COUNCIL tenants in the Fylde have expressed fears they could be duped into voting to transfer their homes to a housing company without knowing all the facts.

Tenants are due to vote on Monday (Nov 22) on whether to transfer the 2,000 council properties to a non-profit making housing company.

Fylde Council is holding a series of meetings for tenants as well as distributing booklets, leaflets and videos informing them about the matter.

But some tenants are concerned the information given is inadequate and misleading.

Leonard Kondal who lives on the Kilnhouse Estate, St Annes, said: "People are being duped into voting for the change without knowing all the facts.

"I am opposed to the move and so are a lot of my neighbours but not everyone is aware of what will actually happen if the transfer goes ahead.

"We have been bombarded with publicity material but it only gives one side of the story.

"The booklet tell us what will happen for the next five years but what about after that? "My fear is rents will increase after that time and a lot of people will no longer be able to afford to live here.

"We also do not know what the incentive is for the new housing company to take over the properties if they cannot make a profit.

"A meeting has been held on our estate to discuss the matter but it was held in the afternoon when a lot of people were working.

"It seems to me the council are trying to push through the vote to get the houses off their hands as quickly as possible."

Fylde housing chairman Councillor Louis Rigby said: "All tenants have been given plenty of information about the move and it is not in any way misleading.

"Details of what may happen after five years cannot be given because we do not know what the circumstances will be then.

"In an ideal world the properties would remain in council hands but we have to be realistic and current government investment rules mean the transfer is the best option for the tenants."

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