Changing places
The cover of this issue of Welsh
Housing Quarterly reflects some big
changes in the Welsh housing world and
in the magazine itself.
The Cabinet reshuffle in March saw Carl
Sargeant switch from the local government
portfolio to become minister for housing
and regeneration while former housing
minister Huw Lewis took up a newly
created post as minister for communities
and tackling poverty.
Soon after that I succeeded Tamsin
Stirling as editor of WHQ after working with
her on the last two issues. In one way it’s
a daunting job because I know that she
will be a very hard act to follow. In others,
it’s an exciting one because I am taking
over at a key time for Welsh housing, with
publication of the Renting Homes white
paper just the latest step in developing
distinctive national policies.
So WHQ 91 reflects all of that. I met Carl
Sargeant for an interview in Cardiff Bay a
few weeks into both of our new jobs. You
can read about his priorities and about
what motivates him politically on p6-8.
We also have a Welsh Government guide
to the white paper explaining the thinking
behind the proposals plus reactions from
some of the leading housing organisations.
See p32-24.
And just to show that you never truly
leave WHQ behind, Tamsin has also written
a guide to the main housing groups and
networks in Wales that you can read on
20-21. We’re planning follow-up guides
to the main networks in regeneration and
planning in future issues.
As well as the regular features, we also
have a new column from Paul Diggory on
empty homes (p9), the start of a new series
by Ben Black on housing and social media
(p11) and a fascinating article by Wiard Sterk
on the contribution that artists can make to
community regeneration (p12-13).
The next issue, published in October,
will focus in particular on supply and
demand for housing. That will raise some
crucial issues that will be thrown into sharp
relief by the results of the UK Government
spending review that is due to be published
later this month.
I know that many people and
organisations have contributed to making
WHQ what it is: advisory board members,
CIH Cymru and Cardiff University, the Welsh
Government, contributors, advertisers,
sponsors, subscribers and freelancers. That
network seems to me what has helped
make WHQ the magazine by and for people
in Welsh housing. I’m looking forward to
working with all of you and to building on
those strong foundations.
Jules Birch
Editor, WHQ