Currently tenants' rent pays for:
- repairs
- maintenance
- improvements
- staff costs
- grounds maintenance
In fact, all the things you would expect your
rent to cover. However, you also may pay for other housing
costs elsewhere in the country. In 2010/11 the total was £5.3m and
in 2011/12 this will increased to £6.3m.
In summer 2010, tenants were consulted about
the Government's proposed changes to the way council housing is
financed. Since then, the Government have introduced “Self
Financing” for Local Authority Housing Departments.
From next year – 2012/13 – the council will be
allowed to keep all of your rent. The downside of this is that
we will be allocated £96.6m of debt. However, we have worked
out that overall the council will be a little better off and can
either use this money to improve services or spend this on your
home, or a combination of both.
We will be working with tenants to understand
this better and will keep you posted on changes that will be made
as a result.
Contact us
If you want to get involved or find out more
about this, please contact Lisa Conroy or Tracy Berry in the
Tenant Participation Team
Email: tenantparticipation@westlancs.gov.uk
Tel: 01695 585275