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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 06/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,399
Location: Too close to Redbridge-i censorship
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Any chance that the council will get round to giving details of its "Free Space" scheme on this forum, or is it too controversial to risk opening up discussion on the detail?
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 07/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1
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Statement from Cllr Turbefield
“The Council has been looking into an innovative pilot project where the Council would help older homeowners move into smaller properties and their larger property would then be let by the Council to families in need. No cases have been completed yet as the first stage of the pilot scheme has been gathering views of older people and designing an appropriate scheme. We understand from many older homeowners that they are interested in ways of moving to a smaller, more manageable property, without having to sell their home. This scheme could be a way of helping them do that and providing a home for a family in need as well as gaining an income from the rent. The property may be upgraded and it remains in their ownership, passing to their heirs in the usual way with vacant possession.
There are many benefits that the scheme provides including options to improve the lives of owners by relieving them of a burden without taking their capital asset away. As well as having the benefits of a more suitable, cheaper to run home, most will have more disposable income than now because of the rent received, improving their lifestyle options and stimulating the local economy. The scheme has an environmental impact too where improvements are necessary and carried out before letting. It improves energy efficiency, may reduce the need for travel if the owner moves nearer to family as well as potentially reducing social care costs.
If the pilot scheme is approved by Cabinet some cases will be completed and information on the scheme will be widely available. Cabinet are considering the report on the scheme in February.
It is important to stress that the scheme, if agreed, is entirely voluntary and there is no question of pressuring anyone to move who doesn’t want to.”
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