Council Reports Surge in Right to Buy Applications

A Conservative-run council has said it is expecting a 400 per cent increase in right to buy applications following the government’s decision to increase discounts. The scheme received 43 applications from April 2011 to March 2012 compared with 87 in less than six months from April this year to date. If applications continue to flood in the estimated total for the year will be around 160, a 400 per cent increase on last year.  Ten years ago, Basildon Council sold over 200 homes under the Right to Buy scheme, but last year only 20 properties were purchased by tenants.  Read more on the Basildon Council website.

Rent Rise Council in £30m Housing Pledge

A council is raising rent by 7 per cent but increasing investment in its housing stock by almost £9 million. Basildon Council in Essex announced in its Housing Revenue Account budget, that total spending on its 11,321 homes in 2012/12 will be £30 million. According to the council, spending on housing for the previous financial year was just over £21 million. A switch to self financing means the authority has to raise rents this year to service some of the £52 million debt which must be paid to the Communities and Local Government department by 28 March. Read more on the Basildon Council website.

Council Brings ALMO Back In House

Basildon Council has brought its housing management back in house, saving £1 million annually. The council’s ALMO, St George’s Community Housing, had managed the council’s 12,900 homes since April 2007. Management of housing services has now been handed back to the council. Basildon Council will receive £67 million of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency to address a backlog of work under the Decent Homes programme. Read more on the Basildon DC website.

Basildon ALMO Could Close

Basildon Council is considering closing its ALMO. A report to be presented to the council’s cabinet on Thursday will recommend that St George’s Community Housing close and housing management services return back in-house. The report says closing the ALMO would save £1million and increase tenant participation. It has managed the council’s 12,900 homes since April 2007. Although SGCH secured its two-star rating in October 2009, subsequent government announcements on decent homes funding mean councils no longer need ALMOs with a good inspection rating to access funding. The council will carry out a tenant and leaseholder consultation this month and will make a final decision by March 2011. Read more on Inside Housing.