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Now, emails from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are encouraging use of a new term – "modern methods of construction" or MMC for short. Can we now expect a swear box at the entrance of Eland House for all those who use the doubleplusungood words?

We are not worthy
Abid Hussain, manager of Doncaster's New Deal for Communities partnership, has set himself ambitious goals. No, not reviving broken communities, rescuing urban areas from housing market failure or stamping out antisocial behaviour. Instead, Hussain wants every delegate in every conference he speaks at to bow to him.

At the National Regeneration Convention in York last week, he made a good start.

"Raise both your hands above your head," he told bemused listeners. Reluctant delegates obeyed. "Now lower them in front of you. Now raise them again." Bingo. If only the NDCs could be that successful at getting what they want all the time.

Gold! Always believe in your soul …
Every housing association strives to bring a a feel-good factor to their communities.

So far, though, only one of them has tried to do this through the medium of music – Gold Service pioneer Irwell Valley.

One caller to the housing association, while on hold, was treated to a beautiful piece apparently entitled Irwell Valley. Its lyrics lauded the company for building homes for the future; its tune was stirring adult-oriented rock. Does this mean MC Manion has gone down the route of US-style corporate jingles?

It's not real, you know
Ever feel the craze for rebranding has gone too far? Walsall council doesn't. At last week's local government conference in Harrogate, it attempted to improve its image by labelling itself Walsall Reloaded.

Well, I had heard that the Audit Commission had suggested a new management team take over the troubled council, but surely a matrix of evil computers is going a bit far?

Wish you were there?
Remember the council that brought you the rent-collecting Easter Bunny as part of its hard-hitting drive on arrears, with the accompanying poster "pay your rent, or your roof will end up in the Easter bunny's basket"?

Well, the no-nonsense housing officers at Southwark have a summer sequel with less of the shock tactics but no less of the fun. This time, tenants receive postcards and sticks of rock emblazoned with the message "pay your rent".