Estate's transfer plan is put to the voters

VOTING papers have been issued to residents on a Hull estate, who will decide whether it is to be transferred out of council ownership.

Hull Council is considering the transfer of 1,175 properties in North Bransholme to the Liverpool-based Riverside housing association, a move that would lead to significant investment in the area, and home improvements beyond what the council could afford.

The council said 1,229 tenants were affected and they can vote by post, telephone, online or by SMS text. Votes can be cast until March 31. They will be counted by the Electoral Reform Society.

Feedback on the offer document, which began on Wednesday January 20, indicated that there was “sufficient interest” among tenants to proceed to a ballot, the council said.

The proposed transfer could only go ahead if a majority of tenants who vote in the ballot vote in favour of the transfer.

The council would have to obtain consent from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government before it could dispose of its housing stock to Riverside. It could be completed by the end of the year.

Strategic director of housing and investment and renewal at the council Pauline Davis said: “The transfer consultation is tenant-led through URBaN.

“The council’s role is to facilitate the consultation and ballot, and to ensure that tenants receive full and accurate information as to how the transfer would affect them so that people can make up their minds how they want to vote."

A council report in November revealed that one area of the estate is the 29th worst in the country for education and skills, while another is within the worst one per cent for crime. A total of 83.2m is needed to refurbish properties over the next 30 years.