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Huge cash injection if homes deal goes ahead
Reporter: BEATRIZ AYALA
Date online: 04 September 2009
Promise of new double glazing, kitchens and heating for tenants
A SET of pledges to 12,000 First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) tenants, which could see £149million invested into homes and services, will be considered by Oldham Council’s Cabinet next week.
Tenants are currently being consulted on plans to transfer ownership of the council’s homes to FCHO, which would become a registered provider of social housing, owning and managing their properties.
If transfer goes ahead, £149 million will be invested in homes and services over the next five years – significantly more than Oldham Council can afford.
The Draft Offer Document – which details the proposed improvement programme to be delivered by FCHO – will now be discussed by Cabinet on September 9.
The Offer Document contains promises to tenants that transfer would deliver:
Complete double glazing in 11,000 homes.
5,500 new kitchens and bathrooms.
Electrical improvements in 5,500 homes.
A total of 4,026 new heating systems.
New fencing and gates for 2,800 homes.
The report recommends that Cabinet approves the Offer Document.
Tenants would then get to vote on the proposals in a secret ballot during the autumn.
The transfer would only proceed if the majority of votes cast are in favour of the scheme.
The proposal would involve the full transfer of those properties to FCHO, unlocking greater sustained long term investment.
It would continue to be run by a local management board, comprising tenants, independent members and council nominees.
Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for Community Services and Housing, said: “Oldham Council has been working closely with tenants to develop our Draft Offer and to ensure that it reflects their priorities for homes, neighbourhoods and services.
“Subject to Cabinet approval, further visits will be made to all tenants to deliver the Draft Offer document and to seek their views.”
Comments
Its all very well 'pledging' - but what is the timetable for each area/estate? Who will get what & when?
Typical one sided article. No mention that all of Oldham councils properties will be GIVEN AWAY to a private organisation to do as they wish and pay their executives whatever they choose. Where will FCHO's current debt go? Why no mention that the government DELIBERATELY is denying councils the ability to borrow to improve housing so that the only option is privatisation. http://www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk/
Oooh, Goody! Lets hope it goes through. All that drain on council funds removed at a stroke. We'll get a big reduction in council TAX. Won't we! ..Won't we?
The wife and I were thinking of buying a walk-in shower as we no-longer need a bath would FCHO let us pick one?
Rents are watchd ower govrnmt - no profit take as charity -
why shud tenants get secnd best
doesnt pay to work and own your own home does it ????
Have Your Say
Anyone voting yes to the transfer wants to see there rent increase by a large amount over the rate of inflation look at all the other not for profit landlords, everyone with different contracts and rent prices. Stay with the council and remove fcho just another cost for the taxpayer
By Keith @ 04/09/2009 13:14:45