FURTHER to the letter from Councillor Gunther (Vouchers-for-rent scheme "an insult", September 5), I must dispute her assertion that the scheme is insulting to the thousands of people who pay rent regularly.

Bury Metro Council recently introduced a prize draw for all tenants who pay their rent on time, so we have certainly not forgotten those people who pay regularly.

The voucher scheme, together with the prize draw, was devised by a group of officers and elected members working together to build upon the recent improvements in the rent collection service. Both elements were endorsed by tenant representatives.

The intention behind the voucher scheme which, in spite of Councillor Gunther's concerns, will be a one-off exercise, is to encourage people to pay their arrears and make regular payments in future.

The scheme ran during August when tenants were asked to register with us to clear their arrears. In return, we will give them a voucher worth ten per cent of what they owed in August. Around 100 tenants registered and if they all pay, then around £15,000 in rent arrears will be paid to the council. The money we pay out will effectively be nil because the amount of bad debt we have to budget for in our accounts will reduce.

The council is currently owed around £940,000 in tenant rent arrears. However, Coun Gunther is mistaken to state that a substantial number of people owe between £500 and £3,000. Of the 2,700 council tenants in arrears, more than 77 per cent owe less than £500. Indeed, less than ten per cent of our tenants owe more than £1,000.

We are also owed £877,000 by former tenants and active steps are taken to recover this money. However, in common with any successful organisation, we write-off bad debts once it is no longer economical to pursue them. Finally, to imply that council tax money is used to offset written-off council rents is wrong.

Bury housing services has made great improvements in the rent collection service. This scheme is one small element in a vast range of measures designed to drive-up standards.

COUNCILLOR

TIM CHAMBERLAIN,

Executive member for regeneration and housing.