by Suzy Shanley

sshanley@thekmgroup.co.uk

Council tenants in Gravesend have been promised they won't be evicted under new government rules.

The assurance from Gravesham council leader Cllr Mike Snelling follows a warning letter delivered to up to 4,000 council homes in the borough by the local Labour party.

Council tenants are being encouraged by Labour councillors to lobby Parliament over plans to introduce fixed-term tenancies as short as two years.

As part of its Localism Bill, the new coalition government is consulting all local authorities on proposals which would effectively rule out the current 'social home for life' guarantee.

Cllr Snelling (Con) told existing tenants: "You have our personal assurance that you are secure in your homes and should disregard any letter which suggests otherwise."

For the full story see this week's Gravesend Messenger, out tomorrow (Thursday).