"It is one of the most exciting or depressing times to be in housing depending on your point of view," says Paul Price, head of housing at Tendring council in north-east Essex. Sparking such mixed emotions is the biggest reform of council housing finance for decades, due to come into force in April next year. The change has left councils frantically planning for a new world order in housing management. But there is much preparation to be done before April 2012. Most councils need to create 30-year business plans for housing, looking in detail at the condition of their stock and repairs costs. They will also create asset management plans; they might find it cheaper to replace rather than repair old properties, or to demolish unpopular bed-sits and build in-demand family housing. They will also make Treasury management plans to help them deal with the debts and financial responsibility they are taking on. Read more about preparations for April 2012 on the Guardian website.
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