SFHA has received confirmation of approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the SFHA Charitable Model Rules 2020. These are now available to all members. The documents can also be made available to RSLs who are not members of SFHA for a fee of £500.
The Scottish Information Commissioner has shared some initial statistics on Freedom of Information requests in the sector between 11 November and 31 Dec 2019. There were a total of 204 requests, with more details outlined below.
The review of the SFHA Model Rules has now reached the final stage, having received approval from the Scottish Housing Regulator and OSCR. The revised Model has now been forwarded to the FCA for registration. SFHA is hopeful that this will be a quick process but it is dependent on any further amendments that may be requested by the FCA. We will keep members informed as this progresses and hope to be in a position to publish by the end of January. Many thanks to everyone who fed into the review process, and a further member consultation on the Supporting Guidance to the Model Rules will begin in the next few days.
Many thanks to all who fed into the SFHA review of the Model Rules. We are now in the final stages of the process.
SFHA has submitted a brief response to the Scottish Government's consultation considering further extension of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
SFHA has forwarded a survey to all member Chief Executives asking for feedback on the Self-Assurance Toolkit. This is with a view to making any necessary revisions to the Toolkit to make it more user friendly.
We recently surveyed members about communications with the Scottish Information Commissioner relating to subsidiaries. Many thanks to all of those who responded, and we have since met with the Scottish Information Commissioner and written to Scottish Government regarding the application of the act to care subsidiaries in particular.
Scottish Government is consulting on potential further extension of FOI to other bodies. Whilst this consultation is not directly about our sector and is extremely broad, the consultation paper makes reference to care and potentially extending to bodies who are contracted by public bodies.
Housing associations invited to take part in via a telephone interview and questionnaire.
SHR warns social landlords to be on guard against cyberattacks.
Report sets out lessons learned from first year of the annual assurance statements, with a particular focus on the aspects that landlords say worked well.
SHR seeks views on proposed changes to current advisory guidance on asset management.
Kendoon Housing Association and Pineview Housing Association start talks on forming a partnership between the two organisations.
SFHA – in partnership with the SHR, the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF) and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) – is seeking proposals from suitably qualified individuals/organisations to produce guidance on the new equalities requirements within the Regulatory Framework.
Sanctuary Scotland selected as preferred partner for Thistle Housing Association to transfer into.
Mr Walker urged RSL chairs to look at how their organisations can contribute by maximising the number of lets they provide to people who are homeless.
