John Prescott’s speech-writers are probably looking forward to the deputy prime minister’s Sustainable Communities Summit with something approaching relief.

Scarred by recent press maulings over Prescott’s legacy in key policy areas such as transport and elected regional assemblies, they will be confident of being on pretty safe territory with housing.

A number of developments this week, however, suggest that Prescott’s keynote address at next month’s summit may ring slightly hollow.

The government has responded well to the problems the sector faced two years ago: it has provided more money to invest in building social homes, taken action on overcrowded housing and clamped down on right to buy sales. But the sheen of Prescott’s sustainability agenda is beginning to wear off.

Two issues we report on point to trouble ahead for the ODPM. First, eight of the nine unelected regional assemblies are concerned that they will be unable to afford to write regional housing strategies (page 7). Second, the South-east regional assembly has refused to endorse increased housebuilding targets (page 10).

On the surface, it appears that these complaints could be easily solved by a relatively small sum of money and a firm ministerial hand. Yet this is the tip of the iceberg.

As Prescott knows better than anyone, his department has to maintain the goodwill of its regional, local authority, private sector and housing association partners.

Key players in the delivery of the Communities Plan are showing they will not bow to every government demand

But now key players in the delivery of the Communities Plan are showing that they will not bow to every government demand. The ODPM must learn this lesson now; otherwise, Prescott’s speech will get much more difficult to write.

Help us to help vulnerable teenagersThis week we’re kicking off our Christmas appeal in aid of some of the most vulnerable young people in Britain.

We’re asking you to dig deep and help us support the Albert Kennedy Trust, a charity that provides counselling and supported accommodation for homeless gay teenagers.

As we describe on page 24, young gay, lesbian or bisexual people can suffer terrible prejudice and even violence, but may be unable to turn to their families for help. With little specialist support, many slip through the cracks in the social care system.

Donations to our appeal will be spent on training carers, running the trust’s mentoring service and expanding its services into new areas: your money will help the Albert Kennedy Trust give these young people the start they deserve.

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Housing Today