REGARDING your story about council staff being first in the running for 'fat salaries' from the company which will take control of all Burnley's council houses (LET, September 25), do the people of Burnley realise what has happened in this disgusting situation?

First, who set these colossal wages and who set out the job description for the three jobs available? Was it Burnley Council?

Secondly, where is the money coming from. Surely, not rent increases as that is for the upkeep of the housing stock?

Thirdly, if the so called 'fat cats' are warranted this colossal wage increase, why?

These same people are employed by Burnley Council in the housing department. If they were in the financial league the board thinks they are, then why is Burnley selling its housing stock?

And, lastly, will all the housing staff be getting a substantial pay rise? If anyone deserves one, then give it to the front-line people who do their work and have to sort out day-to-day problems.

I think the board should not be bamboozled by some of the advice it receives from just one area. Why not go to areas where housing stock transfers have been applied or are about to be applied before going off the rails by paying indecent wage rises to three people who work in the housing department for Burnley Council?

If we go ahead, then let the tenant be in the picture all the time and not when it suits.

COUN Granville Lord, Hapton with Park Ward, Burnley Council.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.