September 2013 - Bron Afon

Board discussion centred on whether there was any benefit to
Bron Afon in this but the Board decided that there was no addedvalue,
however we should keep abreast of future regulatory
approach.
The Chief Executive asked whether there should be a change in
the frequency in which reports are presented to Board, especially
relating to rent recovery trends and outcomes.
The Board discussed the frequency of reports and suggested
that they remain as they are. They agreed that measuring
outcomes was difficult but important and that we should set our
own targets.
The Chair mooted that, to ascertain what both parties expect of
one another, it is important to hold dialogue with both parties
and, to that end, we should meet with the regulators on a
listening basis rather than an inquisition basis. We should set
and control the agenda, asking for a presentation on their
assessment. Board expressed some doubt as to whether this
was a good idea but settled on attempting to arrange a meeting
with the Regulators sometime in October/November. It was
further agreed that the Membership Committee would have a
presence at the meeting.
Membership Committee Comments
The Committee suggested that lessons can be learned from
Monmouthshire Housing Association.
Members mentioned a number of points they felt were
contradictory, including home owners and value for money.
There was concern that the regulator does not understand the
issues connected with the fact that Bron Afon are a community
mutual.
Members raised concern that tenants could be subsidising
leaseholders with relation to service charges. The Director of
Resources assured the Committee that Bron Afon are
undertaking a review on service charges, to ensure that rent and
service charges are separated in the future.
The Vice Chair informed the Committee that any further
questions related to the HARA can be raised with the Chief
Executive at a meeting dedicated to the HARA on July 31 st .
The Board thanked the Chief Executive for the presentation.
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