Knowsley Court used to be owned by the council. The last Labour government tried to persuade councils to transfer all their housing to other social landlords.
The persuasion was by way of cash. Councils sold their housing on the assumption that their associations would be able to borrow on the capital value of the new assets.
This was not meant be borrowing for borrowing sake. New capital was to be used to modernise the properties.
That is precisely what Wirral Partnership Homes – who have now rebranded as Magenta Living - have done in many parts of Wirral.
On Friday I was asked to open Knowsley Court – a tower block that now stands proudly near the border with New Ferry.
Magenta has done a brilliant job. The feel of the place has changed.
There's a reception desk fully manned, with closed circuit TV. The ground floors have all been beautifully relayed.
The lift works and every floor is now carpeted. I went into a couple of the flats to look around.
From one window I could look upstream past the Yard. The other took my view over South Wirral.
The block has been carefully cladded so fuel bills will be less. I suggested to Magenta that they may like now to enter the fuel markets. Why not buy both gas and electricity in bulk and sell to tenants at the discount price Magenta will be able to negotiate?
They promised to look into this and will report back.
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