THE East Riding of Yorkshire Council, (ERYC), is drafting an affordable housing strategy which should be ready for consultation later in the year.

Until the introduction of the 1980 Housing Act, which gave UK council tenants the right to buy their rented council property, this area had a large supply of council- owned, low cost rental accommodation.

These sales have resulted in a massive depletion of the council housing stock combined with soaring house prices in an area noted for its low-wage economy, this has brought about a dearth of affordable homes available to residents of the East Riding.

As if this was not causing enough problems, ERYC is now implementing a policy of offering council-owned accommodation to owner-occupiers.

Included in this category are former council tenants, some of whom, having bought their properties at discounted rates and sold these properties on in today's strong housing market are back renting council-owned property.

This policy can't be right unless the local authority in question holds surplus housing stocks - something ERYC obviously do not. I am planning a campaign to try to change the policies of national Government, and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, regarding the selling off and renting of council- owned property.

I ask anyone who would like to comment on the views expressed in this letter or who would like details of my campaign, to write to me or phone me on 07730 690783.

Richard Bryon,

22 Springfield Road,

Pocklington,

York YO42 2UY.

Updated: 11:12 Friday, June 25, 2004