LABOUR's former planning boss Dave Merrett wants York to opt out of 'right to buy' laws so the authority can hold onto its housing stock.
He says such a move would help the council continue to provide decent housing for York families who cannot afford to buy or rent privately.
We accept that the 'right to buy', brought in by Mrs Thatcher, puts councils in a tough position. It allows council tenants to buy their properties at knock-down prices - reducing a local authority's housing stock.
But 'right to buy' also offers many families their only chance to own a home. York would be the only local authority to have gone down this route if it were to opt out.
The 'right to buy' is now well established. And for all the problems it causes, it would be wrong for York to be the only local authority in the country where council tenants were denied that right.
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