20 December 2002
The successful reports, published by the Audit Commission during the past few weeks, mean each first-round Almo will receive a share of the £300m promised by Whitehall for 2002/03.
Three local authorities - Ashfield, Derby and Westminster - received three stars. The other five – Hounslow, Kirklees, Rochdale, Stockton and Wigan – gained two.
Funding for next year has yet to be confirmed, and will depend on the sums granted to the 13 Almos that are due to start operating over the next few months.
Alistair McIntosh, director of the Housing Quality Network, said the inspection results showed Almos would help councils to meet the decent homes standard.
Meanwhile, housing minister Jeff Rooker has announced that the nine pathfinder projects set up earlier this year to stimulate market renewal in areas of low demand in the Midlands and North will also be inspected by the Audit Commission.
PFdec2002
