There is no doubt at all that any transfer of council houses to a new housing association is privatisation.

It takes the houses away from municipal ownership and there is no going back - the houses are lost to the council for ever.

On the proposed management board, elected tenants would no longer be able to act as tenants' representatives. Their loyalty would have to be to the board and they would find themselves in a minority, outnumbered by councillors and independent members.

Brighton and Hove City Council already has a system of tenant participation and consultation which has a development budget, where tenants vote on improvements to their estates.

It is not perfect but it is a lot better than anything being proposed.

At present, there is clear democratic accountability.

If a tenant does not like a council's housing policy, he or she can always vote to sack the landlord.

So far, 98 local athorities have voted "No" to stock transfer.

The new local government and communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, has promised more financial freedom and wants to see her strategic housing role expanded.

I hope she can go a step further and allow tenants the choice of a fourth option, that of staying with the council.

-Councillor Francis Tonks, deputy chair, Housing Management Sub Committee, Wykeham Terrace, Brighton