Thursday, 02 September 2010

Speak now, or hold your peace

21/11/2008

Earlier this month I attended a workshop on housing finance, consisting of an introduction to the housing revenue account, followed by a review of council housing finance.

I came away feeling that there were no clear answers to the current HRA problems, although all sides agreed that the system was unfair and had to be changed. Council tenants pointed out that local authorities being driven into debt through negative subsidy was unfair. If we take into account rent increases it really means we are paying more for an inferior service. Councils, are having to cut services, through no fault of their own.

Council tenants must not become complacent while this review of HRA is taking place. Housing minister Margaret Beckett will be working on her findings for the early part of next year and council tenants’ views are important, so make yours known.

Go along to the Defend Council Housing conference on 25 November, being held at University of London Union. It is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate your support. Time is running out. In the present financial climate, affordable council homes are one of the best ways forward.

Alan Rickman, chair, Tenants and Council Together, Winchester

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment

sign in register

Related

Articles

  • Election raises many questions

    23/04/2010

    The announcement of the forthcoming general election has raised very important questions for council tenants around the country.

  • T-Day landings

    01/04/2010

    It’s finally here - after more than a year making sure it’s fighting fit, the Tenant Services Authority’s new regulatory regime heads into battle today. The new rules apply to everyone. Lydia Stockdale presents the ultimate guide to to making sure you hit the ground running.

  • Opposition in the house

    25/06/2010

    As the fight for the Labour Party leadership hots up, bookies’ favourite David Miliband tells Inside Housing he’ll make housing a top priority if he wins, while Lydia Stockdale rates the contenders’ housing credentials.

  • Election panel: readers back HRA reforms

    8 April 2010

    Government plans to give councils freedom to manage their own housing finances in exchange for taking a share of £25 billion of debt have been broadly backed by Inside Housing readers.

  • HRA campaigners urge government to write off debt

    6 October 2009

    More than 30 councils have urged the government to write off housing debt as part of reform of the council housing finance system.

Resources

  • Coming in to land

    16/07/2010

    As the £1.67 billion Supporting People programme absorbs the first round of spending cuts, can it continue to provide a soft landing for vulnerable households? Nick Duxbury analyses the results of an exclusive survey to find out.

  • No through road

    20/11/2009

    Landlords should not panic about the decision in L&Q v Weaver

  • Cost of living

    27 April 2010

    A recent case demonstrates the consequences local authorities can face if they fall foul of contracts with their tenants.

  • No strings attached

    19/02/2010

    Housing associations no longer have to mirror local authority pay rises for stock transfer staff

  • The view across the fence

    28/05/2010

    Employment tribunals are on the rise. Here two specialist lawyers in the field explain the process for both the employer and the employee

Most popular

Most commented

Most emailed