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Voting is easy, says Provost
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Provost Ronnie Burns found out how simple it really is to vote in the housing transfer ballot when he became one of the first tenants in Renfrewshire to cast their vote.
With just a week of the 21-day ballot period gone, around 4 in 10 tenants have already voted to decide if Renfrewshire Council’s homes will transfer to the not-for-profit Renfrewshire Housing Association.
With just a week of the 21-day ballot period gone, around 4 in 10 tenants have already voted to decide if Renfrewshire Council’s homes will transfer to the not-for-profit Renfrewshire Housing Association.
For the first time in a Scottish housing transfer ballot, tenants in Renfrewshire have been offered three separate voting methods – telephone, Internet and post. The majority of those who have voted so far have posted back their ballot papers, but the Provost pointed out how easy it is to vote if you can’t make it to the post box.
Provost Burns said: “I voted by telephone, and it is so easy to do, especially for tenants who can’t leave the house. All you have to do is dial the number printed on your ballot paper, enter your security code and make your decision. It took me less than a minute to vote, and it’s completely free of charge.
“I urge all tenants to follow my lead and cast their vote – no matter what method they use. This is one of the most important decisions that tenants will ever have to make, and I hope that everyone takes this opportunity to make their voice heard.”
Details of all three voting methods, along with a unique security code, are printed on the individual ballot papers sent out to all Council tenants just over a week ago. The personal security code ensures that each tenant can use only one method and vote just once.
Councillor Iain McMillan, Renfrewshire Council’s housing spokesperson said: “We are delighted that so many tenants have voted so far, but I can’t stress how important it is that all tenants use their votes. The outcome of this ballot affects the future of your home, so please don’t let others make the decision for you. Your vote counts.”
Transfer to RHA is the Council’s preferred option for its housing, but the final decision lies with tenants. Transfer is not a foregone conclusion, and will only go ahead if a majority of tenants voting in the ballot vote yes.
If transfer goes ahead, the Treasury will write off Renfrewshire Council’s £154 million housing loan debt, paving the way for a £1 billion investment in housing and services. RHA is also offering a legally-binding five-year rent guarantee. If the Council retains its housing, independent financial analysts found that rents would have to almost double within 10 years to pay for the improvements required to bring all housing up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
The independent ballot is being run by Electoral Reform Services (ERS) and neither the Council nor RHA will know which way individual tenants have voted. The deadline for completed papers to reach ERS is noon on Tuesday 17 October, so ballot papers should be posted no later than Saturday 14 October to make sure that they arrive in time. Telephone and Internet voting will be available right up to the deadline.
Any tenant losing their ballot paper can contact Renfrewshire Council on 0800 032 9930 and the Council will ask for a replacement from ERS.
Press release: Wednesday, 5 October, 2006
Issued on behalf of Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Housing Association.
