Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: Residents vote FOR housing stock to be transferred
Quote:
THE future of Blaenau Gwent council housing has been decided, with tenants voting in favour of transferring the stock to a new housing board.
Tenants in Blaenau Gwent voted overwhelmingly in favour of transferring their homes to Tai Calon, a new independent not-for-profit housing organisation made up of five tenants, five council members and five independent experts monitored by the Assembly.
In a secret ballot, of the 57.1% of tenants who voted, 72.9% were in favour and 27.1% against the transfer proposal.
In October last year the Council announced that all 6,300 council houses in the borough needed to be up to a standard set by the Welsh Assembly by 2012.
As the Council did not have the £111m needed to do this and was unable to borrow money, it proposed setting up the new independent organisation, Tai Calon, which would be governed by different rules and allowed to borrow money for the improvements.
Now council houses in Blaenau Gwent will see improvements made to bathrooms, kitchens and heating systems with the Assembly continuing to control rent increases, and around £1.2m of that money being spent locally.
Councillor Des Hillman, leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said the result was fantastic news for the borough’s tenants.
“The ballot result is a vote for better homes for existing tenants and future generations of tenants,” he said.
“Tenants have clearly recognised the very difficult financial position facing the council.
“While the council has always worked hard to provide good homes and services for its tenants, a lack of resources meant we simply could not afford to bring homes up to the Welsh Housing Quality standard.
“Tai Calon will be able to deliver the repairs and improvements that are needed.
“We are confident they will deliver all the promises to tenants.”
Philip Crozier, chair of the Tai Calon board, said he wanted to give his assurances that the promises made during the lengthy consultation period would be carried out.
He said: “This is a great result for the future of housing across Blaenau Gwent.
“Tenants can rest assured that the board is committed to delivering all the promises made to tenants during the consultation.
“We will be working hard to develop a detailed improvement programme over the coming months so that we can deliver the full benefits of transfer to tenants from day one.
“I would like to thank all those tenants who have put their confidence in us. We are committed to delivering all the promises to our tenants and involving them in the investment and service improvements that transfer will bring."
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