Dismay as Birmingham council admits it will miss deadline for stock options appraisal

The admission – contained in council papers seen by Housing Today – has raised serious concerns that England’s largest social landlord will fail to hit the 2010 decent homes deadline.

The council plans to complete its stock-option appraisal by July 2006, the earliest date by which its two-year options appraisal process can be finished.

Birmingham council link officer Nigel Christie said at a housing and urban renewal committee meeting that the Government Office for the West Midlands had indicated that it “would be flexible” if the council wanted to postpone the appraisal.

A GOWM spokesperson said: “Birmingham is currently working through the option appraisal process and GOWM has been acting to support them.”

But Birmingham councillors are worried by the delay, with one expressing concern at “slippage” in the timescale, and said options appraisal was “fundamental” to achieve the decent homes standard.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are seeking approval from GOWM for an additional 12 months for the stock options appraisal, given that Birmingham is producing an overarching strategy and given Birmingham’s unique position [in having received a ‘no’ vote when it balloted its tenants over stock transfer in April 2002].”

Councillor Steve Bedser said he’d voiced concerns about the “slow approach”, but had been assured it would not affect Birmingham’s ability to deliver the decent homes standard. He added: “It will leave only three and a half years to do the real work”.

Richard Clark, chief executive of Prime Focus, one of the largest housing associations in the West Midlands, said: “Clearly it is disappointing that the city is unable to complete the appraisal for the original deadline. It is essential that it is done properly and I support the request for more time.”