Press Releases

No to housing transfer

Wednesday, 11th October, 2006

Stirling Council tenants have voted “no” to the transfer of council houses to Housing Stirling.

The ballot was run by Electoral Reform Services, the independent body that oversees ballots and elections in the UK. There was a 67.2% turnout in the ballot and the final results were:

31.9 % in favour of housing transfer

68.1 % against

This result means that housing transfer will not go ahead. Stirling Council will now be drawing up plans in consultation with tenants on its future rental strategy and how it can deliver the investment that is needed to modernise kitchens, bathrooms and central heating in thousands of homes.

The “no” vote also means that:

The Council's housing debt will not be written off.

The Council will not be able to offer tenants certainty on investment to modernise their homes, nor can it give tenants a rent guarantee.  

The Council cannot access grants for regeneration or to build new homes.

Councillor John Hendry, said: “I am disappointed that Housing Stirling will not be given the chance to develop and improve homes and the housing service. It is clear that the consequences of this result are serious both for tenants and the wider community. Stirling Council will now need to explore how it can fund improvements and regeneration in the future, within the resources available to the Council.  We are all disappointed, but the Council will work hard to ensure that we continue to deliver the best possible housing service with the resources we have. ”