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| 9 March 2006 - Where Now for Scottish Executive Flagship Housing Stock Transfer Policy? |
| Today (Thursday 9 March), the Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference, will debate the future of the Scottish Executive’s stock transfer programme following the announcement at the conference by Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Minister for Communities, that the expected 63 second stage transfers to local housing organisation by Glasgow Housing Association will no longer all happen.
This announcement comes not long after tenants in Edinburgh voted to reject the transfer of council housing to a new organisation. The session at the conference will consider what we really mean by the term community ownership as it relates to stock transfer and will also consider the future of the policy following the Minister’s revelation. Gearing up for the session John Mills, Chair of the CIH in Scotland said: “The Minister’s announcement at our conference on Tuesday came as a surprise. We knew that there were a number of challenges being faced by the stock transfer programme in Glasgow but I do not think anyone was expecting to be told that the 63 second stage transfers will not be going ahead. We now need to know from the Minister exactly how many second stage transfers he thinks there will be. This really is important as it raises questions about how large an organisation can be yet still be seen as delivering community ownership. “The announcement by the Minster coupled with the Edinburgh vote raises questions about the future of the Scottish Executive’s policy for community ownership which has at its heart the transfer of council housing to new organisations. I am hoping that the session at our conference will get to the heart of what we mean by community ownership and what we expect from it or how it can deliver. It will also consider the alternatives to stock transfer in the light of the Minister’s announcement and the rejection of stock transfer by tenants in Edinburgh. “The CIH as a cross sector organisation believes that the key issue is about delivering improved services and housing for local communities and giving those communities a real say in how that service is run and delivers to them. Stock transfer is one option but so could be Arms Length Management Organisations or local authority retention with improved tenant involvement.” ENDS Nick Fletcher 01224 330 384 07831 394731 (Mobile) e-mail nick.fletcher@cih.org Notes to Editors 1. The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH) is the professional body for people who work in housing. Its purpose is to maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the wellbeing of communities. The CIH has more than 19,000 members in the UK with over 2,000 in Scotland. Members work within local authorities, registered social landlords, Communities Scotland, the Rent Service, voluntary organisations, educational institutions and the private sector. To find out more about the CIH in Scotland visit our website www.cihscotland.org 2. The CIH Annual Conference and Exhibition is Scotland’s major yearly housing event which attracts over 800 delegates and more than 100 exhibitors. It is being held at the AECC Aberdeen from Monday 6 March – Thursday 9 March 2006 and is being held in partnership with Barclays Business Banking Scotland. For a detailed programme of sessions and speakers see www.cihscotland-conference.org 3. Speaking at the session are: Michael Lennon, Chief Executive, Glasgow Housing Association, Carole Oatway, Director of Investment, Communities Scotland, Mary Taylor, HPPU, Stirling University, Ilene Campbell, Director, TIS, Jeff Zitron, Director, Tribal HCH 4. Interviews can be arranged. 5. The CIH will have a photographer at the conference and pictures of the award can be arranged to support media coverage |
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