Share your views on the future management of Council housing in Cheshire West and Chester

Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched a consultation to begin on how council housing is managed in the borough.

The Council owns 5,300 homes in the borough, predominantly in the areas of Ellesmere Port, Neston and Winsford. These homes are currently managed and maintained by the Council’s strategic housing partner, ForHousing. Due to ForHousing’s current strategic direction, both organisations anticipate that the contract will not be extended beyond the end date of June 2027.

Tenants are being asked for their views on their preferred option for how their homes are managed in the future. The first option is for the Council’s homes to be owned and managed by the Council, with repairs and maintenance delivered by an external specialist contractor. The second option would be for homes to be owned by the Council and managed by a registered provider, similar to the current arrangement.

The option selected following the consultation will determine whether the existing housing management staff team at ForHousing will transfer to the Council, or to a new registered provider in 2027.

The Council have commissioned independent tenant engagement specialists who will consult with tenants, leaseholders, local ward members and key stakeholders in a variety of ways. In addition to an online survey, there will be a number of drop-in sessions which tenants can attend and discuss their views and ask any questions they may have. Tenants are also able to speak with their local councillor about the future options.

Cllr Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, said:

“I’d like to thank ForHousing and their team for their hard work in managing our Council housing since 2017. We will continue to work together to provide good quality services to our residents. It is now important that people get to have their say on their preferred option as to how their homes are managed beyond June 2027. I encourage all tenants to get involved and respond to the consultation.

“The Council is committed to providing affordable homes of the right type and quality. This is detailed in the Council Housing Asset Management Strategy which was adopted earlier this month. It includes actions to improve the wellbeing of Council tenants, and ensure homes are fit for purpose, safe to live in, meet the needs of residents, and reduce carbon emissions. As part of this, our 30-Year Business Plan commits to £210 million of works to be undertaken on Council homes over the next 30 years, funded by the ringfenced Housing Revenue Account.”

Residents can respond to the online survey by visiting the Council website:

Council Housing Management Consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council 

This link to the survey will be sent to tenants and leaseholders by email to all those who have provided an email address the week commencing 23 September. All tenants and leaseholders will receive a paper copy of the survey from the week beginning 7 October onwards.

As well as the option to complete the survey, tenants and leaseholders will be able to attend a number of drop-in sessions which will be held throughout the 12-week period. These events will be informal where tenants and leaseholders can visit anytime during the timeslot specified.

• 14 October, 10am – 5pm at Neston Library, Parkgate Road, Neston, CH64 6QE
• 15 October, 10am – 5pm at Ellesmere Port Library, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BG
• 23 October, 10am – 5pm at Winsford Library, High Street, Winsford CW7 2AS

There will also be an opportunity for tenants and leaseholders to ask questions and share their views at the following Council Let’s Talk sessions:

• Ellesmere Port – Thursday 3 and 10 October, 10am – 12pm at Trinity Church, Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0AT
• Winsford - Friday 4 and 11 October, 10am – 12pm at Very Green Grocery, High Street, Winsford, CW7 2AS
• Neston – Tuesday 8 October, 1pm – 2.30pm at Neston Library, Parkgate Road, Neston, CH64 6QE

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 15 December 2024.

Responses to the consultation will help to inform the recommended option which will be put before Cabinet in March 2025.