THE transfer of Caerphilly’s 10,980 council houses to a social landlord will move a step closer tomorrow, with its cabinet recommended to approve the contents of an offer document for residents.

This contains 85 pages, outlining the benefits of a transfer to housing association Castell Mynydd, with the cabinet also recommended to approve asking the Welsh Government for permission to use it in formal consultation before proceeding to a ballot.

A foreword by council leader Allan Pritchard reads: “This is the biggest decision the council has ever asked tenants to make and could lead to the largest amount of money ever being spent on your homes and estates.”

He says that the council is currently unable to borrow sufficient money to meet the Welsh Government’s housing quality standard for 30 years from 2012.

The document states that Castell Mynydd could bring all homes up to the standard by 2017, spending £173 million in the first five years alone.

During this period, Castell Mynydd pledges to fit 9,918 new kitchens, 7,150 new bathrooms, 4,033 new boilers, 2,050 new heating systems, 4,090 new doors and 1,163 replacement windows.

An extra £13 million would go on improving estates, £26 million on improving insulation in 2,300 properties and £150,000 would be budgeted for tenants to get involved in decision-making.

Other proposed improvements include £9.9 million for fences, gates and paths, £6.5 million for roofing and £8.2 million for dealing with asbestos.

Castell Mynydd would also be able to spend up to £400,000 a year on extra services such as an expanded tenant participation service and strengthened antisocial behaviour service.

It is proposed that the ballot takes place over four weeks at the end of the year. If tenants vote in favour, the transfer will happen by the end of 2012.

It is proposed the new social landlord would be run by a board of 15 people. This would comprise of five elected tenants, five people appointed by the council and five independent people.

At its meeting tomorrow, the cabinet will be asked to approve the document and recommend that the council agrees on its content.

The council will then seek approval from the Welsh Government for formal consultation and a ballot.