Wrexham tenants are being asked to vote on a proposal to transfer all Council homes to Wrexham Housing – Tai Wrecsam.

Tenants across Wrexham borough have now started to receive ballot papers which have to be returned in the pre-paid envelope by 12 noon on the 12th March 2004.

Council Leader Shan Wilkinson said ‘The Council believes that transfer to Wrexham Housing – Tai Wrecsam is in the best interest of tenants as it will unlock a massive £274 million investment programme to deliver central heating, new bathrooms and new kitchens – something the Council simply has not got the money to do. I hope that tenants will look at the facts and use their vote.’

Wrexham Housing – Tai Wrecsam would be a new independent not-for-profit housing organisation which would include 5 tenants as part its 15 member management board.

It’s expected that if Wrexham Council tenants vote yes to transfer, then this will kick start many other councils across Wales into planning ballots of their own tenants on stock transfer. Rhoddfa Cynan Taf, Swansea and Denbighshire Council’s have already shown interest in considering stock transfer.

Click here for a link to the Wrexham County Council website www.wrexham.gov.uk

The Stock Transfer History in Wales so far

So far, only Bridgend Council has successfully transferred its stock in Wales. Over 6,500 homes were transferred from Bridgend Council to Valley to Coast Housing Association earlier last year.

An impressive 70% of tenants turned out to vote and 71% of these tenants voted in favour of stock transfer.