Rutland County Council approached the Government for permission to consider selling off its housing stock. It has now agreed for Rutland to be added to this year's disposals programme which means a consultation with residents is likely to start soon.

The decision to consider a sell-off was made because of the soaring cost of house repairs. The council can't afford to maintain the homes at a reasonable standard and wanted the option of selling them to a housing association which has more cash available to upgrade them.

On Tuesday members of Rutland County Council will vote on whether to go ahead with the consultation process to explore the option of selling off its homes.

Spire Homes, the company which already manages council housing in Rutland, has made an offer to take over the houses. The offer includes a one-off payment to the council, the promise of improvements to the homes and a better level of service.

If councillors agree, a two-month consultation process with residents will begin. Tenants will have the final say on whether their homes are sold through a ballot.

Councillors will discuss the plans at a meeting on Tuesday at Catmose in Oakham at 9.30am. The meeting is open to the public.