More council housing to be managed by tenants
Thursday, 10 February 2011 5:29 PM
England's four million council housing tenants hold the key to improving their own neighbourhoods, housing minister Grant Shapps has said today.
Shapps argued that the country's council estates boast some of the best examples of people who contribute to the Big Society way of thinking.
However, only two per cent of council properties are currently managed by the tenants themselves, so the minister today backed those looking to build the Big Society in their communities, with up to £8 million in government funding.
The money will be used to set up tenant panels, through which key decisions on how to improve the local area can be made.
"There are inspiring examples across the country of where tenants have taken control. That's why I'm backing tenants to the tune of up to £8 million and looking to cut the red tape and bureaucracy that stop so many people from coming forward," Shapps said.
He added: "Council house tenants know the small changes that could make a big difference to their local community. They know the improvements that need to be made and what local people want to see done."
Shapps concluded by saying that, for years, many of these tenants have felt "powerless to act", but that from today "that can all change".
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Wylie, director at Urban Owners, said: "Allowing council tenants to take control of the management of their own properties and local community is likely to be in everyone's best interests and we hope that people will be inspired to take this on."
Terry Edis, chair of the National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations, also welcomed the news, saying: "We are really pleased that the minister ... wants to make the Right to Manage a more attractive option."
He added, "Even with a streamlined process, a strong vision and real commitment is needed to set up and run a TMO. We hope that more tenants who have that vision and commitment will now get an opportunity to show what they can do."
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