16 January 2004
A council's tenants have delivered a major blow to the government's housing strategy after rejecting proposals for an arm's-length management organisation on January 9.
In a ballot in the London Borough of Camden, which was already the subject of legal controversy, tenants turned down the Almo by a margin of three to one.
Defend Council Housing, which led a strong campaign against the proposal, had earlier been to the High Court claiming that the ballot was unfair. A ruling was originally not expected until later this month but, on January 8, Mr Justice Munby said the procedure had been lawful.
Within 24 hours, however, DCH was celebrating an overwhelming victory after the council announced that 77% of tenants voted against. The turnout was just 30%.
Councils hoping to set up Almos are not required to hold ballots but must show they have consulted tenants. It is the first time that an Almo has been rejected through a ballot or survey.
DCH spokesman Alan Walter said Camden tenants saw Almos as a two-stage strategy to privatise council housing. 'The opposition of tenants to the three-card trick of transfer, Private Finance Initiative or Almo as the only means of improving our homes is spreading and hardening.'
Camden representatives were meeting housing minister Keith Hill this week to discuss options. In the past, the council argued that, as its housing department had already gained three stars from the Audit Commission, it should be able to borrow money without creating an Almo.
Council leader Dame Jane Roberts said Camden desperately needed investment to meet the decent homes target but was unlikely to pursue an Almo in the face of such opposition. 'The ballot result is unambiguous and we will be respecting the decision of those who voted,' she added.
Meanwhile, five out of 19 councils that have expressed interest in joining the fourth round of Almos later this year failed to submit bids to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister before the deadline of December 31.
Gwyneth Taylor, policy officer for the National Federation of Almos, said some of the five were looking at other options, including stock transfer, but at least two, Hackney and Salford, might try to join later rounds.
PFjan2004
