In housing, as in many other sectors, expectations were high. They were perhaps highest of all in local authorities, after 18 very lean years for council housing.
When Housing Today surveyed more than 100 Labour councillors (housing chairs or spokespeople) three months before the 1997 general election, it was clear they felt the balance of power was about to shift back in their favour. They thought they would get more power under Labour and the chance to build their own homes - even though most were realistic about the extra cash that would be on offer. "It will be a breath of fresh air," one said at the time. "We would feel we could actually talk to government rather than have things dictated to us".
So, more than two years on, has the change they hoped for materialised? And what do they think will happen in the future under Labour?
To find out, Housing Today again surveyed more than 100 local authorities in England and Wales. Virtually all the same authorities took part in the survey - although of course not all the housing chairs or spokespeople were still the same.
We asked them the same questions in 1999 as in 1997. The only change was that we substituted a question on housing benefit for the question on homelessness legislation, which had been overtaken by events.
The results make fascinating reading. On the one hand, reality has certainly kicked in. Only 12 per cent of councillors think their authority will be building any homes - compared to nearly three-quarters before Labour got in. A number said while they would love to be able to build, they could no longer see it happening.
As one housing chair put it: "A year or so ago we hoped we could, but we have now realised the flaming obvious."
Then there's the question of power and influence. Before the election, a massive 91 per cent thought a Labour government would give them more control. Now they've seen the government in action, only two-thirds think they actually wield more influence - and some of them say the difference is marginal.
But others are upbeat. Many talked of having more flexibility, and welcomed the government's openness to ideas. As Kate Biscoe of Taunton Deane council said: "Labour is listening to us, and that's important."
On money, the government seems to be scoring highly. Whether it's that councils had such modest expectations of the resources they would secure before the election, or whether it's the single pot, or changes to resource accounting that have made the difference or whether they feel Gordon Brown will dig into his warchest for housing, almost half of the councillors we spoke to were optimistic that they would see more resources - if not in this term, then in the next. They also seem to back the initiatives introduced by Labour - Jack Straw should take heart from the strengthening in support for zero tolerance compared to two years ago.
All this is pretty good news for the government. But if it was hoping all of its party's councillors had entirely adopted the third way, it might need to think again.
On transfer, for example, an amazing 70 per cent of councillors - the same as in 1997 - did not expect it to happen in their area. Many were resolutely anti-transfer, talking in old Labour terms of transfer to the "private sector" being a "desertion" of tenants. A number were angry about being pressurised into transfer through lack of funds. The government may be agnostic about who runs social housing - but the majority of councillors clearly are not. And if the push to transfer continues, many may have to be dragged kicking and screaming down that route.
Of course, more councils had gone down the transfer route than in 1997. Others were open to all options, or felt transfer was inevitable. But few seemed happy about it.
Then there's the potential rents and benefits overhaul. Nick Raynsford may talk about the strong arguments for people having an interest in the rents they pay - but it looks like he will have a job convincing some of his party colleagues in local authorities. Several likened the plans to the poll tax. Even those who liked the principle foresaw problems with administration and arrears.
Kirklees council's deputy leader David Sheard said: "It is pointless to make a symbolic payment. It will be difficult to collect and is just not worth it."
And there was a particular north/south divide on this issue, with many northern councillors unhappy with the idea of charging tenants in deprived areas.
So if that idea has not yet won overwhelming support, what does? The campaign to relax borrowing rules may have eased off - but it's not entirely run out of steam. This time 14.5 per cent of councillors mentioned it, compared to 36 per cent in 1997. The biggest single wish was for more cash.
And there were also further demonstrations of the divide between old and new Labour, with votes for everything from a promotion of sustainable development to the abolition of large scale voluntary transfer and the right to buy.
So the verdict then? On the whole, councillors are pragmatic about their prospects under Labour. Some, like Shirley Flint, deputy leader of the Labour group and spokesperson on housing at North Kesteven admitted to being disappointed: "Like a lot of long-standing Labour supporters, I wanted a lot quickly from Labour. I am disappointed. There is a feeling that they have let us down."
But many voiced support for what the government had achieved so far. There was optimism for the future, tempered with the feeling that change would take time.
As Linda Thomas of Bolton council put it: "You want everything done quickly but you have to accept that an awful lot has to be done after 18 years of Tory rule."
Do you expect any more money from the Labour government, other than capital receipts? Yes 47.5 per cent, No 50.5 per cent, Don't know 2 per cent.
Do you expect your authority to build new homes under this government? Yes 12 per cent, No 88 per cent.
Do you expect to continue to manage your homes under Labour, or will you transfer them to a housing association or housing company? Yes, continue to manage 70 per cent, No 15 per cent, Yes, manage the bulk of stock, with some transfer 5 per cent, Considering options six per cent, Already transferred, 4 per cent.
Do you feel you have more power/ influence over housing policy under Labour? Yes 65 per cent, No 33 per cent, Unsure 2 per cent.
Do you think all tenants should pay something towards their rents? Yes 45 per cent, No 52 per cent, Don't know 3 per cent.
Do you support a policy of zero tolerance to tackle crime and nuisance on estates? Yes 76 per cent, No 18 per cent, Don't know 6 per cent.
What single new policy should Labour adopt to improve social housing? More investment 27 per cent, Change to the PSBR to allow councils to borrow 14.5 per cent, End the housing benefit "clawback" 10 per cent, More control/involvement for tenants 4 per cent, More regulation of private sector 3 per cent.
On more money: The feeling is very much that the money is on the way. Kate Biscoe, Labour group spokesman on housing, Taunton Deane DC - "I think the indications are that we can expect more if council housing authorities are seen to be performing and delivering to a high enough standard."
Tony Newman, chair of housing, London borough of Croydon - "I don't think we can expect anything, but we live in hope".
Pamela Odell, housing chairman, Selby DC - "There's no indication that funding is forthcoming and we have no capital receipts Don Mole, Labour group leader and spokesman on housing, Staffordshire Moorlands.
On councils building homes: "Those days have gone" - Michael Howarth, housing vice-chair Durham DC.
"Not in this parliament, although in the second term we would hope so". George Allison, chair of housing, Newcastle city council.
On managing the stock/transfer: "There will be no transfer while I'm alive - Harry McGee, chair of housing, Great Yarmouth BC.
"No-one is for stock transfer: we're old Labour. The tenants are 100 per cent against." John Evans, Labour spokesman on housing, Carmarthenshire.
"We would like to manage them, but circumstances mean we are looking at other options" Brian Lucas, chair of housing, Erewash "We are being told to go down that route, but I don't think people round here will like it," Helen Bartolo, vice-chair, Dover DC.
More power/say under Labour: "If anything, less of a say. They are dictating what rent levels we can charge - it makes it very difficult to deal with the stock." Peter Britcliffe, leader and lead member of housing and regeneration, Hyndburn.
"There is more dialogue" Bernice Garlick, chair of housing, Trafford.
"Greater consultation, greater flexibility" Clare Martens, Labour housing spokesman, Wycombe DC.
"I do think the consultation has been good. Whether I agree with the things is a different matter." Peter Jovcic-Sas, housing and public protection spokesman, Bath and North east Somerset.
On all tenants contributing to their rent: "It wouldn't work, it would be revisiting the poll tax. The argument that forcing people to pay something would give more interest in their services did not work then and wouldn't work now" Graham Heaney chair of housing, Portsmouth city council.
"People regard something for nothing as valueless," Alfred Woodcock, chair, Milton Keynes.
"It will be like getting blood out of a stone," Alma Atherton, vice chair of housing, St Helens.
"We have to get away from the council providing everything: what I call a paternalistic approach," Geoff O'Connell, vice chair of housing, Watford.
"It would give tenants more incentive and more pride" Bill Cook, chair of community services, Dartford BC.
On what the government should do: "We need to remove the stigma of social housing," David Lancaster, Housing chair, Salford.
"I am very very critical that they have not put more money into housing" Mary Frank, Group Spokesperson for housing and community services Colchester DC.
"It would be nice to have more money to do some new build ourselves" Celia Lukins, chair of housing, Bristol CC.
"Allow us to borrow against our assets as long as rents could be kept affordable" Jeannette Macartney, chair of housing, Ipswich BC.
"Look for a new names. The term social housing has brought down local authority housing and stigmatsied rented properties." Brian O'Hare, chair of housing, Knowsley MBC.
Source
Housing Today
No comments yet