Last chance for council house tenants to use their vote

1 November 2011

South Lakeland District Council is reminding tenants that there is less than two weeks left to use their vote on Housing Transfer.  A multi-million pound investment could be made in South Lakeland’s council homes if tenants give their backing and all votes need to be cast by noon on Friday 11 November.  Tenants can vote either by post, phone, text or online.

The council is asking all tenants to vote on whether to transfer the ownership of its 3,160 council homes to a new style South Lakes Housing (SLH).  SLDC sees this as the best way forward to ensure the maximum benefit from the rents tenants pay. It will enable the level of investment needed in the housing, provide high quality services to tenants, keep the current housing stock to a decent standard and better meet the housing needs of the district.

CouncillorPeter Thornton, portfolio holder for Housing and Development, said:

I would urge all tenants who have not yet voted to make sure they have their say.  The ballot closes at noon on Friday 11 November and we want every tenant to have had an opportunity to tell us what they think about Housing Transfer.  The council and South Lakes Housing want what’s best for tenants.  We think this is a good offer, but ultimately it is the tenants’ vote that counts and they will decide whether transfer could go ahead.”

The council could only decide to transfer the housing if tenants vote in favour. The result of the ballot, and a report and recommendations on the future ownership of the housing stock will be presented to Full Council on Tuesday 29 November. 

The ballot is being conducted independently of the council and South Lakes Housing by Electoral Reform Services, an independent and widely respected organisation with considerable experience in running these types of ballots. Tenants wanting more information about the ballot can call the freephone number, 0800 014 7518.