Congratulations to Oxford City Council, uniting to back tenants in retaining council housing.

Rose Hill tenants, however, might feel it a hollow victory. Come crunchtime, when big money needs to be spent, they know few options exist, but to "outsource" the estate piecemeal, effectively transferring to other landlords.

Though I have every confidence in Oxford Citizens Housing Association, it's the principle that counts.

Labour, inheriting deep-seated mistrust of council landlords from their Tory predecessors, is certainly trying to make retention the least viable option.

Millions in council tenants' rent is siphoned off by Whitehall.

There is little local capital to improve on the so-called "decent homes" standard, and little local input into the allocation of capital in Whitehall or Guildford's hands.

So much for local accountability and self-determination!

Also, what consideration was given to opinions of households hoping forlornly for social housing?

Their interest in the future and condition of the stock is just as strong.

But there is an alternative, not offered to tenants, being piloted in Preston, based on the same Community Land Trust ideas we are promoting in Oxfordshire.

By moving housing and land to a charitable trust, owned and managed collectively by tenants and local residents, that huge asset can secure funding, not just for "decent homes", but even comprehensive redevelopment to modern environmental, ergonomic and density standards.

Thousands of new, additional, permanently affordable homes could result from a rolling redevelopment programme, safe from interference by government at any level.

JOCK COATS

Oxfordshire Community Land Trusts, Morrell Hall, Oxford