Inverclyde ‘yes’

TENANTS IN INVERCLYDE have voted yes to stock transfer, breaking a run of four successive defeats for the policy in Scotland. In a ballot result announced this afternoon, they voted 71% to 29% in favour of moving to housing association River Clyde Homes on a 65% turnout.

The result was hailed as ‘good news for tenants, the wider community and future generations’ by Cllr Eddie Gallacher, vice-convener of the environment and regeneration committee.

It was also good news for communities minister Malcolm Chisholm, who had been under pressure after ‘no’ votes recently in Edinburgh, Stirling, Renfrewshire and Highland. Inverclyde is the sixth Scottish authority where tenants have voted yes. He said:

‘I am very pleased with this landmark decision by Inverclyde tenants. It will see thousands of local people and their families benefit from new investment in their homes which will greatly improve their quality of life. Perhaps even more importantly, it gives tenants a direct say in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods. That is what the community ownership programme is all about.’