Story by Richard Belbin
The Neighbourhood Commissions have recommended to the Council’s Cabinet ‘Arms Length Management Organisation’ (ALMO) as the best way of getting extra investment for Council housing stock.
But tenants will get their chance to have their say on the decision, and will receive their ballot papers this month. Milton Graham, a member of the Commission and Chair of Firshill Tenants’ & Residents’ Association, was in favour of the move to ALMOs:
“ALMOs will mean we can get new bathrooms and kitchens, and be brought up to the Decent Homes standards. Once that is done there will be enough money in the general budget for regular maintenance.The ALMO will mean we can remain as council tenants, and we want to stay with the council.”
But other campaigners are still angry the option of direct investment into housing stock was never even asked. Local campaigner Alison Brown said:
“ALMOs are all about slicing up the housing stock into choosy chunks, hiving off the ‘desirable’ areas and slowly privatising them. The government admits it has the money available for the investments needed, but are trying to blackmail tenants by only giving it if there is a vote to move away from democratic council ownership and control.”
A number of consultation meetings are being held in November prior to the ballot: 1st Nov Roe Lane Social Club 6.30pm, 8th Nov St Peter’s, Lyon Street 6.30pm and 17th Nov Verdon Recreation Centre 2.30pm
For more information contact Neighbourhood Investment Team on 0800 169 7580.