RAMSBOTTOM tenants claim they are being "blackmailed" by Manchester City Council into deciding the future of their estate.

Tenants on the St Andrew's estate were given an ultimatum - be taken over by a housing association or stay with the cash-strapped city council, which cannot afford vital maintenance and improvement work.

Later this month tenants will cast their vote whether or not to go with Portico, the association in line to take over the estate.

St Andrew's estate is an overspill from Manchester City Council. They are responsible for its upkeep.

However, a lack of funds has meant that for the past year the council have been unable to carry out vital repairs. The bungalows for the elderly are described by locals as unfit for living in, needing new heating and vital structural repairs.

This week, Mr Derek Foden, chairman of the tenants' association said he viewed the council ultimatum as "nothing short of blackmail".

He said: "It is an easy step for the council to hand over the estate to an association. But it leaves us in a Catch 22 situation. If we don't accept it then we will not have the opportunity again.

"At the same time if we stay with the council then we will have no money put into the estate.

"But how can they say that in a few years time they will still not have the money to invest, particularly with a new Government?" He added : "We feel badly let down by the council who seem to invest millions into other estates like Hulme but neglect ours because we have so far undertaken to do our own repairs and are a trouble-free estate. But we need money investing."

Mr Foden says he does not know which way the vote will go for the houses, but says the bungalows, because of their condition, will go with the association.

Mr Larry Patrick, assistant director of housing for Manchester City Council denied the vote amounted to blackmail.

"A group including two representatives from the tenants association has selected a potential preferred housing association partner," he explained.

"If it can be made to work then there would be a ballot of tenants first. We won't do this if tenants do not want it."

Mr Patrick added: "Investments and spending on all council housing has decreased drastically. Councils don't have the resources to meet all the investment needs. We need to examine with tenants options for investment - that is the only way that investment can be reached."

Votes on management of council estates are usually taken just once, the City Council confirmed yesterday.

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