The council could bring council housing back under its own management sooner than its current contract end.

Cited as a "challenging" move, it will see management return to the council from 1 April 2026 - instead of at the end of its current contract in June 2027.

Last month a decision was made to return the the management of council housing back into the council - as opposed to its current provider, ForHousing.

The Council owns 5,300 homes in the borough, mainly in the areas of Ellesmere Port, Neston and Winsford. These homes are currently managed and maintained on behalf of the council by ForHousing.

ForHousing recently informed the council that it does not believe it can fully maintain services over the remaining contract term.

An earlier contract termination has now been recommended to "safeguard services" and "address challenges and issues" within the current arrangements.

Changes such as new regulatory requirements have led to an increase in both the number and cost of reported day-to-day repairs and maintenance issues.

As a result, the provider has indicated its intention to end the current contract by no later than 31 March 2026.  

ForHousing also runs the council's homelessness support service, home improvement agency and the leasing of the council's affordable homes - which sit in a separate Housing Investment Account.

Last year, the council asked tenants for their views on the future management of council homes in anticipation of the contract ending, and against a background of "significant changes in the housing landscape".

A total of 75% wanted the council's homes to be owned and managed by the council - with repairs and maintenance delivered by an external specialist contractor.

Following last month's decision to bring services back into the council, discussions with the provider about future delivery arrangements have already started.

Results such as long-term stability for tenants and direct control of service delivery have been cited by Cheshire West and Chester Council with the new management looming.

It will also manage improvements and adaptations to homes through the Home Improvement Agency, with physical works completed by external contractors.

The Council's affordable homes that sit in the Housing Investment Account will be leased by the council to an external registered provider.

"We now have the opportunity to deliver a housing model going forward that brings the Council closer to our residents earlier than we originally anticipated," said Cllr Christine Warner.

"Given the changed housing environment, to require the current provider to continue delivering services until 2027 risks a decline in quality for our tenants. 

"Because of that, we need to take action now to protect these services. 

"Our tenants will always remain our priority, and we will be working hard with ForHousing to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum."

Homelessness Support Services for Temporary Accommodation, Out of Hours homelessness statutory duty services, the Supported accommodation gateway, homelessness prevention services, advice and information and tenancy support will also be delivered by the Council.

Homelessness Support Services for young people rough sleeping and supported accommodation will be delivered by the expertise of external specialist providers.

Current arrangements for contacting ForHousing, forfutures, HomeKey+ and reporting repairs or issues will continue until the contract ends.

More information will be made available closer to the time to let residents know of any changes on how to contact the new Council service.