Ealing to bring management of housing stock back under council control

The London Borough of Ealing is to bring the management of its housing stock back under council control.

The plan, which was backed by Ealing’s Cabinet earlier this week, will come into effect after 31 March 2011. This is the date that the authority’s agreement with Ealing Homes, the current housing management organisation, comes to an end.

A survey of tenants and leaseholders found that 61% supported the move, with 33% of respondents saying either they did not know or did not have an opinion. Just 6% opposed the transfer back to council control.

The council said its officers and Ealing Homes would work closely together on detailed plans for a smooth transfer.

Ealing’s Leader, Cllr Julian Bell, said: "We know that tenants and leaseholders want to see improvements to the way their homes are run, so I’m delighted that they back our decision to bring housing management back under the council’s direct control.

“We strongly believe that this decision will not only allow us to improve services, but also help us to save money through ending needless duplication. "