Proceedings
Section 86- Fundamental objectives
171.Section 86 sets out the fundamental objectives of the regulator. These objectives are separately identified in subsections (2) to (11). The regulator must perform its functions with a view to achieving these objectives so far as possible.
172.Subsection (2) specifies the first objective: to encourage and support a supply of well-managed social housing of appropriate quality sufficient to meet reasonable demands. Social housing is defined in Section 68(1).
173.Subsection (3) specifies the second objective: to ensure that actual or potential tenants of social housing have an appropriate degree of choice and protection.
174.Subsection (4) specifies the third objective: to ensure that tenants have the opportunity to be involved in the management of their social housing.
175.Subsection (5) specifies the fourth objective: to ensure the efficient, effective and economic performance of landlord functions by registered providers of social housing.
176.Subsection (6)specifies the fifth objective: to ensure that registered providers are financially viable and properly managed.
177.Subsection (7) specifies the sixth objective: to encourage registered providers of social housing to contribute to the environmental, social and economic well-being of the areas in which their property is situated.
178.Subsection (8) specifies the seventh objective: to encourage investment in social housing, including by promoting the availability of financial services to registered providers of social housing.
179.Subsection (9) specifies the eighth objective: to avoid creating either as a direct or indirect consequence of its actions an unreasonable burden on public funds.
180.Subsection (10) specifies the ninth objective: to guard against the misuse of public funds.
181.Subsection (11) specifies the tenth objective: to regulate in such a way as to minimise administrative burdens, consistent with its ability to achieve its other objectives.
182.Subsection (12) provides that this will include compliance with the regulators’ Compliance Code issued under the provisions of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.
183.Subsection (13) indicates that there is no significance to the order in which the objectives are listed in the section. It is for the regulator to balance these objectives in carrying out each of its functions as it deems appropriate.
Sections 87 and 88 – Procedure and conflict of interest
184.Section 87 provides for the regulator to determine its own procedure and for the manner in which its procedure is made public. Section 88 states that this procedure must include arrangements for dealing with conflicts of interest of members, employees or members of committees and sub-committees.
Sections 89 and 90 – Committees and delegation
185.Sections 89 and 90 enable the regulator to authorise a committee, a sub-committee, a member or an employee to exercise a function on its behalf. All committees or sub-committees will need to include at least one member of the regulator (but may also include non-members).
Section 91 – Seal
186.This section provides that a document executed under the seal is to be regarded as valid unless the contrary is shown, and that the seal may be authenticated by any person authorised to so do or by a member.
Section 92 - Annual report
187.This section requires the regulator to prepare and publish an annual report, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year. The contents must be a report on the performance of its functions during the preceding financial year. In particular, it will include a statement of the regulator’s accounts, and specify any direction that the regulator has been given by the Secretary of State during the preceding year under section 197. The regulator’s annual report shall include a general description of complaints made to it during the year about the performance of registered providers and of how those complaints have been dealt with. Having prepared the report, the regulator will send a copy of the report to the Secretary of State, who will then lay a copy before Parliament.
