Lynne Featherstone

From the news release over on my website:

An urgent review of how £200m will be spent by Homes for Haringey has been demanded by local Liberal Democrats following the revelation that serious government 'concerns' over the high costs of Haringey Council's ALMO bid delayed the cash award. The serious indictment of Haringey's ability to spend money efficiently was contained in a secret ministerial briefing marked 'not for the public domain' obtained by local Lib Dem MP, Lynne Featherstone through a Freedom of Information request.

You can read the rest of the story here and here's the full information revealled by the Freedom of Information request - one thing you'll notice is how the background note gives a much better and clearer answer to the question than the actual answer presented:

HOUSE OF COMMONS
WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
For answer on: Monday 7 January 2008
Date answered: [parliamentary to enter]
DCLG Ref: 1093 07/08 Party: LD
Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey will be given their full funding under the Decent Homes Programme for improvement to housing stock; and what the reasons are for the time taken to provide the funding. [175562]

Mr Iain Wright

Draft answer:
The ALMO, Homes for Haringey has yet to be accepted onto the ALMO funding programme. The funding requirement outlined within their bid needs to be understood and ensure it is affordable, before it can be agreed or accepted onto the programme. Officials are in discussions with Homes for Haringy and Haringey Council and aim to reach an agreement early next year.

Officials are in discussions with Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council and aim to reach an agreement early next year [end of January]. Officials are working with the remaining round six bids, to better understand the bids received and ensure the programme remains affordable.

Drafting Official:
Sheldon Ferguson
Clearing Official:
Anne Kirkham

Background note Information for the Minister (Not for the public domain)

Haringey’s ALMO bid has not yet been accepted onto the programme. We are concerned that costs within the bid are high and as a consequence, unaffordable. Officials have opened discussions with Haringey and are conscious they have a two star rating from the Audit Commission, and are consequently seeking a quick resolution. It is anticipated that Ministers will be approached by Haringey’s Council Leader for a meeting to agree a final sum. In the meantime a review of the costs for Haringey’s ALMO programme is underway.

This applies to the other Round Six bids that are to be accepted onto the programme. We aim to reach an agreement for the remaining bids by the end of March 2008. We do not expect a request for a meeting, because the outstanding bids have yet to achieve a two star rating.