COUNCILLORS will be asked to give the final go-ahead for thousands of council houses to be transferred to a new landlord next week (Wednesday, February 11).

Durham County Council’s cabinet is being advised to hand ownership of 19,000 council houses across Durham City, Wear Valley and Easington to a new body, the County Durham Housing Group.

Tenants overwhelmingly backed to move in a vote last year.

The switch could open up £800m of investment in the housing stock over the next 30 years, including plans to build 700 new homes within the next decade.

Councillor Eddie Tomlinson, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re delighted to reach the next stage of this vital process which will see major investment in our existing housing as well as new homes, enhancing local communities and neighbourhoods.

“The overwhelming support from tenants clearly shows they believe the transfer to be in their best interests and we now look forward to confirming the final details of the transfer and making it a reality.”

If cabinet backs the move at its meeting at County Hall on Wednesday, February 11, the transfer should be completed on Monday, March 23.

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