SO we have yet another letter accusing the council of wasting ratepayers'/Council Taxpayers' money -- this time by spending money on flats in Crompton Street in Farnworth ("Why should they waste our money like this?", October 6). This accusation, too, is wide of the mark.

John O'Connor and many of your readers may not be aware that the council's former housing stock stopped being managed by the council some time ago. After years when councils had insufficient Government grant to carry out proper repair and maintenance of their housing stock, the Government forced all councils to give up control. In Bolton's case, to an "arm's length company", Bolton At Home, over which the council has no control (other than a minority of Directors on the Board), and to which the Government now gives dramatically increased amounts of money. It is Bolton At Home which receives the money, Bolton At Home which, after consultation with tenants, assesses what work is needed, and Bolton At Home which arranges for the work to be carried out. The council has no control, and no Council Taxpayers' money is involved.

I do not know whether the work John O'Connor describes is justified or not -- only Bolton At Home or the tenants can comment on that. I can assure your readers that, if there are genuine allegations of Council Taxpayers' money being wasted, we will investigate that thoroughly and take appropriate action.

Roger G C Hayes

Deputy Leader

Bolton Council