Further to WAQ79139, will the Minister confirm the difference between govern and regulate in this instance?
As per my response to your initial question, housing associations which are registered social landlords (RSLs), are independent, autonomous organisations with independent boards. Accordingly, they are not governed by the Welsh Government, but are free to determine their own priorities, structures and operating models. In so doing, however, housing associations are required to operate in line with their established governing instruments.
Regulation, on the other hand, protects the interests of tenants and public investment through effective on-going oversight. In this context RSLs are required to provide the regulator with appropriate and sufficient assurance they meet the various performance standards for RSLs set by the Welsh Ministers. This form of regulation seeks assurance of RSLs’ compliance with, and adherence to, a code of governance, and also assurance of their financial viability