Arm’s-length management organisations (ALMOs) are calling on the government to exclude them from proposals to limit the influence of councils over registered providers.

According to Inside Housing:

“There are nine ALMOs that also hold registered provider status with the Homes and Communities Agency and therefore could be affected by a government amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill.

The amendment seeks to limit the influence of councils over registered providers by allowing the secretary of state to remove council voting rights from registered provider boards. It is intended to add to the package of measures the government is taking to try to ensure housing associations are reclassified as private bodies for national accounting purposes.

ALMOs are concerned that the removal of council members from their boards would significantly alter their board structures. Councils have agreed contracts with ALMOs to manage housing and their boards have council representatives as well as tenants and independent members.”