News

Plans for a new body to manage council housing in the whole of 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.