Tenants of Irvine social housing provider ANCHO voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new partnership with Cairn Housing Association.

The ballot closed on Friday, June 15 and once counted by the independent Electoral Reform Service, 94.2 per cent of votes were in favour of the partnership on a turnout of 60.8 per cent.

ANCHO says the new partnership with Cairn will guarantee an additional £4.5m in ANCHO’s homes in North Ayrshire with the possibility of new homes being built in the area in future.

Jackie Browne, the Chair of ANCHO’s Board, said: “We are delighted that not only have our tenants shared our vision for ANCHO but that they’ve done so in great numbers with a record breaking over 60 per cent having their say during the ballot. 

"We have spent over a year consulting with our tenants and we’ve always been encouraged by the strong support they had for the partnership. This is great news for our tenants and we can’t wait to start delivering on the partnership promises with our colleagues at Cairn.”

The results of the ballot will now be considered by the ANCHO board and then the Scottish Housing Regulator. Shareholders of ANCHO will then be invited to approve the necessary changes to ANCHO’s company rules at a Special General Meeting to formalise the partnership.