A COUNCIL is approaching a historic moment, its deputy leader declared today (Wednesday, February 11).

Durham County Council hopes to transfer its remaining council houses, 19,000 properties across Durham City, east Durham and Wear Valley, to a new landlord on Monday, March 23.

The move, supported overwhelmingly by council tenants in a ballot last year, will pave the way for £800m of investment over the next 30 years, including the construction of 700 new homes within the next decade.

Alan Napier, the council’s deputy leader, said the transfer would be a historic moment.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting at Durham’s County Hall today (Wednesday, February 11), he said: “It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved.

“We’ve successfully jumped every fence so far and we’re now in the final straight. I have every confidence of getting across the finishing line on March 23.”

Fellow cabinet member Neil Foster said it had been a mammoth task and challenge and wished tenants and housing staff every success in the future.

The homes are currently managed by Durham City Homes, East Durham Homes and Dale and Valley Homes.

The new landlord will be the newly founded County Durham Housing Group.

For more information, visit yourhomeyourhoice.info

Council houses in other areas of the county have already been transferred to other landlords, Cestria Community Housing, Derwentside Homes, livin and Teesdale Housing Association.