Ealing to Take Back Management of Housing Stock
The management of Ealing Borough's housing stock is to be brought back under the Council's direct control. The plans have been agreed by the Council's Cabinet. The decision will come into effect after 31 March 2011 when the agreement with Ealing Homes, the ALMO currently responsible for housing management, comes to an end.
Officers from the Council and Ealing Homes will now be working closely together to draw-up detailed plans for a smooth transfer back to the Council.
The decision is backed by tenants and leaseholders. The results of a recent postal survey carried out by independent researchers Ipsos MORI have been published, showing overall 61% supported plans to bring Ealing Homes in-house. Only 6% opposed the plans, while 33% didn't know or didn't have an opinion either way.
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Double Finalist Success for Barnsley in Regeneration Awards
A major regeneration plan for Grimethorpe and efforts to improve privately-owned run-down properties in the Dearne have led to Barnsley being the only council nationally to achieve two shortlisted entries in the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) Awards 2010.
Barnsley Council was the judges' unanimous choice to win the Leadership of Place awards category. This recognises the Council's leadership to improve Grimethorpe in the wake of the significant social, economic and environmental challenges of the demise of coal mining in the early Nineties.
Barnsley was also highly commended in the Innovation and New Ventures category. The Council has successfully used the Town and Country Planning Act to oblige private landlords to improve rundown properties in the Dearne. This work is supported by a property management service run by Berneslai Homes.