The borough, which has overspent by £15m, this week announced a recovery plan to cut its budget. Housing had been identified as an area where cuts were to be made, prompting fears that this could lead to the death of the partnering contract scheme.
But Noel Foley, the comprehensive estates initiative procurement manager, said the scheme was a long-term strategy that would not be axed. He said: "The financial crisis is in my view of a short- to medium-term duration. There is no change in the strategic objective and this construction procurement model remains a central policy." Under partnering contracts housing stock would be handed over to two partners for 15 years. Housing repair and maintenance is currently carried out by the council's direct labour organisation.
Further details on cost cutting measures are expected over the next few weeks.
