Structure of the Housing Council
The Housing Council is made up of one representative from each of the 26 District Councils in Northern Ireland. That representative is named in the relevant legislation as the Chairman of each Council or his delegated representative.
Under the Review of Public Administration the number of local Councils in Northern Ireland is to reduce to 11. The future number of Housing Council representatives to be appointed from new Councils is currently under discussion with the Minister for Social Development.
The full Housing Council meets monthly except in July and meetings are usually held on the 2nd Thursday each month.
Housing Council Committees
There are two Housing Council Committees to which business is referred for further consideration and report - the Corporate/Design & Property Services Committee and the Housing and Regeneration Committee.
Membership of the Housing Council is usually divided equally between its two committees with a preference that each Committee has at least one representative on the NIHE Board to ensure Members are aware of the current business issues on housing.
Other Housing Council Committees are the Standing Orders Committee and the Policy Committee which meet as and when required. In addition the Awards Committee meets annually to consider nominations for Housing Councils awards made to staff across the housing sector. Membership of these Committees is determined at the Housing Council’s Annual General Meeting each September.
Other Committees may be set up on an ad hoc basis to deal with specific issues as they arise and to provide a greater focus on important issues.