Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council has been included on the list of councils which will be allowed to transfer ownership and management of their housing to a housing association if tenants vote in favour of transfer.

The Council applied to join the programme following its decision in July 2006 that a transfer of the Council's housing stock to a new, local housing association is in the best interests of the tenants, leaseholders and the wider community.

The transfer will only take place if it receives the support of Bracknell Forest tenants in a ballot planned for next spring.

The transfer programme is part of the Government’s drive to increase spending on social housing to bring all homes into a decent condition by 2010.

At the moment, Bracknell Council is £15 million short of the money needed to meet the Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard.

The Council also pays £9 million each year – nearly half of all tenants’ rents – to the Government, which is then redistributed to other areas considered to be in more need. A housing association would not have to pay this money to Government, instead keeping it in Bracknell Forest.

Linda Wells, Project Director for Your Homes, Your Choice, said: "I am pleased that Bracknell Forest has been accepted on the Department for Communities and Local Government’s housing transfer programme.

"We are working hard to ensure all tenants have the full facts about how they would be affected by the proposed transfer. Staff are currently visiting as many tenants as possible in their homes to answer any questions and concerns.

"Another round of home visits will be carried out in the New Year after full details of the proposed transfer are sent to all tenants."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member responsible for Bracknell housing, said: "We cannot meet Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard of improvements to homes, and cannot afford the additional improvements our tenants have told us they want.

"Both main political parties see a new, Bracknell Forest housing association as the best way of safeguarding a good housing service for local tenants and delivering a higher level of improvements to their homes, while also keeping rents at exactly the same levels the Council would charge."

Tenants will decide whether the transfer goes ahead. The Council will proceed with this change only if a majority of tenants who take part in the ballot vote “yes” to the transfer.

For more information, Bracknell Forest tenants can call the Council’s freephone number 0800 692 3000 or the independent tenant advisor freephone 0800 085 5492.

Visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/yourhomes

Bracknell Forest Borough Council