Campaigners attack housing plans 'secrecy'

CAMPAIGNERS against the transfer of council homes in Neath Port Talbot have blasted the authority for withholding information which they say is vital to a fair debate.

Spokesman for the Neath Port Talbot Defend Council Housing (DCH) campaign, Huw Pudner, said the council's refusal to provide them with the addresses of council tenants amounted to an "obstruction of the democratic process".

He told the Post an official complaint had been lodged with the Information Commissioner, along with an appeal to the council's monitoring officer.

"We are only asking for addresses, we do not want names," said Mr Pudner.

He said they wanted the information so they could put forward their side of the argument against the transfer to a new landlord.

"There are two sides to this case," said Mr Pudner. "The council is spending £5 million on its camp- aign, and we have only got £500 raised through small donations.".

Mr Pudner said the Freedom of Information request was made in writing last August.

"The information was paid for and a cheque accepted and paid in by the council in early September 2009," he said.

Mr Pudner said campaigners waited more than five months only to be told at the end of January the request would be refused over concerns for "vulnerable" tenants.

"It is as if they are saying tenants are wards of the council," he said.

Robert Rees, the council's head of housing services, strongly denied the matter was a political issue, and confirmed the campaigners' cheque had been returned to them.

He said the authority had received the request but had concerns about data protection.

Neath Port Talbot DCH campaigners were due to hold a meeting today at Dyffryn Clydach Memorial Hall in Longford, at 2pm.