Omission from council's list of 15 preferred partners could cost association millions
Trident housing association has appealed against Birmingham council's decision to exclude it from a list of 15 preferred housing partners.

Future development funding is likely to be channelled towards the council's preferred associations. Omission from the list could cost Trident millions in future funds.

The Housing Corporation, which jointly undertook the selection process along with the council, confirmed that it had been called on to check whether Trident had been treated fairly. It refused to elaborate.

The associations that applied for preferred partnership status were judged on three criteria: management functions, development performance and client-specific services.

Trident, which owns and manages more than 2700 homes and last year built 145, mainly in Birmingham, made it through the first stage of the council's selection process.

It obtained approved partnership status – recognition that it met minimum operating standards – but was not included in the list of 15 associations designated as preferred partners for the next three years.

Nick Moreton, Trident's chief executive, said: "The decision was a real surprise. We ought to have been included for the track record we have of working closely with Birmingham, and in terms of the quality of the schemes and services we provide."

Moreton said the council had explained that Trident's omission from the list was because it believed the association unable to assume high levels of risk involved with development.

A spokesperson for the council declined to comment, but said the appeal's outcome would probably be announced within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the 15 preferred partners have been allocated to one or more of the city's nine housing market areas, identified under the council's housing strategy.

The partners are: Accord Housing Association, Bromford Housing Group, Family Housing Association, FCH Housing & Care, Harden Housing Association, Midland Area Housing Association, Mercian Housing Association, Moseley & District Churches Housing Association, Optima Community Association, Sanctuary Housing Association, Prime Focus, Servite Houses, Touchstone Housing Association, Waterloo Housing Association and Bournville Village Trust.

Source

Housing Today