§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what checks he makes on the administrative overheads of housing associations; [88178]
(2) what checks he undertakes of the salaries paid to the chief executives and other senior officers of housing associations. [88179]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Housing Corporation, sponsored by my Department, is responsible for regulating the activities of housing associations, now known as Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). RSLs are independent bodies, and members of their governing bodies serve in a voluntary capacity. The setting of salaries for chief executives and other senior executives is a matter for each RSL' s board.
The Housing Corporation measures RSLs' performance annually against performance standards which cover their propriety, probity, financial management and accountability. It requires RSLs to publish in their annual report and accounts details of the remuneration of any executive earning more than £40,000 per annum. As part of its performance review process, the Corporation assesses RSLs' accounts and other financial information and publishes performance indicators for England's 371 largest RSLs. These include specific indicators on management and maintenance costs and on staffing costs.
The Corporation has also put in place a Best Value framework for RSLs which expects them to hold down and reduce their running costs (including salaries) whilst improving the quality of services provided to their residents.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring he undertakes where housing previously under the control of a local authority has been transferred to a housing association, with particular reference to(a) rent levels, (b) repairs, (c) new building and (d) specialist provision. [88180]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWhere local authority housing has been transferred to a registered social landlord, the Housing Corporation is responsible for monitoring the performance of the new landlord.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with housing associations about rent levels during the last year. [88181]
171W
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department has discussed rent levels with the National Housing Federation, the representative body for registered social landlords (RSLs), on several occasions. We also meet representatives of individual RSLs from time to time, when rents may be one of the issues under discussion.