Forum Topic

Is Hounslow Homes on the way out?

I am hearing rumors that Hounslow Homes are on their way out and things are going back to Hounslow council anyone know if this is true or not?

Simon Anderson ● 4503d20 Comments

http://ow.ly/yKds8

Simon Anderson ● 4502d

Hi SimonSteve Curran's consultation letter has been going out to tenants over the past couple of days and in it it is made fairly clear that bringing the service back in-house is his favoured option.  Thankfully there seems to be no suggestion of stock transfer, just the in-house option or status quo to select from.Although as Lead Member for Housing back in 2007 I was minded to do this myself, I have my reservations as to what Steve's motives are (especially in the light of the HFTRA business) although I would be happy to be proved wrong.I do though think back with some amusement to an e-mail sent by one of the union leaders at HH in '07 to a select group of her colleagues, urging them to fight to defend the semi-privatisation that was HH against any attempt by myself to bring the service back into "public" control ("socialists" clearly aren't what they used to be!).  One of the recipients of that e-mail is now himself a Hounslow Labour councillor.  It would be interesting to know whether he now supports the "renationalisation" option.

Phil Andrews ● 4502d

Phil, i haven't recvd a letter yet but is it better to be back with Hounslow Council or stay with Hounslow Homes?

Simon Anderson ● 4502d

If you have experience of both outfits managing property - surely you can decide that for yourself? Personally - and I have no financial or management interest - I think a move back 'in-house' can only be a good thing.

Vanessa Smith ● 4502d

I guess it would all depend how it is managed once the transition has taken place.

Phil Andrews ● 4502d

Just which services that have been privatised have worked for the man/woman in the street,that doesn't include ex pupils of Slough Grammar (Eton)?

Tony Wood ● 4501d

Few if any, but an ALMO to be fair is only an "arms' length management" concept as opposed to a full-blooded privatisation.All the same I'd be interested to learn your views on the union leaders at HH in 2007 trying to mobilise employees to "defend" the "semi-privatised" ALMO against perceived attempts by myself to take the service back in-house.  For me this was very much an example of party politics being placed before principle.

Phil Andrews ● 4501d

Hi Vanessa, i have never experienced Hounslow Council. i moved on to Ivybridge when Hounslow homes were in charge...What will happen to the Hounslow Homes Staff?

Simon Anderson ● 4501d

They are likely to be transferred to Hounslow Council (many of them would have been LBH employees to begin with) with the same terms of employment under an agreement known as TUPE (Transfer of Undertaking - Protection of Employment).

Phil Andrews ● 4501d

The last Labour government basically bribed local authorities with money to spend on their housing stock if they transferred their housing to ALMOs. It was for most councils a no-brainer, but like many other things it sort of spawned yet more stuff that got in the way of actually getting the work done. I've seen nothing that has ever convinced me this is better than housing being 'in-house', and judging by the work I've observed 'management' is a real misnomer if ever there was one!

Vanessa Smith ● 4499d

Having experienced the dire "management" of Hounslow Homes, I would be delighted to return to the Council.  Surely a whole extra layer of senior jobs must cost more then rationalisation of the council?

Samantha Barwell ● 4493d

Who are Hounslow homes, is it a way to get fee/cheap housing?

Rakesh Patel ● 4493d

Who are Hounslow homes, is it a way to get free/cheap housing?

Rakesh Patel ● 4493d

Hounslow Homes (or as their fans call them Hopeless Homes)are the Arms Length Management Organisation - ALMO that supposedly manage and look after social housing in Hounslow. A lot of councils were bamboozled into setting these organisations up under the last government so that they could get money to improve their housing stock. I can't think of many that have been an overwhelming success, and in Hounslow the council is consulting as to whether or not to take housing management back 'in house' i.e. manage it directly as they used to. If you ever find anywhere in London - nay the South of this country, where you can get free or cheap housing, please do tell us all!

Vanessa Smith ● 4492d

Oh thanks will need to take look as i hear rent is so much cheaper on council homes then private in london.....so technically almost free, just need to pay a little and can live in London on the cheap lol.....easy life.....

Rakesh Patel ● 4491d

Where have you been? Planet Zog? First council housing is about as rare as a hen's tooth, and in this day and age not 'almost free' it is a social housing rent which is certainly more reasonable than renting privately, but you wold need to be in a category of need to even qualify getting on the housing waiting list. And in case you really are from outer space waiting lists are truly horrendous.

Vanessa Smith ● 4491d

Where have you been? Planet Zog? First council housing is about as rare as a hen's tooth, and in this day and age not 'almost free' it is a social housing rent which is certainly more reasonable than renting privately, but you would need to be in a category of need to even qualify getting on the housing waiting list. And in case you really are from outer space waiting lists are truly horrendous.

Vanessa Smith ● 4491d

Completely agree - didn't think it worth a response!

Samantha Barwell ● 4491d

Well, you do wonder - don't you?

Vanessa Smith ● 4491d

An unashamed bump to 'demote' the latest wild ramblings of Shifty Ifti from the front page in order that we can focus on local topics.Apologies if this action upsets anyone (Ifti excepted).

Nigel Brooks ● 4488d