News

This month Poole's 5,200 tenants and leaseholders will have the opportunity to find out more about the Borough of Poole's proposal to set up an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to deliver excellent housing services in Poole.

In July the Borough of Poole heard that it is one of just thirteen councils in England to be successful in securing government approval to set up an ALMO to manage and improve the housing stock.

Under the ALMO programme, the Council would continue to own the housing stock whilst the new ALMO would take over day-to-day management of the properties, focusing on delivering improvements and repairs.

As part of this development £35.4 million government funding would be available to spend on upgrading Poole's council homes to the 'Decent Homes Standard' - a Government initiative to make sure all social housing is up to a certain standard by 2010.

A series of meetings have now been organised so tenants and leaseholders can find out more about the proposals and the benefits the additional £35.4 million extra investment will bring.

Cllr Bill Wretham, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "None of the proposals can go ahead without the support of our tenants and leaseholders. We feel that setting up an ALMO to manage and improve the housing stock would provide major benefits. The £35.4 million funding it brings will improve our tenants' quality of life and ensure that their homes are in a good state of repair with modern facilities and services."

At the beginning of December, all tenants and leaseholders will be asked to give their views on the Council's proposal to set up an ALMO.

Joe Logan, Head of Housing Management Services, Borough of Poole, said: "With the £35.4 million the ALMO would bring, we will be able to improve all our properties and deliver the 'Decent Homes' standard for all our residents. The stock condition survey in 2000 showed a £17 million backlog of repairs and as the Council does not have the resources to meet this alone, the funding is urgently needed. We aim to provide 'excellence' in service delivery and setting up the ALMO is a way of ensuring continuous improvement".

An independent ALMO Board which includes 4 tenants and 1 leaseholder representative, 5 Councillors, as well as 5 independent representatives from business the local community will ensure that the ALMO runs independently from the Council and is effective in excellent services.

Ray Aggett, Chair of Poole's Housing Consultative Panel, said: "The tenants and leaseholders have supported the Council's plans to set up an ALMO. We are convinced that this is the best thing for the housing stock in Poole and feel that this will lead to significant improvements to our homes. With tenants and leaseholders represented on the ALMO board, we will have even more involvement in the management of our homes."

The award of £35.4 million government funding is conditional on the ALMO achieving at least a two start rating from the Housing Inspectorate, demonstrating that high quality services are being delivered for tenants.

If successful in its bid for ALMO status, plans will be drawn up to prioritise a programme of work for Poole's 5,200 homes. Repairs will cover properties all over the Borough and will range from new kitchens and bathroom facilities to structural repairs and central heating. The first work would begin in Spring 2004 following the release of the first allocation of funds, with the total fund covering a seven year programme to be completed by 2011.

Housing Management Services will move into new premises to ensure that the ALMO is truly arms-length, but the existing housing staff will continue to offer advice and support.

Meetings are being held at the following venues so that tenants and leaseholders can find out more about the ALMO proposal.