THREE former council houses are to be bought back by the local authority in a bid to generate more money as support from central government drops.

Test Valley Borough Council has revealed that it has bought the houses in Andover after months of discussions.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday, June 27, members were told that the sale of one of the homes has been completed and will be leased to Valley Housing Ltd – the authority’s property management company.

And finance portfolio holder Councillor Peter Giddings said that talks are ongoing to buy the other two which will then be let out.

Cllr Gidding added that work also needed to be carried out on the houses in order for them to be let.

The homes are not only expected to generate income for the council but are hoped to help meet the need for rented properties.

After the meeting, Cllr Giddings, said: “The council selected the three properties based on the local housing need for this type of rented accommodation. This followed the preparation of a robust business case that supported the level of expenditure required. The net rental income will be included in the Valley Housing business plan.

“The property investments were purchased through Test Valley Borough Council’s Project Enterprise initiative, which aims to increase the income generated from the council’s investments and reduce its reliance on government funding."