The Northern Housing Consortium Ltd was established on 25^th January, 2002. It took over from the Northern Consortium of Housing Authorities (1974 - 2002), and its predecessor the North-East Major Authorities Consortium (1964 - 1974).

The Early Days

The Consortium was set up by the then North-East Regional Office of the Department of Environment as a vehicle to identify and disseminate good practice in housing, and a conduit for dissemination of information and feedback on developing government policy.

Its work up until the early 1980s comprised of the establishment of a series of networks and the production of numerous Study Group Reports on a wide range of technical and management issues.

Whilst this work continued during the 1980s the other activities of the Consortium began to grow considerably e.g. training and conference provision, collective procurement, research facility, policy advice, support and guidance.

1974 - 1990

During this time the Consortium existed to provide its members with a network for:-

• Identification and dissemination of good practice
• Collectively addressing issues of common concern
• Information provision
• Responding to Government on behalf of the North.

Due to the limited resources available these activities were mainly undertaken using self help by the Authorities themselves. Numerous study group reports were published during this period, and a number of large conferences held.

1990 Onwards

A variety of initiatives taken early in the 1990s, together with prudent management, generated additional income streams which were harnessed to develop a number of new services for members. Key dates were as follows:

1991

Partnerships developed with the London Housing Consortium (LHC) through which Northern Consortium Members could take advantage of Bulk Procurement of Building Materials.

Working with a number of interested LAs and Housing Associations a Consortium Maintenance Contract was developed with Tunstall Telecom for Community Alarm Equipment.

1993

Using Section 16 Grant from the Department of the Environment the Consortium appointed its first Training Officer and the training/conference service as we currently know it, was established. The Consortiums expenditure rose to £186,000.

1994

A Research Officer was appointed to undertake work across the region.

1996

The Policy Support Service was established and one of the early projects involving this and research was to develop "The Northern Housing Research Partnership" which in 1997 produced "Housing in the North". Later on, additional reports, including "Thinking the Unthinkable" were produced, which highlighted for the first time the problems of low demand.

1998 Onwards

A number of products, solutions and services have continued to be developed since 1997.

2002

The Consortium's expenditure rose to £578,000. Introduction of Payment Card Solution.

2004

New 10 year Tunstall Maintenance Contract - Two Community Alarms Partners appointed following OJEU tender for supply of equipment.

2005

Turnover reached £1,883,612 & Balances rise to £541,652

Links with Government

Having been established by the Regional Office of Department of Environment, links up until 1980 were very strong, particularly in the Region, with all Study Groups and Committees being chaired by a Senior Civil Servant. From 1980 onwards, close links were still maintained, but the Local Authority members took over all positions of prominence and control.

Over the past 20 years strong relations have been built up with the 3 Government Regional Offices and HQ which have helped the Consortium develop initiatives, and influence policy on behalf of its members. Close links have also been established with the Housing Corporation, Regional Development Agencies, and the Northern Way Working Group on sustainable Communities.

Staffing

Until 1983 and due to the strong support from the regional Department of Environment office the Consortium only had 1 member of staff. However since then and in line with its development of services for members, and steadily increasing membership, its staffing numbers have increased to 6 by 1993, 19 by 2002, 22 in 2003, 25 in 2004, 27 in 2005 and 28 in 2006.

Finance

The rapid development of the Consortium during the 1990s can be seen from the following:

Figures are £000s	1990	1993	1998	2002	2003	2005
Income Expenditure Staff Salaries Devpt Fund/Reserves	48 48 33 33	180 179 95 72.5	508 473 343 178	762 779 441 208	968 910 508 250*	1,903 1,713 759 541
Net Income from Events & Ex. Net Income from Research Net Income from Subscriptions Net Income from Bus. Solutions	2.5 (%) 0 (0%) 42 (86%)0 (0)%	65 (36%) 0 (0)% 55 (30%) 47 (26%)	115 (22%) 67 (13%) 119 (23%) 169 (33%)	170 (22%) 120 (16%) 178 (23%) 238 (32%)	205 (23%) 110 (11.5%) 208 (23%) 392 (40%)	267 (19%) 207 (15%) 227 (16%) 389 (28%)

*Approx