Code Audit Panel Nottingham

The Audit Panel has responsibility for:

  • the operation of the verification system as determined by Unipol’s Board (currently to inspect 1 in 5 properties every three years for landlords and the same ratio of properties by owner when managed by a managing agent).
  • deciding whether additional verification visits are required following any complaints or concerns
  • approving application/s for membership with the Unipol Code Administrator reporting all new members to the Audit Panel at the earliest opportunity
  • taking decisions about admitting new applicants from managing agents into either the Unipol Code or the Code Supporter scheme and for overseeing the individual arrangements entered into by managing agents as a condition of membership
  • evaluating reports made to them by the Unipol Code Administrator
  • ensuring any improvement actions made in verification reports are clear, monitored and followed.

The Audit Panel has powers to:

  • immediately suspend a member from the Unipol Code pending further consideration by the Tribunal
  • refer a member to a Tribunal for non-compliance or where there is a challenge made to admit a managing agent into either the Unipol Code or Code Supporters scheme, together with any recommendation for warnings, suspensions or expulsion from the Code.

The Audit Panel will:

  • receive a report at each meeting from the Unipol Codes Administrator on the outcomes from the verification processes
  • receive a report on the work of DASH and consider any matters of relevance to the operation of the Unipol Code
  • ensure that verification is taking place within 30 days of an application being made to join the Code
  • ensure that a completed verification report is received in a timely manner for each inspection undertaken and kept on file for six years
  • issue minutes recording decisions of the Panel which are circulated to members and the relevant officials of DASH and Unipol.

Membership

The Audit Panel consists of:

An independent Chair
Ms Claire Baxter

One representative of the Unipol Nottingham Group
Miss Julie Liversidge, Nottigham City Council

One representative of DASH Services
Ms Linda Cobb

One representative of Nottingham City Council
Mr Max Oliver - Principal Licensing Officer

One representatives appointed by Unipol’s Board
1 vacancy

The Assistant Chief Executive - Standards, Ms Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed (or in her absence the Assistant Chief Executive - Hub Services)

Appointments are made for three years.

In Attendance:

The Unipol Codes Administrator, who services the Panel
Members of a verification team whose reports are due to be discussed
The Complaints Investigator when their presence is required by the Panel.

The Panel meets three times a year.