LAMPETER councillors run the risk of "demonising" social housing tenants in the wake of claims of an increase in antisocial behaviour in the town.

That is the fear of Cllr Elin T Jones who claims that law-abiding tenants are in danger of being "tarred by the same brush".

Cllr Jones voiced her concerns during a heated debate on antisocial behaviour issues arising from Wales and West properties in Bryn Road and North Road.

During the discussion, Cllr Kistiah Ramaya told Wales and West officials that their tenants needed to be "vetted".

“This whole project is putting fear into the community,” he claimed.

Cllr Jones said she took exception to the remark. “I’m disappointed by some of the attitudes shown here,” she said.

“By vetting does that mean you would rather people to be homeless?

“If people are trying hard to overcome drink and drug problems they simply have to have a roof over their heads.”

Cllr Jones made her remarks during a meeting between Wales and West Housing Association and the town council over the ongoing Ffynnonbedr School controversy.

During exchanges Cllr Selwyn Walters maintained that unruly housing association tenants ‘parachuted in’ from outside areas were to blame for ongoing antisocial behaviour issues.

But speaking after the meeting, Cllr Jones said such an approach was ill advised.

“Whilst it is incredibly important to ensure that tenants behave in an appropriate manner during tenancies for neighbours and community relations - which is currently not happening at some residences in Lampeter - tenants in social housing do not all deserve to be discussed in the same manner,” she told the Cambrian News.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now