IN a recent press article concerning the undercharging and overcharging of rents by Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) it was revealed that about 1,200 tenants have been overcharged their weekly rents since a calculation error on 2002.

Around 1,600 tenants have been undercharged and they will not be asked to pay arrears and their rents will not go up to reflect the error until there is a tenancy change.

Those that were overcharged will only be refunded the overcharge for the past six years although they may have been overcharged for about 22 years in some cases.

Mr Andrew Jarrett, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Council is quoted as saying: “I don’t think we should be judged on the mistakes, but rather how we deal with them.” May we look at what is being done to deal with the mistake?

The mistake was made in 2002 and since then Officers, internal and external auditors have failed to spot it although it could be argued that they have had opportunities to do so when Government have issued relevant directives/advice in the intervening period.

Those that have been undercharged will not be approached to pay arrears and this is probably legally correct but that potential revenue has been, and will continue to, be lost to the Council.

For those that have been overcharged the mistake has been dealt with by spending about £10,200 to obtain advice from a King’s Counsel.

The brief to Counsel has not been made public and nor has the full detail of the advice but the outcome has been that MDDC will only be refunding a potential 1,200 overcharged tenants for six years rather than the full term which in some cases could be as long as 22 years.

It may be legal but is it morally correct? MDDC Cabinet Councillors seem to think so as they have approved this action on advice.

Mr Jarrett explains that “If we had to go back further then we would have to let residents know that the money would be coming out of pots for future maintenance and enhancement work.” Some may see this as a fact of life or alternatively a veiled threat! The Council could not really neglect needed repairs.

Will it only be the overpaying tenants who may not get repairs or enhancements done or will this also affect those underpaying their rent if more than six years has to be refunded?

We will not venture into the Housing Revenue account monies being used to cover monies lost by purchasing St. Georges Court, Tiverton; the loss on the sale of land for social housing at Post Hill, Tiverton or the apparent excessive prices being paid for Z Pod built modular homes.

I hope that people will take the opportunity to judge how this “mistake” is being dealt with and let their Councillors know.

Barry GJ Warren

Cherry Close

Willand Old Village

Cullompton