A BID to simplify the arguments for tenants over the proposed transfer of council housing ownership has been thwarted by red tape, according to Swansea Valley councillors.

The three Neath Port Talbot members have drawn up a summary of the pros and cons of the proposed stock transfer, which will see homes transferred from authority ownership to that of a new landlord if tenants agree.

The summary, contained in a leaflet to be distributed to affected tenants, contains bullet points both for and against the transfer, and is intended to simplify the main issues.

But the councillors — Ystalyfera's Alun Llewelyn, Godre'rgraig's Rosalyn Davies and Pontardawe's Linet Purcell — say they have been unable to deliver the leaflets because Neath Port Talbot Council has refused to provide the addresses of tenants.

Councillor Purcell said: "As councillors, we wish to do what's right by our tenants and to give them a fair opportunity to make up their own minds. We feel that they have been bombarded with too many words and have been told by many that they are very confused. We have spoken to both the council officers and members of the Vote No campaign and have drawn up three summary points for and against.

"We hope that this will help tenants as they take part in this crucial decision which will affect them and their families for years to come."

Council tenants are being balloted to decide if Neath Port Talbot's entire stock of more than 9,000 homes should be transferred to a new social landlord, NPT Homes.

The authority says the option is needed to meet the £152 million bill required to bring homes up to scratch, while it only has £40 million in its budget.

It has warned that jobs could be at risk if the ballot goes against the transfer, as the council will have to find more money through rent increases.

But there is widespread opposition to the move, with campaigners counter claiming that privatisation would, despite the authority's assurances, lead to job losses.

The polarisation of the views led to councillors drawing up the leaflet, which they hoped would help tenants come to their own decision.

Councillor Llewelyn said: "In any genuine democratic ballot both sides of the argument must be heard so that tenants have a genuine choice."

"We want tenants to know all the arguments as they have a difficult choice on how to achieve the new modern standards for council houses."

The issue is part of the Assembly's Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), with which all local authorities have to comply.

WHQS programme manager Claire Maimone said the decision not to release tenants addresses to the councillors was down to data protection.

She said: "The council has, as a matter of principle, always sought to protect the confidentiality of the personal information it holds.

"In responding to requests, the council has to balance its responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with its responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act. The principle applies whatever the status of the individual or organisation making the request.

"The council's concern about issuing the addresses of vulnerable individuals has been heightened in recent weeks following information received from both tenants and councillors that unidentified individuals have been knocking on the doors of some tenants and raising unnecessary concerns by giving the false impression that if the proposed transfer goes ahead, tenants will have to move out of their homes and there will be a hike in rents.

"This is not true and causes distress to some of our most vulnerable tenants."

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk