THOUSANDS of council tenants are being urged to share their views on the proposed transfer of homes to a new housing group.

People living in the 9,200 local authority homes across Sedgefield have until Saturday to make formal comments about the suggested shake- up.

Sedgefield Borough Council hopes to transfer its entire housing stock to a non-profit making organisation, called Sedgefield Housing, formed by the council and Sunderland Housing Group.

Throughout the spring, the council has carried out consultation including literature, public meetings, road shows and doorstep visits in a bid to ensure people are fully informed.

A final public meeting for residents from anywhere in Sedgefield will be held at St Luke's Hall, Ferryhill, on Monday, at 6pm.

Officers now need to gather feedback, which will be put before the full council on Friday, to consider the results, and decide whether to hold a vote on the proposal.

If a vote is held, it will be administered by the independent Electoral Reform Ballot Services.

Chief executive Norman Vaulks said: "Officers and councillors think this is a good deal.

"We want to make sure it would be to the benefit of council tax payers in the whole borough.

"We believe it would bring millions of pounds of development into the area, because a housing group could access different funds and money wouldn't seep out of the borough into the Government's national pot.

"Ultimately, residents will decide, so we want as many comments as possible.

"Based on that information, we can advise the council on what we think they should do."

However, the proposal has been met with opposition from unions and local campaign groups who believe it is a form of privatisation that will lead to a decline in service, the loss of democracy and hidden extra costs to tenants.

Last night, the GMB Congress pledged to join the campaign to stop the transfer.

Regional secretary Tom Brennan said: "There is no need to surrender this valuable asset when the financial resources generated within the council are being spirited away to central government, instead of being used to maintain quality council housing for the people of Sedgefield."