Waverley's Stock Transfer Moves to Ballot (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Waverley's Stock Transfer Moves to Ballot

November 20, 2005 7:15 PM

In the next few days, all Waverley tenants will receive a formal notice advising them that they will shortly be asked to vote in a ballot to decide whether or not the Council can seek government permission to transfer its housing to the newly created, not for profit organisation, Weyfold Community Homes. The notice will also give tenants and leaseholders 28 days to make written comments or objections to the deputy prime minister.

The decision to transfer rests on the vote by tenants and whilst Waverley believes that transfer to Weyfold Community Homes represents the only viable way of meeting the Government's Decent Homes target, the Council is currently considering what would happen if the vote was unsuccessful.

Cllr Ken Reed says "We are urging all tenants to use their vote to determine the future of their homes. Without a positive vote for transfer, Waverley will have to take some difficult decisions as to where the £600,000 of service cuts will fall next year." He explained: "If tenants do not vote in favour of transfer, the budget shortfall is likely to affect day-to-day services. In addition, spending on the major repairs to tenants' homes would have to be reduced by over £2 million from this year's current level."

If tenants vote to transfer their housing, they will receive the benefit of an £80 million programme of repairs and improvements to their homes in the first five years. In October, Waverley confirmed that the programme for double-glazed window and door replacement would be brought forward and would take place during the first three years after transfer rather than over the first five years as was originally planned. This was in response to comments received from tenants during the formal consultation exercise.

Additionally, if tenants vote for the transfer, Waverley will be able to help provide funding to housing associations for at least 350 rented affordable homes over the next 10 years.

There is an independent tenants' adviser (ITA) called TACT@DOME who can be contacted on Freephone 0800 919994 if tenants have any worries or want information about the stock transfer proposal. The ballot will be carried out independently by the Electoral Reform Services. The ballot result should be known by mid-December.