FOLLOWING your lead article on the front page of the Bolton Evening News on Monday, relating to CCTV charges, I would like to confirm the following details with you.

Last year the Council went through an extensive consultation process, which included an individual letter of advice to all affected tenants. This invited them to make their views known. After considering all the comments that were made, the council decided to levy a charge for part of the cost of this service.

The council has not only a legal obligation to inform tenants of any change to their tenancy agreements, but must also advise them of their legal rights, should they not be willing to accept the new tenancy conditions. Similar notices have been issued whenever there has been any previous change of the conditions.

There has never been any intention by the Council to encourage tenants to quit their homes, and if this is how our letter has been interpreted, then I would like to extend my apologies to those tenants.

Jeff Smethurst

Chief Housing Officer