Assurance statement

As the parent in a Group structure, the Board confirms that we have appropriate assurance that all Registered Social Landlords (“RSL”) which are part of Wheatley Housing Group Limited (being Wheatley Housing Group, Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Wheatley Homes East, Wheatley Homes South and Loretto Housing Association) materially comply with:

  • all relevant regulatory requirements set out in Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework;
  • all relevant standards in the Scottish Social Housing Charter;
  • all relevant statutory and legal requirements; and
  • Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management

We have gained this assurance following a review and assessment of the evidence provided at our Board meeting on 30 August 2023 and from our ongoing oversight and scrutiny of the Group’s affairs throughout the year 2022/23.

The Board has overseen the assurance exercise that supports this Statement and is satisfied that it is comprehensive in its scope to include each of the group members.  The Boards of each of the subsidiaries are involved in the Group assurance exercise in so far as it relates to their RSL and have also, through their representation on the parent Board, contributed to the Group assurance review.

The Group Board confirms that we have made strong progress in relation to the collection of equalities information and human rights, as required by the Regulatory Framework. We are assured we have established appropriate systems for the collection of equalities data. We are assured that we have begun using this data to help us take account of equality and human rights issues in our decision, policy-making and day-to-day service delivery.

The Group Board also confirms compliance in relation to our tenant and safety obligations. In particular, we have gained the necessary evidence-based assurance of our compliance in respect of duties relating to gas, electrical, fire, water and lift safety and obligations relating to asbestos, and damp and mould.

We recognise that we are required to notify the Scottish Housing Regulator of any changes in our compliance during the course of the year and are assured that we have effective arrangements in place to enable us to do so.

The requirement to carry out Electrical Installation Condition Reports has changed from 10 to 5 years. Approximately 0.14% of properties are recorded as not having an up to date EICR.  In all cases reasonable attempts to obtain access have been unsuccessful and enforcement action is being pursued to ensure that all properties have a valid EICR.

For and on behalf of the Board of Wheatley Housing Group Limited.

Josephine  Armstrong

Chair

30 August 2023