ANSWERS wanted regarding Bournemouth’s council housing shambles.

Disappointing was the reply made by Cllr Charon regarding my queries and criticism of the plans revealed a week or so ago to borrow the largest amount of money in its history – £45 million. I stated that there was inevitably risk, which was part of any loan, in the event of such loans being called in by the mortgagee wherever the monies were acquired, bank or a financial organisation.

Cllr Charon does not disclose the source of the proposed borrowing, nor the terms, or at what rate of interest is proposed to be paid on this massive loan.

Further information given in the first announcement stated: “It will hopefully allow the council to build 1,000 properties over 30 years.” I enquire where in the borough, considering the very limited amount of building land available, is Cllr Charon proposing to build these 1,000 properties. He tells us that “virtually every council in the country that retains housing stock is borrowing monies in order to buy themselves out of the housing undertaking debt.”

Would he confirm that such cities as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Southampton etc, all of which possess large council owned housing estates are entering into the similar scheme of “Buy Out” as is set out by him.

Lastly Cllr Charon states that the commitment described above was in his election manifesto but as one of his electors I can’t find any reference to a proposal that the council borrow £44 million in order to buy out our council estate properties quoted in the election literature I received during the recent Municipal election, 5th May.

No doubt he will supply the public with the answers required.

PHILIP WHITELEGG, Saxonhurst Close, Northbourne