THE enterprising tenants of the Greatwood and Horse Close estate in Skipton are one step closer to taking charge of their future.

The estate's Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) is hoping to take over certain responsibilities from Craven District Council in a bid to become more autonomous.

A dedicated band of committee members is beavering away, formulating policies and training programmes in readiness for the day the TMO may take over.

If it does, responsibilities like repairs, letting agreements and tenancies on the estate could all be in the hands of those who live there.

Now Craven District Council has helped them along by co-operating in an Estate Agreement for the delivery of local housing services.

The partnership, agreed by members of the community services committee on Wednesday, is intended to build upon the council's commitment to involving local people in decision making.

Frances Burrows, chairman of the estate's Community Association, said: "I am delighted with the decision of the council to enter an Estate Agreement with the local community.

"Many residents have put a lot of hard work in developing the Tenant Management Organisation proposals, and the Community Association now looks forward to building on this and working positively and constructively with the council in developing services for the estate."

Coun Beth Graham, chairman of the community services committee, added: "The agreement will enable us to continue to develop our housing services locally from the estate, and this will be done with the willing co-operation and involvement with the local community."

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