News

This week Poole's 5,200 tenants and leaseholders are being asked to give their views on the Council's proposal to set up an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage housing services in Poole.

A voting slip will be sent to every tenant along with a leaflet explaining what ALMO would mean for them. As an incentive, residents who return their slip will be entered into a prize draw to win £75, £50 or £25.

The Borough of Poole is one of just thirteen councils to be successful in securing government approval to set up an ALMO and if the proposal goes ahead, £35.4 million government funding would be available to spend on upgrading Poole's council homes to the 'Decent Homes Standard'.

Under the proposal, the Council would continue to own the housing stock whilst the new ALMO would take over day-to-day management of the properties, including delivering improvements and repairs.

Cllr Bill Wretham, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "This is a real opportunity for tenants to have their say on the future of housing services in Poole. None of the proposals can go ahead without their support, so I hope that as many people as possible return their slips to tell us what they think on the proposal. We believe that setting up an ALMO to manage the housing stock would improve the quality of life of our tenants; the £35.4 million funding it brings would ensure that their homes are in a good state of repair with modern bathrooms, kitchens and central heating."

Joe Logan, Head of Housing Management Services, Borough of Poole, said: "This is an excellent prospect for the residents of Poole. The Council does not have the resources to meet the £35.4million shortfall required to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. We are fortunate in being able to consider ALMO. This is an option that is not available to most councils. I urge all our tenants and leaseholders to return their slip to tell us their views on the ALMO."

Ray Aggett, Chair of Poole's Housing Consultative Panel, said: "We are convinced that this is the best thing for the housing stock in Poole and that it will lead to significant improvements to our homes. The feedback to date shows that tenants and leaseholders are positive about the ALMO proposal and I hope that they all return their slip to have their say on the future management of their homes."

If residents support the ALMO, the Council will seek permission from the Government for the new ALMO to be up and running from April 2004.