Just one council passed the new 鈥渇it for purpose鈥� test for housing strategy, the government has admitted 鈥� not the 10% previously claimed (HT 9 January, page 9).
Derby council managed the accolade on top of 鈥渆xcellent鈥� Audit Commission ratings for housing and 鈥渨ell above average鈥� from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The ODPM said its previous claim that 10% of the strategies and business plans produced by the 354 councils with responsibility for housing had passed arose because another 32 councils were so close that they need 鈥渧ery little work鈥� to reach the standard. The department stressed that it had set a difficult target for councils and would support them in reaching it.

Derby鈥檚 strategy is twice as long as the recommended 30 pages. Richard Gerrard, cabinet member for housing, said: 鈥淚 would not want to take anything out. It obviously has the detail that is needed.鈥�

Source

Housing Today