Regional Networks Newsletter: Spring 2022

Our recent work

Regional Networks/SHR Liaison Group

Leonora Montgomery is the Regional Networks' current co-ordinator on the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) Liaison group. Leonora gives an overview of the group and its achievements:

"This Group was formed in 2015, following a request from the Regional Networks for regular meetings with the Regulator. The SHR felt that this was another positive way to engage with Tenants and Service Users to achieve a meaningful dialogue on their processes, strategy and regulatory duties and plans.

Meetings are held quarterly and have continued virtually during the pandemic and are attended by 2 of the 4 representatives from each of the Regions together with at least 2 from the SHR and the 2 SHR tenant Board Members also attending every second meeting. These meetings have gone from strength to strength as there is always open and honest discussion on all items raised.

Once a year the Group meets with George Walker (Chair) and Michael Cameron (Chief Executive) for an in-depth Question and Answer session on the issues concerning Tenants and Service Users at that time. These have proved very beneficial to all concerned and we look forward to enhancing this even further going forward."

Rent Affordability

Last year, Terry Kirby of the South East Scotland Regional Network raised concerns amongst tenants at high rent costs in the City of Edinburgh with Regional Network colleagues. Terry coordinated a survey questionnaire of Regional Network members to identify issues of concern in relation to rents and affordability and in conjunction with Regional Network and Scottish Government colleagues, led on establishing a new Rent Focus working group with representatives drawn from all four Networks.

The working group meets monthly on a virtual basis to consider a number of key areas of interest for tenants, including affordability of rents, how rent consultations are carried out in the sector and how tenants are involved in rent setting. Moving forward, the group will also be looking at the affordability of whole housing costs – including running costs such as energy – and the lived experiences of tenants in relation to the affordability of rent.

The Zero Emissions in Social Housing Taskforce

Bruce Cuthbertson of the South West Scotland Regional Network, was recently involved in the ZEST (Zero Emissions in Social Housing Taskforce) working group. Bruce gave us an overview of ZEST:

"I was going to start a new job in a new country, southern France. I came in from work and what did I see on the evening news, residential caravans being washed away on a torrent of water – unheard of then, no new job.

Today that is almost a monthly occurrence, so something has to change, someone or something has to take the first step to start the journey, why not housing?

The Taskforce was set up to report back to the Scottish Government for the beginning of the new Parliamentary session. Similar surveys and forums were running alongside ours; some of you may have participated in them. Our Taskforce consisted of leaders in the housing sector who brought expertise and skill to the group and maybe more importantly common sense. We had representatives from all over Scotland who quickly realised there was no silver bullet and there was no single solution that could be applied nationally. I will briefly outline some of the problems and move on to some of our solutions.

• Tax - a severe imbalance between gas and electricity, electricity being taxed higher.
• The lack of a single database where actual verified facts can be accessed.
• The severe shortage of low interest finance; leaving the EU also closed one major source.
• VAT – we are paying it for all retrofit work – should we?
• A lack of skilled trades and a shortage of training courses.
• Are the best systems actually available at this time? More trials of systems are needed, independently assessed and data shared.

The Taskforce accepts solutions to the above must be actioned but we must take the steps available at present if we are to adhere to the timelines set down, so we advocate the following:

• Everyone in the sector including the Scottish Government and all other public bodies etc. need to share data and experience – there's a lot out there.
• A fabric first approach must be taken, reduce power usage and reduce bills.
• EPCs should reflect power usage, not just tick boxes.

Although this report was focused on social housing, there has to be a coming together of all housing markets to share technologies and retrofit programmes to hopefully lower costs. Tenants and residents must also be trained to use the systems fitted, they will be no use otherwise.

All this must be done in an affordable manner to prevent further increases in all forms of poverty. Scotland should also grab all the chances to create jobs in this market because 1,000,000 houses have to be retrofitted by 2030 in this country alone."

You can access the full Zest report.