WHILE council house tenants voted against transferring properties to a new social landlord, they still expect to see changes in how their homes are managed.

A 28-day ballot closed on Friday, with 8,865 tenants voting, 66.7 per cent against transferring to proposed new landlord Castell Mynydd.

This means ownership and management of Caerphilly’s 10,939 council houses will stay with the local authority, who will be responsible for bringing them up to the required Welsh housing quality standard.

It is estimated the authority will now pump £808 million into the properties over the next 30 years to bring them up to the required standard.

Wyndham Gadd of Coronation Crescent, Pantside, voted against transfer and called it “a good result”.

He said: “I think it was better we stuck with what we know. The repairs need doing but there were rumours going around that if we transferred, things would be even worse.”

Brian Hoskins who lives at sheltered accommodation in Pontywaun, Crosskeys, voted for transfer. He said: “It was a disappointing result, but not unexpected. But, it’s not the end of the story as the council stated they can match the investment Castell Mynydd would have made. Hopefully tenants will now have much more say in what happens.”

Mr Hoskins added: “Things have got to change” and tenants have the right to see improvements and repairs “done properly”.

Residents at St Mary’s Court, Risca, are also concerned that council won’t be able to match the level of investment Castell Mynydd could have made.

Mary Barrington, 75, went eight days without hot water, waiting for repairs, and Marjorie Sullivan, 74, said the guttering at their complex has broken several times.

Mrs Sullivan said workmen said the guttering is in “a shocking state” and she just wants to see necessary work done.

Vote was beset by problems

The run-up to the proposed transfer was beset by problems.

An offer document sent to tenants earlier this year said proposed social landlord Castell Mynydd would pump £173 million into properties to bring them up to Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2017 – something it was not thought the council could achieve. But, after a review, the local authority announced it could do the same by 2019 or 2020 – a revelation that delayed the vote.

The vote began on January 21, and the pre-ballot cost of the process was estimated to be £1.86 million.

Caerphilly council said tenants will receive information in the coming months as the council’s plans for investment and achieving the Welsh Housing Quality Standard are developed.

Arnold Phillips, chairman of Castell Mynydd’s shadow board, said: “This is not about winning or losing a ballot, it’s about investing a huge amount of money that’s been long required. Now the spotlight is on the council, and they have a major challenge.”

Independent tenants’ adviser Dr Steve Sharples, who advised residents prior to the ballot, said: “The important thing now is that the council publish quickly its action plan for delivering on its promises.”