I MUST take issue with Peter Phillips (Warrington Guardian January 29 about his dig at Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT).

The trust does not have a monopoly in Warrington, managing only about 60 per cent of the social housing, nor does it have the highest rents in the Mid-Mersey area, let alone the north of England.

Social housing is predominantly no longer council housing, as organisations such as GGHT are independent, regulated, not-forprofit trusts.

I would be enormously surprised if the Conservatives were to confirm that they will ‘sell off all council housing to the private sector and peg levels back to affordable rents’ as Mr Phillips suggests, given that social rents are considerably below those that are deemed affordable.

Private landlords, many of whom offer good properties and an excellent service, already complement the not-for-profit housing trusts.

In 2011 they were providing more than 11 per cent of properties in Warrington and it is now more.

However the private sector is not in a position to offer housing at social rent, because it cannot do so and make a profit.

Warrington has a good mixed market for rented property and some of the most affordable property in the country compared to wages.

It is also fortunate to have GGHT widely recognised as an excellent housing provider.

This is not an issue that should be turned into a political football as Mr Phillips has sought to do.

CLLR BOB BARR
Liberal Democrats, Lymm