Miles Platting Neighbourhood Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

Q What is the Private Finance Initiative (PFI)?
A. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is a way for the Council and local people to attract millions of pounds to reshape and renew the whole neighbourhood, improving council homes and boosting the quality of life for every resident. We raise the cash and decide what improvements to make in partnership with a new company carefully chosen by residents and the Council together.

Q Who is the partner company?
A. The new organisation chosen to regenerate and manage the area is Renaissance Consortium.

Q What sort of improvements will the PFI bring for council tenants?
A. Some homes will need more work than others, a lot have been improved already. This project will bring all homes up to the same high standard. So, if your home needs a new kitchen, bathroom, rewiring, new window or other improvements, this project will bring them. It will also maintain the homes to a very high standard for the next 30 years.

Q Will owner occupiers enjoy home improvements if their homes are part of the renewed neighbourhoods in the PFI area?
A. Yes, the plans include some free upgrades to things like outside walls and fences. You could also make savings by buying new kitchens and internal improvements from the new company.

Q Some properties will be demolished to make way for new homes and a better environment. What happens to the people living in them?
A. We have talked to council tenants and homeowners whose homes are to be demolished, and given them these guarantees:

Council tenants who've lived in the area for more than 12 months get:

• YOUR choice of: a replacement same-size council home in the area OR priority rehousing outside the area
• £4,700 home loss payment PLUS your moving expenses AND compensation for any improvements you've made to your home
• We will strive to keep neighbours together if they wish

We've already rehoused lots of people in this situation - we will rehouse everyone like this by early 2009.

Owner occupiers are offered the independently assessed market value of their home PLUS a home loss payment of £4,700 (or 10 percent of the house value if that's higher). They also get expenses such as solicitors, moving costs and something towards carpets and curtains. If you want to buy a new home in the area we'll talk to you about - and help arrange - a choice of finance packages that puts you in a great position to enjoy this area's brighter future.

Q I live in a multi-storey block. What improvements will my flat get?
A. Your flat will get everything the houses get. AND we'll insulate the whole block, renew the lifts and modernise communal hallways.

Q Would I have to move out while improvements are done?
A. No. We can work round you in nearly every case. We'll make sure that contractors clean up after themselves and talk to you in detail about how we can improve your home and cause as little disruption to your everyday life as possible.

Q What decoration will I get when my home is refurbished?
A. As a minimum, Renaissance will decorate your kitchen and bathroom once they've completed your improvements. You'll also get an agreed amount of decorating materials and tools so you can 'do it yourself' on the remaining rooms in your home.

Q Will my rent go up because of the PFI and the improvements?
A. No. Rents under the PFI will continue to be set by the City Council, and the improvements will be paid for with extra government money, not with higher rents.

Q Where can I pay my rent?
A. You can continue to pay your rent by standing order, at the post office or at Paypoints. Adactus Housing Association, who are now managing council homes, can also collect rent by: direct debit; at their local office; by post; by phone; or through the internet.

Q Have council tenants lost the right to buy their home?
A. No. You keep this right under the PFI.