1. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 1
Scrutiny – the Cottsway Way

2. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 2
Local Stock Voluntary Transfer March
2001 from West Oxfordshire District
Council
Current stock
4225 General needs
225 Sheltered residents
335 Leaseholders & Shared owners
Very rural stock – 4 primary towns
Primary stock in West Oxfordshire
spread over 276 square miles
Cottsway Housing Association

3. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 3
Top Ten Tips for a Successful Scrutiny
1. Looking at what matters to residents
2. Clear, realistic and achievable goals
3. Open-mindedness
4. Investment in quality training
5. Independent from Cottsway
6. Team-building & team-work
7. Buy-in from Cottsway’s Board & staff
8. The ACT team’s support
9. Robust Governance
10.Findings based on facts and evidence – ‘triangulate’ evidence

4. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 4
What to Scrutinize…
Our key questions/drivers
What will
make a
difference
to
Residents
What will
make a
difference
to Cottsway
Consider
additional
work for
Cottsway
Staff
What is
manageable
and
achievable
Residents
feedback
from
Surveys
Value for
Money

5. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 5
Scrutiny in Action
Scoping
Meeting
Process
Mapping
Desk-top
Review
Staff
Interviews
Resident
Interviews
Focus
Groups
Stakeholder
Interviews
Job
Shadowing
Bench
Marking
Audit
Moderation
Meeting
Writing
Report
Present
Report to
Board

6. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 6
First 3 Scrutinies
Lettings Repairs ASB

7. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 7
Accountability
to CHA and
Residents
Chair/Vice-
Chair
Role Profiles
RSP Members
Terms of Reference
Code of Conduct
Annual reviews
Interview Process
Monthly RSP
Meetings
Budget expenditure
monitored each month
by
Finance sub-group
Progress
Shared with Board and
CHA Staff in Scrutiny
Liaison Group
Scrutiny
Reports
go directly to Cottsway’s
Board
Communication
to Residents
Home Page
Website
Scrutiny
Reports
Available to anyone
upon request
RSP
Annual Report
Governance

8. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 8
To pay…or not to pay?
1. Increases Accountability
2. Credibility
3. Scrutiny is not just a ‘tea and biscuits’ resident group
4. Minimum level of expectation
5. Annual Review
6. Attract different types of resident
7. Ask more of the Panel…not beholden to them
8. Why not?

9. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 9
Read about us…

10. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 10
2012 Cottsway ACT Award
• Group of the Year
TPAS 2013 WINNER (South Region)
• Excellence in Tenant-Led Scrutiny
TPAS 2013 National Finalist (Top 3)
• Excellence in Tenant-Led Scrutiny
2013 Cottsway ACT Award
• Group of the Year

11. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 11
Measuring the Impact of Scrutiny
Impact
Residents
Staff
VFMChange
Quality

12. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 12
Lessons Learned
The Time Commitment
Retaining Panel Members
Recruitment & Succession Planning
Maintaining the Bar
Keeping the Momentum
Being Realistic!
On-going Training

13. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 13
Next Steps…
 Succession Planning
 Finance sub-group
 Project manager/team
leader
 Managing change
group dynamics
 Impact group
 Annual away-day –
team building
 Networking & Sharing
Best Practice
 Development
 Improvement cycle
Document
current
processes
Review &
Analysis
Explore
Alternatives
Design
revised
processes
Implement
new
Processes

14. Learn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us | www.cih.org 14
Leslie Channon
Email : Leslie.Channon@my.westminster.ac.uk
@LeslieChannon
Thank you for listening…