Building works started on a new-style facility for older people, which will provide independent accommodation and an onsite care team - as part of Richmond Council's Extra Care Programme.
The first of its kind in the Borough, the scheme will comprise 41 flats - 34 of which will be for rent with the remainder available for low-cost ownership. There will also be a cafe and a shop.
The development will also be the centre for a new initiative called PULSE (Preventative User Led Service Enterprise), which aims to encourage older people to actively contribute to their own health and well-being. PULSE will provide advice and information, health assessments and wellbeing services - such as reflexology and massage treatments. There will also be facilities to cater for a range of fitness classes.
The development is funded by the Council in partnership with Richmond Housing Partnership and boosted by a £3.5 million grant from the Department of Health.
The ALMO, Aire Valley Homes announced a two-year partnership with Groundwork, with the aim of delivering a progressive programme of environmental and social cohesion projects worth over a £1 million to benefit council residents across South and East Leeds.
Safer Stronger South and South East Leeds is a two-year partnership that aims to link physical improvements in Aire Valley Homes estates to the wider social and economic objectives of the area.
The partnership has also created a specialist training programme for up to 20 residents. They will have the opportunity to gain certification and work experience to access employment with Aire Valley Homes construction partners.
Local tenants will be central to both the direction and delivery of the initiatives and residents will receive direct support to help them in the planning and implementation process - including on investment funding bids for the specific projects they want to put forward for their local estate. South Holland District Council moved a step closer with its plans to establish a local housing company that would enable it to build its own affordable housing.
Cabinet members agreed in principle to create the company, which would take the form of a Community Interest Company controlled by the Council.
The Cabinet also approved the submitting of a pre-qualification form stating that a local housing company was being created, which if accepted would make it eligible for Social Housing Grant from the Housing Corporation.
South Holland could become the first local authority housing company in the UK and use of its own land to facilitate affordable housing would be a main priority.
Shares could be issued to investors who could receive dividends, but any profits made would be reinvested for community benefit. Barking and Dagenham Council appeared to be close to forming two Local Housing Companies (LHC). Named in the Government's July 2007 Housing Green Paper as one of 14 pilot authorities, the Council is understood to be close to making the plan a reality.
LHCs offer a new approach to developing new council housing, involving agreements between local authorities and private sector developers. Barking and Dagenham's proposed two LHCs - Barking Riverside LHC and Barking and Dagenham LHC - could between them deliver 8,000 affordable homes within 20 years.
it is likely that Barking and Dagenham LHC will be the first of the two LHCs to develop substantial new housing, by redeveloping the cleared Lintons site in Barking Town Centre. Over 500 new homes will be built on the land, which was occupied by three decaying 60s tower blocks until the start of this year, as well as an enterprise centre to encourage new local businesses.
At Barking Riverside, the Council has already signed a contract with Southern Housing Group to own and manage 4,000 affordable homes in the area. The LHC will ensure that key decisions about the new homes - such as where and when they are built, how many there are and who manages and maintains them - will all be made by an organisation that is accountable to local people. Perth & Kinross Council launched a new initiative aimed at promoting excellent standards in the local private rented housing sector.
The Perth and Kinross Landlord Accreditation Scheme (PAKLAS) sets out a code of standards for local landlords to comply with, ensuring that the quality of properties is high and that the management of lets is good. It has been developed in consultation with landlords and letting agents through the local Landlords' Forum.
Landlords can achieve PAKLAS accreditation by agreeing to the code of standards. This comprises legal requirements and good practice guidance, to cover both property conditions and tenancy management.
Private landlords or letting agents who let property in the Perth and Kinross area can apply to join the scheme. Scheme members have to agree to abide by the PAKLAS Code of Standards. Entry to the scheme will be by a combination of self-certification and random checking. South Lanarkshire Council's HomeHappening was the only Scottish local authority selected as UK Finalist in the Customer Service Achievement Award category.
A flagship £200 million capital investment programme to improve 25,000 South Lanarkshire Council houses, HomeHappening has already: The HomeHappening programme is being delivered by South Lanarkshire Council's internal Building Services division in partnership with private-sector partners.