ANGUS Council's housing division became Scotland's first and only local authority to be awarded self-assessment status by Communities Scotland. To achieve this status, the Council had to show that at least 75% of its housing stock met the recently introduced Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and was on target for 100% compliance across all council owned housing by 2015.
Assessment of the Council's performance showed that 82% of Angus Council's housing stock already meets the requirements, with all stock on target to achieve the standard by 2010/11. As a result, Communities Scotland has authorised Angus Council to carry out its own assessments of its housing stock, making it the first Scottish council able to do so.
Progress towards 100% SHQS compliance will be monitored annually, with milestones agreed with Communities Scotland.
Birmingham Council was reported to be attempting to recoup £250,000 from Druids Heath Tenants Management Co-operative. The Council took control of the 1,700 homes managed by the TMC since 2000 because of concerns about its governance and management. The cash is held in a TMC bank account that has been frozen.
Brent Council appointed Brent Coefficient Consortium as its preferred bidder for its non-HRA housing and social care PFI scheme. The agreement will provide 300 new affordable homes and 200 homes for rent. It also provides 30 registered care home places, 15 respite care beds for people with a learning disability, and 15 supported living units. The Consortium comprises Bank of Scotland, Hyde Housing Association, and Bouygues UK.
Oldham Council signed a PFI agreement with Oldham Retirement Housing Partnership to carry out major works and refurbishment to about 1,500 sheltered dwellings. The £400 million scheme will be funded through the Housing Revenue Account. The charitable status Partnership is a subsidiary of Housing 21. Following improvement works, Housing 21 will manage the properties, although the Council will retain the tenancies. The agreement is for 30 years.