28 March 2003
Stock transfers have suffered a further blow after council tenants in Stockport voted against moving to a new housing association.
Stockport, which has just over 13,000 homes, was the largest urban authority left in this year's large-scale voluntary transfer programme after Sheffield – with 63,000 houses – pulled out.
Tenants in Stockport voted against by 55% to 45% on a 65% turnout.
Council leader Mark Hunter said he was not surprised by the close result as tenants regularly indicated high satisfaction with the housing service.
The council must now decide whether to set up an arm's-length management organisation or raise money to meet the decent homes standard through other means.
'The detailed work we have undertaken means we have a very accurate survey of the condition of all our properties and a clear picture of the choices we face,' Hunter added.
Last week, a National Audit Office report revealed that it is 50% more expensive to renovate homes after transferring them to a registered social landlord than if a council carries out the same work.
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