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Housing Committee Strategic Policy Report 2002-2006 (P.2-2002) - second amendment (P.2-2002Amd.(2)) - comments

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HOUSING COMMITTEE STRATEGIC POLICY REPORT 2002-2006 (P.2/2002): SECOND AMENDMENT (P.2/2002 Amd.(2)) - COMMENTS

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Presented to the States on 28th May 2002 by the Housing Committee

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STATES OF JERSEY

STATES GREFFE

150 2002 P.2 Amd.(2) Com.

Price code: A

Comments

Deputy Martin has proposed the following addition to the Housing Committee Strategic Policy Report 2002-2006 (P.2/2002 lodged "au Greffe" on 8th January 2002) as a new sub-paragraph "(g)", with the remaining sub-paragraphs to be re-lettered -

  "( g ) to   agree that, prior to any sale or transfer of social rented housing to a Housing Trust or Association or similar

body, there shall be a formal consultation process, to include a ballot (or another appropriate method) to establish whether tenants are in favour of such sale or transfer;".

The amendment refers to a condition being applied where the Committee proposes the sale or transfer of social rented housing, with sitting tenants, to a Housing Trust or Association or similar body. The condition is that prior to such a sale or transfer, there shall be a formal consultation process, to include a ballot (or another appropriate method) to establish whether tenants are in favour of such a sale or transfer.

The first point to make is that the Housing Committee is not proposing in the Strategy to embark on a policy of sale or transfer of stock with sitting tenants. The Committee makes it quite clear in paragraph  3.5.3 and paragraph  3.7.6 that where housing stock is to be sold or transferred to a Housing Trust it will be for development/refurbishment purposes and tenants will be relocated before transfer.

Secondly, to enter into detailed debate and to take a decision on what conditions should apply to a policy that is not, at present, being proposed is, frankly, a waste of time. There is no reason why the Committee would not wish to enter into full consultation with tenants over matters such as this, but bringing this amendment is simply putting the cart before the horse. If the Committee should decide to embark on a policy of stock transfer, it will bring the matter to the States and any conditions that might apply, such as a tenants' ballot, will be given a full airing.