BIH Housing Association - Annual Report and Accounts 2006/2007

That is the bedrock of a culture of continuous improvement and one that we as an organisation aspire to uphold. BIH focuses on the provision of high quality housing and services to our community. Our achievements are therefore primarily measured by the number of people we house during the year and the number of new homes we complete and commence each year and by the achievement of key performance levels agreed in the service level agreements with our tenants.

All of the other activities of the Association support these key areas. During 2006/07 we commenced 244 new homes and completed 277 new homes drawing in over £22 million in DSD Housing Association Grants. This development activity represented 24% of the starts achieved by all Housing Associations last year. The completions recorded were above target. Getting a new home is a time of great excitement but after that settles BIH unlike a private developer has an ongoing relationship with the tenant. The key service provided and valued by tenants is repairs. During the year the Association met its targets for repairs and again noted the value added by the in-house team in the handyman service. This service is particularly valued by our older tenants and will be expanded in the coming year.

During the year we completed the action plan laid out in the 2005 inspection Report of the Department for Social Development. We continue to strive to improve our services and staff have maintained their high standards by retaining the Charter Mark accreditation. In March the assessor cited two examples of best practice and these may be shared throughout the United Kingdom.

In autumn 2006 the Board and senior staff commenced a process to review the strategic direction of the Association. This was undertaken in the context of the review into Affordable Housing by Sir John Semple and the prospect of a new strategy for procurement. We adopted a Corporate Strategy for 2007-2012 incorporating a new mission which we believe is relevant for the work of all staff. Governance is an important topic for all businesses and so during the year we undertook some self-examination and a review of BIH governance arrangements. At the close of this year we acknowledged the work of two of our longest serving board members as they retired from the Board. We thank Harry Fletcher and Clare McVeigh who between them they have a lifetime of voluntary service to their respective communities. They set an example for us all in recognising that bedrock of the voluntarism which remains within the Housing Association movement.

This spirit extends to the activities of the staff and this year the Association signed the Employers Charter for Business in the Community and adopted a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy. The Employer Supported Volunteering Group set up in 1996 continued their fund raising activities and we were delighted in March 2007 to present a cheque to PAPA representing monies collected over a two year period by the staff. On behalf of the Board and Senior Executive team we congratulate the staff and in particular the ESV Committee on their achievement.

As the Board and Senior Executive Team we are conscious that we are now a large organisation. We have external and internal responsibilities and we are accountable. To that end we have devised a Risk Management Strategy and Framework to cover all aspects of our business. Nowhere is this more important than in treasury management as we seek to support the development programme through sourcing private finance. Working collaboratively with two other Associations we have brought a new lender to the Northern Ireland housing market by securing joint facilities for £50 million with Barclays Bank. We continue to seek productive relationships with our existing lenders and look forward to their continuing support as we see the expansion of the development programme as the outputs increase driven by the Affordability review and housing demand.

We wish to place on record in concluding this report our thanks to the Department for Social Development and in particular their staff who have assisted us for over 30 years to deliver the development programme. In April 2007 this function transferred to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and we look forward to a strengthening relationship with their new team. Our thanks also go to all those who assist the Association through the Tenants Forum. Their input is vital as we take the Association forward to meet the challenges set by the Minister. Finally we look forward to working with the Consultants of all disciplines and the Contractors who support the work of the Association. Together we must respond to the growing needs of our community and bring innovation and high standards of delivery to our community. Together we must Strive to be the Best in Housing in Northern Ireland.

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