Sp Ed ec iti ial on
December 2008
house
housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders
Government subsidy causes cutbacks for tenants Winchester City Council has apologised to tenants after being forced to make cutbacks in its repairs and renovations programme to meet shortfalls in Council housing budgets. Councillors reluctantly agreed to reduce the modernisation plans after hearing the Council was still required to give over £8m to the Government in subsidy despite the £3m shortfall in its own budget. Cllr Tony Coates, Housing Portfolio Holder, has condemned the policy in a letter to Government Housing Minister Margaret Beckett. Members of Cabinet heard [on Wednesday 10 December 2008] that Winchester’s Councillors, Officers and Tenants had all called on the Government to give them more local control of rents and warned: “Without this, it is difficult to see how a Council Housing service can be maintained in Winchester.” Cabinet was told that Winchester City Council needed a minimum repairs budget of £9.8m to maintain the current repairs programme or a budget of £13.4m for an enhanced programme. The budget is £6.7m.
Cllr Coates said: “We are in an impossible position – between the proverbial rock and a hard place – and the system is grossly unfair.
Kitchen & Bathroom Programme It is estimated that 150 kitchens and 200 bathrooms will not be replaced between now and March 2010.
“We don’t have enough money to spend on our own homes yet the Government still expects us to pay more than £8m to subsidise council houses elsewhere in the country.
Empty Properties – Less money will be available to renovate these.
“I apologise to our tenants who will not get a modern kitchen, bathroom or boiler as a result.”
Where are the cutbacks? The Council has to save £3m and areas affected are: Gas Fired Heating Systems – About half of the boiler replacement programme will need to be deferred. Disabled Adaptations - There will be a backlog of about 80 cases by the end of March 2009. External Repairs & Painting Only essential repairs and repainting will be carried out to the 1100 properties programmed per year. Internal Redecoration - The entire programme of approximately 350 properties and communal areas will be deferred until further notice.
If you or a neighbour needs a printed copy contact Customer Service Centre on 01962 840 222
Pvcu Window Replacement Programme – About half of the window replacement programme – about 40 properties – will be deferred to a later date.
Government Policy The Government has accepted that the national Housing Revenue Account system is outdated and will announce its review of the system in spring 2009.
Rent Rise Councillors have approved an average rent rise of 6.14 per cent or £5 per week, which takes the average rent to £86.35 from April 2009. There will be more on this in the next full edition of On The House in March 2009.
Contact details telephone 01962 840 222 fax 01962 841 365 email housing@winchester.gov.uk website www.winchester.gov.uk Telephone calls may be recorded.
Tenant News Produced by Tenants for Tenants
special edition December 2008
TACT understands the Council’s dilemma TACT has worked closely with the Council to achieve the best for Council tenants and to provide services to meet the Best Value Standards. This has been the case until now, but changes beyond our control are causing problems due to the negative subsidy imposed by the Government which leaves Councils under funded and unable to provide the level of services they would wish.
Tenants want a fair system Council tenants know that every possible avenue is being explored by local councils. Alan Rickman, joint chair of TACT, said: If the Review of the Housing Revenue Account does not come up with a fair system for all councils, then the Government will have a major war with Council Tenants on their hands. “The Government has to face facts, you will not drive tenants into submission, and into a transfer by Produced by Tenants for Tenants
undue pressure regarding funding. Give us fair play.” He added: “Affordable council homes should be the priority of the day and we should not be penalised by negative subsidy and being under funded. £8 million of our rent money is taken from us each year. “The Government is in surplus of £194 million this year through money taken from councils in negative subsidy.”
Few options open to Council TACT accepts that Winchester City Council has few options available and realises you are in a difficult position. Beryl White, joint chair of TACT said: “The fault lies at the door of the Government. “If TACT endorses this paper we would be sending the wrong message to the Government, that council tenants are prepared to be short changed, we are not! “TACT however will do all we can to work with the council as much as possible, to achieve the best for council tenants.” Alan Rickman said TACT respected the Head of Landlord Services, Richard Botham, and his housing officers. He also praised Cllr Tony Coates, Housing Portfolio Holder, and the Cabinet for their support “in our
cause for justice”. He added: “TACT regrets having to take this stand, but like the Council we have no other choice, and must make our feelings clear. Council tenants want a fair deal. With ever increasing rents, we should not have to see a decline in service levels.” Contact the TACT Chairmen Alan Rickman or Beryl White if you want to find out more about TACT or want to raise any issues. You can call them on Freephone 0800 716 987 and leave a message, or write to them at: G
Alan Rickman, 101 Taplings Road, Winchester SO22 6HG
G
Beryl White, 2 Pine Road, Bishops Waltham, Nr. Southampton, SO23 1EH
If you have any particular needs which affect how you are able to use or be involved in our services or how you would like to receive information - for example translation, interpreters, Braille, audio tape, large print, sign language - please contact the Customer Service Centre either by telephone: 01962 840 222 or by email: customerservice@winchester.gov.uk
LDS00128-12192 December 2008 Designed by Winchester City Council’s Design & Print Section.
Winchester’s Tenants Group TACT (Tenants and Council Together) has backed the Council’s comments but says it cannot endorse the cutbacks.