FIVE thousand council tenants are being urged by Scarborough Borough Council to back plans for a new landlord.

Stephen Oldridge, the authority's housing services director, said the plan was for the council houses to be transferred to a newly-established, not-for-profit housing association.

He said: "We have always made every effort to provide a good housing service in the borough, but we know that many homes need double-glazing, central heating, new kitchen and bathrooms.

"But the council believes it will have around £28m less than is needed to modernise the homes.

"The council does not believe it can maintain the housing service at its current standard nor improve it further."

Mr Oldridge said the council, which covers an area stretching from Staithes in the north to Speeton in the south, had worked hard to keep up to date with home repairs.

However, it would need £55m to bring all homes up to modern standards within ten years, but less than half the amount was likely to be available.

A new social landlord, set up specifically for the area, would be able to raise the money and keep rents affordable, Mr Oldridge said.

The new Yorkshire Coast Homes Association will have a 15-strong management board made up of councillors, tenants and independent members of the community.