The council tenant vote on whether or not to transfer Caerphilly’s 10,980 council houses to a new social landlord has been delayed until early next year.
Tenants were due to vote next month on the transfer the homes to a new housing association called Castell Mynydd, but a new twist in the saga has ruled that out.
Earlier this month Caerphilly County Borough Council revealed that it could match the £173 million needed to upgrade and maintain its properties to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
It had previously stated the only way to get the housing to the WHQS was to transfer the stock to a new social landlord to release Government funding.
The revelation that the council could afford the changes to its homes was forced by Labour councillors, who entered into a political row with the leading Plaid Cymru group over the issue.
Following a meeting between Caerphilly Council, the shadow board of Castell Mynydd, Caerphilly Tenants’ Panel, advised by the Independent Tenant Adviser, and the Welsh Government, it has been agreed that further information will be issued to tenants.
The council has issued the Formal Consultation Document (also known as the Offer Document) to tenants at the end of September. All parties agreed that this will still form the main basis on which the ballot will be held.
A council spokesman said: “As a result of this new information, it was felt appropriate that there should be a short addendum to the Offer Document summarizing what this would mean for tenants whether they support staying with the Council or transferring to Castell Mynydd.
“Tenants will receive the additional information ahead of the ballot. Tenants will have another 28 days to consider the new information and to send comments to the Council.
“This extension to the consultation period means the ballot is likely to take place in early 2012.
“Transfer can only go ahead if the majority of tenants who vote in the secret ballot are in favour of the proposal.”