Consultation on plans to amend, or suspend, the Right to Buy scheme

PEOPLE with an interest in council houses are being asked if they want to contribute to a Welsh Government consultation about plans to amend, or suspend, the Right to Buy scheme.

In order to maintain the availability of social housing in times of extraordinary pressure, the Welsh Government is considering giving individual local authorities the permission to suspend the Right to Buy in their areas for up to five years.

Any suspension can be restricted to certain areas or property types, depending on local housing need.

The Right to Acquire for secure tenants of housing associations may also be affected.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department wants tenants, residents, and the wider public, to air their views before the Welsh Government makes its decision.

Housing officers are helping to publicise the consultation and are urging people to make their responses by the end of October.

Head of Housing, Robin Staines, said: “Suspending the Right to Buy scheme in certain areas would effectively mean that the council can retain its housing stock in order to keep up with demand in areas of highest need.

“This could be restricted to certain areas of the county, or could be restricted to certain kinds of properties – for example three-bedroom homes which are highly sought after by families.

“It is important that people understand the reasons as to why the Welsh Government is looking to suspend, or amend, the scheme, and it is equally important that people share their views before the consultation period ends.”

Those wishing to make their views known can either respond generally, or answer a series of questions on specific issues which indicate housing pressure.

Contact Sian Stephens at Carmarthenshire County Council on 01554 742196 or email SStephens@carmarthenshire.gov.uk by the end of September.

To access further information and respond directly to the Welsh Government visit www.wales.gov.uk/consultations up until October 31st.