Sunday, October 04, 2009

Housing Matters 4 October 4 2009

I think that last week’s public housing news was dominated by the Labour Party conference. I will admit in advance that I will be drawn by issues I came across as a delegate.

Labour Investment v. Tory Cuts
Housing minister John Healey at a conference fringe event on Tuesday challenges the view that any new government elected next year would have to slash spending on public housing. It will happen under Tories but not Labour. Under Labour there was a medium term plan to increase capital expenditure.

CEO Excessive Pay: “Don’t Tar all of us with the same brush”
At another conference fringe in response to my question about the Housing Association sector's reputation being ruined by excessive CEO pay, David Eastgate Chief Executive Officer of Hyde Housing Association responded by saying that there were “several highly paid outliers” but “don’t tar us all with the same bush”.

I suspect that there are actually remarkably similar views of the RSL/RP sector shared by the blue rinse and pinstripe brigade currently gathering in Manchester.

Housing minister to look into HA Executive Pay.
At the “Communities” Policy Seminar (see picture above) I brought to Housing Minister, John Healey (right) attention that 2 years ago at the Labour Party conference I asked then minister Yvette Cooper about the soaring Pay of Housing Association CEO’s. I repeated the 2009 sorry tale of the Anchor Trust CEO pocketing just under £400k despite losing £35 million. When one of the panel heard that Anchor Trust had been originally set up by “Help the Aged” he said are you sure it was not set up by “Help yourself”. The Housing Minister said he would look into the issue and asked the housing trade unions to share any information they have about this issue with him. No problem with that methinks.

Housing issues in Prime Minster Gordon Browns conference speech
Another big push on anti-social behavior; more family intervention projects, help for 200,000 homeowners to stay in their home and supported accommodation for children with children.

Tory secret plans to triple rents and end security of tenure.
Labour Housing Minister John Healey (again) attacks Tory housing plans - which we all know will happen if they get in.

My Mum gets shower fitted in Sheltered Housing Association Flat”
And she is really pleased...

4 comments:

Mike Law said...

On the issue of excessive pay for CEO's, should you become an elected member of the Council, will you call for a reduction in the salary of Newham's Chief Executive?

John Gray said...

Hi Mike

If I am...nope. but I do support the measures regarding Council CEO's pay proposed by John Denham at Conference. Personally I would support a far more progressive tax system as well for the higher paid.

I would suggest you compare RSL CEO pay with the Newham Council CEO.

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/Attachments.aspx?attype=T&storycode=6506506&atcode=9666

Mike Law said...

I could only find a reference to figures paid to Housing Association CEOs on the Public Finance website and that quotes the highest paid as John Belcher of Anchor Trust on £327,000 which is less than Newham's CEO gets - although this article was written late last year.

However, I see on one of your previous blogs that he's on £391,000. I have no idea what the CEO of RSL gets.

I was told by a Labour councillor that the CEO of Newham is also getting an extra £100,000 in bonuses.

Missed Denham's proposals - what were they are can you supply a link?

John Gray said...

Hi Mike

Enjoy http://www.politic.co.uk/labour-party-private-room/14079-john-denhams-speech-labour-conference.html