Is it the end for ‘right-to-buy’?

Powys may suspend its ‘right-to-buy’ scheme after the BBC reported that none have been purchased over the past five years.

But it means that people living in council and housing association homes in the Welshpool area could be prevented from buying them in future.

A report to the Powys County Council cabinet today (Tuesday) moots the idea of suspending for five years, saying it would leave the authority “better able to address the housing needs of an ageing community”.

The report notes that none of the eight housing associations which operate in Powys have sold any homes under the right to buy scheme for the past five years.

It said this is the preferred choice as it was the “only option that gives the authority complete freedom to maintain, increase and improve the housing stock necessary to address a changing demand over coming years”.

Last night a council insider told us: “The cabinet will be asked to start a consultation exercise in respect of a proposal to suspend the Right-to-Buy and related rights for a period of five years. When the outcome of the consultation is known, then it will be decided whether to submit the application to suspend.”

The full report to council can be read here: http://powys.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s10957/RTB%20Cabinet%20Report.pdf