The Welsh Assembly Government have created the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), which states that councils must improve their stock by 2012. They are to do this by whatever means possible, one of the options being to enter into a Stock Transfer agreement with housing associations.
Shadow Board NetworkCHC, along with TPAS Cymru and i2i, supports the Shadow Board Members Network which met for the first time early in 2007. It has met in Torfaen, Rhondda and Newport and been well attended by shadow board members and project team staff from these areas - as well as colleagues from Swansea, Merthyr, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot and Ceredigion. It has proved to be a popular place to get information, build contacts, share experiences and learn from best practice on stock transfer matters.The next event will be held on 6 November in Blaenau Gwent - details of timing, venue, an agenda and presentation, can be downloaded from the resource column to the right, as well as details of previous meetings.
Stock Transfer Conference
CHC held a Stock Transfer Conference on 11 September at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, and the Conference Report can be downloaded from the resource column. Recordings of the key speeches made at the event are available to view from the 'You Tube' website - click on the links below to access the videos:
Local Authority Stages
Below is a table of the current status of each local authority in Wales with regards to meeting WHQS by 2012:
Status
Local Authority
Those who have opted to transfer stock to a new housing organisation following a ballot
Those who are going to ballot in the next 12 months
Tenants have rejected stock transfer in the ballot
Those who are still working on their options
Retaining Authorities able to reach WHQS
Those who have transferred their stock
Click here to download the Welsh Assembly Government document which answers the most frequently asked questions about Stock Transfer.
Recent Press Cuttings
'Inconsistent' housing survey is withdrawn - 26 October 2007
Council's 'high risk' decision over homes - 12 October 2007
Council votes on housing transfer - 27 September 2007
Flintshire's biggest decision ever - 27 September 2007
Housing can kick-start community regeneration - 5 September 2007
Housing vote moves step closer - 3 September 2007
Survey reveals huge hole in authorities' housing quality standard finances - 31 August 2007
Tenants urged to 'consider options' in housing transfer plan - 17 August 2007
Ex-town hall boss quits job after row - 10 July 2007
For further information on Stock Transfer related issues, contact Sioned Hughes or Steve Cranston on 029 2055 7403, or email sioned-hughes@chcymru.org.uk or steve-cranston@chcymru.org.uk, respectively.