South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) tenants have put their faith in the district council with 72.6% voting to keep the council as their landlord.

This follows a tenant ballot in which tenants were asked whether they supported the council's proposal to transfer its homes to South Cambridgeshire Village Homes, a new, not-for-profit, local housing association being set up with the help of the council.

The results of the tenant ballot were: Yes 27.4%; No 72.6%; Turnout 73.4%.

A thorough consultation process meant that tenants were fully aware of the implications of a yes and a no vote and were able to make an informed decision.

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The council will now be looking at how it will continue to run the best housing service possible with the limited funds it will have available.

Leader of the council Cllr Ray Manning said: "I'm really pleased with the high turnout as it reflects the depth of the consultation exercise we have undertaken with tenants. We were open and honest with all tenants about the implications of both a yes and no vote. Tenants have decided to keep the council as their landlord and we will now work hard to offer them the best housing service we can.

"We will, however, have to make significant cuts in order to make the books balance. During the consultation period we were clear about the serious financial constraints we would face and hope that tenants will bear with us as we now work out the details.

"It is clear from our consultation that our tenants are very pleased with the service we have provided in the past. Many tenants have been with us for many years and I can understand why, in a time of uncertainty, they have demonstrated their support for and loyalty to the council, and particularly the trusted staff who provide their services."

(CD/JM)