A PLAN to transfer a district council s housing stock to a not-for-profit housing association seems set to be approved. Cabinet members on South Cambridgeshire District Council have given the go-ahead for the transfer process to begin – and now all membe

A PLAN to transfer a district council's housing stock to a not-for-profit housing association seems set to be approved.

Cabinet members on South Cambridgeshire District Council have given the go-ahead for the transfer process to begin - and now all members will have the opportunity to discuss the issue at the end of the month.

If the council approves the housing transfer then there will be a lengthy consultation process in which the issues will be discussed with tenants.

Cllr Simon Edwards, the district council's housing portfolio holders, said: "We've always looked to provide the best housing service we can, but all our work over recent months tells us that we will not be able to continue to deliver to a high standard in the future."

He continued: "The council currently has to give half of its rental income back to the government.

"This means we are not left with enough money to provide the service that residents want and deserve.

"Without more money the homes will start to deteriorate and we will not be able to maintain them to a good standard," he said.

Councillors will decide whether to proceed with developing a transfer proposal on January 31.

Cllr Edwards said: "Ultimately it will be down to tenants as a transfer could not happen unless the majority give it their support in a ballot."

In a report, Cabinet members were told that a housing stock condition survey showed that the council would need to spend £323.3 million to improve and maintain property over the next 30 years.

The survey - carried out on 24 per cent of the council's housing stock - said property was in a "reasonable condition".