An official transfer ballot is now open. If a clear majority vote 'yes', it will enable Caledonia Housing Association (CHA) to action its £30 million regeneration plans for homes and services in Bellsmyre.
The transfer plans include:
• Investing £30 million over the next five years in the regeneration of the Bellsmyre estate replacing up to 250 flats with 150 new homes
• Additional planned investment of £3 million in remaining stock over the next five years, including £500,000 for neighbourhood projects
• An options appraisal on investment in the steel-framed (non-standard construction) properties at Bellmsyre
• A strong residents' voice with support for a Bellsmyre Residents Forum
• A rent freeze in 2020/21 followed by a review of rents and service charges.
BHA said: "We are aware and adapting to the fast-developing national measures to control the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The ballot is going ahead as it does not require tenants to leave their homes. Voting can be done from home by telephone, online and text. Residents who prefer to fill in a ballot paper can organise for them to be collected to remove the need to leave their homes and potentially put themselves at any risk.
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"Every household will receive a letter this week outlining the process from the Chair with details of how to vote."
Louise Spence, Chairperson of the association, said: "This is the final and most important part of the public consultation. Tenants now decide if the partnership between Bellsmyre Housing Association and Caledonia Housing Association goes ahead. I would urge all residents to use their vote in this ballot and make their vote count.
"I also encourage tenants to vote YES to the proposed transfer. The Bellsmyre Management Committee is confident that the transfer to Caledonia will bring considerable benefits for tenants and the community of Bellsmyre."
Julie Cosgrove, Chief Executive of Caledonia Housing Association, added: "I would like to thank the residents of Bellsmyre for their feedback and engagement with us on the transfer and regeneration proposals to date. We now need your vote to make sure the regeneration of the Bellsmyre estate is delivered. If tenants vote YES, Caledonia will be able to invest in the area and services will still be offered by a local team in Bellsmyre. Also, all tenants will retain their tenancy rights under the transfer.
"We really want the partnership to go ahead and it is the community who decides this through this formal ballot. We encourage all tenants to review our proposals and vote to build a better Bellsmyre."
Tenants have been kept informed at every stage of the process through open days, meetings, face to face consultations and posts on social media. The focus has been on offering the community multiple opportunities to view plans, ask staff questions about the transfer before they make their final decision. This process included a formal consultation in January and the feedback was positive with respondents keen for the new homes and improvements to their community to start.
The Tenant Information Service (TIS) an independent body, held its own public consultation and the feedback revealed that residents are keen to see regeneration of the Bellsmyre community. The Tenant Information Service (TIS) also believes the plans are viable and will deliver real benefits to the residents.
The ballot runs for 30 days, from 16 March 2020 and closes at 5pm on 15 April 2020.
(MH/CM)
