Labour councillors call for more jobs for youngsters in Caerphilly County Borough

Opposition councillors on Caerphilly County Borough Council have called for the local authority to create more job opportunities following the recent housing stock transfer ballot.

Labour councillors want the authority to review its procurement procedures ready for a planned upgrade of council homes.

Last month tenants living in council houses voted ‘no’ in the ballot to transfer their homes to a housing association.

In the secret ballot, 66.7% of tenants voted, 65.2% were against and 34.8% in favour of the transfer proposal.

The vote followed the council’s consultation on a proposal for the homes to transfer to the new, not-for-profit, Community Housing Mutual, Castell Mynydd.

Transfer could only go ahead if the majority of tenants who voted in the ballot, voted in favour of the proposal. The result meant the ownership and management of the homes will stay with Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Cllr Keith Reynolds, Labour deputy leader and HR spokesman said: “Following the decision of tenants to stay with the council, the council will now invest approx. £173million in council homes by 2019/20.

“This will mean lots of contracts for all manner of repairs. Labour councillors have asked for a review of procurement procedures to see what can be done to retain as much of this work as possible in the local area and help provide job opportunities for our young people.”

Cllr Harry Andrews, Labour group leader, added: “The Tory/Liberal Government in Westminster has helped to create the highest ever levels of youth unemployment. Labour councillors in Caerphilly believe that the huge investment that the council will make over the next few years will provide first class council housing but can also provide jobs in the local area to support our young people.”

The Labour group has also called for council tenants to be given a greater say in the management of housing and have asked council officers for a report.