Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing's annual conference, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced the eleven new stock transfer schemes for the 2005 programme:
Places have been held open for:
Lincoln Council decided on the stock retention route. A postal survey aimed at testing the opinion of tenants resulted in 43% favouring retaining the housing stock with the Council, and the same percentage favouring an ALMO. The survey involved 17% of tenants.
North Tyneside Council finally agreed with the majority of its tenants on stock retention, as the best option for the future. The Council will meet 90% of its decent homes programme from its own funds, but partnership arrangements will be necessary to support the other 10%.
Following a survey of tenants, which found 97% were in favour of retaining the Council as its landlord, Southampton Council's Cabinet voted in favour of retaining its 18,000 homes.
Wandle HA took over the ownership and management of Solan Wandsworth HA's housing stock of 1,000 homes. The transfer follows a statutory inquiry into the management of Solon Wandsworth.
Tenants of Hyndburn Council voted in favour of the transfer of their 3,500 homes to Hyndburn Homes (79% in favour; turnout 72%). The Association is a specially created subsidiary of Contour Housing Group.
Hyndburn Homes has planned an improvements and repairs programme that will see it spend £35 million in the first five years after transfer. It is expected that the transfer will complete in January 2006.
