COUNCIL tenants are being invited to take part in what bosses call the biggest decision yet affecting their homes.

Housing chiefs are debating a 30-year plan to improve homes, which includes an option to sell them off.

A further series of public meetings have been called where residents can give their views.

Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for housing, said that tenants were at the heart of the review.

"We want to determine what standard is best for Bury housing tenants and identify what investment is required to deliver the standard and service which they deserve," he said.

"This is not a simple process, and we want to make sure we have got it right before making any move. We are looking at the way forward for local authority owned homes over the next 30 years. That is something we take very seriously and that we are determined to get right.

"This is probably one of the biggest single issues to affect the council house tenants of Bury and that is why we are so keen that they are kept fully informed and are part of the decision making process."

The options include: continuing as now, in council ownership and management; setting up an arm's-length management company; transferring homes to a housing association; or using the Private Finance Initiative, bringing in a private company to improve and maintain homes on the council's behalf.

The following public meetings have been arranged for next month:

September 9: Elizabethan Suite in Bury, 10am-1pm and 6pm-9pm.

September 10: Radcliffe Civic Suite, 10am-1pm and 6pm-9pm.

September 14: Longfield Suite, Prestwich, 10am-1pm.

September 16: Ramsbottom Civic Hall, 9.30am-11.30am and 6pm-9pm.

September 17: The Shuttle Centre, Whitefield,10am-1pm and 6pm-9pm.

The council will also be presenting its options around the shops: on September 3 at Radcliffe Market, September 6 on Bury Market, September 18 in the Mill Gate centre, and on September 22 at the Ramsbottom car boot sale (morning only).

Various tenants' and residents' associations are also holding meetings. These include:

September 3: Topping Fold and Fairfield, at St Bede's School from 7pm-9pm.

September 4: Elms, at Elms Community Centre in Whitefield, from 7pm-9pm.

September 5: Seedfield, at Seedfield Methodist Hall, from 7.30pm-9pm.

September 12: Parsonage/Deal, at the New Kershaw Centre, from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm.

September 18: Bolton Road, at Bolton Road Youth Club, Radcliffe from 7pm-9pm.

September 19 -- Springs Co-op, at Bury FC Social Club, from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm.

September 23: Chesham Fold, at Chesham Fold Community Office, from 2pm-4pm.

September 24: Rainsough, at the Scout Hut in Kersal Road, Prestwich from 6pm-8pm.

September 25: Polefield, at Heaton Park Primary School in Whitefield, from 7pm-9pm.

September 26: Chesham Fold, at a venue to be confirmed, from 7pm-9pm.

Tenants' associations still to confirm dates are Limefield Brow, Peel Brow, Redbank, Top o'th' Fields, Townside, Tulle Court, Willows, Victoria and Woodhill Group.

For more information, contact the stock options team on 253 6042, email stockoptionsteam@bury.gov.uk or visit the council website at www.bury.gov.uk.