RESIDENTS living in council houses in Ramsbottom have been urged to lend their support to a body set up to run their homes and bid for government cash.

They will be asked for their views on Bury Metro Council's progress in improving their homes during an information day on Tuesday, August 19.

After a long consultation exercise with a panel of tenants, the council are to set up an ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation) which would consist of councillors, tenants and representatives from independent bodies.

But this can only be set up if the government is satisfied the organisation has the support of the tenants and could build and improve the housing service to a two star rating.

If the ALMO was approved by the department of the deputy prime minister, it would be able to bid for a share of £323million for 2003/2004, £851million for 2004/2005 and £820million for 2005/2006 which would go towards improving tenants' homes.

Ramsbottom councillor Sheila Magnall said: "There's some consultation which has been carried out by a panel of residents, councillors and other people to see which option the tenants would prefer. Now the information caravans are going out to all the council estates so that people can go along and see the proposals and find out more.

"Another option was to transfer the stock to the housing association but they didn't like that idea.

"The ALMO means the council would retain ownership of the housing stock but a management organisation would be set up with tenants, councillors and independent people to run it.

"The aim of this is to bring more cash in. All council houses have to reach a certain standard by 2010, so the plan is all linked in with that too."

A mobile council caravan will be in Ramsbottom between 9.30am and 11am opposite shops in Newcombe Road, Summerseat, between 12.30pm and 2pm at Peel Brow School car park, and between 2pm and 4pm opposite York Drive, Hazelhurst.