HC Deb 26 March 1999 vol 328 cc422-3W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the saving to local authorities which will arise in each of the next three years as a result of maintenance costs being transferred to new landlords when local authority housing is transferred. [78979]

Mr. Raynsford

When assessing applications for a place on the housing transfers programme, we take account of a wide range of factors including the overall cost to the Exchequer of transferring the stock. However, we do not specifically calculate savings on maintenance costs.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the housing associations which have received a transfer of local government housing since 1 May 1997. [78976]

Mr. Raynsford

The following Registered Social Landlords, including housing associations, have received a transfer of local authority housing under either the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer programme, or with funding from the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund since 1 May 1997:

  • South Oxfordshire Housing Association
  • Eden Housing Association
  • Metropolitan Housing Trust
  • Orbit Bexley
  • London and Quadrant Housing Trust
  • Dame Housing
  • Limehurst Village Trust
  • CDS Housing Association
  • Riverside Housing Association
  • Pollards Housing Association
  • Poplar HARCA
  • Kerrier Homes
  • Kingsmead Homes
  • Fortunegate Community Housing
  • Vange Community
  • Magna West Somerset Housing Association
  • Bentilee Community Housing
  • Severn Vale Housing Society
  • Rother Homes
  • South London Family Housing Association
  • Poplar HARCA
  • Leasowe Community Homes
  • Ashton Pioneer Homes
  • West Devon Homes
  • South Somerset Homes
    • 423
  • East Lindsey Housing Partnership
  • The Guinness Trust
  • Sanctuary Housing Association
  • South Hams Housing
  • Family Housing Association
  • Clapton Community Housing Trust

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy on transfers of local authority housing where tenants of one part of the proposed transfer seek a transfer to a separate landlord from tenants of another part. [78978]

Mr. Raynsford

We expect local authorities to develop housing transfer proposals which take into account the views of tenants and are sensitive to the distinct needs of local communities. The Secretary of State will not consent to a transfer of local authority housing to a Registered Social Landlord if it appears that a majority of tenants are opposed to the proposal.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those transfers of local authority housing stock currently under consideration where the housing estate in question is in a local authority area other than that of the landlord authority. [78977]

Mr. Raynsford

We are currently considering one application for a place on the 1999–2000 housing transfer programme from Manchester City Council for the Sale estates which are located in the Borough of Trafford. Two authorities, Manchester (Colshaw Farm and the Whitefield estates) and the London Borough of Richmond (Butts Farm), have been given a place on next year's programme in respect of estates which are located in other local authority areas.