Tenants Back Council's Housing Transfer Plan

North Norfolk District Council's proposal to transfer its housing to the newly-formed North Norfolk Housing Trust has received the go-ahead from tenants in a ballot following a major consultation exercise. Electoral Reform Services, who conducted the vote, announced the result of the ballot of tenants as follows:

Number of tenants voting: 4387 - 76% of 5775 tenants eligible to vote
(6 spoilt papers)

In favour of transfer: 2804 - 64%
Against transfer: 1577 - 36%

North Norfolk District Council Leader Simon Partridge said: "The ballot result clearly demonstrates that the Council's proposal has the support of many of our tenants. Throughout the consultation exercise it was apparent that tenants were giving the whole issue a great deal of thought and on behalf of the Council I would like to thank them for voting in such large numbers.

"I would also like to thank the staff and tenants' group who worked so hard to ensure that tenants knew the facts and understood the choice before them. This proposal has had support because people are convinced that the transfer will bring significant benefits to both existing and future tenants."

Jacky Howe, Chair of North Norfolk Housing Trust's Board of Management, said: "On behalf of all of my colleagues on the Board, I would like to thank the tenants for the confidence they have placed in us. I can assure each and every tenant that we are determined to deliver the best possible housing service for the people of North Norfolk. We now have a real opportunity to work together with the Council and tenants to create a better housing future."

The Council must now meet to agree to proceed with the transfer and then seek approval from the Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the transfer to take place. It is expected that the formal transfer will take place by early 2006. The transfer will bring a major injection of funding for repairs, modernisations and improvements, stable rents and the protection of tenants' rights, with tenants at the heart of decision-making.

ENDS