COUNCIL RESIDENTS DEMAND FAIRER FINANCE

Council residents from around the country called for a better funding system to enable local authorities to help meet the national housing affordability crisis, when they came together at Pride Park Stadium in Derby.

Around 120 delegates met last week to share their views on the future of council housing at the second annual tenants' and residents' conference organised Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH).

Marlene Price, vice-chair of the borough residents' forum at Wandsworth London Borough Council and ARCH executive tenant representative (pictured) said: "We need the same opportunities as tenants who have voted for other housing options."

Janette Bobey, a tenant representative from Milton Keynes, commented: "We all know we are not being given the same rights as other housing organizations. This is unfair and unjust, so a voice is required to stand up for the rights of council tenants. ARCH is that voice. We as tenants should make sure that we remind all retained local authorities that it is their council's responsibility to join ARCH as this is what their tenants have voted for."

ARCH's secretary, John Bibby, director of housing and community services at Lincoln City Council, was optimistic that a more equitable and sustainable future for council housing may be possible now the Government has launched a review of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy System, which is widely acknowledge as unclear, unfair and ineffective. He said: "ARCH will be feeding the collective voice of tenants into that review to argue for a better finance system."

ARCH has commissioned the Tenants' Participation Advisory Service to develop the best possible residents' governance model to capture residents' views.

ARCH's national chair, Cllr Milan Radulovic MBE, of Broxtowe BC, which organised the event on behalf of ARCH, said: "One million tenants want to remain with the council. We want a national debate on the future of housing and that looks at all options - and that includes council housing."

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION:

Please contact John Bibby, secretary of ARCH, on tel: 01522 873201
or email: arch@lincoln.gov.uk