People are being urged to have their say on the future of the borough’s housing service as part of a review.

Then leader of Cheshire West and Chester Mike Jones (Con) said he was ‘shocked at the state of the council houses in Ellesmere Port’ when they were taken over by the new council in 2009 and the fact they had been allowed to deteriorate into such a condition by the previous Labour controlled authority he claimed.

“People shouldn’t be allowed to live in houses in such poor condition. It is a disgrace. It was negligent of the former Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to allow the properties to deteriorate,” he argued.

A report to the former council suggested that in one option the cost of bringing the then 5,681 properties up to decent standards would be £327.3m over 30 years.

'Poor prospects for improvement'

Consultants suggested the housing service was ‘poor, no star and with poor prospects for improvement’ and at a special meeting the new Tory administration passed a censure motion against the old borough for their ‘mismanagement of social housing’.

With tenants having previously voted against ownership transferring to a housing association Cheshire West and Chester eventually retained the properties but transferred their management to housing association Plus Dane under a five year £100m contract running to 2017.

More recently, councillors heard that 95% of homes are now expected to reach decent standard in 2016/17 following investment of more than £52m.

The council is reviewing the best way to provide its housing services in anticipation of the current contract coming to end and says it is looking to hear from local tenants, residents and leaseholders, as well as any other interested parties, as part of the consultation.

It says there are a number of options for the future of the service.

Tenants' views are being sought on the housing service in Ellesmere Port and Neston where properties are owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council and managed by Plus Dane

Option 1

The housing could continue to be owned by the council but managed by another organisation as now.

The council says: “With this option the council remains as the landlord and still owns the properties. Currently Plus Dane manage the housing stock for us.

“A new management contract would go out to tender to make sure that the council and the tenants and leaseholders get the best possible value for money. “Housing providers, including Plus Dane, will be able to bid for this contract.”

Option 2

A second option is the homes could revert to being owned and managed by the council.

With this option the council remains as the landlord and still owns the properties but all the services currently carried out by Plus Dane would be transferred back to and be delivered by the council.

“These include housing management, repairs and maintenance, lettings, grounds maintenance and some environmental improvements and improvements to the houses,” it explains.

Option 3

A third option is the homes could be owned and managed by an external organisation as in Chester and mid Cheshire.

“This option would mean that ownership of the council housing stock would be transferred to a housing association,” says the council.

“They would then provide all the housing services.

“If this option was chosen there would have to be a ballot of all tenants and leaseholders to ask if they are in favour and the majority of those who voted would have to vote in favour of the change.”

Views of residents

Housing chief in the new Labour controlled Cabinet Angela Claydon, a former housing chairman in Ellesmere Port and Neston, said: “With this consultation we’re really hoping to capture the views of local residents.

“It is these household experiences, aspirations and needs which will add valuable detail and insight to the process.

“It is extremely important that residents take part and help shape the service going forward.”

She stressed: “It is important to point out to tenants and leaseholders that this is a consultation exercise to gather their views.

“It is not a vote on the future of the housing stock.”

Cllr Claydon added: “We’ve been delighted with the response so far. It’s clear that local people care a great deal about the housing services that the council provides and we have received a lot of very valuable feedback already.

“It’s important that we gather as many views as possible.”

All tenants and leaseholders should have received copy of the questionnaire through the post.

Answers to the questionnaire will form a key part of the consultation, which will look at the options for the future financing, ownership and overall management of the housing stock.

The consultation period runs until September 23 and all answers will be kept confidential.