RADICAL plans to transform the future of council housing are up for debate next week.

Houses could be sold off or managed by private contractors under options being considered by the Housing Quality Network, consultants appointed by Bury Council.

Tenants are invited to a series of meetings across the borough to hear the alternatives and have their say.

Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for housing, said: "Change may be necessary if we are to provide our tenants with the homes and service they require.

"That is why we are planning to make sure there will be enough resources to provide good quality, well managed, well maintained, affordable homes to rent for Bury people in the future."

The Government wants councils to bring all homes up to a "decent" standard by 2010.

Among the options it suggests are:

Continuing as now, in council ownership and management.

Arms-length management, forming a new council-owned company, separate from the rest of the council's services.

Transferring some or all properties to a housing association or housing company.

Private Finance Initiative, bringing in a private contractor to improve, maintain and manage the properties on the council's behalf.

Councillor John Smith, housing spokesman, added: "Each option has its pros and cons. Some may raise more money for repairs, improvement and investment, others will bring change in tenancy agreements for tenants, in services they receive or a change in who owns and manages their house.

"This is a starting point and, if change is seen as the way forward, there will be many more opportunities to discuss the situation."

Free transport will be available from the lay-by outside Bury Town Hall at 9am, 1pm and 6pm on the relevant days. Return transport for those attending has also been arranged.

The meetings are:

Monday (March 11) at Bury Town Hall, from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Tuesday (March 12) at Radcliffe Civic Suite, from 9.30am-11.30am. Then again at 1.30pm-3.30pm, with a bus available from Harley Avenue on the Ainsworth estate.

Also on this date, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Woodbank Primary School, Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

Wednesday (March 13) at from 10am to noon at Springs Community Centre, 55 Dorset Drive, Bury.

Then from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Ramsbottom Civic Hall, and from 6.30pm-8.30pm at Heaton Park Primary, Cuckoo Lane, Prestwich.

Thursday (March 14) from 9.30am to 11.30am at Chesham Fold Community Centre, Chesham Fold Road, Bury. Then from 6.30pm-8.30pm at Fairfield Primary School, Rochdale Old Road, Bury.

Friday (March 15) from 9.30am-11.30am at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich. Then from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Seedfield Centre, Parkinson Street, Bury, with a bus available from Limefield Brow.