Labour Government boost for North Bransholme

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has welcomed the Labour Government's announcement giving North Bransholme Estate tenants the opportunity to decide the future of their homes.

In a Commons statement released yesterday (16 December), Housing Minister Rt Hon John Healey MP announced that the North Bransholme Estate will join the national Housing Stock Transfer Programme.

If tenants living in almost 1,200 Council properties on the North Bransholme Estate vote in favour of stock transfer, their homes will move from being run by Hull City Council within two years and be managed by Riverside Housing Group, a housing association. A tenant ballot is due to take place in February 2010.

A successful ballot result will enable an initial £25 million five year programme of housing modernisation works to start, including the creation of at least 200 new jobs and training places for local people.

Today's news comes in the face of the stance taken by Hull's Lib Dem Council who threatened to shelve the stock transfer scheme, despite years of planning and consultation with local people.

Diana Johnson MP said: "The Labour Government supports council tenants having a real choice about the way their housing is managed and improved.

"I am delighted that my constituents on North Bransholme Estate will have the chance to vote for what they believe to be best for them and their families. This is a tenant-led initiative on North Bransholme and I am pleased that the Government is giving these residents the final say in deciding their future - and the chance to access new investment to improve their homes.

"Following my discussions with Housing Minister John Healey, this Government announcement will be a great Christmas present to all those North Bransholme tenants who have put so much time and work into this stock transfer scheme."

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