North West ALMOs lobby minister on improving communities
North West ALMOs are hoping to have given Hazel Blears MP food for thought in terms of the roles the organisations can play in future to help strengthen communities.
The minister for Communities and Local Government attended a special event (Friday 6 February) hosted by Salix Homes, which manages 10,600 council homes in the MP's constituency of Salford, and met with representatives from 10 ALMOs across the region.
The purpose of the event was for the ALMOs to showcase exisiting best practice and to encourage the CLG to give a steer on what their future focus should be once targets involving the Decent Homes Standard have been met.
Areas covered included the ALMOs' role in tackling worklessness, leading the way on community and tenant empowerment, increasing the supply of affordable housing and the impact of the current HRA review.
There were calls for government to recognise the close relationships ALMOs have with their tenants and to support the development of new models that would allow greater tenant and community membership and leadership.
The long term funding for ALMOs was discussed, with calls for it to be reviewed to ensure continued investment in council homes over the long term and the further development of plans to build new council homes
Kevin Scarlett, chief executive of Salix Homes said: 'ALMOs are locally rooted in communities and are in an ideal position to deliver a lot of the key items on the government's agenda.
"As ALMOs we have already had a great success in improving homes, raising the performance of services, helping tackle worklessness, contributing to more affordable housing and leading the way in enabling greater community membership and leadership.
"We have welcomed the opportunity to discuss these in detail with the Secretary of State about how we can build on this track record of success with the support of the government and CLG and help our communities become strong and prosperous".
Hazel Blears MP commented after the meeting "This was a great chance to continue the conversation with ALMOs on their role in improving our communities.
"It was encouraging to see that some of the key issues in our communities and neighbourhoods are being addressed so effectively and innovatively by the ALMOs that serve them."
Notes for editors
ALMOs in attendance were:- Salix Homes, Stockport Homes, South Lakes Housing, Blackpool Coastal Housing, Six Town Housing (Bury), Bolton at Home, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, First Choice Homes (Oldham), Northwards Housing (North Manchester) and Wigan and Leigh Housing.
Katy Barnes
Public relations officer
Tel: 0161 793 3157
Email: katy.barnes@salford.gov.uk
