TENANTS of council homes in the Stockton area are being urged to have their say on the future management of their homes.

The Electoral Reform Society is carrying out a postal survey and vote on behalf of Stockton Borough Council to enable tenants to comment on a new management scheme being proposed for the borough.

The deadline for the survey and votes is next Monday.

The council, with the Homes for the Future tenants' group, was told late last year that it had secured a place on the Government's new Arms Length Management programme for housing.

Stockton is one of only eight authorities across the country to have been chosen to pilot this new approach to the management of its houses.

Under the scheme, a non-profit making company, to be made up of a board of tenants, councillors and independent community representatives, would take over the day-to-day running of the council's housing stock from April 1, in a partnership agreement with the council.

However, the scheme will only be able to go ahead if it receives the approval of council tenants and leaseholders.

The council and the new organisation would also need to demonstrate to Government inspectors that excellent housing services could be provided under the scheme.

All tenants should have received a ballot paper and brochure, containing detailed information on what the Arms Length proposal would mean for the area and for them.

The results of the ballot will be collected by the Electoral Reform Society and considered by the council.

The final outcome will be known by the middle of next month and residents will be informed.