Under one roof

     

Plans to create a new organisation to manage council housing in East Kent have been agreed in principle by Shepway District Council.

The proposals would see the creation of a company, jointly owned by Shepway Canterbury, Ashford, Thanet and Dover councils, which would manage the 21,000 homes owned by the five.

Cllr Keren Belcourt, Shepway Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, said the interests of tenants were at the forefront of the plans.

"There are some services, like housing, where we are all doing similar things and it makes good sense to look at a shared approach through an East Kent Landlord Service.

"It will avoid duplication, pool expertise, increase efficiency and bring better value for money. Most importantly, the savings made will enable us to reinvest into our own housing budget to improve the service to provide to Shepway tenants and leaseholders."

Once all councils have agreed the proposal in principle, they will start detailed consultation with their tenants. A final decision will not be made until after the consultation ends next summer with the new arrangements likely to come into effect in April 2010.

"We will be ensuring that our tenants and leaseholders are kept up to date with all the information they need and that they have independent advice during the consultation," said Cllr Belcourt. "Tenants will also have a place on the board of the newly-created company."

Betty Garfield, chairperson for the Coast and Countryside Residents' Board, said:

"We are happy with what we've heard about the principle of the shared landlord services for East Kent. It's early days but we think it could be the best way forward for us. Shepway has already said it will involve us in the process as it takes shape and make sure we have the information we need to represent the best interests of our residents. We are also meeting tenant representatives from the other councils to see how we can all work together."

The proposals will also be considered by the East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee and the East Kent Joint Scrutiny Committee.

The landlord service is just one of the services that could be shared Shepway, Dover, Thanet and Canterbury councils to improve efficiency and reduce costs.