THE minister for housing is visiting Skipton for the formal signing of the historic Estate Agreement between the district council and the Greatwood and Horse Close estates.

Tenants on the estates are set for a better future when the agreement kicks in on January 1, 1999. It will involve closer ties between them and their service providers.

Among the benefits for locals will be locally-based housing staff at the community centre to deal with tenancy matters, and an estate caretaker service to do minor repair work.

A specific environmental budget will be set up for the estate and there will be improved funding for welfare and housing advice.

Speaking at the first meeting of the estate's management committee, Coun Beth Graham, chairman of Craven District Council's community services committee, said: "We are starting off well, with the minister for housing, Hillary Armstrong MP, agreeing to attend the signing when she next visits Yorkshire.

"It is an important milestone in the development of Craven District Council's commitment to improving the quality of life for Craven residents, and to their involvement in the decisions which affect their lives.

"It is even more important to the residents themselves. They will have staff on the spot, with a fully manned office. And there are service standards agreements covering issues like housing and environmental services.

"Above all, they will have an active role in developing new services and in the management and monitoring of existing ones. Our grateful thanks are due to Frances Burrows and her team, of the Greatwood and Horse Close Community Centre, all of whom have made an enormous personal commitment."

The estate manager, Michael Hewson, will be appointed to the new role on January 4. He comes direct from the Leeds Federated Housing Association and has wide experience in housing management and "tenant participation".

Frances Burrows, chairman of the estate agreement committee, said: "We are looking forward to working even more closely with the district council."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.