THE comments from Bernard Knight in the article (October 16) regarding the efforts of The Haulgh Community Partnership to improve their neighbourhood annoyed me.

Mr Knight has chosen the press to respond to the HCP, is this his idea of partnership? His comments suggest that there has been dramatic action by the council, but all residents have seen for 18 months is a lot of talk and little or no action on the ground.

Having completed 12 months on the HCP committee in April, I have written and represented people and problems in the Haulgh to various authorities. Over those months this has been met with some good responses, especially from Greater Manchester Police. However the police concede that they can only continue "cutting the grass" if nothing is done to address underlying issues.

There is a consensus that the majority of problems result from anti-social behaviour by some tenants of irresponsible or absentee private landlords. One only has to look at the condition of the some of the magnificent terraces in Bromwich Street to see this. The

council's registration scheme has blatantly failed to tackle this problem. The scheme was enacted under dated legislation. There are no special provisions, which are available under the 1996 Housing Act, to place a management responsibility for tenant behaviour where it should be, on the landlord's shoulders. It even lacks any mechanism to de-register them following repeated problems, complaints or reports from the police!

The Haulgh Steering Group, the council body set up following the death of Carly Bateman, has steered the Haulgh nowhere. In fact until this month, it had reached a dead end. Now it seems to have risen like a phoenix from the ashes, following residents calls for a public enquiry. The Haulgh Community Partnership is here to stay and will continue representing local residents, however unpleasant the truth is for those in the council.

Does Mr Knight honestly believe that local residents want a public inquiry shedding yet more negative light on the Haulgh? The Haulgh is valued by the majority who live there, who appreciate the proximity to town, transport links and strong community spirit.

Calls for a public enquiry reflect the frustration at inaction and a lack of results. So come on Mr Knight, please outline the council's actions.

Ex-HCP committee

member

Haulgh Resident