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2006
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March 2006
> Cannock Chase Transfer Off by Very Small Majority
Tenants in Cannock Chase have rejected a major improvements programme and the injection of £49.9 million of ODPM grant into the area after voting by a narrow margin against the transfer of Council-owned properties to a registered social landlord.
The result comes after Cannock Chase residents, voted 51.9% against on a 67.9% turnout.
If the vote had been positive, 5,700 Council homes would have transferred to a new, local housing association, Your Chase Homes, established with support from Harvest Housing Group.
Ian Perry, Harvest Housing Group’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are extremely disappointed at the ballot result. A vast effort has been put in by our staff, Council officers and by tenants’ representatives. This was, however, always going to be a difficult transfer as those opposed to the transfer have circulated misinformation about the bid.
My biggest disappointment is that tenants will now not receive the quality of improvement that transfer and a £50 million investment would have provided.
I would like to thank Cannock Chase District Council and the Chase Tenants’ Transfer Group for giving Harvest the opportunity to work with them. We wish them all the best for the future and recognise that they are in a difficult position now that this opportunity and the ODPM funding has been taken away from them.”
Jerry Turner, Chair of Your Chase Homes Shadow Board, said:
“The Shadow Board is devastated that we will not have the opportunity to deliver the promises set out in the Offer document. The additional ODPM funding meant that we were able to put forward an exceptional proposal and it is a huge opportunity missed that this level and standard of improvements to homes and to the housing service will now not be possible.”