HOUSING chiefs in Richmondshire have called in the experts to help whittle down the options for the future of the area's council housing.

The district authority is considering whether to remain as landlord to nearly 2,000 households in the region.

Other administrations in Yorkshire have already adopted policies which will see their properties run by housing associations.

But Richmondshire has decided to commission consultants to guide the council on the best way forward. A report on their findings will be presented at a meeting of the authority on February 8.

"It is a complicated issue and it is felt we need to narrow down the possibilities before we go to consultation,'' said spokesman Colin Dales.

"At the moment, options could include keeping council houses in the authority's control, transferring the stock to an association, creating a council-sponsored association, developing an arms-length company or going for a private finance initiative to manage and maintain council properties for a set period.

"What we are hoping is that the consultants can steer us towards which are the more realistic."

Mr Dales added consultation with tenants will begin as soon as possible.

"We need to get them on board and involved as early as we can,'' he said.