Kent councils launch first "super-ALMO"

The first arms length management organisation to be owned and operated by more than one local authority has been launched this month, with predictions that such “super-ALMOs” could become increasingly widespread.

East Kent Housing took on the management of the housing stock owned by Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Shepway District Council and Thanet District Council from 1 April.

The deal will cover more than 16,000 units of housing stock and will see around 220 staff will transfer to East Ken Housing from the four councils.

Brendan Ryan, Interim Managing Director of East Kent Housing, said: “This is all about giving tenants and leaseholders a better service in the future and involving them more in how services for them are run. By doing this, we can ensure that we’re improving the things that matter most to them. Joining the four councils together also means we can make savings that we can then reinvest back into council housing in each area.”

Law firm Trowers & Hamlins advised the councils alongside their in-house legal teams. Partner Ian Doolittle said: “We were pleased to bring our ALMO experience to this exciting new venture and expect to see many more such joint ventures in the future in housing and other fields.”