Financial Statements 2017 Financial Statements 2017 | Page 20

Theme Objective: What has Accord committed to? Implementation: What has been delivered? Improve return on investment/ assets Improve operational outlets and assets (disposal/change of use/ continued investment) through Active Asset Management. n Strategic disposal of 44 existing properties generating cash proceeds of £4.5m to support the supply of new homes in 2017/18. Over £1m surpluses were generated from these sales. n Care and support properties have been redeployed for general needs purposes where care and support services have been ended by commissioning partners - these assets now ensure an ongoing positive financial contribution whilst meeting housing need. n The Asset Disposal Strategy is owned by the Executive which oversees strategic disposal decisions, ensuring alignment to Business Plan objectives and deliverables. n During the year Accord saw improved sickness absence following a number of sustained HR initiatives. n Accord’s continued investment in its people has delivered a skilled and motivated workforce which has contributed 2016/17 surpluses being well in excess of budget. n The Executive and Board regularly receive HR people data relating to sickness and staff turnover, performance against targets and sector averages to assess how well Accord is generating appropriate returns on its investment in its workforce. n Using the stock disposal strategy and Register of Assets and Liabilities targeted disposals have been undertaken to further increase return on assets from remaining homes. n Unit cost analysis is completed for Accord’s repairs and maintenance function to understand VFM effectiveness in the context of wider sector data. This data is used to inform the delivery of Accord’s asset management strategy. n Each development scheme or project is carefully considered to not only ensure it is financially viable but that Accord also develops the right homes in the right places at the right times. n Housing stock net present value data at a per unit level of granularity is also used to inform the stock disposal process. Development, asset management and other major investment decisions are always clearly linked to strategic business outcomes/objectives. Improve return on investment in people – demonstrate increased added value from our investment in staff costs. 18 Accord Housing Association