Laura Sharman 19 June 2018

Housing delivery should be considered in council mergers, warns report

The merger of local authorities in Wales should not have any ‘unintended consequences’ on the delivery of affordable homes, CIH Cymru has warned.

The housing charity has published new research into the impact proposed council mergers could have on housing delivery in Wales.

Weighing the options found most respondents felt the mergers were dominated by political disagreements, with 50% highlighting concerns about losing touch with local needs and accountability.

It called on the Welsh Government to ensure mergers do not affect the target of delivering 20,000 affordable homes, and for assembly members and local authority councillors to engage proactively with housing departments.

It also wants a review into the impact of a merger that brings together those authorities who still manage and develop their own homes and those who do not.

‘Our report shows how important it is that housing professionals working within local authorities have a clear voice in shaping how the proposed changes could impact housing delivery in their area,’ said Tyfu Tai Cymru manager Catherine May.

‘Whilst there are clearly fears over how the proposals could work in practice there are also some great ideas about how to improve the delivery of the housing function. It is vital that Welsh Government ministers take swift action to have an open dialogue with housing professionals and ensure their expertise and insight play a positive role as discussions progress.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Durham County Council is looking for experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Head of Service – Social Care

Wrexham County Borough Council
G15 £63,148 - £67,058 per annum
There is an exciting opportunity within Children Social Care to join the senior management team Wrexham (Wrecsam)
Recuriter: Wrexham County Borough Council

Head of Service Social Work & Specialist Support

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Grade M scp 60 £72,118 - scp 64 £77,293
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Cafe Assistant - Weald Country Park

Essex County Council
Up to £13.3000 per hour
Café Assistant (Weald Country Park)Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner