The results of an initial report into the options available for City of York Council's housing will be discussed at a meeting of the York Federation of Residents and Community Associations, on October 18.

The report summarises the advantages and disadvantages of all the options available to the Council. The options will be considered along with the results of the current Best Value review of housing management, which will produce interim findings in November, with a final report due in early 2002.

As part of the Governments' housing policy, local authorities must consider a range of options for the future of their housing stock. In order to meet these requirements and put together a housing business plan for the city, the council commissioned independent consultants to carry out a review of the options available for improving the quality of council homes.

This will provide a better understanding of the situation, before any decisions are made on the future of the council's properties.

Councillor Viv Kind, executive member for housing, said: "These results give us an initial view of the options that could be available to us in the future. There will now be in-depth and detailed discussions, particularly with tenants, but also with housing staff and other stakeholders, on how we ensure that properties are managed most effectively for our council tenants.

She continued: "The council's objectives are to secure adequate investment in our housing, keep rents affordable, provide homes in good repair and to modern standards, and ensure there is an adequate supply of affordable housing to meet local needs."

Jim Crook, the council's director of community services, said: "The council is required to achieve the Government's 'decency standard' for all social housing, which we are expected to achieve through planned investment over the next ten years.

He continued: "This report has identified options available and their relative advantages and disadvantages to enable us to reach that standard. We will now continue with our consultations and include the results of the housing management best value review to outline our plans for the future of the council's housing."

The next step will be to refine the nine options, following consultation with tenants and other staff to enable further detailed work to be done on the options which are of most interest. This next detailed report is planned for publication in November.

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