Until now, council tenants have paid the council for services such as lift maintenance and cleaning of communal stairwells as part of their rent, in a single sum. Now the Government's policy is for councils to identify and charge tenants for these costs separately - as already happens for leaseholders.

Harlow Council has arranged a series of consultation meetings during July for tenants to discuss these changes, and what they mean for local people:

• Monday 3 July, 19:00-21:00, Sumners Leisure Centre


• Tuesday 4 July, 10:00-12:00, St John's ARC, Old Harlow


• Thursday 6 July, 13:30-15:30, St Stephen's, Bush Fair


• Monday 10 July, 19:00-21:00, Moot House, The Stow


• Wednesday 12 July, 10:00-12:00, Civic Centre


• Thursday 13 July, 13:30-15:30, Rivermill Adult Education Centre


• Tuesday 18 July, 19:00-21:00, Civic Centre


• Wednesday 19 July, 13:30-15:30, Potter Street Baptist Church


• Thursday 20 July, 10:00-12:00, GPCA

More information is available from Contact Harlow by email, in person, or by phone on 01279 446655.