Technical Books

AWICS have written and published a number of useful books on technical topics relating to those providing public services.

WELFARE REFORM: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DEVELOPMENTS IN LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING FINANCE IN ENGLAND

All You Want to Know about Scottish Social Housing Finance 2013

This 104 page book is a useful introduction and overview of the finances of Scottish Social Housing including Local Authorities and Housing Associations.

It includes sections on the financial framework and regulation; housing association income and expenditure accounts; local authority housing revenue accounts; rents & service charges; housing benefit and welfare reform; business planning, cash flows and balance sheets; capital programmes and the Scottish Housing Quality Standard; Development and the Strategic Housing Investment Programme; Loan Finance; Comprehensive Spending Review and Efficiency; Strategic Housing Responsibilities and the Housing General Fund; and Regeneration; and Stock Transfers.

All You Want to Know about Housing Association Finance 2013

This is a useful introduction and overview of the finance of English Housing Associations. It includes sections on the financial framework; economic environment; income & expenditure accounts; cash flow and treasury management; rents and other revenue issues; capital finance and development; the national affordable housing programme; private loans; regulation, viability and value for money; business and financial planning; and stock transfers. Updated March 2013. 100 pages.

All you want to know about Local Authority Housing Finance 2014

This guide is written for housing managers, tenant representatives, board members, and finance staff who would like to know more about Local Authority Housing Finance and others who realise that an understanding of Local Authority Housing Finance can place them at an advantage. It is a useful introduction and companion to this complex and important subject and includes reference to the housing revenue account, the new self-financing system and the general fund. Fully updated in February 2014. 104 pages.

Budgets and Financial Management in the Public Sector for Non-Financial People

A useful 108-pages introductory  book which is intended for those who are not experts in budgets and financial management in the public sector but who want to gain an overview of the subject.

Comprehensive Spending Review 2010 – Implications for Local Government and Housing

The Spending Review of 2010 addresses the government’s deficit reduction plan for 2011 to 2015 and includes reductions in public expenditure of up to 50%.  The implications for public services including local government and housing will clearly be significant and will lead to significant changes in the way that services are delivered.

This book is suitable for all those with an interest in the management and resourcing of local government and housing including Councillors, Board Members, Managers and Accountants.

This useful 100-page book considers the implications for local government and housing. Published 2010.

Sustainable Housing Business Plans and the Efficiency Agenda

A useful guide to how retention and arms length management authorities can prepare sustainable housing revenue account business plans that meet the government's 'fit for purpose' criteria in the context of the 'efficiency agenda.

All You Want To Know About Local Authority Finance 2014

‘All You Want to Know about Local Authority Finance’ is a useful 100 page introduction and companion to the complex and important subject of local authority finance. First published in April 2014. 100 pages.

Opportunities and Challenges for Arms Length Management Organisations

This 110-page book is designed to look in depth at some of the opportunities and challenges that currently face arms length management organisations. It is published at a critical time with the government implementing self financing following the Communities & Local Government / HM Treasury Review of the Housing Revenue Account; the Tenant Services Authority about to become responsible for the regulation of Arms Length Management Organisations; and many authorities are launching New Build programmes using Arms Length Management Organisations.

Implementing the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008

The Housing and Regeneration Act received royal assent on 22nd July 2008. This is perhaps the most important piece of housing legislation since the 1988 Housing Act and has changed the way in which new affordable housing is delivered in England and the way in which social housing is regulated.

This 100-page book looks at the implications of the Act for local authorities and housing associations in England. The Act follows the decision of the government to raise the priority and increase the budgets relating to the provision of new affordable housing.

Arms Length Management Organisations – Freedoms, Flexibilities and the Future

This is a useful 100 page guide that looks at the progress of arms length management organisations in achieving the decent homes standard and at their future role. This includes reference to the 2007 Housing Green Paper and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. Withdrawal from the housing revenue account subsidy system and participation in new build of affordable housing are also considered. It is designed for people with some knowledge of local authority housing but they need not be experts.

All You Want to Know about Local Authority Finance in Scotland

This 96-page guide is designed for people who are not experts in local authority finance in Scotland, but who need to understand the basics and achieve an overview of what is going on. It is suitable for managers, councillors and finance staff who have limited or no experience of local authority finance and others who realise that an understanding of local authority finance can place them at an advantage!

Developments in Social Housing Finance in Scotland – The Implications of the Green Paper

This book examines the implications of the Scottish Housing Green Paper and other proposals for Scottish Local Authorities and Scottish Housing Associations. (100 pages).

All You Want to Know about WELSH SOCIAL Housing Finance 2013

This guide is written for housing managers, elected members, tenant representatives,  finance staff and others who would like to know more about Social Housing Finance in Wales. It is designed for those who need an understanding and basic overview. It is a useful introduction and companion to this subject. It covers Housing Association, Local Authority Housing Revenue Account and Strategic Housing services.  100 pages. Published in 2013.

Achieving Efficiencies and Value for Money in Social Housing

Achieving Efficiencies and Value for Money in Social Housing is a useful 100 page introduction and companion to the complex and important subject of how Value for Money and Efficiency is being delivered in all public services including social housing.