Over the past few weeks, inquiries by Housing Today have unveiled that at least seven councils could go into next year's round, which will not be officially announced until March 2000.
In Walsall, housing director Joanne Tyzzer said there was "a fair amount of commitment" by the council for a whole stock transfer submission in next year's round.
Tyzzer said that the council's 30,000 units would come with a overhanging debt of around £120m - the highest of any transfer to date - but maintained that this was "no reason not to put in a bid".
She argued that the government would save money in the long run if the debt was paid off.
West Oxfordshire council said it would be submitting a proposal to transfer 3,800 units and has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as lead consultants.
Housing director David Waters said he hoped the transfer would be straightforward as the council had no overhanging debt.
The moves come amid a flurry of activity by councils attempting to beat the deadline for "expressions of interest" next week.
Under government rules, councils are unlikely to be allowed to proceed with transfer unless an indication is made by then.
Councils as diverse as Sunderland, Blackburn and Darwen, Cannock Chase, Calderdale and Chester will also be vying for a place.
Next week's deadline has already set the clock ticking on the 2001/02 round.
Dudley chief housing officer John Stringer said the council would be acting on a recent feasilibility report by PricewaterhouseCoopers which recommended transfer of its 29,000 units.
Worcester council head of housing Peter John said a study on transfer options was underway by KPMG consultancy, but no decision on the future of its 5,200 units would be made until a full tenant consultation process had been finalised.
Source
Housing Today
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