Lambeth residents back the ALMO

Residents back the ALMO

Labour’s commitment to ensuring all council homes are up to a decent standard and Lambeth Council's housing service is improved is on track following the end of July’s ballot

In one of the biggest public consultation exercises ever undertaken in the borough, council tenants and leaseholders were asked if they supported proposals to set up an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to take over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the housing service.

The ballot, organised independently by Electoral Reform Services, showed that the majority of residents who voted were in support of the plan.

The Liberal Democrats shocked residents during the ballot by opposing the investment in council homes.

Lambeth Council will still own the homes and tenants will remain as council tenants with their rights and affordable rents protected. The big difference is that the ALMO – a non-profit-making organisation run by its own board made up of tenants, leaseholders, independent people and council nominees – will be able to tap into central government funding that is not available directly to the council.

The new additional investment of up to £240 million would allow every home to be brought up to the Government's Decent Homes Standard by 2013.

Councillor John Kazantzis, Labour cabinet member for housing, said: "The ALMO is the best way for delivering the standard of housing and services that local residents deserve while preserving council ownership of the properties and tenants' rights. In addition, the ALMO will give tenants and leaseholders far more say in the way their housing service is run, making this a real win-win situation.

"I thank all the residents who have shown their support for the ALMO, and can assure them that their faith in the proposals will be rewarded by better quality homes and improved services that truly meet local needs."

Results from the independent Electoral Reform Service show that 8,385 tenants and leaseholders voted in the public ballot.

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