The Welsh transfer experience Mike Owen Merthyr Valleys Homes

Housing in a devolved nation Housing is a Welsh Government responsibility –Housing Acts –Rent setting –Regulation of public bodies Welfare still with UK government Regulation is carried out by the Welsh Regulator Moving to a co-regulation away from an inspection process

Background Merthyr Valleys Homes LSVT in homes transferred 185 employees Transfer goal of improvements and regeneration

11 LSVTs 2 in North West Wales, Ceredigion, Monmouth then an arc across the Welsh Valleys- Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Rhondda, Neath/Port Talbot, Newport and Torfaen All had major repair backlogs All had major commitments to regeneration Across Wales

Financial Background

Welsh LSVT A mix of charitable HAs and mutual's All have local authority representation Council has a golden share at the AGM and 4 elected councillors sit on the Board Report to LA Scrutiny Committee Described by one housing commentator as “ALMOs with your our own money”

Merthyr Valleys Homes 2005 MTCBC option appraisal identified sufficient resources 2006 further stock survey identified problems and new appraisal of –Stay as you are –Transfer –PFI Decision to transfer 2007 subject to ballot Offer document to tenants agreed ballot Feb March separate promises on service, improvement and regeneration Turnout 57% with a in favour

Merthyr Valleys Homes Improvement promise 1 Around 2500 new high quality kitchens with choice of wall tiles, units and colour 2 Around 2000 bathrooms with where practicable choice over bath shower or level access cubicle new uPVC front doors homes with replacement windows uPVC Double Glazing new boilers central heating new heating systems 7 £400,000 communal areas improvements 8 Repair or renew around 700 roofs

Tenants making a difference

Live with us Excellent housing Partnership with tenants Creating a fairer Merthyr

Work with us Commitment to not externalising jobs Living wage and pay increases Training and employment opportunities Working with social enterprises to create change Supporting local democracy

Improve with us £70m investment programme Co-op housing 26 new homes Tackling economic inequality 60% of our money spent in Merthyr Tydfil

Phase two Star Chamber Digital Merthyr Deeper regeneration Building our mutual New offices

Phase two

Merthyr Valleys Homes