Action Follows Housing Executive Probe

Sixteen key recommendations and 59 best practise recommendations have been made after an investigation into the Northern Ireland Housing Executive was undertaken.

An oversight group is to ensure recommendations made by the report are implemented after the Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood ordered the review amid concerns that systems within NIHE, including procurement practises, were not "sufficiently robust".

Other investigations - including by the PSNI - are still ongoing.

According to Mr Attwood, who presented the review to the Stormont Assembly, "some very important lessons" have been thrown up.

"I want to see these recommendations in the report implemented quickly by the Housing Executive. I have already put in place arrangements to make sure that happens," Mr Attwood said.

"The Housing Executive has already provided me with a first draft of an implementation action plan. I will meet much more regularly with the Housing Executive board and my Permanent Secretary will chair an oversight group to ensure these recommendations are completed," he explained.

He also presented an external review of the NIHE response maintenance contracts.

He said the reviews were a thorough, hands-on response to concerns, provide a pathway for NIHE to move to a better place and deepen confidence.

The Minister concluded that the governance review showed good structures in place.

It said there was much evidence of good practice at board and management level, appropriate structures to identify and manage risk, including a well-established audit committee.

However, a range of issues which weaken the governance structures have been identified.

Recommendations include a formal Terms of Reference be developed by the Board and a comprehensive review of the Boards standing orders as well as key documents being subject to review and challenge.

A review of risk management and greater use of the Housing Executive's repairs inspection unit and a review of key performance indicators measuring the performance of contractors is also on the way.

Alex Attwood said: "In Autumn last year, I became increasingly concerned about allegations and investigations into the work of the Housing Executive.

"I decided that we needed a robust, transparent, speedy and external investigation into the Housing Executive's governance structures. I have received a robust response with 16 key recommendations to improve control and 59 best practice recommendations," he said.

Meanwhile, on contracts, 14 recommendations have also been made in respect of tighter procurement processes and more robust contract management.

Alex Attwood continued: "I want to see these recommendations in the report implemented quickly and I have already put in place arrangements to make sure that happens.

"In my view, this is a critical piece of work and has major consequences going forward."

Turning to the wider implications for procurement across government, arising from the review of maintenance contracts, Alex Attwood said: "This review has thrown up some very important lessons which I feel could apply across Government. "This review may well highlight how all departments can be more robust when it comes to governance and I will be sharing my findings with government colleagues."

However, the news - while welcomed - isn't enough for the Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast, Paul Maskey.

He welcomed the investigations but said a number of serious issues remain unanswered.

"Many of us have been raising concerns going back some considerable time. In fact I have tabled questions to this Minister and his predecessor since early 2009 in relation to both Housing Executive staff and their contractors within his own constituency of West Belfast.

"The investigations, including that currently being carried out by the PSNI, into governance and other issues of concern at the Housing Executive are ongoing and we await their outcome with interest.

"It is important to remember that the Housing Executive avail of a considerable amount of public monies and must be subjected to vigorous checks and balances.

"The recent adverse weather highlighted further failings in the management processes within the Housing Executive.

"Both failure to act as well as a substantial breakdown in communication led to unprecedented disruption and distress to countless Housing Executive and Association tenants." he complained.

(BMcC/GK)