Housing association tenants should choose the council as their new landlord, according to an Irvine councillor.

Councillor Ian Clarkson, who also serves as North Ayrshire Provost, said ANCHO tenants should consider their options as the housing association prepares to merge with Cairn Homes.

This follows news last week that ANCHO’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer have both resigned from the housing association, after previously being suspended over alleged financial mismanagement.

Councillor Clarkson said: “This merger can only go ahead if the tenants of ANCHO agree in a process, laid down by the National Housing Regulator, and have a majority vote for the merger.

“However, the answer to ANCHO’s problems could lie much closer to home, and I would suggest they look at all the options open to them, including the possibility of having North Ayrshire Council as their landlord.

“There would be immediate benefits. North Ayrshire Council houses are at least £10 per week less than ANCHO or Cairn. That is over £500 every year. North Ayrshire Council has a tried and tested, better and quicker, repair service.

“North Ayrshire Council’s replacement programme for kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows, is one of the best in Scotland.

“On environment North Ayrshire Council has upgraded many communal areas around housing estates. ANCHO has failed.

“It is important that ANCHO tenants are made aware of all the possibilities, including the prospect of becoming part of the Council’s housing stock, with all the benefits already stated.

“It is also encumbent on present ANCHO Board Members to ensure that all the avenues are explained to their tenants, in order for them to choose what is best for them”.

An ANCHO spokesperson said “ANCHO and Cairn have been working hard over many months to shape a partnership proposal that meets the needs of ANCHO’s tenants.

“The plans are based on ANCHO still existing and continuing to be the landlord for our tenants and employer of our local Irvine based staff.

“However, we would become part of a bigger housing group so that we can save money by sharing costs on things like management, IT and other back office costs and be able to use these savings to do more for our tenants.

“We have listened to all of our tenant feedback and made sure that the proposals will be able to demonstrate that we can do more in a partnership than we would if we stay completely independent.