A DECISION on the future management of the 5,600 council- owned homes in Ellesmere Port and Neston is on hold.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s regeneration director, Charlie Seward, agreed on Christmas Eve to endorse a recommendation by the Ellesmere Port and Neston housing stock panel that the procurement of an external housing management service should go ahead.

This would not affect the ownership of the homes.

The panel believed the change would offer ‘the best way to ensure tenants and leaseholders receive excellent services in the future’.

With the decision due to take effect last Tuesday, Labour leader Cllr Derek Bateman (Central and Westminster) moved swiftly to invoke the council’s call in procedure which requires the issue to be reconsidered.

“It has not been discussed adequately,” said Cllr Bateman.

“Members of the opposition are not fully briefed on the consequences.

“They are not clear about the costs involved and whether value for money can be obtained.”

He argues this is because of ‘excessive remuneration arrangements’ under a previous agreement.

Although less than 5% of those living in council homes in the former borough responded to a consultation, the council argues this reflects the comprehensiveness of the information supplied to tenants and leaseholders and suggests the vast majority of occupiers have no particular concerns about outsourcing the management of the council’s housing stock.

The panel has insisted, however, that council officers should deal with ‘legitimate concerns’ which were raised and ensure these are dealt with and resolved.

Interested parties should be involved in the development of the contract and the selection of the external organisation, it believes.

The panel, chaired by Cllr Myles Hogg (Con, Ledsham and Willaston), voted 3-2 to agree the recommendation that Mr Seward should start the process.

The move was proposed by Cllr Bob Crompton (Con, Sutton and Manor) and seconded by Cllr Kathy Lord (Con, Groves and Whitby).

Labour councillors Angela Claydon (Grange and Rossmore) and Paul Donovan (Sutton and Manor) voted against.

The council feels that not going ahead would lose the benefits and opportunities an excellent external service would create.