Note:  This was originally planned for voices only. A phone rings in the offices of Homes for U and the chat is as follows.

(Tenants eventually got used to the ALMO concept but was confusing at first)

Buurrr. Buurrr.......Burrr Buurrr!

Good morning “Homes for U” Colleen speaking can I help you

Hello, I want to report a repair. Who did you say you were?

Homes for U

Who are you I want U Town council. Are you U Town council?

Well yes and no.

What do you mean?

We are the Almo, the body that manages U Town Council's housing stock

Why? I am a U Town tenant

Yes, you are but we manage you

I want U Town council

Listen, the management of the housing was transferred to Homes for U by ballot

So who are you?

Homes for U

But I am a U Town council tenant

Yes U Town still owns your home but we manage you

Why?

Let me explain, the government said that if you vote to have us manage you, then you can have new kitchens and bathrooms and the tenants agreed to this

But I am a U Town tenant

Yes

Can I have a new kitchen and bathroom?

Not necessarily

Why?

Because if your bathroom is less than 40 years old and your kitchen 30 then you do not qualify

Did they tell us that?

No

Why?

If they did, you would not have voted yes for the Almo

What's an Almo?

That's us, a newly elected Arms Length Management Organisation voted by you

to manage you

I see you are managing me and I may get nothing out of it

Yes, but we are doing what the Government tells us and we must have a good star rating to get the money for the new kitchens and bathrooms

What do you mean?

Corporate image and set up a board of directors to manage you

Yes, but I may get nothing out of it

That is correct but we are spending 2m pounds on this with new estate signs, stationary and management recruiting to the board and restructuring to get even more than 2 stars, even 3

What is that to me?

Nothing

Then why are you doing it?

To get more money for kitchens and bathrooms

Which I may not get

Correct

Then why is the government doing it?

Good question, can't answer

So you are a management body, which residents agreed to as they thought they were going to get new kitchens and bathrooms, which they may not get. So where does that leave us now.

Well, we have spent 2m on a new image

I am confused, I was happy as it was and I may get nothing out of it

Some will

But why couldn't the Government give you the money for the new kitchens and bathrooms anyway?

Good question, can't answer.

I don't know who you are. I want to speak to U Town Council

You can't

Why?

Because Homes for U manage you

But I was happy with U Town council. So what's in it for me and what happens next?

Oh... and about my repair.....

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ALMO stands for Arms Length Management Organisation; a board usually of 17 members consisting of councillors, residents and local people who have the power to manage the housing stock, whereas before you had professional officers.

The answer to the questions that could not be answered is, that it is the road to privatisation.

Don't vote Almo or you won't know what happens next. Stay with your Council.

And if you're with an Almo, you will find that there is nothing in it for you that could not have been provided for, as a council tenant Government willing and without the expense of Almo's. Vote to get back in to your Council and stay safe.