http://burghangel.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/microsoft-word-issue14-doc.pdf

 Real Politik: How do we actually get social housing built? 

Glasgow City Council Leader, Stephen Purcell, has claimed that the Village will be one of “the greatest providers of opportunities” before and after 2014: “After the Games, the Village area will become a vibrant neighbourhood, a flagship for the regeneration of Glasgow’s East End and a visible reminder of the legacy of the Games”. Yet the hype, as ever, requires a reality check. Of the 1,500 houses, 1,200 will be for private sale, while only 300 (or 20%) will be for socially rented housing. The question of who exactly will benefit from the ‘Legacy’ is important. Will local people benefit – or will big business and the wealthy?

The City Council have chummily offered to subsidise the Village site for developers by making the land available at nil cost – this reduces the developers initial borrowing requirements, and increases their long-term potential for profit (at our expense, and our risk). The Council has made it clear that in the current economic climate it will be ‘open for business’, ever ready with ‘flexible’ arrangements to bail out large companies and multinationals as they ‘struggle’ to make a profit (just like the UK government with the banks). Meanwhile the poor are left to foot the bill, and asked to mend and make do.

The City of Edinburgh Council announced this week that it plans a massive £70m bailout for struggling property developers. This news comes the same week as the Council reports a £92m black hole, and threatens to cut our front line services.

Housing charity Shelter criticise the landlord registration scheme as toothless, saying there are "still cases where tenants had been illegally evicted, threatened, or even assaulted."

• BBC Scotland

SSP RENFREWSHIRE CAMPAIGN AGAINST STOCK TRANSFER IN FERGUSLIE

In the continuing war against Housing Privatisation, local campaigners are now fighting the latest battle, this time in Ferguslie, but facing the usual enemy of PR foot soldiers spin doctors from the ranks of the SNP, Renfrewshire Council and Fergsulie Park Housing Association.

SSP Renfrewshire is again in the front line, spearheading the VOTE NO campaign and hitting back at a relentless barrage of false claims and distortions. With petitions, placards, posters and leaflets, the branch has taken time out from its regular meetings to knock on doors, arming council tenants with the truth in preparation for the final showdown in March, when the crucial vote will be taken.

Campaigners have already secured vital territory in the fight to save council housing by winning a epic two-year battle in October 2006, when tenants narrowly voted NO to Renfrewshire-wide Stock Transfer. This was in spite of being severely outnumbered by £6 Million propaganda campaign, money that could have been used to improve houses, but instead was used to try and con people into giving up their rights to public housing.

SSP Renfrewshire are determined to thwart this latest attack on Council Housing and have been busy building an effective resistance network of resident’s, community activists and campaigners. The local Tenants and Resident’s Association for the Darkwood area has already joined the fight, signed the petition and the branch hopes that other community organisations will also add to the resistance and help spread the message:

 SAVE PUBLIC HOUSING

VOTE NO TO STOCK TRANSFER IN FERGUSLIE

 for information on how to get involved email Jimmy on jk033446@yahoo.co.uk

 What the glasgow association don't tell you and that its undemocratic

A petition has been launched against plans to increase canal boat licence fees, unfairly penalising non-moored boats. This can be seen in the context of British Waterways' recent enthusiasm for making money, e.g. by encouraging housing development at Maryhill in Glasgow.