End game

For a government intent on extending choice in public services it must be deeply frustrating. It’s tried persuasion and coercion. It’s offered bribes and set targets. And still some people insist on making the wrong choice. In the month that communities secretary Ruth Kelly announced the beginning of the end of the decent homes programme with the last round of bids for stock transfer and arm’s-length management organisations (ALMOs), there are still up to 100 local authorities intent on holding on to their council housing.

The refuseniks include 40 where tenants have voted against transfer. Another eight councils have reballoted and won a ‘yes’ vote and one has successfully gone for an ALMO but two have reballoted and been knocked back a second time. Some of the 40 will try again. However, in most of them housing officers who would like the extra resources transfer brings have to bow to the verdict of their tenants.