Housing chief rejects criticism over stock transfer

JOHN McCANN . . . MPs out of touch

Oldham Council’s housing chief has hit back at criticism from two local MPs on plans to transfer the borough’s council housing stock to a new housing association.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for housing, said comments by Michael Meacher and David Heyes about the tenants’ ballot on the future of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) showed the MPs were out of touch.

If the transfer goes ahead, £148 million would be invested in homes and services over the next five years — significantly more than Oldham Council could afford.

Councillor McCann said: “I am extremely disappointed by these comments in which Mr Meacher and Mr Heyes suggested that the Housing Minister should postpone the ballot.

“It was, in fact, the Housing Minister, John Healey, who gave the council permission to go to ballot in the first place. The claim that we have rushed this process shows just how out of touch these MPs are.

“This process has been ongoing for two years and has actually been led by the tenant movement.

“Following a year-long consultation, tenants have been presented with a formal offer document which explains all the pros and cons of the transfer.

“This is a document which has been approved by these MPs’ own Housing Minister’s department.”

He added: “Our independent research clearly demonstrates that over 90 per cent of the tenants are aware of the proposal — and 90 per cent of those are aware of their right to vote.

“This consultation has been conducted absolutely in line with Government guidelines.

“Oldham Council wants what is best for tenants and we want tenants to decide for themselves what they want to see for their homes and communities.

“It would seem that Mr Meacher and Mr Heyes are ideologically against the principal of transfer even though there have been successful estate transfers in Limehurst Village and Fitton Hill.

“Tameside Council transferred its homes to New Charter — a new local housing organisation — more than 10 years ago and it has been a great success.

“Why shouldn’t our tenants have the opportunity to go down the same route if that’s what they want?

“And remember, New Charter is in part of David Heyes’ constituency.

“I am astonished that they choose to challenge the detail of the consultation document now and not eight weeks ago when they received their own personal copy. I urge tenants to ignore these claims. We want independent democracy to take its course.

“All political parties in Oldham, as well as Phil Woolas MP, have agreed that tenants should have the opportunity to vote on the proposal.

“My message to tenants is that you can be assured that we have been meticulous in preparing this transfer offer. Please make your mind up and use your vote.”

Councillor McCann’s assurances about the validity of the transfer proposal have also been supported by Dr Steve Sharples, of the independent tenants’ adviser, PS Consultants.

He said: “As the Oldham independent tenant adviser, we are satisfied that Oldham Council has followed closely the guidelines in respect of housing stock transfer as issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

“The Oldham Tenants Forum, the group of tenant representatives with whom we have worked closely for the last 12 months, is satisfied both with the process and with the timetable.”