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Arguments against going ALMO

Key Resources
DCH Briefing Note on ALMOs experiencing funding problems
01/08/10

DCH Briefing Note on ALMOs lobbying to expand and diversify
01/08/10

See Local Material for examples of local newspapers and leaflets against ALMO
20/12/07

DCH ALMO Factsheet
20/12/07

DCH Briefing on proposals to move ALMOs into private sector
30/08/05

Camden DCH: 77 percent vote No to ALMO
01/04/04
Other useful reports
Decent Homes Backlog Funding for Council Landlords 11-15
Homes and Communities Agency
11/11/10

A future for ALMOs  within local communities
National Federation of ALMOs
06/04/09

ALMOs and the new local government
Housemark
01/04/08

LGA Labour Group submission to the National Policy Forum, Sustainable Communities
LGA Labour Group
01/03/08

Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland
31/10/07

Government guidelines on setting up ALMOs
CLG
07/06/06
The Case Against ALMOs
Camden DCH outside ODPM 9th January following No Vote Arms Length Management Organisations were thought up in 2000 as the government's strategy for two-stage privatisation. Democratic control is lost with the management of our homes moved into a separate private company; and tenants' power is undermined by a board on which tenant reps are outvoted and bound by corporate responsibility. £millions is wasted on consultants, lawyers and other set up costs, new offices and big new salaries for top managers.
Read more >>
Proposals to move ALMOs into the private sector
In 2004 the government started a review of ALMOs' future, which confirmed our prediction that ALMOs are simply a short term attempt to get round tenants opposition to stock transfer:
"Arm’s-length management organisations could take over ownership of council homes by 2006 under radical new proposals drawn up by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister" (Inside Housing 03/09/04).
The National Federation of ALMOs then produced a paper ALMOs: A New Future for Council Housing which proposed that ALMOs get a 35 year contract so that the ALMO company can be transferred into the private sector and borrow on the private market. Crucially, this means 'funder's control' of ALMOs by banks and building societies.
"In the event of an ALMO failing financially the initiative would rest with the funders, rather than with a public sector body." (UK Housing Review 2005/6)
Read the briefing produced by the Centre for Public Services (June 2005) and DCH background briefing notes (August 2005) for more analysis of these proposals.
Since then, a 2006 European Court of Justice ruling ('Parking Brixen') made it clear that this type of ALMO would be subject to competition rules - any council attempting to transfer its ALMO into the private sector would have to offer up the management of homes to any private company from anywhere in Europe, to bid for. For more info see ALMO guidance and NFA briefing note.
ALMOs with Funding Problems
In some authorities tenants have seen big sums spent on expensive set up costs but the ALMO hasn't yet been given access to additional funding. In others the promised improvements have been scaled back and promises to tenants broken!
Unless an ALMO gains a "two star" rating the government won't give them the extra funding.
On top of that, the government then refused to announce whether any round 6 ALMOs were to get money at all, and earlier ALMOs were told to put their spending back. A number of councils had to threaten the government with legal action to get any money.
The most recent information shows that many ALMOs are still a long way from meeting Decent Homes (Inside Housing, 03/09/10).
Finally, there's the question of what happens after the Decent Homes money has been spent.
Read more >>
Councils still pushing ALMOs
The rounds of extra government funding for ALMOs are now over - but astonishingly, some councils are still looking at setting one up. Its easy to understand why people were lured into ALMOs, despite the risks, when there were big bribes available. But those days are over! There is no extra money available, instead it will cost money.
If you live in an area where the council is threatening ALMO, make sure they consider all the options for housing management, including setting up an in-house management committee, which gives tenants a bigger role in decision-making, but is easier to set up, cheaper to run, and more democratic than an ALMO. And, crucially, it avoids the risks of two-stage privatisation.
ALMOs: revert back or risk privatisation
Many tenants, trade unions and councillors arguing that once the Decent Homes money has been spent - and the ALMO has done the job it was set up for - the management of homes should revert back to the council. Hammersmith and Fulham are the latest council to consider bringing their ALMO back in-house - because it is costing £400,000 a year to run. (Inside Housing, August 2010). This is what many tenants were originally promised and it makes sense. Keeping the private company running eats up money that should be used on repairs and improvements.
But, as we predicted, the National Federation of ALMOs and powerful vested interests have other plans. They want ALMOs to expand their empire and take on new roles. Read more >>
In addition, some ALMOs are already moving to the second stage - privatisation. These include Salford, Bolton, Oldham, Warrington and Stockton, with others considering it. See Inside Housing 30/04/10.
If you live in an area with an ALMO, insist on a full debate so that tenants can hear all the arguments before making a decision, and demand that housing management reverts back to the council once the Decent Homes work is complete. This would firmly bolt the door for good against two-stage privatisation.
Press Articles
London borough brings ALMO back in house
Inside Housing
03/10/17

Wigan set to shut down ALMO
24dash.com
15/02/17

Reduction of 35 ALMOs in 5 years
Inside Housing
10/06/15

London borough's tenants opt for council management of homes
Inside Housing
20/11/14

Two thirds of ALMOs plan to be working in private rented sector
Housing Excellence
02/04/14

Northampton council plans to set ALMO
Inside Housing
27/11/13

Salford council considers future of ALMO
Inside Housing
20/06/12

Council calls time on ALMO
Inside Housing
11/06/12

Council consults tenants over plans for housing
Inside Housing
04/04/12

Sheffield council to take 42,000 Almo back in-house
Inside Housing
21/02/12

Tenants call for council to control housing stock
Inside Housing
18/02/12

Facts on housing
Sheffield Star
06/02/12

Protesters want council to take control of homes
The Star
23/01/12

Almo to be dumped after tenants back council
Inside Housing
17/01/12

Control of council housing to save LA £30million
24dash.com
05/12/11

Plans to move 80,000 council homes back in-house
24dash.com
28/10/11

Almo looks set for chop
Inside Housing
20/10/11

Council housing takeover plan
Sheffield Star
12/10/11

New ALMO to manage more than 10,000 homes in Cornwall
24dash.com
20/09/11

1300 support campaign to oust Homes for Islington
Islington Gazette
02/09/11

Westminster City Council to renew ALMOs contract
24dash.com
08/08/11

Council to keep ALMO
Inside Housing
01/08/11

ALMO privatisation plans ignore 'tenant choice'
24dash.com
25/07/11

Tales of fortune
Inside Housing
22/07/11

I should COCO
Inside Housing
15/07/11

Tenants consulted on fate of Islington ALMO
24dash.com
14/07/11

ALMOs facing housing association move
24dash.com
12/07/11

White paper reveals proposals to make ALMOs independent
Inside Housing
12/07/11

Almos call for borrowing powers
Public Finance
05/07/11

Leeds ALMO staff link up to save cash
Inside Housing
24/06/11

Tenants fight to stop council disbanding ALMO
Inside Housing
03/06/11

ALMO to merge with social care department
Inside Housing
27/05/11

Council takes ALMO services back in house
Inside Housing
17/05/11

Council asks tenants to review services
Inside Housing
21/04/11

'Super ALMO' set up
Inside Housing
06/04/11

Council takes ALMO back in house
Inside Housing
30/03/11

Rochdale to create UKs largest social housing mutual
Inside Housing
25/02/11

ALMO attacks decent homes settlement
Inside Housing
21/02/11

Shapps: 150,000 council homes to be brought up to standard
CLG
17/02/11

New ALMO boss given two month deadline
Inside Housing
09/02/11

Lambeth mulls future of arms length bodies
Inside Housing
04/02/11

Struggling ALMO loses Chief Executive
Inside Housing
27/01/11

Council agrees to close ALMO
Inside Housing
25/01/11

Basildon Council could regain housing stock
BBC
07/01/11

ALMOs could stop decent homes work
Inside Housing
19/11/10

Islington rejects calls to reject ALMO
Inside Housing
12/10/10

Islington considers scrapping ALMO
Inside Housing
01/10/10

Islington considers scrapping ALMO
Inside Housing
01/10/10

Ealing votes to close arm's length body
Inside Housing
15/09/10

Councils cut £400m on housing spend
Inside Housing
10/09/10

Clive Betts to head ALMO group
Inside Housing
02/09/10

Landlors seek answers
Inside Housing
20/08/10

Almo Battles Gagging Order
Inside Housing
13/08/10

Hammersmith & Fulham Plan to Close ALMO
Inside Housing
11/08/10

David Miliband unaware of bitter homes repairs battle
Camden New Journal
01/07/10

Ealing to take housing management in-house
Inside Housing
21/05/10

Staying alive
Inside Housing
14/05/10

What lies ahead?
Inside Housing
14/05/10

Bolton wanderer
Inside Housing
14/05/10

Housework heads home
Inside Housing
14/05/10

Quarter of ALMOs want to transfer homes
Inside Housing
30/04/10

Gateshead aims to branch out
Inside Housing
16/04/10

ALMO to bid for schools contract
Inside Housing
12/03/10

ALMO tenants to be balloted on transfer
Inside Housing
08/03/10

Slough opens talks on ALMO closure
Inside Housing
26/02/10

ALMO seeks new head after £2.6m bailout
Inside Housing
10/02/10

Capital fears decent homes backlash
Inside Housing
15/01/10

Future of ALMOs in limbo amid subsidy reform confusion
Inside Housing
20/11/09

The view from here
Inside Housing
13/11/09

ALMOs take legal action over decent homes cut
Inside Housing
19/10/09

Tory council goes back to council housing
Tribune
08/10/09

Lib Dem motion condemns decent homes cut
Inside Housing
23/09/09

Only as good as his tools
Inside Housing
04/09/09

Damage limitation
Inside Housing
04/09/09

Battle of the ALMOs
Inside Housing
04/09/09

Accounts warning for Lambeth Living
Inside Housing
28/08/09

New London taskforce to tackle delay in decent homes funding
Inside Housing
28/08/09

Mayor: ALMOs will get £150m
Inside Housing
07/08/09

Fury at PMs raid on decent homes cash
Inside Housing
24/07/09

Reform of council housing finance: Consultation
CLG
21/07/09

Homes inprovement
The Guardian
10/06/09

Tenants will be the losers in the latest battle of the Almo
Guardian
18/05/09

Damning report threatens Lambeth ALMO funding
Inside Housing
15/05/09

Row delays Colchester decent homes plan
Inside Housing
17/04/09

Plan B
Inside Housing
20/02/09

ALMO slated for £17k recruitment bill
Inside Housing
18/02/09

Route finders
Inside Housing
09/01/09

London ALMO buys in to property market
Inside Housing
17/12/08

New housing agency needs to take more account of councils
Public Finance
05/12/08

Push for arms-length transfer
Inside Housing
05/12/08

The door to the future
Inside Housing
05/12/08

Housing association move for ALMOs?
LGC
04/12/08

Oldham ALMO to become association
Inside Housing
27/11/08

First arms-length deal to fund homes signed
Inside Housing
21/11/08

Council mulls move away from ALMO
Inside Housing
14/11/08

Out-of-step ALMOs risk tripping up
Inside Housing
07/11/08

Westminster sacks ALMO leader
Inside Housing
22/10/08

Four-month-old ALMO forced to make big cuts
Inside Housing
17/10/08

Case finds council is liable for ALMO staff
Inside Housing
19/09/08

Hundreds of new council homes to be built in central London
24dash
18/07/08

ALMO tension brewing
Inside Housing
11/07/08

Ealing Council plans to take on arms-length refurbishment programme after critical report
Inside Housing
26/06/08

Quick succession
Inside Housing
25/04/08

Onwards and upwards
Inside Housing
25/04/08

Bill reforms fail to satisfy associations
Inside Housing
28/03/08

Probe reveals tensions in ALMO relations
Inside Housing
28/03/08

Rapid turnover of arms-length executives
Inside Housing
22/02/08

Council poised to build after 25-year break
Inside Housing
08/02/08

ALMOs laud governments splurge on decent homes
Inside Housing
14/12/07

Councils keep tight grip on potential build plots
Inside Housing
22/11/07

Cooper: well legislate to free councils to build
Inside Housing
01/11/07

Warnings over a return to failed Tory transfer policy
Inside Housing
25/10/07

Probe into fruitless hunt for new chief
Inside Housing
25/10/07

Spend £800m by April or risk losing it, ALMOs told
Inside Housing
25/10/07

Lambeth ALMO petition found to breach rules
Inside Housing
19/10/07

Council pushes on with controversial ALMO
Inside Housing
21/09/07

Troubled ALMO hands stock to association
Inside Housing
07/09/07

Two-star inspection fails to unlock arms-length cash
Inside Housing
23/08/07

ALMO set to be first to transfer to association
Inside Housing
10/08/07

Ballot boxing
Times
31/07/07

Green papers £8bn for new build crusade
Inside Housing
26/07/07

Disputed ALMO ballot sparks storm
Inside Housing
26/07/07

New private sector players enter funding battle
Inside Housing
26/07/07

Transfers attract ALMO interest
Inside Housing
20/07/07

Constructive criticism
Guardian
18/07/07

Place setting
Guardian
11/07/07

Almos keen to submit home build bids
Public Finance
06/07/07

Minister banishes Thatcherism with plan to build council houses
Independent
06/07/07

No cash for 'poor' housing group
BBC
05/07/07

Officials to dissect sixth round cost discrepancies
Inside Housing
22/06/07

The final mile
Inside Housing
15/06/07

Council sends in its own team to help out ALMO
Inside Housing
01/06/07

Associations more likely to hit 2010 target than ALMOs
Inside Housing
10/05/07

Tenants confront CLG over decent homes deferrals
Inside Housing
01/05/07

Tricky relations
Inside Housing
27/04/07

Landlords vastly underestimate number of properties needing decent homes work
Inside Housing
19/04/07

Body seeks to calm ALMOs funding nerves
Inside Housing
13/04/07

Westminster set to lose its decent homes funding
Inside Housing
12/04/07

Body seeks to calm ALMOs funding nerves
Inside Housing
12/04/07

Decent ALMO properties total falls this year
Inside Housing
05/04/07

ALMOs troubled by new unitary authority plans
Inside Housing
29/03/07

Arm's-length funds alarm
Inside Housing
01/03/07

Corporation lines up ALMO for development funding
Inside Housing
01/03/07

Tenants fight ALMO
BBC
05/12/06

In the long run
Inside Housing
24/02/06
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