A NEW and more flexible scheme for renting homes from Lancaster City Council has been introduced.

In recent years the traditional demand for council housing has fallen, reducing the waiting list by half.

As a consequence there are fewer applicants waiting for vacancies for certain types of properties and locations.

Under the new scheme for a more flexible letting system, once the Council is satisfied it is unable to identify an applicant for a specific vacant home, it will now be advertised for rent within the local press property pages, allowing any member of the public to register an interest.

Should more than one applicant come forward, the Council's normal policies for assessing housing needs will apply.

The proposals are very much in line with the Government's policies on promoting "choice based" lettings.

Local authorities are being encouraged to consider flexible lettings schemes which feature applicants expressing interest for specific vacancies rather than operating rigid allocation policies.

Currently the Government is funding a number of pilot schemes throughout the country which look to develop a choice based approach.

Commenting on the proposals, Councillor David Barker said: "Demand for council housing is reducing throughout the north of England.

The Council had acknowledged that traditional approaches to letting its homes may not always be appropriate.

We are confident that by offering a more flexible approach and advertising vacancies, the public will be able to see the real benefits of renting from the Council - affordable rents, security of tenure, modernised homes with central heating and double glazing etc."