COUNCIL tenants in Bromsgrove are to benefit from a £49 million repairs and improvements programme after voting in favour of transferring their homes to a new housing organisation.
A total of 68.2 per cent of those eligible to vote took part in the secret postal ballot, which followed a year-long public consultation.
Of that, 67.8 per cent backed Bromsgrove District Council's proposal to transfer ownership and management of their homes to a new trust.
The 3,200 homes will be transferred to Bromsgrove District Housing Trust next year, when the multi-million pound investment into repairs and maintenance will begin.
The £49 million will be spread over 10 years.
Tenants can also look forward to long-term affordable rents and a bigger say on how the homes and housing services are run as third of them will be on new trust's management board.
District councillor Jill Dyer (Con-Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath) and cabinet member responsible for housing, said: "The council believed from day one that the decision to transfer should rest with the tenants themselves.
"Transfers have proved very successful in other parts of the country and we were determined that Bromsgrove tenants should have the opportunity to consider this option.
"We are pleased so many tenants took up their right to vote. Although the council has always worked hard to give it's tenants decent homes, it does not have sufficient funds to maintain them to required standards."
She added that the council would work hard to ensure a smooth transfer.
Tenants' chairman designate of Bromsgrove District Housing Trust Michael Lee said: "I am delighted that my fellow tenants have voted in favour of the transfer.
"Now the hard work really begins and it's up to us to deliver the brighter future tenants voted for."
Positive goods
Edwina Evans tenants representative for Rock Hill and Milford also welcomed the transfer.
She said: "I think it is quite an exciting event and I can only see positive goods coming out of it."
Edwina will be on the Bromsgrove District Housing Trust's new management board and urged other tenants to get involved in representing their area.
By EMILY BRIDGEWATER
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