AN important debate is under way in Bury Housing Services about the future ownership of the council's housing stock. The final decision will affect every council tenant.

A meeting took place of the Tenants and Residents' Association Consultative Committee on February 21 at which a presentation was made on the options open to the council. These include:

Transfer of all or some of Bury's council housing to a housing association;

Creation of an "arms length management company";

The use of private finance to improve the council's housing stock; and

The council continuing to own and be the landlord of its housing stock.

Unfortunately, the presentation was very brief and we were disappointed and concerned that insufficient time was allowed to discuss the implications and the impact of these proposals.

Although TRACC is part of the council's formal consultation structure, it is not independent and does not represent the greater majority of council tenants in this borough.

Surely the local authority know how important an issue this is. We feel the whole process is now being rushed, particularly considering that it has been on the Government's agenda for more than five years. Why do Bury Housing Services feel that one week of consultation, from Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15, is sufficient time to get views on something that is of the utmost importance to tenants?

Every council tenant should know that the council's eventual decision will affect:

How much rent they pay;

Who manages and owns their homes;

The level of investment and repair to their homes;

The security of tenure they presently enjoy with the council.

We feel that the council should immediately appoint an independent tenants' advisor to guide tenants through the complexities of the options appraisal process, and that tenants be involved in the selection of that advisor.

BRENDA HEADLEY,

(Peel Brow TRA),

TERRY SPENCER,

(Princess Parade TRA).