The Wind of Change

 

Social Housing is on the agenda as a priority, but it has taken two years of pushing to do it.

 

Numerous letters, emails and discussions with Members of Parliament and Councillors, most of which were ignored, even by the Councillor responsible for housing and is or was listed as a Director of the WHT.

 

It has to be said the Wrekin Housing Trust certainly snapped up a bargain when they bought approximately 13,000 houses from Telford and Wrekin Council, they then employed a strategy of selling stock at an alarming rate and  now hold a stock of approximately 10,000.

 

Whilst the Wrekin Housing Trust continue to sell, which adds to the housing burden, they have to be questioned and made to answer as to why they sell so many so often and why do they build out of the borough. It is suggested that they are now investing in news builds within the area of the potteries.

 

Hardly fair to the residents of Telford and Wrekin is it?

 

The following link highlights a residents struggle, unfortunately, this kind of story is becoming accepted as the rule, rather than the exception,

 

 

As identified in the Shropshire Star of 3^rd September 2008 the waiting list has almost doubled. Here the Wrekin Housing Trust are playing a game of smoke and mirrors, blaming the increase on rising house prices, failing to mention the policy to sell, if a property requires £8000 or more work to be carried out on it. The WHT need to accept that their sales policy plays a great part in the increased housing need.

 

In order for the WHT to provide the best for the residents, there has to be a need for all to buy into the idea, here is a piece from an internal email of the WHT, sent from a Director of the Trust to a staff member, I was copied in

 

 

Here is a clear indication of the Trust Director, giving praise on what was a “fob off” displaying the secretive institutionalised attitude they have.

 

Residents have many genuine concerns that need addressing as a matter of urgency and a policy of honesty from ALL Social Landlords needs to be endorsed.

 

I do have a question for Nathan Rous who wrote a piece about Campaign Groups and how he would support a Campaign group about Campaign Groups.

 

This is one Campaign Group that played a part in kick starting the Sutton Hill Regeneration, the Housing Summit, would you now come forward and say, they can work when done correctly?

 

Below is the email that prompted a response from MP David Wright, ultimately leading to the Housing Summit.

 

After having given MP David Wright a hard time on a number of occasions, I will now publicly praise him for his approach to myself, the time he afforded myself and the way in which he handling this.

 

I personally believe it took a real man to do what he did and I will say to everyone that he was extremely positive about pushing this forward and has already made considerable in roads with regards the Housing Summit.

 

Whilst this could’ve been done sometime ago, maybe it’s fortunate it didn’t as housing is right at the top of the government’s agenda.

 

Unfortunately the same cannot be said about MP Mark Pritchard, who does not respond to his Constituency, but it must be hard when your visiting McCain and the Dalai Lama.

 

Below is a copy of the email sent out to many including MP Mark Pritchard, MP Caroline Flint and a number of borough Councillors.

 

 

 

 

 Housing Summit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3.20 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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Telford Council Watch