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

There is still time to take part in Cheshire West and Chester Council’s consultation 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. One 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 other 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 are consulting with tenants, leaseholders, local ward members and key stakeholders in a variety of ways. In addition to an online survey, a number of drop-in sessions have already taken place at which tenants discussed their views and asked questions. 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. Thank you to all tenants who have already taken part in the consultation and attended drop-in events. I encourage all tenants who haven’t yet done so 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 in September. 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 has been sent to tenants and leaseholders by email to all those who have provided an email address. All tenants and leaseholders have also received a paper copy of the survey and there is still time to return this before the closing date. Should a further paper copy of the survey be required, tenant and leaseholders can contact J&M Consulting on 07385 850332 between the hours of 09.30am-2.30pm Monday to Friday (standard phone charges apply). Housing officers will also be encouraging tenants to respond as part of their regular contact.

As well as the option to complete the survey, tenants and leaseholders are still able to attend informal drop-in sessions where tenants and leaseholders can visit anytime during the timeslot specified:

• 19 November, 10am – 4pm at Ellesmere Port Library, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BG.
• 20 November, 10am – 4pm at Neston Library, Parkgate Road, Neston, CH64 6QE.
• 21 November, 10am – 4pm at Ellesmere Port Library, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BG.

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.