About CWAG
Welcome to the Councils with ALMOs website.
Councils with ALMOs Group (CWAG) is the representative body of stock owning local authorities whose stock is managed by ALMOs.
CWAG began as an informal grouping of council officers meeting to share good practice and provide mutual support in the early days of the establishment of the ALMO model. In 2007 the group moved to formalise its structure and role becoming a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Local Government Association. Since then the group has been working to ensure that the interests of councils with ALMOs are fully recognised in wider policy proposals and debates.
A key role of CWAG is to ensure that the specific interests of councils as owners and landlords are represented. The Group also has an important role in terms of providing access to practical support, training and networking. From the outset, the group has retained a non- political stance, focussing on practical support to council officers on operational and policy issues.
There is no direct member involvement in the group.
The group is managed via an elected Executive Group and there is a part-time policy officer in post.
Current Executive Group members are:
Chair - Rob Main (Newark and Sherwood District Council)
Executive Member - John Chirnside (Gateshead Council)
Executive Member - Martin Oldfield (Manchester City Council)
Executive Member - Anna Milner (South Tyneside Council)
Executive Member - Fiona Dodsworth (Newcastle City Council)
Executive Member – Ceri Davies (Nottingham City Council)
Executive Member - Faisal Butt (LB Barnet)
Executive Member – Julia Lansdowne (Cornwall Council)
Our key objectives are:
- To be the representative body on behalf of stock owning authorities where housing stock is managed by ALMOs and to act as a forum to provide mutual support to those authorities
- To have an active role in influencing the national policy agenda, particularly in respect of ALMOs
- To facilitate the exchange and introduction of best practice and to develop initiatives for local authorities whose stock is managed by ALMOs
- As a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association (LGA), to inform and influence LGA policy and activity on housing so it reflects the needs and concerns of Councils with ALMOs
- To promote the ALMO model and develop positive partnerships with ALMOs and the National Federation of ALMOs to ensure best outcome for tenants/leaseholders
Benefits of Membership
- Membership is open to all local authorities with ALMOs
- As a Special Interest Group, CWAG is engaged in regular dialogue with the LGA on key areas of policy development,
- As a group of authorities with ALMOs we feel it is important to work together to influence the wider policy agenda on issues of joint interest to the long-term benefit of tenants and their wider communities.
- CWAG provides members with a supportive network for sharing and developing good practice. Through our regular meetings and working groups we provide opportunity for more intensive debate, sharing and development of good practice.