A report to Birmingham City Council's Cabinet recommended spending £89 million in 2006/07 on improving more than 11,000 homes. The scheme is part of the Council's so called fourth option, which avoids the stock transfer, ALMO and PFI routes. Proposals include programmes for the installation of energy efficient boilers, double-glazing and security works in council properties across the city. Also scheduled are structural improvements to a number of the Council's high-rise blocks.
In 2005/06, the Council's improvement programmes cost £69 million and benefited approximately 8,800 dwellings.
Newham Council was reported to be considering setting up a joint venture company with a private developer to build and refurbish homes. The development trust model would supply new homes to the Council's new housing association, Local Space. The Housing Corporation has awarded Local Space £25 million, to support the provision of temporary accommodation for homeless households.
Taunton Deane Borough Council announced its intention to charge housing associations for providing nominations from its housing waiting list. It is understood that the Council is considering levying a charge of £115 per nomination, which it claims will cover its running costs. Local associations have responded by warning that the introduction of charges would place an unfair financial burden on them and force them to stop using the nomination service.
It is believed that other councils are taking a keen interest in the outcome of the levy proposal at Taunton Deane. It has also attracted criticism, with fears that such a move will be counter-productive to improving co-operation between councils and housing associations.
Following the surprise vote against stock transfer at the end of 2005, Edinburgh Council embarked on a review of its affordable housing policy. Stock transfer would have brought in additional funding from the Scottish Executive to support the Council's programme to build 10,000 new homes over the next ten years. The vote against transfer means the Council will have to explore alternative funding routes to address the affordable housing needs of the city.
Edinburgh has the added problem of particularly high land prices, with recent figures placing its private housing stock as the seventh most expensive among local authorities in the UK. Under proposed new planning rules that went out for consultation, 25% of all developments of twelve or more homes in the city must be for affordable housing.
There was some good news for the Council, with an announcement from Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm that it will be allowed to retain £15 million for affordable housing owed as part of its pre-transfer deal.
South Ayrshire Council gained permission from the Scottish Executive to suspend tenants Right to Buy (RTB) for five years. The Council is the third in Scotland to get such permission, reflecting the acute shortage of housing in the area. The suspension of RTB applies to tenancies that commenced on or after 30 September 2002.
Southampton Council's Cabinet approved a £33 million housing improvement programme for 2006/07, which will fund works to modernise 2,000 homes. The Housing Revenue Account capital programme will include the provision of new bathrooms and kitchens, as well as works to communal areas and provision of new lifts and concierge services.