The article below appears in today's issue of Inside Housing, a respected house magazine.I would ask those who, for whatever reason, have protested that Dave Hughes' rantings are not reflective of the Labour Party's view in general to take particular note:HOUNSLOW ORDERS MAKE OR BREAK ALMO ASSESSMENT By Keith Cooper Published: 01 September 2006 "Hounslow Council has embarked on a fullscale review of its high flying arm’s-length management organisation, which could lead to an extension of its powers or the dissolution of the whole organisation. "Three star ALMO Hounslow Homes is now halfway through a decade long contract, giving the west London authority the option to take advantage of a break clause in its contract. "The council’s leader and cabinet member for housing, Phil Andrews, who helped oust the former Labouradministration from power in May, has pledged to rule nothing out of the review. A source at the authority said the ALMO’s future had been guaranteed before Andrews assumed power. "‘The review gives us a perfect opportunity, unlikely to be repeated, to address all the issues surroundingHounslow Homes and its management of our estates,’ he said in a statement. "‘Hounslow Homes is ambitious to get involved in new projects and before that can happen we need to be sure that there is absolute trust between us, and that an appropriate relationship between it and the local authority as the client has been established,’ he added. "Elizabeth Hughes, a Labour group member, said she had concerns about the new administration’s commitment to the ALMO. ‘They have shown next to nothing but disdain for the ALMO.’ "The council is now run by a coalition between the Conservative and Isleworth Community Group parties. George Fry, chair of the Hounslow Federation of Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations, said he made it clear tenants supported the ALMO. ‘I met the leadership quite early on to let them understand that we are very happy with Hounslow Homes,’ he said. "‘He [Phil Andrews] has said he won’t rule anything in and won’t rule anything out. "‘I don’t think abolishing Hounslow Homes is realistic. It would be an unnecessary step and quite retrograde for a council of any colour,’ he added. "Gwyneth Taylor, policy officer for the National Federation of ALMOs, said the latest government guidance stated that authorities had to consult tenants on the future of ALMOs. "‘Bear in mind Hounslow Homes is three stars and the government’s statement about councils not being able to abolish ALMOs without consulting their tenants first,’ she said. "A spokesman for the council said: ‘The management agreement between Hounslow Council and Hounslow Homes has been running for five years. "‘The review is being conducted by a small working party chaired by a lead executive member and is taking place over four months. Its work consists of examining the history of the existing agreement and performance of Hounslow Homes, and involves looking at a range of possibilities for changing and improving the service."
Phil Andrews ● 6847d