IF YOU'RE IN A HOLE, KIERAN, STOP DIGGING!

"Ef off, I know how use a f**** shovel!"

Talk about the ‘bleeding obvious’ Kieran Quinn, Chair of the Tameside Brains Trust and this year's holder of the GMPF Fergi-time calculator, now tells us in his blog that “..Social housing is in short supply due to lack of build and increasing waiting lists. …That’s why many residents opt for the private rented sector which can be both expensive and is inadequately regulated!”

No shit, Sherlock!

He must think we've forgot the fact that when Kieran Quinn’s party was last in  government, only a fraction of the houses needed were built, but now, with an election on the horizon, this time they’re promising to do better!

His answer is: We have supported 50 first time buyers through our very own local “Lend a Hand” scheme in associated with Lloyds TSB. – Well, it’s a start!

Now remember he is talking about ‘social housing’ which means homes that are affordable to rent/buy by people on low incomes; he then tells us that in response to the national housing crisis, GMPF has formed a partnership with the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester, whereby five schemes have been developed so far, investing £25 million in the construction of 240 much-needed 'affordable' homes. And an additional £75 million will help stimulate further housing growth. This is just the start of a bolder ambition across Greater Manchester.

Now let’s just think about that for a mo’ - £25 million to produce 240 affordable homes!

That equates to £105,000 to build each housereach!

If the renter pays £100 per week (£5200 per year) it will take over 20 years before they break even! - Which part of the word 'investment' does he not understand?

Now call me cynical, but if you force developers to build and sell cheap to first time buyers/renters, don’t be surprised if they build to the lowest quality they can get away with. 

And when those first time buyers/renters want to move up the property ladder, what then?

Will they be able to afford the jump? Will the property then be sold off to a 'social landlord' or will those properties have to be sold only to first time buyers for ever, irrespective of price or demand?

Or is it, as I suspect, the Labour party making up for their lack of new home construction throughout their 13 years in office and trying to come up with populist but ill-thought tinkering with the current property market.

He then tells us, “We have transferred or sold a number of sites to our local social housing provider, to provide affordable homes for rent for Tameside residents. The 9 sites will provide space for 330 houses and provide the council with an estimated £320,000 a year in council tax and £2 million in New Homes Bonus.”

Here again, when one checks young Quinn’s figures, it throws up a few more questions that should start a few ‘alarm bells ringing’ if these councillors get their way.

If he expects to raise an estimated £320,000 per year in council tax from these 330 new houses, it indicates they are in council tax band – A

However, at the current 2015 rate, tax band - A is £946.40 per house, per annum. Which equates to approx £312,000 per year.

To achieve a council tax income of £320,000, from an additional 330 houses, the council tax would need to go up by another £23.30 per household, per annum, increasing the future council tax band – A, to a minimum of £969.70 per annum, per household!

I WONDER IF ANY OF OUR LABOUR COUNCILLORS WILL BE ANNOUNCING THAT IN THEIR LEAFLETS WHEN ASKING TO BE RE-ELECTED?

On the other hand, if the council claim there will be no increase in future council tax rates, then perhaps our Kieran should consider enrolling in one of our New Academy's to re-take his Maths O-level! - 'er no perhaps not!