Report to the People
23rd July 2007
Power
to the People
It might have
taken him months, and he probably signed it through gritted teeth, but I have at
last received an answer from the Communities Minister about the upcoming
transfer of Inverclyde Council’s housing to River Clyde Homes.
Concerns were
voiced back in May over whether the £140 million investment for which tenants
voted overwhelmingly in last year’s stock transfer ballot was safe under the
new Executive. These worries were
made all the more acute by the fact that SNP had, while in opposition, been
vociferously opposed to any stock transfer moves.
Accordingly,
I made urgent representations to the Executive, seeking an assurance that the
democratically expressed will of Inverclyde’s tenants would be respected.
And, thankfully, the Minister has realised that he can’t overturn the
huge vote in favour of community ownership.
He recognises,
his letter states, “tenants’ overwhelming wish to transfer ownership of
their homes from the Council to River Clyde Homes”.
And of the millions in investment? Provided
River Clyde Homes, “produces a viable business plan” there is no reason why
the government support “should not be forthcoming.”
This move
will doubtless upset the Minister’s SNP colleagues here in Greenock and
Inverclyde who campaigned hard against stock transfer, but I hope it reassures
tenants that the improvements for which we fought are still on course.
And it also
reassures us that, no matter what politicians might say, they can’t ignore us
when we speak with one voice. Who
says people power doesn’t work?
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