Wycombe Council has approved the sale of more than 6,000 council homes. A clear majority voted in favour of plans to make the transfer to housing association Red Kite Community Housing at a recent council meeting. A formal offer will now be put to tenants and leaseholders, with a 28 day consultation process to take place early this year. Tenants who live in the area will be asked to vote on the transfer. A majority is needed to carry the plans forward. The transfer would help Conservative-controlled Wycombe Council tackle the dwindling funds it has to spend on housing stock. Red Kite would be able to keep any rent generated and spend it on improving homes, whereas the council has to pay a proportion to government. However, under plans to reform the Housing Revenue Account, councils would be able to keep all their rent money in return for taking on a portion of debt. Lobby group Wycombe Defend Council Housing believes the transfer would lead to higher rents and less secure tenancy agreements. Read more on Inside Housing.
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