Calls to suspend Almo boss

Friday, 18 April 2008

THE head of the firm that is to take over the management of council housing in a borough was suspended from a previous post for “untoward behaviour”.

Asuman Ozkan is chairwoman of Lambeth Living Ltd – the company that is to manage 33,000 council-owned households in the borough.

The company, also known as an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (Almo), has bid for more than £240million in Government funding to improve social housing.

But questions have been raised over Ms Ozkan’s fitness to chair the company after it emerged she was suspended from a previous post because of her conduct. Ms Ozkan was suspended from the Angell Town Estate Management Board Ltd – the company that runs the council-owned Brixton estate – for “untoward behaviour” directed at fellow board members.

She was told her lack of respect for other members of the board had led to division and disaffection in the organisation.

A number of complaints were made about her, including an incident which prompted a councillor to threaten to close the board.

In August 2007 her suspension was made permanent.

Opposition councillors have called for Ms Ozkan to be suspended from her current post.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jeremy Clyne said: “We are very concerned at the allegations made against the Almo chair.

"While the matters are being investigated we have asked that she should be suspended from her post.”

A Lambeth council spokeswoman said: “We have been made aware of allegations concerning Asuman Oskam.

"It’s not appropriate for us to add anything further at this stage until a full investigation has been carried out.”

Ms Ozkan declined to comment.

newsdesk@slp.co.uk

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1 comments on this news item

Posted by : lambeh resident, Norwood | Sunday 20/Apr/2008 | Report this comment

The fact that serious allegations have been made against a member of the board has been common knowledge for at least a month.

What is described above is not particularly serious, and officers must have been aware of this situation since the situation arose?

Residents must wonder why it is suddenly being given such publicity?b

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