Tenants plan 'fight to the bitter end' to keep housing under council control » Housing » 24dash.com

The leader of a tenant group in Winchester has vowed to 'fight to the bitter' end to defend the future of council housing in the city - despite acknowledging that stock transfer to a housing association may offer better value for money.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of Wincester TACT (Tenants & Council Together), Alan Rickman said: "I cannot, hand on heart, say that staying with the council will give the best value for tenants in the future because of the unfair demands placed on the council by Central Government, and funding cuts.

"Housing Associations are in a much better position and Central Government see them as the way forward.  They reward them with large sums of money, and make life far easier for them.

"However, you as tenants have clearly indicated that you want to stay with the council as your landlord.  It has been part of a proud tradition over the years, and one that we would like to uphold if at all possible.

"We as Chairs of TACT make this pledge that along with other groups, such as the Fourth Housing Option and Defend Council Housing Groups, we will fight to the bitter end on your behalf, to achieve your aims as tenants, but cannot say for certain whether future Governments will support us.

"Funding so vital to staying with the council is being cut to the bone and 40% of our Housing Revenue is taken away from us by the Government - money that would make all the difference in the world to us.

"A funding deficit of £400,000 per year that could well increase year on year means that cuts have to be made somewhere along the line.

"Rent restructuring means that rents will go up until on a par with Housing Associations, but we will not get the Government funding and support they do!

"The playing field is not an even one. It is very much in favour of housing associations.  TACT will do all it can to change the Governments mind along with the 90 or so other councils who have tenants wishing to stay with their council as their landlords,Ãâ� he added.