An independent ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Services saw 92 per cent of Barony tenants vote to join the group with a turnout of 39.9 per cent.

Now Barony members will be asked to approve the partnership with the housing, care and property-management group at a Special General Meeting (SGM) in March.

Subject to the approval of members at the SGM and the Scottish Housing Regulator, Barony is expected to join Wheatley in April.

Employing over 200 housing and care staff, Barony owns and manages 300 general needs properties. It became a Registered Social Landlord in 1971 and offers a range of supported accommodation and registered care homes in West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Clackmannan, Stirling and Fife. It also provides a wide range of care and support services to over 700 people in Edinburgh, West Lothian, Fife, Stirling and Falkirk.

The partnership with Wheatley will lead to over £1 million being invested in Barony homes over the next five years. The improvement programme will make the homes more energy efficient and involve new kitchens, bathrooms and windows being installed quicker than planned.

The partnership will result also in a wide range of other improvements, including:

Martin Kelso, convenor of Barony’s Board of Management, said joining Wheatley would enable “our organisation to respond better to the current and future financial challenges facing the housing and care sectors”.

He added: “Wheatley’s considerable expertise, skills and resources will enable us to deliver new and improved services and continue to strive for excellence in everything we do.”

Wheatley chair Alastair MacNish said: “We are delighted Barony tenants voted overwhelmingly for the partnership. I can speak for everyone at Wheatley when I say we are looking forward to welcoming everyone at Barony into the Wheatley family.”

Barony had previously been working with the Scottish Housing Regulator to explore a constitutional partnership with Irvine Housing Association, though talks were brought to an end in February last year.