Stock Options Appraisal 2005
91.9% chose to stay with the Council
The Government says that every council home must meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. For a home to be decent, it must:
- Meet the minimum Decent Home standard;
- be in a reasonable state of repair;
- have reasonably modern facilities and services, and;
- provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort, e.g. adequate insulation and heating
In order to ensure that Dartford Borough Council was able to reach this standard for its properties, we carried out an assessment of the housing stock. This was known as a Stock Options Appraisal. The Council successfully completed this assessment in 2005.
What did the Stock Options Appraisal involve?
The Stock Options Appraisal involved carrying out a sample survey of the condition of the Councils housing stock. This survey told us how many of our properties would reach the standard. It also gave us an idea of what work needs to be done in the future on properties that do not meet the standard in order to make them ‘Decent’.
A steering group was set up to project manage the Stock Options Appraisal. This group consisted of tenants, an Independent Tenant Advisor, Members of the Council and a staff representative.
The steering group had to consider the various options available to ensure the Decent Homes Standard would be met, these included:
- “Stay as we are”. The Council retains ownership and management of the stock;
- Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). The Council retains ownership of the stock but properties are managed by a Council sponsored organisation;
- Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The Council retains ownership of the Stock but there is a 30 year contract entered into with a private sector organisation to improve properties in return for a guaranteed income, and;
- Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT). Properties transfer to a Registered Social Landlord who owns and manages the stock.
The steering group came up with two possible options for Dartford:
- The Decent Homes Plus Standard – The Council would retain ownership and management of the stock and fund the minimum Decent Homes Standard plus the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms for the first 20 years of the 30 year business plan.
- The Aspiration Standard – To receive a higher standard than the Decent Homes Plus Standard (i.e. obtain additional funding to tackle anti-social behaviour and carry out environmental improvements) the Council would have to consider transferring its stock to a housing association.
All tenants, leaseholders and waiting list applicants were asked which option they preferred by way of a postal vote. The results of the vote showed that 91.9% of people preferred to stay with the Council. In response to this, the Council is now starting on a programme of works for its properties to ensure that they reach the Decent Homes Standard by 2010 and the Decent Homes Plus Standard by 2025.
Want to find out more?
If you would like to find out more about the Stock Options Appraisal, then just click on the two special Editions of ‘the Link’.
Or you can also contact Housing Policy on 01322 343682 or email HousingPolicy@dartford.gov.uk.
