Boards are often failing to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation

The RSH has made it clear that such compliance is an absolute requirement under the Safety and Quality Standard.  Writing in Social Housing, Christopher Smith of Savills Affordable Housing Consultancy called on boards to take a more proactive role in defining their assurance requirements in this area, rather than deferring to officers.  They should ensure that compliance data is subject to regular, rigorous validation and reconciliation routines, including the use of independent, third-party assurance.  In addition, board members need to be appropriately skilled and experienced to analyse the information provided, identify gaps in the data, and provide sufficient challenge to the officers.