Rok and Wates Living Space were both appointed by Bristol Council, to carry out decent homes contracts over the coming five years. Rok will work on homes in the north of the city, with contracts worth £7.5 million. Wates Living Space will concentrate on homes in the south of Bristol, with contracts totalling £6.5 million.
Camden Council refused a developer access to its list of empty homes. A statement from the Council suggested that the stance was taken to protect its negotiating position when acquiring properties itself. A spokesperson from the Empty Homes Agency confirmed that a number of local authorities were adopting similar positions and using commercial confidentiality as a reason to not disclose details of empty homes to developers.
Six Welsh local authorities - Powys and five further local authorities from the north of Wales - signed a treaty with the Welsh Federation of Housing Associations, which aims to foster closer working relations with local housing associations. Other Welsh local authorities are expected to sign similar protocols over the coming months.
Islington Council entered the record books by signing the UK's largest ever housing private finance initiative, worth £165 million. The Council and the Partners consortium signed the agreement, which will see £153 million of work on 4,100 plus homes, as well as ongoing management and maintenance contracts. The 16-year contract will be funded through the Council's Housing Revenue Account.
Ealing Council reached two framework agreements involving 28 organisations, to provide construction and consultancy services for its decent homes programme.
Following a complaint from a member of the public, Nottingham City Homes suspended three members of staff. As part of an ongoing investigation, it is understood that Nottingham Council co-operated with the ALMO in visiting a number of its offices and confiscating computer equipment and files. The ALMO is already under scrutiny over concerns about operations in its allocations system. It is not clear, however, if this latest development is connected.