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A paper has been prepared updating us on the housing stock transfer. The paper notes previous decisions and gives us a progress report. Are members agreed that we should have a private session on the line of questioning at the end of next week's meeting?
Members indicated agreement.
Following some e-mail communication, it looks as if we have an adviser who, in principle, is agreeing to act for us, although the final paperwork has still to be worked out. I am not sure if I am allowed to mention names. Martin keeps me right on such things.
It is probably wise not to give the impression that the appointment of a particular person has been made.
Members should rest assured that the discussions concerning the housing adviser are being processed, ready for next week.
It will presumably be up to the committee to approve any decision.
At the previous meeting, members remitted the decision on the housing adviser to the convener, Fiona Hyslop and John McAllion. The decision on the drugs adviser was remitted to the convener and Mr Raffan.
We have discussed the housing adviser and I think that there is agreement. I would be happy to put the suggested choice to the committee for final approval. The plan is that we will have a private session next week.
I know that we were planning to see the Council of Mortgage Lenders together with tenants involved in existing stock transfers. I recommend—and perhaps this can be decided next week—that we go to Queen's Cross Housing Association in Glasgow, which is one of the longest-standing and most successful housing associations. It has a credit union, it has a community business and it has community ownership of housing. The minister has been to that housing association, and she bases a lot of her ideas on it.
Do you recommend a visit?
Yes, we should visit, and we should hold a session with the Council of Mortgage Lenders there. It would probably have to be on a Monday, because we could not do it on a Wednesday.
I thought that we were going to see tenants from existing stock transfers.
Queen's Cross has already transferred.
Yes, but what about visiting councils such as Berwickshire?
Many of the tenants come from councils. Queen's Cross is basically in Maryhill.
Sorry. I thought that the stock was out for wholesale in Berwickshire.
The idea is to see a successfully established stock transfer which is supported by the tenants. Scottish Homes has said that this is the best one to visit.
That should not preclude us from taking evidence from somewhere else. Can we agree that?
Members indicated agreement.
We will organise the logistics. Are there any further comments about housing stock? I am sorry to be so ruthless about moving on.
I was wondering about Wendy Alexander's visit to the committee.
That will come under future business.
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