CIVIC chiefs are set to vote this evening against dissolving Poole Housing Partnership (PHP).

Borough of Poole's (BOP) cabinet is being asked to back the current arrangement with PHP, following recommendations from the council's overview and scrutiny committee which met in December.

However, tonight's recommendation does stress the council should "reset" its relationship with PHP.

PHP is the arms length management organisation which deals with the day-to-day running of the borough's social housing stock.

There had been calls within BOP to bring management back in-house, in a bid to save money.

Last year consultant firm Campbell Tickell was tasked by the council to carry out an independent strategic review of its management options.

The residents' response was an overwhelming 89 per cent customer satisfaction rating for PHP.

Indeed, a petition backing PHP signed by 350 of its tenants was also handed in a BOP's headquarters.

Avril King, chairman of the tenant involvement and empowerment panel at Sterte Court, said: "I'm a tenant with PHP and the help they've given to our community has been beyond amazing. Whereas, BOP, you have to struggle to get anywhere with them."

Concerned residents also demonstrated outside the Civic Centre in December.

While the Campbell Tickell report stressed PHP did a lot of things well, it also highlighted concerns over the organisation's "engagement with the council."

Doubts over the effectiveness of the PHP board were also raised in the study.

Tonight BOP cabinet members are being asked to approve the following: "We propose that the council, at this point, continues with the current arrangement, but resets its relationship between the council and Poole Housing Partnership as outlined in the independent report to the overview and scrutiny committee."

Normally, a further review of housing services would not take place until at least five years, but because of the looming 'super-council' decision - which could see BOP merging with Bournemouth Council and Christchurch - cabinet has been asked to reconsider this time limit.

The recommendation continues: "It would seem appropriate to create the opportunity for any new council to undertake a review and make decisions earlier than the normal five year period.

"Therefore, it would be prudent to pursue legal advice on the possibilities of having an earlier break clause to the PHP/council agreement."

BOP's cabinet is set to meet at 7pm.