ST HELENS Council is taking its housing transfer message out to tenants with a special series of open-door events around the borough.

Each of the roadshows is designed to make it easy for council tenants who have queries about the proposal to transfer the borough's 15,000 homes to Helena Housing, a new independent not-for-profit local housing organisation, to talk to council staff who can answer their questions.

Fully-trained staff will be available to help tenants and answer questions. No appointment is needed and tenants are invited to call in at any time during the roadshow in their area.

The council is proposing transfer to give tenants homes more than £200 million of repairs and improvements in the first seven years after transfer if tenants vote in favour of the move in a secret ballot later this year.

Strict Government rules mean the council cannot borrow all the money it needs to bring its homes up to the standard tenants deserve. However, Helena Housing would be able to borrow the money needed to bring homes up to a modern standard and keep them that way in the future.

Steve Moore, head of housing services at St Helens, said: "We want tenants to be fully involved in the proposal to transfer their homes. The roadshows form part of the council's commitment to keeping tenants informed every step of the way.

"Fully-trained staff will be on hand to help tenants and answer their questions and I hope as many tenants as possible will take the opportunity to come and talk to us".

Remaining Roadshow timetable

Thursday, June 7, 2 to 7pm and Monday, June 11, 10am to 3pm -- Newton Local Office, Earlestown Town Hall, Market Street.

Friday, June 8, 2 to 7pm -- Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford.

Thursday, June 14 3 to 6pm; Friday, June 15, 10am to 3pm; Saturday, June 16, 11am to 3pm -- Hardshaw Centre, Hall Street Mall, St Helens.

Monday, June 18, 2 to 7pm -- Haydock Cricket and Bowls Club, Ireland Road, Haydock.

Tuesday June 19, 2 to 6pm -- Rainhill Labour Club, Warburton Hey, Rainhill.

Thursday June 21, 2 to 6.30pm -- Seneley Green, Community Hall, Billinge Road, Seneley Green.