07 January 2005
Council tenants in Preston have become the first to back a stock transfer to a new-style housing association that gives them greater management control.
More than four out of five tenants voted in favour of transferring Preston's 7,000 homes to the Community Gateway Association, which plans to spend £80m on repairs and modernisation.
Tenants will hold seven seats on the 15-strong board instead of the usual five. There will be three council representatives (instead of five) and five independent members.
Council leader John Collins said: 'It's not just a question of bricks and mortar. We fully expect Community Gateway to trigger a wider range of social improvements.'
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