Plus Dane to take on 5,800 more homes

Plus Dane Group is expected to be confirmed next month as winner of a £100m contract to manage housing stock in Ellesmere Port and Neston, Cheshire.

The five-year deal is subject to final approval by Cheshire West & Chester Council's executive on Monday 16 April. If the deal is approved, the housing association will take over the management, repairs and maintenance of more than 5,800 homes on 1 July. Some 200 council staff will transfer to Plus Dane and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Plus Dane already owns and operates 13,000 homes in Merseyside and Cheshire. Chief executive Ken Perry said: "Everyone at Plus Dane is delighted that Cheshire West and Chester Council has put its faith in us to assist, not just in improving the management and maintenance of the existing Council housing, but in playing a part in the overall transformation of the area.

"Being a neighbourhood investor means working alongside, with and for the people of Ellesmere Port and Neston. The selection process has enabled us to meet some very impressive people including existing tenants, staff and people from the public, private and voluntary sectors. We hope that we can help bring people together with a renewed sense of common purpose to further improve the quality of life, choice and opportunity for everyone in this wonderful town."

Peter Shaw, Plus Dane's managing director for the contract, said: "Everyone involved in the bidding process is really excited about the prospect of working alongside colleagues already delivering the services for Ellesmere Port and Neston tenants.

"We are already planning for the start of the contract and to begin implementing our proposals as soon as we can. A big part of this is to secure a suitable office base in the area so that the services can continue to be delivered locally."