The last turkey in the shop
Some things never change
This may be of interest to all those organisations in the throes of rebranding: the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, had something to say about the modern-day obsession with rebranding in his New Year's eve broadcast.

"Walk down almost any street in town and you'll see banks, businesses, cafes and bars busy reinventing themselves," he said. "You do wonder a bit how much difference it really makes. I suppose that behind all this is an anxiety. What do people really think of us, of me? Do they trust us, do they admire us, do they think we're better than our competitors?"

God, on the other hand, as Dr Williams pointed out, does not rebrand Himself.

Civil servants go first-footing
Traditionally, it's good luck that the first person to cross one's threshold in the New Year should be a dark man carrying coal. If this description doesn't fit any of your friends, maybe a visitor from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would be nearly as auspicious?

It would seem many in the sector are hoping so, judging by the many sightings of ODPM staff out and about recently at conferences and functions.

But it seems any good fortune they bring will be merely a by-product of their primary motive: a desperate search for ideas among housing experts on what their boss should include in the Communities Plan.

Well, at least they're not carol singers.

Copper gong
There are those who say the long arm of the law is more often used to harass rough sleepers than to help them. How refreshing, then, that this year's New Year's honours list should include police officer Judith Walmsley, who got an MBE for services to the homeless in Manchester.

For a full list of those from the housing sector who received awards, see page 12.

Oldham Lang Syne
Oldham council has started the year with a resounding accolade. Local MP David Heyes has called for a level playing field for social housing, so councils can invest in their stock. Noble sentiments – but why is he so keen when the council has gone to all the trouble of setting up an arm's-length management organisation with its promise of an extra £28m?

Well, Heyes told the local paper, he doubts it can win enough stars to grab the cash.

Knock-down price
Plucky action by the eldery chalet dwellers of Flamborough Head in Yorkshire seems to have backfired. When property company Keelwalk bought the site and hiked ground rents, residents went to court. When they lost the case, they called in the bulldozers. The first two homes were demolished by their owners before Christmas.

Keelwalk, unfortunately, is far from backing down: the firm is getting ready to ask for planning permission to build, having conveniently been saved a job.

The eyebrows have it

It’s official: Alistair Darling is the most boring person in politics. In a public poll to rate the most boring and interesting politicians, carried out by website CyberBritain.com, the transport secretary was voted the most boring. Why? “It’s those eyebrows I’m afraid,” said one voter. Meanwhile, deputy prime minister John “Two Jags” Prescott was voted the 10th most interesting – possibly by people unwilling to admit they can’t understand a word he says.

Source

Housing Today