THOUSANDS of council house tenants who have yet to log their views on the future of their homes are being urged to vote.

Sedgefield Borough Council, which is considering the transfer of its 9,200 homes to a non-profit-making company, and campaigners opposing the move are sending out the same message - 'make your views known by casting a vote.'

More than 11,000 papers have been sent to tenants across the borough by the independent Electoral Reform Services, which is administering the ballot on behalf of the council.

So far, about 60 per cent of people have cast their vote and letters have ben sent out reminding people that the ballot closes at noon on July 19.

Graham Scanlon, stock transfer manager, said: "We would encourage people to read all the facts, decide how they feel about the proposal and use their vote."

The council believes transfer to Sedgefield Housing, created by the council and Sunderland Housing Group, is the best deal for tenants and the housing workforce.

It says it will see an extra £67.2m invested in homes and services in the first decade, many homes refurbished, improved disabled facilities and better day to day maintenance.

It would also lead to investment in tackling anti-social behaviour, kick start borough-wide regeneration and councillors and tenants will still have input with representatives on the management board.

However, the Amicus and Unison unions, campaign groups Defend Council Housing and Sedgefield Against Transfer are fighting the proposed transfer with the backing of some tenants who have experience of transfer in Sunderland.

Derek Simpson, Amicus general secretary, said: "Tenants are being coerced into giving up their secure tenancies on false assurances of improvements.

"Sedgefield Council can meet the decent home standards and spend an additional £47m on housing improvements without resorting to stock transfer."

Northern Trade Union Congress regional secretary Kevin Rowan added: "Choosing to transfer the council housing stock would be a major mistake for council tenants in Sedgefield. The TUC believes this would continue the pattern of rent increases and would not deliver an improved service to people in the borough."