Call for changes in how Gentoo is governed - despite Sunderland housing provider gaining gold standard in review

The Wearside organisation achieved the UK’s gold standard for governance in 2020, capping off a major turnaround just three years after it was slammed for payoffs to bosses in a damning report by regulators.

And it had prompted some to call for more political oversight in an attempt to maintain its performance.

“This is a positive development and hopefully the start of a new era for Gentoo,” said Cllr Michael Dixon, of Sunderland City Council’s Conservative opposition group.

He added: “There are four political parties on the council other than Labour and we all represent thousands of people many of whom live in Gentoo properties.

“I just cannot see any merit in [the current] closed-shop arrangement as we look ahead to what we all hope is a good future for Gentoo.

“It really is time for themselves and the council to revisit this outdated model of political representation.”

Currently, of the 12 members of the Gentoo Homes board, two seats are held by members of the city council – Sandhill councillor Debra Waller and Silksworth’s Phil Tye.

Both represent the Labour Party, but Cllr Tye, who is also chairman of the city council’s ruling Labour group, claimed the opposition group had not done enough to show they were deserving of a spot.

He said: [The Conservatives] did nothing but criticise Gentoo when it went into special measures.

“Now it’s turned around, you want to help? – No.”

The city council is free to nominate representatives to join the board, but the final decision on appointments rests with Gentoo.

The housing association, which provides homes for more than 60,000 people in Sunderland, was handed the government’s gold standard ‘G1’ mark for governance, in November 2020.

The achievement came after new bosses claimed Gentoo had been ‘seriously let down’ and left facing ‘turmoil’ by former executives and board members.

Louise Bassett, executive director of corporate services at Gentoo Group, said: “The council provides nominations to Gentoo for these positions and those nominated are subject to a process of interview and assessment before any appointment is confirmed by Gentoo’s Board.

“Gentoo has worked extremely hard to strengthen and diversify its Board membership over the last few years, and the recent G1 Regulatory Judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing is a testament to the work that has been done to improve the overall governance of Gentoo.”

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