CUMBERLAND Council needs to have a complete rethink on the issue of social housing a senior councillor has claimed.

Councillor Emma Williamson (Kells and Sandwith, Labour), the deputy leader and portfolio holder for children's services, family wellbeing and housing. was speaking during Friday's (June 28) meeting of the council's health and wellbeing board at Cumbria House.

Members were given a housing update by Chris Jones-King, the council's director of adult social care and housing, who outlined the "harmonisation" process of combining the housing strategies of the four legacy authorities into a single policy for Cumberland Council.

Last April the single unitary authority was formed to replace the former Carlisle City, Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria County councils.

Cllr Williamson said that the proposed review of social housing needed to include the needs of both the homeless and young people.

Council leader Mark Fryer (St Johns and Great Clifton, Labour) said that the council was the lead for hosing in Cumberland area and they were working with partners on the issue. He was critical of some social landlords and the quality of some of the lets for vulnerable people.

He said there should be a review of the level and quality of letting and whether the properties were clean because some of them were not good enough. He added: "It's time for a review of choice-based letting."

Members noted the contents of the report.