Vote nears for tenants
COUNCIL tenants in Bracknell could be in for a share of £61 million worth of improvements to their home, but only if they vote for the council's housing stock to be transferred to a new housing association.
The massive windfall could be used to improve hundreds of council houses, as well as building new affordable homes all over Bracknell Forest.
But if the transfer doesn't go ahead, the council could only spend £18 million on tenants' homes and will not be able to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard.
An offer document, outlining details of how a new housing association would work, pros and cons of staying with the council or the council transferring to a new association, is due to be sent to tenants next month.
The document includes a programme of jobs that would be done in the first five years of the association being established.
They include installing 3,500 new bathrooms, 3,300 new kitchens, upgrading and installing central heating in 3,600 homes and spending £400,000 on adapting homes for the disabled.
Bracknell Forest's executive committee was due to agree the offer document to be sent out to every council house tenant in Bracknell, during a meeting last night.
Linda Wells, Your Homes project director, said it was important tenants knew all the facts before they voted, but said without transferring to an association, the money would not be there to spend and it would be a long time before any improvements to existing homes could be made.
Mrs Wells said: "There has already been a long and detailed consultative process with staff, council tenants and independent tenancy advisors have gone through the process with many residents.
"Some people might be concerned that rents could go up, but they will be the same as they would if the housing remained under council control.
"As it is, there is not enough money to carry out all the improvements that need to be made – with a new housing association there will be.
"In some areas in Bracknell, there are kitchens that are 55 years old. Jobs will be put into categories, with the most urgent cases first – as they are now – if the money is there to spend, the jobs can get done quicker."
Tim Wheadon, Bracknell Forest's chief executive, said this was a very important time for tenants and a lot of work had been done to get to this stage.
"There is so much more for tenants if they go to a housing association, £61 million is a guaranteed investment," he said.
Once tenants receive the offer document next month, they will have 28 days to give their comments to the council. The council will then consider these comments, before writing to tenants explaining any changes.
A ballot will take place in March.
If tenants vote for a housing association, contractors could start working on jobs next spring. Under a housing association, a new Neighbourhood Estate Action Team would be set up to help maintain clean and safe estates.
There would also be a specialist anti-social behaviour officer.
A new management board would also be established, which would comprise four council house tenants, four independent members and four borough councillors.
Councillor Dale Birch, executive member for adult services, health commissioning and housing, said: "A new housing association would offer long-term certainty that their housing will be maintained at a high standard and tenants continue to receive quality housing maintenance.
"I hope tenants read the offer document carefully, so they can see the huge benefits that would arise from a transfer, compared to the very limited service the council could provide if the transfer does not go ahead."
For more information go to www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/betterhomes