PRESS RELEASE

Liberal Democrats oppose premature sell-off of housing services

Embargo: Immediate

From: Cllr Denzil Coulson, Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Spokesman, Woking Borough Council

Date: 26 November 2010

For further information, contact: Denzil Coulson at 07946 300007 or dc.coulson@talk21.com

Liberal Democrats oppose the Conservative-controlled Council's plan to sell off its housing service management to the private sector prematurely.

In a paper passed by the Conservative Executive last night (25 November), the Council plans to go ahead and privatise its housing management services despite there being no interest expressed from other Surrey district councils, which Woking approached to join this perceived cost-saving venture. Runnymede and Tandridge councils have rejected the plan and Guildford and Waverley are not willing to make any commitment without further information.

Lib Dem Shadow Housing Spokesman, Cllr Denzil Coulson said:

"Aside from the fact that no other council has expressed interest, this market testing exercise will cost anywhere from £40,000 to £100,000. We believe that this Conservative decision is premature. The privatisation of the Leisure Centre has not been completed yet and we would prefer to see the outcome of this before making a decision on privatising any more council services."

"Not only that, but the Conservatives arrogantly stated in their Executive paper that they had consulted the Liberal Democrat-led Housing Task Group about this on the 6^th October. No meeting had been held on this date and no effort had been made to consult with members at the following meeting on 8^th November. Tenants have also not been consulted on the merits of privatising the service either despite their claims that tenants have been informed. Despite this, the Conservative Executive outrageously approved the paper without taking our concerns seriously."

"We demand that the Conservatives consult with tenants about the principle of privatisation of the service. We also demand that the Council assesses the option of managing the housing service themselves."

ENDS

Note to Editors:

1. Paragraph 21 of Executive Item 14 - Housing Management Market Test states that there had been consultation with the Housing Task Group (HTG) on 6^th October. No meeting was held on this date and the HTG was not consulted at its next meeting on the 8^th November. http://www.woking.gov.uk/search/committee/isysquery/46ce86c1-83ec-4d4e-889b-984482c16af5/19/doc/

2. The HTG-Minutes-08.11.10-Housing Task Group document attached has no record of any consultation with members or tenants about this market testing proposal.