Tenants turn out to choose first-ever elected tenants' group

Twelve tenants' representatives were chosen as well as one person to represent leaseholders.

The count was held in the council's offices on Tuesday under the supervision of Peter Stevens, electoral services manager for the council.

One of the successful candidates, Ron Stoker from Marlow, now 80 and a Wycombe Wanderers footballer before the war, said afterwards that the important issue for him was rents.

He said it was wrong that some council tenants had to subsidise the rents of those who did not get enough money. The anomaly occurs because the housing benefit of tenants who qualify comes out of the housing budget. He has written to Tony Blair on the subject.

As a result, a proportion of the weekly rent goes to make up the benefit cash. This doesn't happen in private accommodation, where the taxpayer foots the benefit bill.

Mr Stoker said he had worked till he was 71 to get an increased pension and it was wrong that he should have to subsidise other tenants.

"It must be sorted out," he said.

Paul Lambourne was chosen to represent the leaseholders. He lives at Hicks Farm, High Wycombe and bought his Star Block home 15 years ago.

He said that something had to be done about the Star Blocks.

Among those elected was Labour district councillor Clare Martens. Two of the successful candidates Anthony Emmerson and David Gray said Mrs Martens should not have stood as she could find she had a conflict of interest.

Cllr Ted Collins, Mrs Marten's leader on the district council, said her position had been discussed.

He said that where she felt there was a conflict or there was a consensus that there was a conflict she would not take part.

"Mrs Martens is very conscientious and strict about this," he said.

The tenants' group will hold its first meeting next month and also select members to join the joint panel with district councillors which already exists to discuss tenants' issues.