YOUR report, 'York council tenant's heating woe' (March 4), paints the picture of the council leaving an elderly tenant in freezing conditions without any heating.

This was not the case.

Mrs Drury informed the council her fire wasn't working properly on February 24. Given that it was her only source of heating, it was classed as an emergency and someone attended the same day.

The fire was found to be working but not at full capacity.

An assessment of the fire was carried out and the necessary replacement part was ordered.

At no time was the tenant left without heating, on the contrary, the fire was working and the tenant was also offered additional temporary heaters which were declined.

Following Mrs Drury's initial contact on February 24, no further contact was received until late on Friday evening from yourselves.

Following your inquiry and given the time, late Friday evening, we were unable to confirm that the fire was working and we were concerned that two elderly tenants, both reported as being in their 80s, were without heating after refusing the offer of temporary heating.

An emergency visit by a social worker was arranged that evening to assess the tenants' needs and ensure they were met.

During the visit it was identified that the fire was working and the tenants were not in any immediate need. The fire has now been replaced.

The council has also agreed to install central heating as part of the backfill programme for Tenants' Choice because it was not included as part of the full Tenants' Choice works previously carried out to this property while let to the previous tenant.

I am disappointed that the article did not reflect the realities of the situation and portrayed the council as uncaring and leaving this elderly woman without heating, when it can be seen that this is quite clearly not the case.

The council went to great lengths to ensure the tenant was not in any need.

Steve Waddington,

Assistant Director Housing Services,

City of York Council.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, March 10, 2004