A SCHEME to give residents a greater say in the running of their estate is to take a step forward.

Plans are being drawn up to hold a ballot in the Central Estate area of Hartlepool to form a management team, which could be running by April.

It is part of a Neighbourhood Management Initiative (NMI) to encourage people to become more involved in the day-to-day affairs of their community, in partnership with the borough council.

Ultimately, residents stand to gain greater influence over the way housing and environmental services operate.

The NMI began earlier this year, and a group of residents has been working with Banks of the Wear, an independent agency brought in by the council to explore options for residents to get involved in running the estate.

Cath Purdy, assistant director of neighbourhood services, said: "The steering group is made up of a number of very able and committed people, and the whole community is to be given a chance to say which residents will be on the interim management body.