Thursday, 02 September 2010

Vote against stock transfer has sent a clear message

12/06/2009

A decisive 72 per cent of South Cambridgeshire Council tenants voted against stock transfer on 4 June.

Once again Goliath suffered the indignity of a well-placed stone from David’s sling.

Everyone should rejoice at the brilliant spectacle of an obvious underdog – a tenants’ campaign supported by a handful of principled opposition councillors and depending on a few hundred pounds in voluntary contributions – comprehensively thrashing an obdurate, arrogant council with the usual plethora of consultants, propaganda road shows and endless glossy leaflets.

The justified euphoria of victorious tenants will not soften their equally justified anger, however, at the scandalous waste of money on a privatisation attempt held with total disregard for the forthcoming housing revenue account review.

There really must be a moratorium imposed on any other councils indulging in such an unseemly rush for transfer, at least until the review is published and there has been full consideration, discussion and feedback between the government, councils and tenants.

I believe that even where tenants have voted for transfer, it has been with great reluctance and in the face of unfair financial handicaps which appeared to jeopardise the future of council housing in their areas.

Now everyone agrees, at last, that there should be a level playing field for housing finance.

All politicians should now publicly guarantee their future support for tenants’ clear aspirations to continue enjoying decent, affordable, secure and democratically accountable council housing, without being financially blackmailed into privatisation.

John Marais, tenant representative, Cambridge Council housing management board

Readers' comments (2)

  • Julie Arnold tenant | 18/06/2009 6:20 pm

    I agree with everything John Marais, tenant representative has just said. The amount of money being spent on 'advising tenants' alone is shocking!! That money could have been better spent on removating more council houses.

    Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

  • samantha | 25/03/2010 9:25 pm

    I completely agree with John Marais' comments.

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