The Regulator of Social Housing has issued its latest batch of regulatory judgements based on its continuing programme of inspections.  Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council has received a C1 grading, Wolverhampton City Council and St Albans District Council were both graded C2.  In an earlier announcement (14 January), the Regulator issued a C£ grading to Broxtowe Borough Council.

ARCH has been asked by several member authorities whether there is still a ban on councils graded C3 or C4 receiving Affordable Homes funding from Homes England under the current programme or new SAHP.  We have obtained the following clarification from MHCLG:

“Councils with non-compliant gradings were prevented from applying to government subsidy programmes under the previous administration due to a gap in the regulations following the introduction of the Consumer Standards, but this was resolved by the current Housing Minister shortly after he was appointed. As a result, there is now nothing to prevent a council with a C3 or C4 grading from applying to or receiving funds from the 2021-26 AHP or SAHP, provided they meet the relevant criteria (i.e. their bid represents VfM etc).  

HE regularly engages with the RSH to discuss RPs with non-compliant gradings, and they will take it into consideration when assessing bids, but in isolation it can’t be used to exclude a potential bidder wholesale.”