As mad as a March hare – and twice as tough
Low-cost afterthought
The low-cost homeownership taskforce that was launched this week was one of the more interesting developments from the Communities Plan. So central is it to government policy that the top dogs at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expected conclusions on the political hot potato of right to buy to be adopted as soon as possible. Great. But imagine my surprise when I discovered this week that far from being at the heart of Prescott's plan for world domination, the taskforce was only added to the plan just three days before it came out. A brilliant example of government diligently honing policies right up until the last moment? Or was it perhaps more of a knee-jerk response to the tabloid furore over Prescott's scheme to rob honest council tenants of their right-to-buy discounts?

Toynbee designs watered down
Toynbee housing association got into hot water at the opening of Peter Heathfield House, its latest development. Standing in a large room that will be let out privately to companies or organisations, chairman Brian Hurrell launched into a speech on the merits of putting design and quality at the forefront of new buildings –until his address was rudely interrupted in mid-flow by the sound of water gushing through the plumbing. Luckily, the noise was limited to that area so there'll be no red faces, or board members wearing aqualungs, around the boardroom table.

The answer is blowing in the wind
The need for high quality buildings get a big mention in the Communities Plan. And the ODPM doesn't have to look far for examples of how not to build their brave new world. Sitting in an office atop Eland House, social animal was rather alarmed to hear the windows rattling in the wind. And urban policy chief David Lunts has a view of a particularly unlovely office block from his window. Hopefully inspiration won't come from that direction.

Who shall succeed her?
The clock is now well and truly ticking. The race to succeed baroness Brenda Dean as chair of the the Housing Corporation is on. The baroness steps down in September and various candidates to replace her have been bandied about, including Margaret Ford at English Partnerships. The latest name to be mentioned in this context is David Taylor, a pal of John Prescott and the recently appointed chair of the East Lancashire pathfinder.

Every cloud has a silver lining
Having been removed from Westminster's council offices, the canny folks at its arm's-length management organisation, CityWest homes have secured an empty office nearby. Its former occupant? – none other than disgraced energy trading giant Enron. CityWest will move in as soon the mountains of shredded documents have been cleared up.

We must stop meeting like this

In a sector often accused of “meeting-itis”, I could scarcely contain myself to hear that at least one local authority has freed itself from the shackles that the lengthy boredom boardroom debates beloved of their colleagues generate. Enlightened managers at Croydon council have banned meetings on Fridays, encouraging officers to steam through their agendas earlier in the week and – one presumes – enabling a quick getaway at the weekend. Now that’s worth a pint after work.

Source

Housing Today