A housing chief has vowed to pursue troublemaker tenants as Bradford Council steps up its battle against them.

The executive committee agreed proposals to extend the work of the tenancy enforcement team by liaising with a wider range of partners.

It is likely to include selling the service to housing associations in a joint bid to stamp out violence, drug offences, vandalism and harassment.

In a landmark ruling recently, a judge said a tenant who had been convicted of a drugs offence should submit the results of regular medical tests to the Council to show that she was clear of abuse.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, executive member for health and housing, told the committee the case demonstrated the huge support it was getting from outside agencies, including the courts.

A report to the executive from director of housing Geraldine Howley showed that since April last year the team had had 362 referrals - 253 of which were about people breaking their tenancy agreements.

The remaining 108 were about offensive behaviour - mainly in private houses. Odsal had 35 cases, Toller Lane 28, Eccleshill 22, Keighley 18 and there were six cases in the central police division.

Mrs Howley said the possibility of selling the service to housing associations was being considered and a joint package developed.

During the past year the Council was granted seven possession orders for homes in Bingley, Braithwaite, Keighley, Thorpe Edge, Canterbury, Allerton and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

A total of 105 cases were resolved amicably, however, and 104 cases are still being dealt with.

Coun Hopkins said: "We want to give the message to troublemakers that we will go in pursuit of them. The key issue here is fear. Good people can have confidence that we will remove these people and the courts are behind us."

lThe executive gave the go-ahead for the disposal of 16 buildings and industrial units, including the Design Exchange, Mantra House and Merchants House in Little Germany, the Carlisle Business Centre and Business and Innovation Centre.

The proceeds of the sales would be ploughed back into regeneration schemes.

Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Odsal) said he feared there was a danger of the Council becoming an estate agent, regardless of the effect on regeneration.

Officers told the committee that the buildings were costing large amounts to maintain but could result in a saving of £165,400 a year if disposed of.

The committee also approved major regeneration schemes across the district.

Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said it was important to get across the message that the district had a "tremendously good" future.

e-mail: olwen.vasey@bradford.newsquest.co.uk