Sheffield council is to survey its tenants on whether they are interested in pursuing stock transfer.
The move could strike a further blow to the 'mega' urban transfer movement in the wake of the shock 'no' vote in Birmingham last month.

Newly-installed cabinet member for housing Tony Damms told Housing Today: "When you have to spend literally millions of pounds on an offer document, it might be a good idea to get some view of how the tenants feel about transfer – particularly after Birmingham."

Liberal Democrat-controlled Shef-field became a hung council after last month's local elections, but Labour now controls the local authority's cabinet.

The Labour group and public sector union Unison have both claimed transfer played a part in the downfall of the Liberal Democrats.

Damms said the exact wording of the ballot question had not been established, but it was likely to be "do you think the council should proceed with its stock transfer?"

"It is perhaps important to include to some information on the pros and cons of transfer," he added.

But Sheffield's former cabinet member for housing Liberal Democrat Peter MacLoughlin said the transfer was already council policy.

Damms said: "All three groups at the council have said they will take their cue from the tenants. I don't see how anybody could oppose it [the indicative ballot]."

Source

Housing Today