Housing stock transfer vote moves closer

THE PROSPECT of a vote on council housing

stock in South Cambridgeshire being transferred

to a private company has moved a

step closer.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has

agreed the broad principles of what should

be in the offer to transfer from the district

council to its tenants.

These principles include affordable rents

that will be no higher than they would be

with the council, a fast and "by appointment"

repairs service, and more tenant

involvement in decision making.

Cllr Simon Edwards, portfolio holder for

housing at the district council, said: "Serving

the interests of our tenants is key to the

whole Housing Futures project.

"With council supporting cabinet's backing

for transfer and the principles of the

offer we're to make, I'm tremendously

excited that tenants can really start to see

what benefits transfer could bring."

The principles are the result of extensive

consultation with tenants and stakeholders

who the council says "have been placed at

the heart of the decision-making process",

through tenant and leaseholder groups and

forums and a specially set-up transfer advisory

group.

They are now being worked on in more

detail as the council prepares to put forward

the full offer to tenants in the new year.

Cllr Edwards said: "I'm sure our sheltered

housing tenants will be pleased to hear

about increased resources for their homes

and gardens, while the prospect of a faster

repairs service and a commitment that rents

would be no higher than they would be with

the council will be welcomed by all our tenants."

The housing transfer can only take place if

the majority of tenants who vote give their

backing in a ballot. The final version of the

offer document will be distributed to all

secure tenants before they are asked to vote.

A full list of the principles agreed can be

viewed on the district council website;

www.scambs.gov.uk.