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.

Councils Hit Out At LSVT Association Deregulation

Councils have warned that deregulation proposals would prevent them holding stock transfer associations to account and make future stock transfers less attractive to tenants. The government tabled an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill which would allow the secretary of state to limit or remove the ability of councils to “exert influence” over large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT) associations.  This includes giving housing associations the power to remove board members appointed by a council and removing local authorities’ ability to appoint or remove board members to stock transfer association boards. Several councils have hit out at the plans. Read more on Inside Housing.

Board Members Quit ALMO After Row

A row between a Somerset ALMO and a tenants’ group has led to the resignation of six board members. The relationship between the Homes in Sedgemoor board and Sedgemoor Tenants’ Voice (STV) broke down earlier this year over the extent of the group’s remit as a consultative group within the organisation.  Following unsuccessful attempts at third-party mediation, the board passed a vote of no confidence in STV on September 3. But a further dispute at the meeting over perceived interference by the district council resulted in the resignation of six of the board’s 10 members, including chair Lynda Price. This means the board is currently unable to function under the terms of its constitution, meaning all policy decisions are on hold. Read more on Inside Housing.