ALMO Survives Review

Borough of Poole’s Conservative cabinet has voted unanimously to keep Poole Housing Partnership (PHP), which manages its 5,000 council homes. It approved a recommendation from the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the authority “resets its relationship” with the ALMO, rather than dissolves it. A petition to protect PHP was signed by 350 residents last year after it emerged that Borough of Poole had commissioned housing consultancy Campbell Tickell to carry out a review of its housing services. PHP will be asked to work more closely with the council’s “strategic priorities”, including through making cost savings. It will also undergo a governance review. Read more on Inside Housing.

Committee Recommends Council Keeps Under-Threat ALMO

Plans to dissolve Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) have been ruled out following fears of a social housing shake-up. Hundreds of tenants had signed a petition against the proposals, which were considered at a meeting of Borough of Poole’s overview and scrutiny committee. However, after debating the findings of a strategic review of housing management, carried out by consultant firm Campbell Tickell, members voted unanimously that PHP retains the management of the council’s housing stock. Cabinet members will now consider the report and the committee’s recommendation at a meeting on January 9, 2018. Read more on the Bournemouth Echo website.

ALMOs Above And Beyond?

It would scarcely be new to predict the demise of the ALMO sector. It would also be wrong. I would highlight five key messages for ALMOs in planning their future:

(a) The inbuilt nature of ALMOs’ customer involvement and focus is a key strength;

(b) Whatever the delivery model, the council remains the single shareholder – a successful ALMO will stay close to its council’s agenda;

(c) The greater the diversification, the more that the ‘new’ risks need to be understood and managed;

(d) The greater the diversification, the more the ALMO Board needs the skills to understand the business streams;

(e) Any institution that fails to challenge itself, adapt, innovate and reinvent periodically, will eventually be condemned to obsolescence.

Read more on the Campbell Tickell website.