Council's Proposal Passes Government Health Check

North Norfolk Council's decision to consult its tenants on the transfer of its housing to a new, not-for-profit social landlord called North Norfolk Housing Trust has been given the green light by the Government.

This week, the Government Office for the East of England signed off the Council's housing options appraisal. The appraisal, which included an independent assessment of the council housing situation in North Norfolk, concluded that only a proposal to transfer the housing would meet the needs and aspirations of existing and future tenants.

The appraisal, following consultation with tenants, also concluded that the best way forward would be to set up a new social landlord just for this purpose. The sign-off by the Government supports that decision and gives the Council the green light to move on to the next stage of the process.

The proposed new landlord, North Norfolk Housing Trust, would be run by a voluntary Board made up of five tenant representatives, five Council nominees and five local community representatives. The aim of the Trust would be to provide high-quality services for local people on a not-for-profit basis.

The Council will now consult all tenants on a detailed proposal which will be with tenants early in the New Year. The proposal will include a major programme of modernisation and improvement works to the homes, stable rents, protected rights and a major say for tenants in how their service is run.

The proposal is based on the results of a survey carried out with tenants earlier in the year as to what they wanted to see for their homes and housing service in the future.

ENDS