THE jobs of a council housing repairs workforce will be safe for at least the first year after homes transfer to a new management company.

Wear Valley District councillors agreed to retain its maintenance team when an Arm's Length Management Organisation (Almo), Dales and Valley Homes, takes over its 5,000 homes.

Housing committee members were told the team had an excellent record, with 99 per cent of repairs done on time, but may not be successful if it tendered for the contract purely on a financial basis.

Housing director Michael Laing said: "This is the best-performing workforce in the North-East and we want to retain them."

Councillor Neil Harrison said: "Residents would be concerned to lose the faces they know. We currently award contracts on the basis of 70 per cent quality and 30 per cent cost and they certainly meet that."

Mr Laing warned staff transferring to the Almo not to expect huge pay rises.

He said: "There is no more money in the pot. Almo status brings extra capital but no extra revenue."

The council is to submit an application to transfer its housing to the Almo on January 27.