The ballot was open for 31 days with an impressive 87.3% of tenants taking the opportunity to cast their vote.

Spire View currently owns and manages 582 homes. The transfer from Copperworks will bring an additional 270 homes.

Spire View and Copperworks worked together to create a joint business case for the transfer of engagements of Copperworks’ interest into Spire View that would allow the expanded Spire View to do much more for Copperworks’ tenants, other customers, and staff members. The two organisations worked closely together to develop a transfer proposal that has been shaped by Copperworks tenants through months of intensive engagement.

Copperworks shareholding members will now be invited to two Special General Meetings where they will be asked to approve, then confirm, a special transfer resolution to complete the transfer process. Subject to the support of Copperworks’ members and other final consents being achieved, the transfer is expected to complete on 1st August 2023. At this point, Spire View will become responsible for delivering the homes and services currently provided by Copperworks.

Spire View is now getting ready to start delivering on the promises made to Copperworks tenants including quicker investment, lower rents over time, retention of staff and the local office and continuation of other local services.

Maureen Flynn, Copperworks Chairperson, said: “After working so closely together for the past 12 years, Copperworks Management Committee recognised the benefit to our tenants in bringing Copperworks and Spire View together. The Committee was very happy with the transfer promises from Spire View which will see quicker investment in Copperworks’ homes, lower rents over time and retention of our local office and staff.

“We are delighted that such a huge proportion of our tenants took the opportunity to vote with a clear majority in favour. We are very much looking forward to seeing the Royston community further develop and thrive in the years to come.”

Charlie Lunn, chairperson of Spire View, added: “We are delighted that Copperworks tenants have voted in favour of the transfer. Following many years of fantastic partnership working between Copperworks and Spire View, for the benefit of the local Royston community, we are very much looking forward to the future and delivering on our promises to Copperworks tenants.”

Fiona Murphy, director of Spire View, said: “Royston is a fantastic community and the turnout in this ballot demonstrates how important participation and having a say is to local people. We are delighted that Copperworks tenants have overwhelming voted in support of joining forces with Spire View. We are very much looking forward to delivering on our promises to Copperworks tenants, whilst continuing our commitment and support of the wider Royston community.”