Hugh Thomas
Independent Chair of the Regulatory Board
for Wales
Regulation in Wales
Introduction and context
• The Essex Report and Review
• Developed alongside the sector
• Terms of reference set for the Regulatory Board for
Wales (RBW)
• Accountability at all levels
Core regulatory principles
•
•
•
•
•
•
Strong accountability
A citizen focused approach
Proportionate to risk
Transparent links between risk and response
Consistent across the sector
Promoting improvement and learning
Key framework elements
•
•
•
•
•
Self assessment by Housing Associations
Performance standards
Relationship management approach
Annual regulatory assessment
A Strong voice for the service user
Unique policy context of Wales opposed to
England
• Relationship management approach
• Unique Welsh position
• Portfolio allocation of HAs to Senior Regulation
Managers
• Building a soft and hard intelligence base
• Learning the specific circumstances of particular HAs
How far has the Regulator travelled?
• Consultation to date indicates strong sector support for the
framework
• Further consultation on operational approach to Regulation
• Finalising the Regulators approach to performance standards
• First meetings of the Regulatory Board and Tenants Advisory
Panel imminent
• Taking forward the ‘unique’ Welsh approach