Council housing stock transfer could be a wrong move’

A BASSINGBOURN district councillor claims plans to transfer control of council homes to a housing association are the wrong move.

Members of South Cambridgeshire District Council have voted to support developing a proposal for transferring housing stock to a not-for-profit housing as-sociation.

But Cllr Nigel Cathcart, left, said: "I voted against the plans as I am not convinced that a housing association could make a better job of looking after the stock than the council.

"This is one of the most important decisions which the council is likely to make over the next few years, and is also quite a high risk strategy, but I am not satisfied a proper risk assessment has been done," he said.

There are about 200 council properties in Bassingbourn, and Cllr Cathcart has pledged to liaise closely with tenants.

He said: "There is a lot more work to be done before any final decision is made, and I shall be keeping in close touch with tenants and the council as matters proceed."

Cllr Simon Edwards, portfolio holder for housing futures, said, "Ultimately, this is a decision that rests with tenants.

"We cannot proceed with transfer if they don't vote for it and I believe it is only right that the council gives tenants the opportunity to find out more about what a housing transfer could mean before we ask them to make a decision."

offer that would underpin the transfer proposal.