MID Devon District Council is trying to retrieve money from the Government - £50,000 - lost due to a late decision by the Government on council house rent levels.

Like most other councils Mid Devon set its budget for 2009/10, printed rent notifications and calculated housing benefits based on Government guidelines for the level of rent increases and then the Housing Minister announced that the Government would be offering help to tenants during the current recession.

Whilst appreciating that tenants would benefit there was a cost implication for the council and it has written to the Minister objecting to a late reversal of a previous decision on rent levels and seeking confirmation that the Government will reimburse the council for monies lost.