02 September 2005
Sefton Borough Council this week launched an inquiry into a controversial housing transfer ballot after allegations of corruption, bribery and intimidation.
Tenants voted against handing over 12,400 homes to a not-for-profit association, One Vision, last week. Polls conducted by the council before the vote indicated that just 7% of tenants were against the proposed transfer, while 60% were in favour. But 55% of tenants voted 'no' last week.
The joint Liberal Democrat/Labour controlled authority on Merseyside confirmed that it is investigating serious allegations that: tenants were intimidated into voting 'no; tenants were bribed to alter their vote; and bogus council housing officials persuaded residents to vote 'no'.
A high number of requests for additional ballot papers were lodged with the council, and a large number of duplicate ballot papers were used in the vote.
A council spokesman told Public Finance: 'At this stage we're not pointing fingers of blame at anyone or any group because of the extremely serious nature of these allegations. A full inquiry is under way.' Police have not been involved so far.
A statement released by the council on August 30 expressed 'surprise' at the result. 'The result of the ballot means the difference between the massive investment of a large-scale voluntary stock transfer, or the crippling financial situation of staying with the council,' it reads.
Councillors have claimed the authority is £67.1m short of the cash needed to meet the government's 2010 decent homes standard. They believe the transfer is the best method of achieving upgrades, through a £200m investment programme.
Six activists from the trade union Unison were suspended by the council in May after they actively opposed the council's decision to spend £85,000 on a shop to promote the transfer.
Four suspensions have been revoked but the council was subject to a 48-hour strike by staff from August 29, the second walkout this month, in support of the suspended workers. The council claimed the impact on services was 'minimal'.
The council spokesman said the authority was investigating allegations that suspended staff had used 'threatening and intimidating' behaviour in May.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis warned: 'We will not stand by and see our members being victimised by the vindictive actions of the council.'
PFsep2005
