Eastbourne Borough Council is to consult residents on a radical shake-up in the management of its housing stock.

It is considering bringing in the private sector to help manage its homes, which need more than £80 million spent on them over the next decade to bring them up to a decent standard.

Council bosses believe it may provide greater opportunities for investment and improvement to its stock.

The Argus revealed that 70 per cent of council homes in Eastbourne currently fall below Government-set decency standards.

A further 26 per cent are expected to fail the standard by 2010 as building parts reach the end of their life span.

As of April 1, 2,799 homes in Eastbourne failed the standard out of a total of 4,026.

However, many authorities, including Eastbourne, are being hampered in their efforts to reach it because of lack of investment.

In an effort to raise investment, the council is looking to the private sector which could bring in vital funding to improve the homes.

Under the scheme, the council remains the landlord, continuing to set rents in line with Government targets.

However, the management of services would be taken over by the private firm which will be governed by a board of council, tenant and independent representatives.

Cabinet members agreed that consultation go ahead with tenants, leaseholders and the wider community before a final decision is taken.