Agenda item

DR went through the background of the ALMO (Arm’s Length Management Organisation) for the forum, including the objectives of the Housing Options Review, the key stages of this review and an outline of those involved in the process.

DR then gave an explanation of the ALMO. This will be a separate legal entity, and will not be the same as a housing association or private landlord. It was confirmed that tenants’ rights will stay the same, and that tenants can still contact their councillor to raise issues.

Further information about the ALMO, including details of the ALMO board, can be found here: http://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200235/setting-up-the-almo

DR told the forum about a possible opportunity for the ALMO to be set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC), on top of being a company limited by guarantee - no other ALMO has been set up as a CIC before. The ALMO would not be a profit making body, and the opportunity to become a CIC could possibly add an additional benefit/protection – this will be looked into further and tenants will be kept aware of any further progress.

It was asked whether Homelessness Services would also be transferred over to the ALMO. DR explained that there are some grey areas, including where Homelessness Services will sit, but these service areas are being discussed to find out where and how they would be best delivered.

Another question was raised around the position of Sheltered Housing. DR advised the forum that this is another grey area due to the current process of funding for Sheltered Housing – critically, the funding for the Independent Living Team from NCC is coming to an end, and they are currently looking at how this will be taken forward. However, the day to day management of Sheltered Housing will be included in the ALMO.

A forum member asked whether NBC would remain as the employer, who would hold the money, and whether the ALMO could be sold in the future. DR advised that staff would be tuped over to the ALMO. Furthermore, a management agreement would be negotiated between NBC and staff as to how the ALMO will be delivered. NBC would still own the assets, and there are lots of regulations which protect this.

A forum member raised concerns over where the ALMO would stand if Northamptonshire became a Unitary Authority. DR advised that if there was a unitary bid, that the asset of the ALMO would still be held by NBC. If it did combine with the County, there would have to be a full options appraisal process again, as the report states. Furthermore, there are legal protections already in place through Government restrictions.

With reference to the name of the ALMO, DR advised the forum that this would be discussed at the tenants group and the employee focus group.

DR advised forum members that there will be a lot of work going on in the background, and that another survey will be released in June, followed by a conference in July, consulting tenants on what they think the ALMO should be focusing on.

Cllr. Oldham asked for somebody to return to the forum in the future to update on the progress. DR advised the forum that the best people to invite back in the future would be Suzanne McBride and Cabinet Member Cllr. Mary Markham. It was AGREED that the forum would invite SM and Cllr. Markham to the Pensioners Forum meeting on Thursday 24^th July.