08 December 2006
Housing associations could miss out on grants to build homes if they fail to work effectively with local authorities, the Housing Corporation warned this week.
Jon Rouse, its chief executive, said that councils had a democratic mandate to decide housing strategy. 'We want to help them assert that role,' he said.
It is just over a year since Rouse suggested that local authorities should help to assess RSLs' performance in return for providing more land for development. Three councils have agreed protocols with the HC, and a further five are expected shortly.
A national protocol between the corporation and the Local Government Association, covering land use and planning agreements, was signed on December 6.
Rouse told Public Finance he was pleased with the response of councils and said most wanted to help RSL investment programmes. 'If we don't think a local authority is making best use of the planning system, we would ask serious questions about where we give grant,' he added.
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