Tenants in housing consultation

The council is tackling a £150m shortfall in its housing budget

More than 7,500 Flintshire council tenants will be consulted over the possible transfer of ownership of homes to a housing association or trust.

The process is part of Flintshire Council's plan to tackle a £150m shortfall in its housing budget.

The plan is to be submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government.

The council's housing director was suspended on full pay in 2005 while an independent investigator was brought in to examine the department's management.

Earlier this year, tenants were told that only emergency or urgent repairs would be carried out because of a deficit in the housing repairs department.

In a report to councillors, Flintshire's acting chief executive, Chris Kay, said transferring the housing stock out of council control now had to be seriously considered.

He said: "The financial information now presented demonstrates the stock retention option as previously supported is unlikely to be available to the council."

Members of the council's executive have agreed to appoint a project leader to oversee the recovery plan.