A WINCHESTER councillor has questioned whether civic chiefs will be forced to "snoop" on residents to implement new housing rules.

Council tenants earning over £30,000 a year will be charged market rents under the Government's controversial 'pay to stay' plans, but ministers have yet to tell local authorities how wages will be measured.

Speaking at overview and scrutiny committee, Lib Dem councillor Martin Tod said: "Is there any suggestion that local government will be snooping on tenants to find out how much they're earning?"

Assistant director for housing, Richard Botham, said: "No guidance at all. Further details will be coming from DCLG [Department for Communities and Local Government] in due course."

The committee approved the 2016/17 housing budget, which council boss Stephen Godfrey hailed as "positive" despite "substantial" challenges.