YOUR correspondent Adrian Wilson is wrong if he thinks that there are "hundreds of empty council homes in York" (November 1)

At the moment there are 61. The vast majority of these have either been let to a new tenant of are undergoing essential repairs.

Yes, there are a few difficult to let properties and some are in Tang Hall, but we have an effective system in place which will bring this type of property up to a good standard quickly. Overall our performance for dealing with empty properties is one of the best in the country.

If necessary, they will be advertised as available for let to those lower down the housing waiting list.

We have over 2,000 people on the waiting list for decent homes in York.

It is many years since any central government were prepared to fund local authorities to build more council homes for rent.

Coun Sue Sunderland,

Executive member of housing

City of York Council,

Farmlands Road,

Dringhouses,

York.

Updated: 09:52 Wednesday, November 10, 2004