Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Trust HomeChoice scheme criticised

Jul 28 2010 by Gary Porter, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

A NEW initiative where residents bid for council homes in Ellesmere Port and Neston has come under fire.

Last month the Trust HomeChoice scheme, which came into operation in April, was hailed by Cheshire West and Cheshire Council as a big success.

However, a council tenant of 23 years and Central and Westminster councillor Justin Madders have criticised the system.

The Stanney Grange resident, who does not want to be named, has been classed as a Band D priority and has bid on 11 homes, all of which she claims have gone to Band B applicants.

She said: “I don’t stand a chance. They give them to girls with kids and families.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’ve got kids or not, you have a choice.”

Cllr Justin Madders said: “I feel she is being treated very poorly by the council.

“I feel the council’s publicity machine heralding the success of the home choice scheme is not reflected by the many concerns people like her and others have expressed to me.

“I am aware that there have been a number of questionable decisions regarding people’s bandings. The biggest problem though is that those who are in lower bands are quickly realising that they have no hope of being allocated a property.

“Under the old system the amount of time someone was waiting was a factor which meant that eventually people got a chance of a property.

“This current system offers no such comfort and people are spending a lot of time applying for properties they have no realistic chance of being offered.”

A Cheshire West and Chester council spokesman said: “Although some applicants in higher bands have special requirements, more than half of all available housing in June was allocated to Band D applicants.

“However the area that she wishes to move to – approximately a mile away from her current location – contains sought-after accommodation which will go to those who are deemed to have a greater need.

“She has not bid on any housing in the last month and we would advise her to keep bidding on accommodation suited to her needs.”