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UCATT warns North Wales tenants on dangers of stock transfer

Construction union UCATT are warning council tenants in two North Wales councils to think very carefully before voting for stock transfer.

Both Flintshire and Gwynedd councils look set to recommend that their council stock be transferred, later this year. However neither scheme will go ahead unless a majority of tenants vote for transfer.

There are 8,000 council tenants in Flintshire and 4,000 in Gwynedd.

UCATT have a great deal of experience of stock transfers throughout Britain. While councils spend a great deal of money on trying to persuade tenants to vote yes, they are far more reticent providing information on potential pitfalls.

UCATT have experienced many problems following previous stock transfers, including: steep rises in rents, huge rises in salaries to existing managers who are transferred to the new housing organisation, promises of new kitchens and bathrooms never materialising and swingeing cuts in the housing workforce which effects the repairs and maintenance service.

Ren Davies, UCATT regional officer for the North West and North Wales said: “Councils produce glossy brochures which suggest that stock transfer is some kind of utopia. UCATT have dealt with far too many cases where the truth is far uglier.”

UCATT have been at the forefront of calls for the Government to introduce the “fourth option” for council housing. This would allow councils to directly borrow money themselves in order to pay for vitally needed repairs and improvements to council housing.