board has also resolved to grow links with residents, strengthen resident voice at board level and embed lived experience through board recruitment. A good example of this was the nomination of resident Sarah Doyle as a Board Member.
The highest regulatory gradings of G1 and V1 were retained during the year. A review of these was underway by year end through the commencement of the cyclical In-Depth Assessment (IDA) carried out every four years by the Regulator of Social Housing. The Governance & Viability standard annual statement of compliance report can be found here.
English Rural retains the highest available grading of V1 and G1 from The Regulator of Social Housing
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Retained V1 and G1 regulatory gradings after an In-Depth Assessment by the Regulator of Social Housing
Successful recruitment to Board including new resident representation and enhanced lived-experience
National Housing Federation Code of Governance 2020 adopted and compliance delivered
Equality, diversity and Inclusion (EDI) project completed with action plan adopted
The village shop in Dunsfold, Surrey, supported by the local community, some of who live in our affordable homes
>> Even smaller housing associations like English Rural secure value from revisiting and discussing culture, behaviours and values regularly. Defining these at board level has helped to set the tone and approach as the organisation continues to evolve and grow.
>> A review of EDI across the organisation was considered vital, but uncertainty around where to start and what would secure most benefit less apparent. Working with retained people and culture advisors, as well as listening to staff, residents and other stakeholders has helped the EDI Project Group develop an approach that felt right. There is though still some way to go, and this is acknowledged.
