Questions? Here are some answers you may find useful

Why is this happening?

All Councils, which still own and manage their housing must develop and review a long-term business plan for its Council housing. The Options Appraisal is part of this process.

Has it happened before?

Yes, Swindon Borough Council was among the first local authorities to have its Options Appraisal approved by the Government in 2003.

Are we repeating the process because of the credit crunch?

No. This Options Appraisal started in March and is unrelated to the current economic conditions. The process is all about planning for the future and making sure we have the resources to maintain and improve your homes to the required standard.

What standard is that?

We aim for your homes to continue meeting and exceeding the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. All Council tenants who want it now have central heating and PVCu double glazing. Work is also under way to make your homes meet the “Swindon Standard”, which takes improvements to a higher level. But these improvements do not last forever, which is why we need to find out what it will cost to maintain this level of quality.

Are tenants and leaseholders already involved?

Yes, very much so. A Resident Engagement Group (REG) has been set up and representatives from Swindon Tenants’ Voice, Leaseholder Link, and the Tenants Association for Sheltered Housing are part of this. Consultation with tenants and leaseholders is really important, so please get involved, and let us know what you think.

The independent report talks about “stock transfer” – what is that?

Stock transfer means the ownership and management of Council homes are transferred to a not-for-profit organisation, such as a Housing Association or Trust. This organisation, known as a Registered Social Landlord, can keep all rent money, unlike the Council, which currently has to pay millions of pounds of it to the Government. They also have more freedom to borrow money to invest in improvements and building new homes.

If that happened, would all our rights and rents change?

No. You would become Assured Tenants of the Registered Social Landlord. You would keep your Security of Tenure and all major rights. Your rents would not be affected by transfer. Whether you stay with the Council or not, your rents can only rise in line with a Government formula.

What happened to the other options I read about in Housing Matters?

The Options Appraisal has explored a variety of different ways Council housing could be owned or managed, for example through Stock Retention, a Private Finance Initiative or an Arms Length Management Organisation. According to independent experts, none of these options is economically viable.

So who gets the final say?

You do. The arrangements of who owns your homes is controlled by strict Government rules and can only happen once the majority of tenants have voted in favour of it in a formal, secret ballot.