Newcastle council is to tour the city with 50 events explaining its arm's-length management plans to tenants.
The council has decided in principle to set up an arm's-length management organisation for its 35,000 homes but pledged full consultation with tenants first.

The roadshow, part of the city's massive "Talking with Tenants" exercise, will start next month.

The council plans to bid for the third round of the arm's-length management special funding expected to be announced by deputy prime minister John Prescott later this month. It is lobbying for extra subsidy above the £5000 a home in the original package. That level of funding would yield £160m, but Newcastle estimates it needs at least £225m to meet its housing investment needs.

Simon Bartlett, professional assistant to the housing director, said the council wants to create a "critical mass" of activity by demolishing surplus stock, building new homes, and bringing its existing properties up to a fully modern standard. "Just reaching the decent homes standard will not do that," he warned. "We need to achieve much more to ensure sustainable neighbourhoods. We consulted tenants and their priorities went far beyond what is inside the front door."

The council will decide whether to bid after hearing Prescott's Communities Plan announcement and the new bidding guidance.

Source

Housing Today