The timeline to decide on whether to put in a Community Housing Trust (CHT) in Kingston has been extended after a shadow board agreed more time was needed to consult residents.

Kingston Council’s head of housing Darren Welsh gave a fairly bleak housing update presentation in response to the Government’s July 2015 budget, concern was raised about the timing of trying to make a CHT work at Kingston's Guildhall on Wednesday, September 30.

Mr Welsh told the 22 people at the table: “I have no good news this evening I’m afraid.”

He said Kingston would expect to lose just under £10m over four years if the Government’s proposed social housing rent decrease came in.

A board member asked whether it would be the right time to be launching a CHT.

Seeming less optimistic than in a meeting six days previously, Mr Welsh said it was for the board to decide, and there would certainly be a number of challenges, but the CHT would be a “good model”.

Management of the consultation on the CHT faced criticism from board members.

Richard Grosvenor, of Kingston Federation of Residents, said: “I’m not at all surprised that it’s a total flop now and nobody knows about it.

“I don’t know what we’ve been doing for the last eight months.”

Frank Dick, CHT project manager, said an eight page leaflet was being produced to address the problem voiced by many residents being unclear about the proposals.

The board agreed to extend the consultation period.

A decision is now not expected on whether to go ahead with the transformation to a CHT until about February.