Housing & Planning • Government Events

Videos

Enfield Council’s Approach to the Housing and Homelessness Crisis

4 minute read

Sep 2024

Joanne Drew, Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration at Enfield Council and Co-Chair of the London Housing Directors Group, joined us at our national Homelessness Conference 2024. Joanne highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis at both local and city-wide levels.

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Articles

The UK’s Top 3 Smart Cities: A Transformative Approach for Local Governments

5 minute read

Aug 2024

While cities like Singapore are leading the way globally with digital transformation, the United Kingdom is on its journey towards global smart city status. Smart city initiatives, such as in London, Manchester and Bristol are pivotal for local governments, providing them with the tools to create more efficient, sustainable, and liveable environments.

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Articles

12 Innovative Solutions to Solve the Affordable Housing Crisis

5 minute read

Aug 2024

Only one in eight first-time buyers can afford an average first home. The affordable housing crisis is a persistent challenge faced by communities across the globe. As of 2021, approximately 8.4 million people in England were living in unaffordable, insecure, or unsuitable homes.

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Videos

Collaborative Climate Change Approach: GLA & London Councils

5 minute read

Jul 2024

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, as set in the Paris Agreement, a collaborative approach must be adopted by local authorities. We were pleased to welcome Kate Hand, Head of Climate Change at London’s Future Directorate, for London Councils, and Karen Soria, Senior Policy and Programmes Officer, Environment, at the Greater London Authority, to our Local Government Climate Action Conference 2023.

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Videos

Learning from Commercial Activity in Local Government Over the Last Decade

30 minute watch

Aug 2023

With inflation and energy prices eating into budgets, local authorities across the UK are facing increasing challenges to deliver services. In this video, the National Audit Office discusses the capital framework guidance for local government commercial activity and the importance of low risk investments to generate income.

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Videos

Delivering Social Value for Communities through Commercial Ventures

27 minute watch

Aug 2023

In the last 10 years, local government have lost nearly £16 billion of funding in central government cuts. In this video, Sevenoaks District Council share how developments, investments and regeneration of assets have added bot social value to the local community and helped the council become self-sufficient from direct central government funding.

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Videos

Creating User-led Customer Service Strategies

20 minute watch

Jul 2023

Creating consistent customer service is key for any housing association when building a trusting relationship with residents. In this video, Annemarie Roberts, Executive Director of Customer Engagement at MOAT discusses the importance of involving customers in developing services to ensure their needs are met and they are heard by the board.

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Articles

The Tools Needed to End Veteran Homelessness

4 minute read

Jun 2023

There are many challenges homeless veterans face when accessing services on their journey out of homelessness. Lee Buss-Blair, Director of Operations at Riverside Housing discusses some of these issues and Op Fortitude funding which is in place to help the development and delivery of a centralised referral pathway for homeless veterans.

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Government Updates

Government Update: Introducing Biodiversity Net Gain to Help Deliver Nature-Friendly Homes

5 minute read

May 2023

More than 1 in 7 species in the UK are facing extinction, according to the WWF. The Environment Act 2021 provides legislation to protect and enhance the UK environment, with aims to halt species decline by 2030. This government update provides an overview of the changes that are being put into effect in November, highlighting the Biodiversity Net Gain Requirements of all developments.

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Videos

Improving ESG Credentials to Attract Investor Interest and Stabilise Finances

1 minute watch

May 2023

ESG and sustainability are key drivers for banks and investors. In this video, Donald McKenzie from Metropolitan Thames Valley discusses why businesses should enhance their ESG credentials and how they can do this, using Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing as a case study.

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Videos

Implementing Digital Tools to Improve Resident Engagement

18 minute watch

Apr 2023

In 2022, 65% of complaints brought to the Housing Ombudsman were found to have maladministration. In this video, Jane Porter, Chief Operating Officer of Optivo discusses the benefit of digital tools in housing association and how reviewing their complaints services has improved the engagement they have from residents.

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Articles

Reducing Reoffending Rates Through Digital Inclusion

6 minute read

Apr 2023

In 2021, adult offenders in the UK had a proven reoffending rate of 24%, according to the Ministry of Justice. In this article, Leeds City Council share the impacts of the 100% Digital Leeds programme on prison leavers and how the programme has helped improve their real-life digital skills.

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