Internal Controls

Risky Business - Internal Control Group

LJHA has always kept its eye on the long term stability and prosperity of the Association and has exercised every effort not to succumb to short term interests, fads or fashions. In these particularly unstable economic times even more diligence is needed to monitor and react to changes which could affect the future of our Association. To this end, Risk Management forms a significant chunk of ICG's work.

During the year under review ICG has maintained and regularly reviewed a Register of all the major risks facing the Association. Risks arise from a variety of sources – ourselves (if we do the wrong things or do the right things badly), from government (changes in political strategy, legislation or priorities), from the general economic climate (lack of borrowings, interest rate changes), from the competition (if our properties become less attractive or more expensive than alternatives) or a whole range of other events which could happen.

All our risks are categorised by how much damage could be caused should the risk materialise and what, if anything, can be done to mitigate these risks.

The ICG has also initiated work to examine Diversity within the Association and to try to ensure that no discrimination takes place on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability or age. It is very difficult for any organisation to assure itself that no such discrimination is taking place. During the year under review, ICG undertook an exercise to ascertain that no systematic discrimination had taken place in respect of employment of paid members of staff or the appointment of honorary positions. As part of the exercise a Pay Gap exercise was also undertaken. The Group has also commissioned a sub-group to establish a Disability Equality Scheme to ensure that disability issues are considered in every aspect of our service provision.

ICG are mindful of its responsibilities to staff as well as tenants/potential tenants and has undertaken a Stress Management monitoring exercise during the year. As a result of this exercise LJHA were approached by the Research arm of the Health and Safety Executive to participate in some national research they were undertaking. LJHA has been cited as a case study due to our innovative approach for developing the exercise.

The members of the ICG group are a particularly diverse, enthusiastic and professional group of people who all contribute to the well being of the Association and I thank them most wholeheartedly for all their hard work and commitment.

Kate Pearlman-Shaw, Chair

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