People and Practice – doing it together
13-15 October 2023
Our conference this year was very special as we celebrated our 30th Anniversary. The theme was ‘People and Practice: doing it together.’ The speakers, sessions and workshops were structured around acknowledging the amazing work that housing co-operatives and their members are doing, and building on those strengths to help us face the future with new skills and confidence. The Practice of Co-operatives plenary looked at changes in the regulatory world for our Registered Provider co-ops and is a MUST WATCH regarding the new Social Housing Regulation Act which gained Royal Assent in the summer.
For a summary of the conference, check out the Co-op News article here.
Conference presentations and videos are available below.
Workshop presentations are here:
Conference
Welcome:
Blase Lambert, Chief Executive, and Martyn Holmes, Chair
Blase Lambert, our Chief Executive, and Martyn Holmes, our Chair, outlined the work that CCH has done over the last year, looked at what we will be doing in the future, and outlined some of the major issues coming up for our sector.
Helen Russell, CHIBAH
Helen Russell, one of our Founder Members, entertained us with her memories of how CCH was set up as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary.
Friday night Presentation
This included some great clips from Dame Pauline Green, former President of the International Co-operative Alliance, and David Rodgers, former President of Co-operative Housing International.
Plenary 1:
The Brilliance of Co-operatives
Chris Tomlinson, Stirchley Co-operative Development – breaking new ground
Bill Phelps, Chapeltown Cohousing – moving in
Jaimini Bharakhada, Belgrave Neighbourhood CHA – excellence in participation [CCH Award Winner]
Eoin Donnelly, North Camden Housing Co-operative – excellence in major renovation [CCH Award Winner]
Our first plenary showcased the brilliance and inspiration that some of our member co-ops have achieved, from forming co-ops, to co-ops that have just moved in, great participation, and those that are maintaining aging co-op properties.
Plenary 2:
The Practice of Co-operatives
Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive, Regulator of Social Housing – New approach to Consumer Regulation
Sarah Patrice, Partner, Anthony Collins – Legal perspective on the Social Housing Regulation Act
Sarah Davis, Senior Policy and Practice, Chartered Institute of Housing – Professionalism in Housing
Our second plenary looked at how things are changing in the regulatory world for Registered Providers, in particular the consumer standards. It covered some of the legal requirements that will be coming in, along with the potential new professionalism agenda. Everything your co-op needs to be aware of regarding the new Social Housing Regulation Act which gained Royal Assent in the summer.
Plenary 3:
The People of Co-operatives
Khalid Mair, Imani Housing Co-operative
Helen Bartlett, Rosa Bridge Housing Co-operative [CCH Award winner]
Claude Hendrickson MBE, People Powered Homes
Abigail Hammond, Nettleton Road Housing Co-operative/CASH
Our third plenary showcased are our inspirational superheroes that have made the housing co-operative sector what it is today and will continue to do so in the future.
Belgrave Neighbourhood CHA video
