windfall

to benefit

housing

HOMES in Ramsbottom are to benefit from a £21million windfall from the govenment.

Six Town Housing, the new organisation set up to run council homes across the Bury borough, will get at least £21m for modernisation and other improvements according to the government.

Bury Council is transferring the management of nearly 9,000 homes to the arm's length management company (ALMO) and has bid for £27million to raise standards.

Council bosses have now has been told that Six Town Housing will receive at least 80 percent of the cash - £21.6m - as long as it passes a key inspection next year.

Councillor Steve Perkins, the council's executive member for regeneration and housing, said, "This is a huge shot in the arm for Six Town Housing which will soon be managing a variety of services for the council's tenants.

"The council is already working hard to gear up for next year's inspection and as long as the service gains a rating of at least two stars we will get a minimum of £21.62 million."

The exact allocation, which the council is hoping will be nearer its original bid, is due to be revealed in September.