By Neil Merrick
4 February 2010
Four arm’s-length management organisations are set to drop their legal challenge to the government’s decent homes programme after two were offered money by the Homes and Communities Agency.
The Almos, which were expecting to receive funds once they gained two inspection stars, turned to the courts in October when the government moved £150m from its decent homes budget to house building projects.
The judicial review is due to be heard next month.
But two of the councils involved – the London boroughs of Havering and Sutton – have now settled with the HCA and informal talks are continuing with the others.
The HCA insists it will not negotiate formally with any council while legal action is pending.
Although the London Borough of Redbridge and Sedgemoor District Council have not withdrawn from the judicial review as yet, the National Federation of Almos is optimistic that agreements can be reached.
Gwyneth Taylor, policy director at the federation, said it should not be beyond the agency to find savings from other programmes.
‘We are inching there bit by bit,’ she said. ‘If the HCA treats them the same as the other two, I can’t see the judicial review going forward.’
The four Almos that took legal action are among seven affected when money was switched from the decent homes budget.
All are awaiting inspection results that will determine if they qualify for funding.
Taylor pointed out that the London boroughs of Havering and Sutton were still only likely to receive half the money in 2010/11 that was initially promised.
4 February 2010
Four arm’s-length management organisations are set to drop their legal challenge to the government’s decent homes programme after two were offered money by the Homes and Communities Agency.
The Almos, which were expecting to receive funds once they gained two inspection stars, turned to the courts in October when the government moved £150m from its decent homes budget to house building projects.
The judicial review is due to be heard next month.
But two of the councils involved – the London boroughs of Havering and Sutton – have now settled with the HCA and informal talks are continuing with the others.
The HCA insists it will not negotiate formally with any council while legal action is pending.
Although the London Borough of Redbridge and Sedgemoor District Council have not withdrawn from the judicial review as yet, the National Federation of Almos is optimistic that agreements can be reached.
Gwyneth Taylor, policy director at the federation, said it should not be beyond the agency to find savings from other programmes.
‘We are inching there bit by bit,’ she said. ‘If the HCA treats them the same as the other two, I can’t see the judicial review going forward.’
The four Almos that took legal action are among seven affected when money was switched from the decent homes budget.
All are awaiting inspection results that will determine if they qualify for funding.
Taylor pointed out that the London boroughs of Havering and Sutton were still only likely to receive half the money in 2010/11 that was initially promised.
