The "next steps" to take properties run by a Bury social housing association back under council control will be unveiled next month.

Last week, it was reported that an independent "test of opinion" survey found that nine out of 10 Six Town Housing tenants who took part support the proposal for the local authority to take back direct management of its 7,700 houses.

Six Town Housing was set up as an arm’s length management organisation (ALMO) in 2003 with its own board and staff.

It has been responsible for the day-to-day running of the council’s housing stock since then, from collecting rent to carrying out repairs.

But after the housing association's chief executive Sharon McCambridge announced her retirement last year, the council opted to carry out a review of the "options for the future of Six Town Housing".

And in May, the council set out plans to take control of local authority housing again.

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Cllr Clare Cummins, cabinet member for housing services at the council, said: “We all want to ensure that our tenants receive an excellent service, and that Bury has quality homes in successful communities.

“While Six Town Housing has delivered housing services to tenants on behalf of the council for many years, there are now significant changes in regulation and new legislation and the council is committed to improve and integrate services to our tenants and residents and improve the quality of the housing and estates.”

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A report that was presented to the council’s cabinet on Thursday, October 5 revealed that 90.5 per cent of the 771 tenants who responded to the survey supported the council's proposal to deliver the service directly.

The feedback also identified 300 residents who said they were interested in getting more involved in activity on their estate.

The council is set to release more details about the plans next month.

Cllr Cummins added: “I am delighted that tenants are hugely in favour of our proposals, and we will be bringing another report to the cabinet in November setting out the next steps.”