A series of government measures threaten to undermine local democracy and give developers and the big builders a free pass to step up their profiteering. The government's Devolution White Paper proposes imposing change on councils based on an arbitrary figure of 500,000 population. It is proposing to impose tenure blind housing targets on councils which … Continue reading Local democracy and council housing
Category: local Government Association
“Securing the Future of Council Housing”
“Unless something is done soon, most council landlords will struggle to maintain their existing homes adequately or meet huge new demands to improve them, let alone build new homes for social rent.” Twenty Councils have produced an interim report, 'Securing the Future of Council Housing' (STFCH). With Labour now in government it rings a timely … Continue reading “Securing the Future of Council Housing”
Most councils pessimistic about net zero because of national approach
A survey for the Local Government Association found action to tackle climate change was being “strangled” by the current arrangements under which councils must bid against each other for an array of Whitehall funding pots. The survey found two thirds (67 per cent) of councils were not confident in hitting their net zero targets, putting … Continue reading Most councils pessimistic about net zero because of national approach
LGA calls for review of council housing ‘self-finance regime’
In a submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the Autumn Budget, the Local Government Association has called for a review of the “current self-financing regime” which has been in place since 2012. Under this regime Housing Revenue Accounts received no subsidy. More than 90% of their income is tenants rent and service charges. … Continue reading LGA calls for review of council housing ‘self-finance regime’
LGA calls for 100,000 social rent council homes a year
Labour Campaign for Council Housing media release A report, Building Post-Pandemic Prosperity, The economic and fiscal case for constructing 100,000 council homes a year, commissioned by the Local Government Association, Association of Retained Council Housing, and National Federation of ALMOs, warns that rough sleeping, homelessness and sofa surfing is only likely to increase in the coming months. … Continue reading LGA calls for 100,000 social rent council homes a year
LGA housing report – the good, the bad and the ugly
Councils already play a vital role in housing supply as planning and housing authorities, as partners with house builders and registered providers, as direct builders, as providers of homes for the most vulnerable and as local place leaders. However, the planning for the “new normal” provides a unique opportunity for the sector to release its … Continue reading LGA housing report – the good, the bad and the ugly
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 