Fourth option needed as Stirling and Renfrewshire reject stock transfer

As we went to print, news was breaking of Renfrewshire council house tenants' close rejection of housing stock transfer. This followed Stirling tenants' rejection a week earlier and brought renewed calls from UNISON for a 'fourth option' to allow investment in council housing like that on offer to transfers, PFI or arms-length companies.

Renfrewshire UNISON's Mark Ferguson pledged the union's commitment to tenants. "We always said we would fight alongside them to get direct funding and to get the Scottish Executive to change its policy", he said.

Lesley Russell, UNISON Stirling's Joint Branch Secretary said, "We are pleased tenants have delivered such a decisive vote in favour of retaining democratic control over their houses.

"They have refused to be coerced by threats to future investments. Now they deserve serious investments in stock improvements."

UNISON has fought against council house transfers for some time alongside tenants, other trade unions and housing campaigners.

Dave Watson, Scottish Organiser for Policy said, "This result and the previous decision in Edinburgh, shows that there is a pressing need for the Government to allow democratically accountable councils to have the same ability to invest in housing as other stock owners.

"Direct investment would be cheaper and deliver faster improvements, yet government persists in forcing tenants into unwanted stock transfer."

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