In response to the Bolton Evening News' headline "Bonus scheme for good tenants" November 9, I wish to ask the question why should council tenants receive rewards such as free holidays abroad just because they are not in arrears with their rent and are looking after their property.

After all when they sign their tenancy agreement, this is what they are obliged to do in the first place.

Council tenants already benefit from low cost accommodation which includes free repairs to their properties. Also many tenants are unemployed and in receipt of housing benefits which is funded by the tax payers.

Although I am not opposed to people receiving these benefits, what I am opposed to is the people who pay tax having to fund free holidays for those who do not pay into the system.

What about all the home owners who pay substantially more in mortgage payments each month, and who have to pay for the upkeep and maintainence of their homes. Many home owners pay all this as well as extortionate amounts of council tax, with a reduced level of service from the local council authorities. Are they going to be rewarded with free holidays for good behaviour and payments of council tax on time.

Let's get real Bolton Council you should be doing more to improve the services which you have cut instead of wasting more of people's hard earned money handing out freebies, we all deserve to live in a much nicer and cleaner town.

P Murphy

Bolton