MAINTENANCE schemes costing more than £700,000 to improve the condition of York council homes have been put off - because of a funding shortfall.

City of York Council housing chiefs have decided to hold back on carrying out refits to kitchens, rewiring in Tenant's Choice homes and on making external wall improvements.

They say the strategy - which is likely to be temporary - is financially prudent because of a £261,000 shortfall in the sale of Right To Buy properties.

But Coun Ruth Potter, Labour's housing spokesperson, told last night's housing advisory panel, that she was "very concerned" by the move.

"These Lib Dem cuts are a major concern," she said.

"They will particularly affect empty properties - that often need improving if they are hard to re-let. The Lib Dems promised to get homes re-let more quickly, but this will have the opposite effect."

But Coun Steve Galloway said if necessary there was enough funding within the Housing Revenue Account to carry out the work. He stressed the schemes were not part of the planned maintenance package, but instead involved a new initiative to ensure council homes which become vacant through the year, were rewired and fitted with a new kitchen if the work was needed.

He said: "We're talking about a small number of properties".

Housing officers are to meet next week and will report back to members in November to discuss the best course of action to take.

Coun Potter said the Tenant's Choice programme was vital to bring York's council housing up to a decent standard.

"The repairs offered through Tenant's Choice are essential to make these homes decent according to the government's minimum standard. We are not talking about luxury extras, but basic programmed repairs.

"Tenant's Choice is a nationally- recognised scheme - because it has led the way in consulting and involving tenants in major decision about their homes."

Updated: 13:26 Tuesday, September 07, 2004