A programme of improvements to Chester-le-Street District Council's housing stock to meet national standards will take an important step forward this month.

Tenants will be asked to decide on the future management and ownership of the council-owned properties to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard by 2010.

Residents have been urged to turn out in strength to a meeting at the Red Lion pub from 10am until 3pm on Saturday, January 22, to discuss the Stock Options Appraisal.

The meeting, presided over by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, forms part of consultation surrounding a five-year programme of improvements and follows a series of roadshows.

A capital programme worth £3.5m, ending in March, has already included the replacement of 200 windows and doors and the installation of 215 new heating systems and 169 new kitchens and bathrooms.

David Hucker, interim director of housing and community services, said the full programme was worth at least £20m - but this covered only essential work.

He said consultation with tenants had revealed they would prefer to see full replacement of all windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems.

Mr Hucker said: "To achieve this across the council's stock of 5,000 homes would lift the cost to £50m which the authority has no means of funding."

Mr Hucker said first option would see the council retain ownership and management of stock, but this would not meet tenants' aspirations.

Residents could also opt for arm's-length management, which would mean contracting out of its management, or a Private Finance Initiative.

Mr Hucker said another option would be a total stock transfer to a not-for-profit Registered Social Landord. This, he said, would be the only realistic way of achieving the full £50m programme.

If the meeting decides on a large scale transfer, it could not take place before a full ballot was carried out.

Isabel Smith, portfolio holder for housing and community services, said last night: "This is an exciting time for the council and its tenants. This is the first time we have been able to look at a comprehensive improvement programme for our council housing."