TWO Labour councillors have come under fire amid accusations that they failed to tell people about changes to the nearby probation hostel.

Southview Hostel, Borough-bridge Road, is now an "all-purpose" hostel, whose residents could be serving sentences for crimes such as child sex offences, rape or murder.

Most of the local community - including nearby Poppleton Road School - were not told of the change implemented on January 1.

Residents have criticised ward councillors Richard Cregan and Ruth Potter for failing to make the plans public last year, along with York MP Hugh Bayley. Mr Bayley informed all those who previously contacted him about the hostel.

It was also discussed at a residents' liaison meeting at the hostel - but only a handful attended.

Philip Sunley, from Paddock Way, off Boroughbridge Road, said: "They should remember that they were elected to represent the views of local people, and should have correctly notified people in neighbouring streets and the local school of the changes."

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said Coun Potter and Coun Cregan were told about the hostel changes on October 16, 2001, by the North Yorkshire Probation Service.

Coun Galloway said: "There have been several local ward committee meetings held since last October.

"While we do not believe that officials would do anything to jeopardise the safety of local residents there does seem to have been a serious breakdown in communications in this case." A public meeting is being organised by Labour Coun Liz Edge to discuss the issue.

Coun Potter said: "The Probation Service and Home Office are the bodies responsible for dealing with this situation, and the local councillors were only told out of courtesy, after local residents had been informed. I was led to believe by the hostel management that the bail hostel had held regular meetings with representatives of local residents and that there was no opposition to the changes. I have received no complaints from residents about the proposed changes.

"I have asked council officers to investigate the situation further and report their findings to Councillor Edge, so she in turn can relate them to the open meeting where they can be freely discussed in public." Coun Cregan is currently away on holiday.

Updated: 16:08 Friday, September 13, 2002