BROMSGROVE council is considering launching a housing company to build its own affordable housing to rent.

Cllr Michael Thompson suggested the council joined the housing market at Wednesday night's full council meeting.

He said: "Nobody is in doubt that Bromsgrove has a housing problem, particularly social housing.

"Bromsgrove residents deserve the opportunity to live in good quality and affordable homes in the district.

"We promise to be innovative and think about how we bring money into our district. This is perfect."

The council transferred its housing stock to bdht in 2004 and the housing revenue account was closed down at that time.

But leader of the council cllr Geoff Denaro said they were already looking at a plan to launch a housing company and develop a housing portfolio.

He said: "We have explored how other councils in a similar position to ourselves have tackled this situation and it has become clear that a large number of authorities have opened housing companies.

"These companies take on ownership of the houses created. This approach allows for a far more flexible approach for housing delivery."

Cllr Karen May, portfolio holder for economic development, said the council last year engaged the services of Professor Brendan Nevin - director of North Housing Consulting - and consultancy firm Peter Brett Associates to explore the plan.

She added: "We need to re-balance the housing market, I absolutely take that on board.

"We are addressing this. The housing company that cllr Denaro alluded to is the way to go.

"We have been working for the last nine months on this. We are committed to it."

Labour and Independent members questioned why the findings of the report had yet to be discussed, but cllr May said she "hoped" it would be ready for the next council meeting in July.