Tony Blair has signalled an enhanced role for arm's length management organisations, following a round table discussion with housing managers this week in Downing Street. With communities secretary Ruth Kelly next to him, the prime minister listened as tenant management leaders called for a long-term commitment to the ALMO programme which was set up four years ago and now covers almost 1m council homes. ALMOs, although owned by the council, are managed by a board of directors including tenants. Mr Blair said: ‘The Government is undergoing a policy review looking at the role of the state, locally and centrally, which works best at a strategic level. This is a timely meeting and we will look at how to take ALMOs forward to the next stage.' Ms Kelly added: ‘There is an important future for ALMOs.' The meeting coincided with a government announcement that the 56 ALMOs and tenant management associations were to receive new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Dennis Rees, chair of the National Federation of ALMOs, said: ‘This announcement is indicative of the increasing importance the Government is placing on tenant-led social housing models.' New regulations planned for next October will also make it easier for tenants to take over the running of their estates. A total of £485m is being allocated to modernise 55,000 homes in 17 local authorities with ALMOs as part of the Decent Homes programme.
