Quality homes in successful communities

Quality homes in safe and successful communities is the aim of proposals which will change the way council housing is run in Bury.

The local authority is considering making an ‘in principle’ decision to bring back ‘in house’ daily control of its 7,700 council homes from Six Town Housing.

Six Town Housing was set up as an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in 2003. With its own board and staff, it has been responsible for the day-to-day running of the council’s housing stock since then, from collecting rents to carrying out repairs.

The proposal will be considered by the council’s cabinet when it meets on 7 June, following an options appraisal carried out by independent consultants. Tenants were engaged in this review through a survey and a focus group. The council will carry out a Test of Opinion later this year.

Councillor Clare Cummins, cabinet member for housing services, said: “We all want to ensure that our tenants receive an excellent service, and that Bury has quality homes in successful communities.

“While Six Town Housing has delivered housing services to tenants on behalf of the council for many years, there are now significant changes in regulation and new legislation and the council is committed to improve and integrate services to our tenants and residents and improve the quality of the housing and estates.”

Cllr Cummins said the proposals were part of a much wider plan to improve local estates generally, from health to community safety and the environment.

“Repairs and services are very important to tenants, but they also want to live in quality homes and neighbourhoods, with safe and secure streets and communities that are invested in.

“There is a growing demand for social and affordable homes, and we recognise the special role that housing services have in supporting families and people to live independently in their own homes in successful communities.

“The report has shown that we need to deliver a streamlined approach at every point for customers – from assessment of housing need, through to allocation and sustaining a tenancy, making sure we are offering accessible services both online and for those who prefer a more traditional way of engaging with us.

“From tackling anti-social behaviour to working with private landlords and other agencies, we want to take a new approach with the community to encourage a shared ownership and sense of pride in where people live.”

She added: “We understand that tenants may have questions about what is happening, and we want to reassure them that this change will happen over time, and delivering services to tenants remains our priority.”

Robin Lawler, chair of the board at Six Town Housing, said: “The in-principle decision to return the housing service to Bury Council has been made to ensure the best use of resources, and to consistently improve services ahead of the new housing regulations.

“Tenants are the key focus for this, as the services they receive are of the utmost importance and feedback has been, and will continue to be, used for service improvements.

“We are working together with the council and our colleagues to ensure a smooth transition and a positive outcome for everyone, and the time is right to bring the service back into the council to integrate services within the council and with Let’s Do It partners to the benefit of our tenants and local communities “