Make sure you get all the home facts

TENANTS across Fenland will now have received their copy of It s Your Home – It s Your Choice , the document that explains what the proposal to transfer to Roddons Housing Association is all about. It s a long document, I m afraid, but it has to be, to m

TENANTS across Fenland will now have received their copy of 'It's Your Home - It's Your Choice', the document that explains what the proposal to transfer to Roddons Housing Association is all about.

It's a long document, I'm afraid, but it has to be, to make sure that Fenland Council covers everything the law requires.

It's vital we make sure our tenants have all the facts about why we are recommending the change to a new Fenland landlord.

You will see there is a feedback form in the document for tenants to comment on the proposal and I would urge people to use that. But we also know people have busy lives and many prefer to deal face-to-face rather than fill in forms.

A team of staff will be visiting tenants over the next few weeks to make sure they have received their copy of the consultation document and they understand it.

They will also be giving out copies of the DVD that summarises the offer document. Our staff will be there to give people an opportunity to ask questions and be clear about the facts before they cast their vote.

So that there's no doubt, let's clear up some nonsense that's appeared in the 'anti-transfer' letters of late. All staff who are out and about visiting tenants are volunteers. They will be paid for extra hours they work over and above their normal duties, just as staff are paid extra for work they do on election days. That's a normal part of running a proper democratic process, but that is most definitely where it ends. Be under no illusion, as officers of the council their role is solely to make sure people have the information they need, not to persuade them one way or the other.

A "successful visit" means the doorknocker has spoken to the tenant and that the tenant has received the DVD.

I would urge tenants to be sure who you are talking to and ask for evidence of identity. Others, quite possibly from outside Fenland and quite probably not tenants themselves, will campaign to get tenants to vote 'no' to transfer.

Please be aware that what they tell you is not subject to any independent check. So if you have doubts or concerns about anything you have been told by anyone call the Council's Options Fenland helpline or the independent tenants' adviser, Adrian Waite, on the numbers in the consultation document. They will give you the facts.

CLLR KIT OWEN

Portfolio holder for housing

Fenland District Council