A COUNCIL has finally handed over its housing stock to a new management team.

More than 1,000 former Ribble Valley Council houses were officially transferred to housing association Ribble Valley Homes at a ceremony at the company's office in York Street, Clitheroe, today.

Mayor of Ribble Valley, Coun Doreen Taylor, and Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate signed the document which marked the end of the council's control of the housing stock.

Council tenants in Ribble Valley voted in favour of transferring the ownership and management of their homes to the registered social landlord, Ribble Valley Homes, back in November last year.

In a postal ballot, 86.2 per cent of respondents gave transfer the thumbs-up, with 13.8 per cent voting against.

A total of 1,176 tenants took part in the ballet, carried out by the independent Electoral Reform Services - a turnout of 81.5 per cent.

Housing chiefs claim the transfer will provide nearly £15m in investment for repairs and improvements to tenants' homes in the first five years.

Transfer to Ribble Valley Homes will see about £65million of investment in homes and services over 30 years.

Coun Joyce Holgate, who represents Whalley on Ribble Valley Council, is the chairman of the Ribble Valley Homes board.

Coun Holgate, a former chairman of housing on Ribble Valley Council, said: "A lot of hard work has gone in to getting to this point.

"It's one of the biggest decisions we've ever had to make, but the residents voted for it and showed they wanted the transfer.

"We had to do this, we couldn't afford not to. We had to do what was best for the tenants and this will release a major block of investment in the properties.

"I want to look after the interests of the residents in my position on the board."