10 October 2005
Tenants to have their say as housing transfer consultation kicks offCouncil tenants across Argyll and Bute are getting the chance to have their say on plans to transfer all of the Council’s housing stock to Argyll Community Housing Association Limited (ACHA).
Today (Monday 10 October) sees the start of the 28-day formal consultation period on plans to transfer all of the Council’s housing stock and related services to ACHA - the new, not-for-profit social landlord – a move that will pave the way for investment of more than £260million over the next 30 years.
Stage One consultation, as it is officially known, will see every tenant receive a copy of ‘Better homes, brighter future’, an easy-to-read booklet outlining the reasons behind the transfer proposals and detailing ACHA’s investment and modernisation plans. The booklet also explains the background to ACHA and how tenants’ rights would be protected,as well as comparing the services, investment figures and rent levels offered by ACHA with those currently offered by the Council.
Tenants are being encouraged to give their comments on the proposals during the consultation period by returning a pre-paid reply card or telephoning the Council. Council staff will also be conducting doorstep interviews with a cross-section of tenants to obtain their views on the stock transfer proposal. A telephone survey of one in ten tenants will also be carried out.
During the consultation period, ACHA will be touring Council estates and visiting other venues including supermarkets with a mobile exhibition trailer, showing examples of the kitchen and bathroom fittings tenants can expect after the transfer, explaining their plans and answering tenants’ questions.
The proposed transfer will only go ahead if a majority of voting tenants vote ‘yes’ in an independent ballot, planned from late November.
Councillor George Freeman, Argyll and Bute Council’s housing spokesperson, said, “The start of Stage One is a very important step in the proposed transfer of the Council’s housing stock to ACHA.We feel that the transfer is the best option for our tenants, and is the only way of removing the Council’s £48 million housing debt and delivering improved homes, services and new housing, while keeping rents affordable.
“We are keen to secure the best possible housing service for our tenants, and we urge them to share their views with us during the consultation period - after all, it will up to them to decide if transfer goes ahead.”
ACHA Chairman, Norman Beaton, commented, “We are delighted that formal consultation on our transfer plans is now beginning and that we are able to show tenants exactly what we can deliver following transfer. We’ve been speaking to tenants a great deal over the past 18 months and are confident that our plans meet the needs of tenants, their communities and the wider need for housing across Argyll and Bute.”
‘Better homes, brighter future’ gives details of ACHA’s plans to bring all homes up to the Argyll Housing Standard, introduce improved housing services and begin a new build programme of 150 new houses per year. The booklet also explains how ACHA will carry out the proposed improvements, while giving tenants a guarantee that rents will not rise by more than the rate of inflation plus 1% for each of the first five years after transfer.
ACHA’s investment plans and rent guarantee will be made possible by the removal of the Council’s £48million housing debt by the Scottish Executive, which will also provide a £41.2 million subsidy to support ACHA’s business plan and a further £10-15 million in community regeneration funding linked to the transfer.
The next stage in the transfer process will be a second stage of formal consultation, when tenants will receive feedback from the Stage One consultation period. This will be followed by an independent postal ballot of tenants from late November, subject to final approval by the Council.
Tenants can comment on the transfer proposals either by using the reply-paid card included with their Stage One booklet, or by phoning the Council on 01546 604412. ACHA can be contacted free on 0800 0282755 and Independent Tenant Advisers, PS Consultants, can be contacted on 0800 0853928.
Ends
Issued on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council by TNC. For further media information, please contact Ken Newton (ken@tnc.uk.com), Managing Director, or Dan Hughes (dan@tnc.uk.com), Senior Consultant, on 01698 420420, mobile 07951 579332.
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