Solon Wandsworth is being victimised by the Housing Corporation because of its unorthodox management style, according to a member of staff at the association.
The south London registered social landlord is a workers' co-operative run by the staff and an unpaid management committee. It does not have a chief executive.

It has been under supervision by the regulator since November 2002 because of doubts over its governance and financial viability. Last week it was put under investigation, although the corporation has refused to reveal which of its business aspects will come under the spotlight (HT 16 January, page 9).

A member of staff told Housing Today: "Consultants have been crawling all over us for three years and have not found a single incident of corruption or fraud. It is hard to escape the conclusion that we are being victimised."

The staffer alleged that the investigation was launched because Solon's 200 shareholders rejected plans for a traditional management structure and a merger with a larger housing association even though its committee, run by corporation appointees, backed the plans.

Staff reportedly had already been asked to agree to a change in management structure, on pain of losing their jobs.

The Battersea and Wandsworth Trade Union Congress has come out in support of Solon.

It hopes to bring tenants, staff and the corporation together for a meeting shortly.

However, architect Kwasi Boateng, who resigned from the committee two years ago, said: "With a collective, you have a series of circles, and you keep going back and forth without one person taking responsibility."

Solon Wandsworth and the Housing Corporation declined to comment, but a corporation spokesperson said it would listen to any allegations made by staff.

Source

Housing Today