The Blackpool fool

Yes, the council can reach the standard by 2010 with existing monetary resources, but what happens after 2010?

They simply can’t afford to sustain this standard. Yes, there is something called prudential borrowing – though that’s only if the government agrees – but any borrowed money has to be paid back! Blackpool council can’t afford to do this.

Then there is the question of the “Blackpool Standard”, which Blackpool council asked its tenants to develop to meet their needs and aspirations. This Blackpool standard will cost about £102m. This cost is in fact higher than the industry standard of £88m. So Blackpool council, why ask your tenants what their needs and aspirations are if you can’t deliver the goods?

I just wonder just how much the council spent on developing the Blackpool Standard when it seemingly has absolutely no intention of delivering it.

Could I also point out that Blackpool council seems to have missed out a vital word in its rush to retain the stock. That word is sustainability.

The Blackpool Tenants’ Steering Group has spent the past six to seven months tirelessly studying all aspects of the stock appraisal issue and has come to the conclusion that transfer is the only viable option if the tenants of Blackpool council are to be given homes fit for the 21st century.

To stay with the council makes absolutely no economic sense whatsoever, especially bearing in mind that the stock has a negative valuation of some £99m, which only goes to substantiate what a poor condition it is in. I only hope that the council tenants of Blackpool are made aware of all the facts.

And for all those who think that a transfer means higher rents, let me put your minds at rest: it is the government’s objective to achieve rent convergence in social housing by 2012, so there will be absolutely no difference in rents in the social sector, but by transferring to housing association status, tenants can look forward to a standard of housing fit for the 21st century.

Gwen King, comment via Housing Today website