I WAS pleased to see the Citizen highlight the efforts of councillors to improve the standard of council homes offered to new tenants (Better Homes Appeal, August 26).

Although my comments were reported accurately, I feel they may lead to misunderstanding and would appreciate the opportunity to set the matter straight. In most cases the only work carried out on an empty property is of a safety nature. Other work is left until the new tenant moves in. It can only be in the interest of both the council and tenants to change this policy as a matter of urgency.

What is not in question is the high standard of work carried out by the council's works department and I would be very unhappy if I had made anyone think otherwise.

Councillor Elaine Abbot

Chairman of the works department

Preston Borough Council

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