AN EAST Lancashire council has started its biggest consultation exercise with its tenants on the future of their homes.

Rossendale Borough Council has unveiled a proposal which would mean tenants' homes would get around £39.9million of repairs and improvements in the first five years, if tenants give their backing.

Under the proposal, the ownership and management of the authority's 3,970 homes would transfer to Green Vale Homes -- a new, not-for-profit local housing organisation.

Green Vale Homes would be run by a management board made up of tenants, council nominees, and independent people with specialist skills.

The authority has a £21.6million shortfall to bring its homes up to scratch.

But the transfer would unlock the money needed to give tenants higher standards.

The local authority is urging people to vote for the stock transfer because it cannot afford to carry out all the work needed, and does not have the resources to borrow more money to fund the difference.

Lynn Hurrell, head of housing, said: "The council and tenant representatives have looked at all the options for homes and believe transfer would be the best way forward for tenants.

"Green Vale Homes would be able to borrow the money needed to bring homes up to the Rossendale Standard, carry out the repair and improvements needed, while keeping rents affordable."

Transfer is not a foregone conclusion. It will be the majority of voting tenants who decide in a secret ballot if transfer goes ahead.

If the transfer of stock goes ahead, work carried out would include roof improvements, new double glazing, rewiring, and improved heating.