Progress on our objectives
Each year the Accord Board agree the on-going priorities for the organisation . These may evolve during the five-year rolling Business Plan and Accord is able to adapt to changes – for example the rent reduction impact – to ensure that the priorities can be maintained .
This section provides an update on our work on each of the priority areas .
Objective : Meeting Need
Increase the number of homes owned and developed Accord has almost 13,000 homes and continues a programme of building more new homes as part of the Government ’ s Affordable Housing Programme . Over 600 new homes will be built over the next two years across Birmingham and the Black Country regions . As well as government funding , Accord is in discussions with a number of investment organisations to assess how different funding models can help deliver more affordable housing .
Increasing the number of homes manufactured at LoCaL Homes LoCaL Homes continues to provide high quality homes that are affordable to heat and which have great living design . The majority of the new homes being developed by Accord are now manufactured at LoCaL Homes . New partnerships with housing providers across the country have been created with the factory homes being delivered in Cornwall , Yorkshire and exciting new projects are being created in London and the Isle of Wight .
Further develop Health and Social Care services Care and Support remains a key part of Accord ’ s business and 2017 has seen new business won and existing contracts successfully retained . Over the coming year the Care and Support strategy will be updated to reflect changing needs and we will continue to deliver a range of services including older people , dementia care , learning disabilities , offender support and more .
Create volunteering , apprenticeship and employment opportunities By using the Apprenticeship Levy opportunities , Accord will support a number of opportunities to gain skills and experience in health and care , construction and admin services . Additionally further opportunities will be made available to customers and their families through initiatives such as Working2gether and Click Start projects .
Raise funding to support ambitions Accord has successfully secured new funding during 2017 to support developments and projects . Furthermore funding streams , including European Union funding , continue to be assessed . EU funding options may still provide great opportunities to support projects , potentially in partnership with other EU organisations and Accord is part of the Eurhonet network of housing providers .
Provide solutions to homelessness As part of the regional push to tackle street homelessness , Accord is involved in a number of initiatives including with the West Midlands Combined Authority . Options include short-term use of stock as well as research into deeper understanding of the causes of homelessness for people of all different ages , genders and life experiences .
Objective : Great Housing & Services
Better services and increased satisfaction Throughout the year further work has been taking place to change how we deliver our key housing services and our organisational structure changes are helping us to create locality working which puts customers at the heart of services . There ’ s more to do and feedback shows this is creating a positive impact in communities where we work . In the next 12 months we ’ ll explore further how we communicate with customers , whether it be face-to-face or using new channels , particularly to get feedback on how we do what we do and to ensure customers can engage in ways that suit them best .
Environmentally improve existing units and help reduce fuel poverty Involvement in projects such as EnergieSprong allows Accord to access funding streams to retrofit homes so that gas and electricity bills are reduced . We are also working with local start-up businesses to develop solutions .
Objective : Good to Great
Increase turnover and surplus to plough back into our homes and services Accord remains financially strong with an increased surplus demonstrating further efficiency improvements . As a notfor-profit organisation this surplus is used to build new homes , develop wider services and to meet our regulatory and funding requirements .
Further develop stakeholder relationships Accord has very positive relationships with a range of key stakeholders including local authorities , regulatory bodies , funders and other housing and care providers . These relationships are even more important considering the external influences such as funding cuts – working together enables us to deliver more . Accord is represented on local , regional and national bodies covering construction , housing , care and support and Brexit opportunities .
Enhance governance arrangements The simplification of the structure has seen changes in the governance structure also and over the next 12 to 18 months as this beds down , a review will take place to ensure on-going high standards and compliance continue . Accord had an In Depth Assessment in 2016 which maintained existing G1 / V1 ratings .
Increase employee engagement All of what we do is due to the on-going commitment and hard work of Accord ’ s staff and following the structure changes , workshops have been held to explore the culture of the ‘ new ’ Accord . This work is ongoing and we will hold further sessions in 2017 and into 2018 which will also explore the wide range of benefits that Accord staff can access .
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