Transfer Update

Council homes in West Salford are set to receive £930 million investment after tenants voted in favour of transferring their homes from the ownership of Salford City Council to new social landlord City West Housing Trust.

In a high ballot turnout, 72.9% of those who voted said 'yes' to transfer, meaning that substantial improvements to 14,500 homes as well as estates and housing services in the west of the city can soon get underway.
The Welsh Assembly announced that stock transfers involving local authorities in Wales will be examined to establish how minority ethnic communities are included. This is part of the Welsh Assembly's long-awaited plans to address the needs of minority ethnic communities.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the transfer of homes on the Parkside Estate in Tower Hamlets can go ahead. The ruling ended a long-running battle to stop the transfer. The case was based on claims of 'irregularities.' It was lost in the High Court in April but an appeal was granted. Following the appeal decision, the homes were finally transferred to Old Ford Housing Association. Tenants can expect improvement programmes totalling £42.8 million.

Issue: September 2007 Reporting on August 2007