22/06/2012 - Permalink

Housing information on offer at event

Related topics: Community

Advice and support will be on offer at a housing event hosted by Shropshire Council’s landlord services team in July 2012. 

The Annual Tenant Conference will be held at the Eastern Oswestry Community Centre on Wednesday 4 July 2012, and the council HQ at Westgate in Bridgnorth on Thursday 5 July 2012, both from 9.30am to 2.45pm. 

The event is mainly aimed at council tenants, but there will be a drop-in area at each venue for anyone to talk to housing officers about any issues they may have. 

There will be information and advice on housing, benefits, money and more.  Information stands will include Homepoint, Sure Start, supported housing, money and debt advice, and housing benefit. 

As well as the drop-in sessions, there will also be information for council tenants on the consultation into the proposed ‘Arms-Length Management Organisation’ (ALMO) for council housing.  Under the proposals, Shropshire Council would still own the homes but the housing service would be run by a new organisation, whose management board would include councillors and tenants. 

Many other councils in the country already manage their housing stock in this way, and tenants are being asked whether they would like Shropshire to do the same. 

Questions that will be answered include: 

  • What is an ALMO?
  • How will the setting up of an ALMO affect council tenants in Shropshire?
  • What have ALMOs achieved elsewhere?
  • What will opportunities could an ALMO bring tenants in Shropshire?
  • What disadvantages are there and do the positives outweigh these? 

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for housing, said:

“This is a great opportunity for council tenants to find out more about the proposals.  During the day we be will collecting your thoughts, ideas and opinions and feeding this into the way any ALMO may look, so it’s important you come along and get involved.” 

Anyone who would like to attend the ALMO information session can book a place in Oswestry or Bridgnorth by calling 01691 677361, texting 07582 003701, or emailing emma.feely@shropshire.gov.uk.