CHIC’s Board meets once a quarter. Its responsibilities are to set CHIC’s strategy on behalf of its membership and to monitor operational service delivery and business management by the managing agent, ARK Consultancy Ltd.

The headlines to share with stakeholders from the meeting last month are:

1. Governance

The Chair’s and Deputy Chair’s first 3 year terms as directors will end in July and both agreed to stand again. One director, David Wells, will complete his third term of 3 years in July and will need to stand down. An application for a replacement is being considered.

2. Audit & Risk Committee and Risk Register

The Audit and Risk Committee had met prior to the Board meeting and considered:

- the annual budgeting process, and
- the Corporate Risk Register.

The Board noted the Committee’s conclusion that both were robust.

3. Financial Year End Forecast

The Board noted that the forecast outturn income and expenditure for 2025/26 (which for CHIC ends on 30^th June) were in line with budget. It was therefore agreed to make the annual charitable donation (4% of budgeted income) to CHIP, the aligned charity. CHIP will use the funds to sponsor Local Employment Groups and its Community Chest Fund grants in 2026/27.

4. Business Strategy 2026 – 2031

At its Strategic Awayday in February, the Board had agreed the key objectives and targets for the new 5 Year Business Strategy, from July 2026. The Agent had summarised these into a ‘headline’ document which the Board received and approved.

The full 2026 – 2031 CHIC Business Strategy will now be prepared for approval in June. This will confirm CHIC’s commitment to the affordable housing sector, providing frameworks and DPS/Dynamic Market solutions for all the asset management and related works and services needs of the members.

5. Draft Budget for 2026/27

The Board considered the draft budget for next financial year. This predicted an increase in turnover, reflecting the current levels of procurement support being requested by members, and a consequential increase in resources. The draft budget was noted, pending an update and formal approval in June.

6. Annual Stakeholder Survey

It was agreed to recommission Fusion Insight to carry out the annual CHIC stakeholder survey, which will include online and telephone consultation, plus face to face interviews at the CHIC Conference on 3^rd June. Results will be reported to the next quarterly Board meeting and shared with members through CHIC CHAT. 

7. Operational Reports

The Agent presented a range of operational updates, all reviewed and noted by the Board. These included:

Quarterly Agent Report

- 32 new members had joined CHIC in the last quarter.
- CHIC now has 344 members, 75% of which already have live contracts.
- 2/3rds of these have 2 or more trading contracts.
- CHIC is currently managing over 400 contract requests from members.

Performance Year to Date
- Income and expenditure were in line with budget.- The year end forecast should slightly exceed budget.

Annual Communication Plan- The busy programme of events and marketing activities that CHIC is due to be involved in in 2026/27 was reviewed and supported. 
- Progress in the run up to the CHIC Conference on 3^rd June is positive and the Board was keen to increase attendance by members.

Service Review – Building Safety and Compliance
- CHIC’s Board reviews each of the 8 Services on a rotational basis.- Building Safety and Compliance is a very popular Service for CHIC’s members, with 228 current live contracts being delivered to 108 members by 103 suppliers.
- The Board agreed that this Service offers a range of important options to members and should continue to be central to CHIC’s ‘all things asset management’ offer.

IT Systems
- The Board reviewed CHIC’s ongoing investment plan for its self-developed software platform, CSol, and supported the continuation of the systems evolution.

Social Value Update
- It was noted that the contractual social value outputs for the year to date were positive and that CHIP was now becoming oversubscribed for its CCF grants.- Previous CCF funded projects were reviewed in respect of geographical location. The Board was pleased to note that nearly all had delivered community investment in locations where CHIC’s members are active and thus contributing to income.

8. Next Meeting

CHIC’s Board will next meet on Wednesday 17^th June. 

Welcome To Our New Starter

We are delighted to introduce a new colleague to the Member Services Team:

Marcus Belton

I’m Marcus, a Coordinator in the Member Services team. I hold a degree in Business Management and Marketing and bring experience across retail and startups. Previously, I worked at Outfts, where I helped onboard brands and influencers to build a fashion platform connecting styles at different price points; the company was later acquired by Amaze and the technology continues to evolve. Most recently, I supported the launch of a new B&M store in Royal Tunbridge Wells, helping lead staff and stock operations to achieve award winning performance. I am now focused on using my experience to support and strengthen relationships with members of CHIC, based in our London office in Waterloo.


The Housing Forum Conference: Key Insights and SummaryWe were pleased to partner with The Housing Forum in March and delivered a new conference focused on the future of the social housing sector titled ‘Housing Horizons’. At a time of increasing pressure across the sector, the discussions held were particularly valuable in addressing the challenges facing housing professionals and the communities they support in London and the South East.

We are grateful to all speakers, delegates and exhibitors for their contributions. The expertise and innovation shared throughout the event will play an important role in developing more sustainable and effective solutions for the sector. We encourage you to watch the summary video to gain an overview of the key discussions and insights from the conference.

Watch the summary video here: https://www.chicltd.co.uk/news/housing-horizons-2026-hear-from-this-years-delegates/

 CHIC Newbuild Podcast: Innovation, Energy Performance & Zero Bills Housing

In the latest CHIC Newbuild podcast episode, host Sarah Davey, Head of Development at CHIC, is joined by Dave Dargan, Founder and CEO of Starship, and Frankie Mitchell, a student at Leeds Beckett University. The discussion explores Starship’s innovative housing solutions, including the Robobrick, alongside insights into energy performance and the development of zero bills homes.

The episode looks at how technology and design are shaping the future of housing delivery and sustainability. Watch the full episode to hear the conversation in full.

Watch here: https://www.chicltd.co.uk/news/the-chic-podcast-episode-2-introducing-starship/


This Month’s Housing Update:

Government Allocates £41m to Councils to Enforce Renters’ Rights Act
The UK Government has confirmed an extra £41 million for local authorities in England to help enforce the Renters’ Rights Act, which comes into force on 1^st May 2026. This takes total enforcement funding to nearly £60 million.

The funding will support councils in enforcing the ban on Section 21 evictions, tackling illegal rental practices, and issuing penalties for non-compliance as part of the new tenancy framework.

Read More: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/councils-backed-with-millions-to-take-on-rogue-landlords

Homes England Launches National Housing Bank to Accelerate Housing DeliveryHomes England has launched the National Housing Bank, a new public investment body designed to speed up delivery of homes and mixed use developments across England. It will provide debt, equity and guarantees for complex housing projects.

Backed by up to £16 billion, the bank aims to unlock private investment and support delivery of over 500,000 homes, with a focus on stalled schemes and SME housebuilders.

Read the deep dive by Head of Development Sarah Davey: https://www.chicltd.co.uk/news/homes-england-national-housing-bank-the-answer-to-the-housing-crisis/
Read More: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homes-england-marks-national-housing-bank-launch-as-part-of-a-once-in-a-generation-investment-offer-to-accelerate-delivery-of-new-homes-and-mixed-use
London Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–36 LaunchesThe Mayor of London has launched a £11.7 billion programme to deliver new social and affordable homes across the capital between 2026 and 2036. The scheme is focused on increasing long-term housing supply.

At least 60% of funded homes will be for social rent, with the remainder for other affordable tenures. The programme is designed to address housing need and improve affordability across London.

Read More: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/housing-and-land/housing-and-land-funding-programmes/london-social-and-affordable-homes-programme-2026-36

UK’s Largest Housebuilder to Cut Land Purchases Amid Market Uncertainty
Barratt Redrow, the UK’s largest housebuilder, has announced it will significantly reduce land purchases, cutting back approvals as part of a more cautious investment strategy. The company cited a “less certain backdrop” driven by geopolitical instability, rising costs, and pressure on mortgage rates.

The group will now approve fewer development plots this financial year than previously planned, signalling a more selective approach to land acquisition. The move has raised concerns it could further pressure the Government’s long-term housing delivery targets, including its ambition to boost overall supply.

Read More: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/15/uk-largest-housebuilder-to-buy-less-land-in-blow-to-labour-homes-target