Section: Local Authorities

LA News

Swindon Borough Council signed a housing protocol agreement with the Housing Corporation, which will bring together the resources and skills of both organisations to deliver affordable housing across the borough.

Based on a national protocol agreed between the Local Government Association and the Corporation, the housing protocols set out how the Corporation and local authorities will work together to deliver the common vision of affordable homes within strong communities, reflecting local priorities.

Actions points include:
- preventing and tackling homelessness;
- initiating a 'homelessness champions' forum;
- tackling antisocial behaviour, including a 'Respect' conference in Swindon this year; and
- developing partnership working and information sharing on strategic sites in Swindon.
Many of the actions in the plan are already underway, with very positive outcomes for the local community emerging. By the summer it is hoped to have a framework for partnership working in place, sharing information on strategic sites like those at Wichelstowe, Coate and Swindon Town Centre. These developments will provide homes for social renting, owner occupation and low cost home ownership, offering a range of apartment and house sizes.

Swindon Borough Council and the Corporation will work closely with housing associations and residents to review the quality of housing services provided. The agenda will include collating data and mapping areas with continued anti-social behaviour difficulties, and reviewing the findings with landlords in the area.
Following an assault on one of its staff, the RAC has banned call-outs to Sheffield council's Manor Estate. The decision, taken for staff safety reasons, is understood to be under review. In the meantime, the RAC has put in place alternative arrangements through contractors.

Sheffield Council's safer neighbourhood team has recently been involved in a targeted week of action on the estate. This led to a 33% drop in crime, some arrests, the seizure of class A drugs and the removal of graffiti.
Camden Council, whose tenants have already voted against plans for an arms' length management organisation and a housing private finance initiative, was reported to be looking to sell off hundreds of its dwellings to help raise the £357 million it needs to meet the decent homes standard.

The Council's delayed plan was announced almost two years after the July 2005 date by which landlords were supposed to declare how they would hit the 2010 goal. It heralds a Tower Hamlets Council-style consultation programme, asking tenants on individual estates how they want their homes improved.

Selling 500 homes over the next six years will release £110 million. A report published last month identified a £357 million shortfall in its major repairs work between now and 2011 and showed that more than half of its housing was still not decent.

The Council will also consider partnerships with housing associations to redevelop the most run-down housing on estates.
Barking & Dagenham Council launched a new magazine for council tenants and leaseholders, featuring regular articles on housing.

It will include information on new building developments, with details of how many properties will be sold and allocated to people on the Council's housing register, as well as the numbers given to those from outside the borough.

It is hoped that the publication will counter misleading statements and accusations about the Council's allocations policies.
A scheme introduced by Birmingham Council to help ex-armed forces personnel find homes was endorsed by the Ministry of Defence.

The Council has appointed a housing officer to be responsible for meeting the needs of discharged forces personnel. Key to the service will be ensuring that former army, navy and air force staff receive individual help in overcoming housing difficulties.

Armed forces staff find themselves priced out of the housing market when they leave the service and are often unable to prove the local connection they need to qualify for council housing.

Under the scheme, the Council will contact former services personnel three months before they are discharged. It will then offer advice and support in finding the right sort of housing.

Section: Local Authorities

LA News

Housing Monthly Diary

Issue: May 2007 Reporting on April 2007

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