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Council must pay £1,500 for repair delays
BASILDON Council has been ordered to compensate a family for botched housing repairs - just months after the Echo exposed major flaws in the service.
The Local Government Ombudsman said the authority has to pay £1,500 to a couple who waited 15 months for a leaking roof to be fixed.
Last August, an Echo investigation uncovered serious budget constraints on St Georges, while it waits for £143million Government funds to do up council houses.
This meant many tenants were waiting months for simple repairs.
The latest ruling found the council guilty of maladministration causing injustice in the case of Annalee and Doug Norman.
The couple, who featured in our report last year, waited 15 months for repairs to leaks in the roof and balcony of the home, which damaged their living room.
Despite them reporting problems several times, contractors failed to attend or to complete effective repairs when they did.
Annalee, 26, said: "It was beyond a joke. Even when they did try to fix it the leaking carried on.
"My husband said we might as well move into a tent. We were constantly pushed from pillar to post and even getting the MP involved didn't work.
"It went on so long the ombudsman could only investigate back so far. His report said we waited 15 months, but it started in 2003."
However, the Normans said the money would not cover what they lost in wages through time off work trying to sort the nightmare.
Annalee added: "Once the ombudsman was involved, the council was brilliant. This is what it should have done from the start."
Ombudsman Tony Redmond ordered the council in April last year to pay £1,000 to another couple, who waited 19 months for repairs to the roof and rotten windows of their bungalow.
His report said the council had told him it had implemented measures to improve the service following last year's criticism.
He said: "The fact I have cause to issue a further report a year on would indicate those measures are not proving wholly effective.
"The delays in completing repairs were unacceptable, and greatly affected the couple's ability to enjoy living in their home.
"Also, the time and trouble they had to take trying to get the council to resolve the leaks was excessive."
The council is now carrying out a fresh review of its processes in a bid to improve the responsiveness of its repairs service.
Terri Sargent, councillor in charge of housing repairs, said: "Until I have spoken to officers I am unable to comment."
The council also refused to name the contractor which carried out the work, but said it was no longer doing roof work, although is still working for the council in other areas.
Ray McKay, council spokesman, said: "The council regrets the unacceptable delays in the case the ombudsman has cited.
"The council has made considerable progress in the way it manages its staff and contractors and how it deals with challenging cases.
"This is shown by the reduction in complaints received or upheld by the ombudsman and reflects the positive approach and renewed commitment, which has been seen across the repairs service for some time."
Blocked your toilet? In future you might be told to repair it yourself
COUNCIL tenants may soon be responsible for certain repairs to their homes, the Echo can reveal.
Basildon Council and St Georges Community Housing Association are preparing to consult tenants about changes which could see them have to foot the cost of some repairs.
Currently, St Georges housing repairs service is responsible for all work in council properties.
Terri Sargent, councillor in charge of housing repairs, said: "We are talking about work when the problem was not the fault of St Georges.
"For example, if a tenant was continually putting the wrong stuff down the toilet and blocking the drain, it would be down to them to fix it.
"At the moment it is down to St Georges, which adds to the cost and the workload on the repairs service."
She said the proposals would go through full consultation with all tenants before any changes were made, meaning it is months away from being introduced.
Tenant Slim Kilby, 70, said: "Under the Housing Act it is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the property and drainage.
"This is why I took them to court, to try to stop changes to the tenancy agreement.
"I am currently in the process of trying to take it to court again."
Talks on firm's billing system are postponed
CRISIS talks between council chiefs and their main repairs contractor have been put on hold until next month.
Basildon Council and St Georges Community Housing Association have been holding meetings with Inspace about how it is paid.
Currently, the firm is paid by a system called scheduled rates, meaning there is a set cost for each type of repair.
However, Inspace wants to change to a system called open book, where it can bill the council extra if the repair ends up costing more than originally estimated.
Some councillors are reluctant to change systems, because they fear open book is open to abuse.
Tony Ball, deputy council leader, said: "All talks on this matter have been postponed until after June 5. This is the date when we will know if St Georges has met a two-star status to be eligible for £143million of Government funding to bring homes up to decent standard.
There was little point in further discussion until we know this."
However, Mr Ball admitted there was a contingency plan in place to use another firm called Botes if disagreements with Inspace could not be resolved.
3:30pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Trainman on 4:56pm Thu 15 May 08
[bold]If ALL councils paid their top-brass the same wage as the Workers, then there would be money for repairs to be carried out instead of using the excuse 'waiting for the Government' and simply getting on with the jobs.[/bold]
If ALL councils paid their top-brass the same wage as the Workers, then there would be money for repairs to be carried out instead of using the excuse 'waiting for the Government' and simply getting on with the jobs. Posted by: Paul, Basildon on 5:05pm Thu 15 May 08
The Council have been getting away with neglect and gross incompetence for at least a decade. They now pay the workers peanuts and make no checks whatsoever on how the money is spent and quality of repairs. They thrive on public apathy that allows them to get away with it. This case highlights the power of making complaints and seeing it through to the ombudsman level. So get complaining folks dont let the Council get away with it any longer. It has nothing to do with the money that is available, even when they do send a monkey round he botches it up instead of doing a proper job. It took them three months and four visits to change a lightbulb in our communal hall.
The Council have been getting away with neglect and gross incompetence for at least a decade. They now pay the workers peanuts and make no checks whatsoever on how the money is spent and quality of repairs. They thrive on public apathy that allows them to get away with it. This case highlights the power of making complaints and seeing it through to the ombudsman level. So get complaining folks dont let the Council get away with it any longer. It has nothing to do with the money that is available, even when they do send a monkey round he botches it up instead of doing a proper job. It took them three months and four visits to change a lightbulb in our communal hall.
Posted by: left wing looney, Basildon Central on 5:10pm Thu 15 May 08
Watch that "Tenant's consultation!" Just reject everything they speak about out of hand. These conmen are past masters at this. Once in it will become more and more expensive and only massive petitions will help defend your rights! Look at the con they have worked with the permit parking, now double it's cost when they said it would be free! Plus, the way they are moving care of their housing stock towards the private sector. I hear one of the housing associations is run by some chap called "Rackman!" Well, it could happen!
Watch that "Tenant's consultation!" Just reject everything they speak about out of hand. These conmen are past masters at this. Once in it will become more and more expensive and only massive petitions will help defend your rights! Look at the con they have worked with the permit parking, now double it's cost when they said it would be free! Plus, the way they are moving care of their housing stock towards the private sector. I hear one of the housing associations is run by some chap called "Rackman!" Well, it could happen!
Posted by: les, basildon on 11:48pm Thu 15 May 08
This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.
This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.
Posted by: Lesley on 10:31am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]les[/bold] wrote:
This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.[/quote] But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility.
If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that.
Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?
les wrote:
This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.
But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility.
If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that.
Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?
Posted by: les, basildon on 1:56pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Lesley[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]les[/bold] wrote: This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.[/quote] But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility. If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that. Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?[/quote] What I was trying to get across was that if you have a problem (eg a leaky roof) then surely it makes sense to have it fixed sooner rather than later to reduce the potential damage, and if this means coughing up to pay for it yourself rather than waiting for the council then isn't that worth it.
Lesley wrote:
les wrote: This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.
But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility. If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that. Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?
What I was trying to get across was that if you have a problem (eg a leaky roof) then surely it makes sense to have it fixed sooner rather than later to reduce the potential damage, and if this means coughing up to pay for it yourself rather than waiting for the council then isn't that worth it.
Posted by: headmaster, basildon on 4:52pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]les[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Lesley[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]les[/bold] wrote: This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.[/quote] But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility. If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that. Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?[/quote] What I was trying to get across was that if you have a problem (eg a leaky roof) then surely it makes sense to have it fixed sooner rather than later to reduce the potential damage, and if this means coughing up to pay for it yourself rather than waiting for the council then isn't that worth it.[/quote] If we diddnt fork out half our wages on our rent each month, then i would gladly pay for it myself but as the price of rent is rising more or less by the day, il expect the council to do it! My house must of been bought and paid for twice over with the amount of rent I have paid the council. If you can afford to do the repairs yourself, then great! But not everybody can. The council are contracted to carry out 'most' repairs on tenants housing.
les wrote:
Lesley wrote: les wrote: This report implies what I have been thinking for years - that all council tenants rely 100% upon the council to apply even the simplest of repairs and make no attempt to carry them out themselves, thus making the situation 10 times worse than when it was first identified.
But Les, Surely that's what you pay your rent for? Even in the private rented sector, if you're a tenant, the repairs and upkeep are the landlord's responsibility. If you want to repair your own home, you buy your own home. Not everyone is in a position to do that. Fixing a leaky roof isn't something you'd tackle yourself, in any case, is it?
What I was trying to get across was that if you have a problem (eg a leaky roof) then surely it makes sense to have it fixed sooner rather than later to reduce the potential damage, and if this means coughing up to pay for it yourself rather than waiting for the council then isn't that worth it.
If we diddnt fork out half our wages on our rent each month, then i would gladly pay for it myself but as the price of rent is rising more or less by the day, il expect the council to do it! My house must of been bought and paid for twice over with the amount of rent I have paid the council. If you can afford to do the repairs yourself, then great! But not everybody can. The council are contracted to carry out 'most' repairs on tenants housing.
Posted by: Kim Gandy, Rayleigh on 3:03pm Sat 17 May 08
[quote]Terri Sargent, councillor in charge of housing repairs, said: "Until I have spoken to officers I am unable to comment."[/quote]
That says it all to me. You keep voting 'em back in, you wear the consequences I'm afraid.
Conservative/Labour/
LibDem - one abd the same, All useless.
Terri Sargent, councillor in charge of housing repairs, said: "Until I have spoken to officers I am unable to comment."
That says it all to me. You keep voting 'em back in, you wear the consequences I'm afraid.
Conservative/Labour/
LibDem - one abd the same, All useless.
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