NO DOUBT it goes against the ideological fundamentals of the ruling Labour group on Blackburn with Darwen Council to, in effect, privatise its council houses. But in possibly rejecting this step, despite it being recommended by an independent report - though holding it open as an option by seeking government permission for it - the Council looks like provoking a huge row with the alternative approach it may take to soldering on as a landlord.

For it could be regarded as tantamount to an admission that its previous policy poured millions of pounds down the drain on houses on problem estates where no-one wants to live at the expense of those where people do.

Its dilemma was always unenviable.

The choice was between investing scarce resources in improving and trying to turn around problem estates - a venture often encouraged by grant aid from outside - or, alternatively, spreading them around all the council's estates.

Either way, results were never guaranteed. The policy of targeting problem estates also required huge improvements in the reputation of some estates as well as in the properties.

In addition, directing investment all around was confronted by resources trailing way behind actual demand.

Even now, in possibly switching to the latter option and, in effect, ending the perceived favouritism towards the trouble spots, the council can hardly see light at the end of the tunnel.

For it is revealed that it faces a mammoth housing repairs bill of £140 million and has little chance of raising that amount, especially when revenue from rents is reduced by demand for council houses being at an all-time low.

It is little wonder that the independent study's preference was for the Council to cut itself loose from this burden.

But if Labour-run Blackburn with Darwen cannot bring itself to go so far and transfer control of its housing to the private sector, it may find that it is only putting off the day when it must.

The only way it can avoid that eventuality is if the new so-called business-like way of spending money all round can produce better houses that people want.

But can it?

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