§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will meet the hon. Member for Banbury and a delegation from Cherwell district council and representatives of local tenants groups to discuss the future of council housing in Cherwell. [83023]
§ Mr. McNultyThe future of Cherwell's council housing will be decided by the tenants and the councillors of the district council who are currently looking at the large scale voluntary transfer of stock option. As with all local authorities, options available for the future management of council housing include: the council retaining ownership and management of its housing stock, large/small scale voluntary transfer, arms length management and the Private Finance Initiative. The Community Housing Task Force have been working with Cherwell district council to help advise on the option appraisal process. At present a meeting would not bring forward any alternatives that have not already been covered.