But under changes made since it was revealed that only one council had passed the test (HT 30 January, page 7), future funding will be allocated by regional housing boards.
In addition, councils will no longer have to submit business plans and housing strategies for inspection every July. Instead they will work with the government offices to decide what issues need to be addressed and over what timescale.
The changes are part of a move towards regional housing boards and funding pots under the Communities Plan; the new system will tie funding to regional housing priorities.
Councils welcomed the moves, saying they would give authorities more time to consult stakeholders and produce long-term strategies.
Ben Ticehurst, head of strategic housing at Peterborough council, said: "It gives us an opportunity to centre [the strategy] on local needs and local decision-making.
"We can take more care on content and consultation and make it widely owned across the network of partners."
Derek Martin, assistant director (head of strategy) at Manchester council, said a negotiated deadline would allow the strategies to take account of events throughout the year – for example, the council would be able to include information on its investment options, likely to be produced in the autumn.
He said: "Councils do things throughout the year so having an artificial annual deadline seems bizarre. Negotiating a deadline is much more strategic."
Stock-owning authorities will still need to submit the statistical appendices to their strategies and business plans every July. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is to review the content of the appendices in the next few months.
Junior housing minister Tony McNulty wrote to councils this week informing them of the change. The letter also proposed a consultation on moving from borrowing approvals backed by revenue support to capital grants.
Source
Housing Today
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