A RETURN to council tax collection at area housing offices is being studied by Wyre Forest District Council.

The service has been shelved because Wyre Forest Community Housing, which took over the district council house stock last year, has bought a new computer system for rent collection.

However, it is not compatible with the authority's cash collection or council tax systems.

The housing firm is willing to continue collecting council tax but the authority would have to stump up about £30,000 in the first year to make its system compatible - running costs would then fall to about £20,000.

The council's policy and implementation committee meeting agreed to a feasibility study on costs last Thursday.

Councillor Nigel Knowles referred to the housing transfer "trauma", which saw five Labour councillors defect over the issue, and stressed it was important standards were maintained.

Highlighting the authority's "excellent" collection record, he said: "During the transfer we tried hard to ensure there would not be a deterioration in the service - this is a deterioration.

"We've got to make a commitment to restore this service. I am concerned at the potential suffering due to its loss."

Meanwhile, council tax payers who previously used offices have been informed of alternative payment methods.