THE future of Wear Valley District Council's housing stock could be decided today.

Councillors will discuss future management of the 5,600 homes at a meeting of the housing services committee this afternoon.

The council is considering four options for the shake-up: transfer to a housing association, a private finance initiative, arms-length management and stock retention.

A report to the committee shows that in a second round of public consultation tenants overwhelming called for large-scale voluntary transfer to a registered social landlord. Officers believe this would enable all houses to be modernised and lead to environmental and lifestyle improvements.

The independent customer panel also favoured stock transfer and will ask the council to engage tenants in further consultation.

The council's handling of the issue was criticised by the Woodhouse Close Estate Residents' Group.

It called on the Audit Commission to ensure publications included all four options, after the council said that the preferred options were voluntary transfer or arms-length management.