From the archive - week of 6 March

30 years ago

Secretary of state for Scotland, Malcolm Rifkind confirmed Scotland would follow England’s example in reducing local authorities’ housing function and bringing in a new wave of private landlords.

Speaking at the Institute of Housing’s Scottish conference, Mr Rifkind’s comments echoed earlier remarks from local government minister Michael Ancram.

However, no detailed proposals were outlined and Mr Rifkind was reluctant to prescribe a maximum percentage of council housing.

“There is no single solution, no single recommendation,” he told delegates. “The best way is to try to find out what tenants want and to try to involve them in the management of rented property.”

He said as part of the process, the Scottish Office was mulling the idea of introducing assured tenancies.

20 years ago

Camden Council emerged victorious from a five-year court battle with the Department of the Environment (DoE) over a £20.9m housing subsidy.

The dispute came about when the north London council claimed the money back from government after it had been charged interest following a switch from cash to accrual accounting for its £100m Housing Revenue Account.

The DoE initially refused to pay, leaving Camden with the prospect of either cutting spending in other areas or making up the difference by increasing rents.

Steve Bundred, chief executive of Camden Council, said the court’s decision was a victory for the council’s 30,000 tenants. “We have to fight for every penny for regeneration of our estates,” he added.

10 years ago

Major housing programmes were said to have been “seriously jeopardised” because of failings by utility companies, according to housing providers. Poor service from utilities companies was contributing to failures to fill empty homes and improve run-down areas, an investigation by the North West Housing Forum, seen by Inside Housing, found.

The problems were placing regeneration programmes at risk and creating cash flow problems for housing partnerships, said the report.

George Davies, chair of the forum, warned: “Action is required to remedy this situation as a matter of urgency or the momentum of housing renewal in the region, and the ability to deliver economic growth through a fit for purpose housing offer will be seriously compromised.”

The investigation named several specific projects that suffered, including a development of 38 flats in Widnes town centre, which was completed in November 2006 but was “standing empty because of a lack of electricity”. The order for connection had been made in July.