Landmark housing campaigner to retire (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Landmark housing campaigner to retire

12:50pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Winchester

A HOUSING campaigner who took the Government to the European Court of Human Rights is retiring.

Alan Rickman is standing down after chairing Winchester tenants’ group, Tact, for eight years.

During his tenure, Mr Rickman took the Government to court to fight the national council housing rent system.

Under the old rules, income from across Britain was sent to Westminster. Some of it was given to poorer districts, but around £150m was held by the Government.

Winchester was losing out to the tune of £9m each year under the system.

It meant that one third of the rent paid by tenants in the district’s 5,000 council houses was kept by Westminster.

The system was challenged by Mr Rickman, who lives in a council house in Taplings Road, Weeke.

Although he lost the case, shortly before the ruling the Government pledged to change the system, and under a new deal, due to start in April, rents paid by Winchester tenants will remain in the district.

The nationwide reform will benefit other councils too, and along with more money for repairs, Winchester City Council hopes to use its extra cash to build new council homes.

Mr Rickman said: “While we didn’t win the European case I think it got people talking and would have helped the Government to change its mind.

“The city council is now talking about building houses again, and that’s something they haven’t been able to consider before now.”

Cllr Tony Coates, Winchester City Council cabinet member for housing, saluted Mr Rickman’s efforts over the many years.

Tact’s vice-chairman, Judith Steventon Baker, is taking over from Mr Rickman until its AGM in May.