This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Borders tenants vote yes
10/12/2001
Council tenants in the Borders have voted overwhelmingly
in favour of proposals to transfer around 7,000 homes to
the Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA).
Borders Council announced today that 82.4% of tenants
voting in a secret ballot had voted in favour of the
transfer to the SBHA which is a specially-created
charity.
Margaret Curran, Deputy Minister for Social Justice,
said:
"I am delighted that tenants in the Borders have given
these proposals for community ownership such a ringing
endorsement. This will be the first major transfer of
council houses in Scotland under our New Housing
Partnerships initiative. I am in no doubt that community
ownership will deliver real and lasting benefits for the
people of the Borders.
"Scottish Borders Council can now take forward the
arrangements for transferring the houses to SBHA. This will
deliver significant new investment in Borders housing and
give tenants a much greater say in the future management of
their homes.
"In addition to the massive investment that will be
delivered for tenants, the Council's existing housing debt
burden of around £65 million will be lifted in line with
arrangements agreed between the Scottish Executive and the
UK Treasury.
"These proposals represent a significant step towards
our goal of tackling social injustice. They will provide
good quality affordable housing, help tackle poverty and
disadvantage, rebuild and strengthen communities and
provide substantial new job and training opportunities in
the Borders as the housing investment programme kicks
in."
As well as Borders, four other local authorities in
Scotland are developing proposals which may lead to ballots
for the possible transfer to community ownership of all of
their housing stock. These councils are: Dumfries and
Galloway, Glasgow, Shetland Islands and Argyll & Bute.
Glasgow City Council is currently consulting tenants on its
proposal to transfer houses to the Glasgow Housing
Association (GHA).
The Executive is keen for councils to develop proposals
for transfer that meet the specific needs of their local
area. In the Borders, Area Boards will be formed to ensure
that local tenants can have a direct say in the improvement
and management of the homes in their area.
Transfers of council housing to community ownership can
generate substantial levels of private investment - up to
£3 billion across Scotland. Tenants' rents can be used to
fund new investment rather than service historic debt.
Community Ownership also gives tenants an opportunity to
become involved in the management of their homes and
estates.