COUNCILLORS have launched a special investigation into the future of housing.
Kirklees Council’s Labour Cabinet last week gave Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) a new five-year contract to manage 23,000 council homes.
But opposition Conservative councillors yesterday “called in” the decision, meaning it will be examined by a special committee.
Kirkburton Tory Clr Christine Smith said: “We are not convinced KNH are the best people to manage the council’s housing stock.
“It is irresponsible of the Labour Cabinet to grant a five-year contract extension without spelling out what they want to achieve.
“This decision has been railroaded through by the Cabinet without proper consultation with other political groups. That is not acceptable for such a big contract.
“I feel we have little alternative other than to ‘call in’ this decision and ask the Scrutiny Panel to undertake a detailed review.”
But the council’s Cabinet member for housing Clr Shabir Pandor said yesterday that tenants backed KNH.
The Batley West Labour man said: “The tenants’ association is fully on-board with this and there’s been a number of consultations.
“We have made a political decision that we won’t transfer the housing stock.
“We have listened to the tenants who have told us they don’t want the security of tenure undermined.”
The organisation has managed 23,000 council homes for the last nine years – bringing in £165m of investment.
The decision to award the new contract was taken by the Cabinet, but there was opposition.
Clr Smith wants change.
She added: “I don’t understand how you can give five more years to an organisation which has shown so little accountability. You’re making a great mistake”.
Kirklees Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan said KNH had delivered millions in investment and said tenants were happy.
