Council ‘hid’ its housing report

The Audit Commission findings criticise Lewisham's maintenance standards and says the council will struggle to achieve its Decent Homes target by 2010.

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Mark Morris is unhappy councillors have not had a chance to quiz council chiefs on the report, six months since it entered the public domain.

Published in April, the report makes a number of damning conclusions.

It says the council:

• Cannot demonstrate it achieves value for money in its repairs and maintenance service;

• Has no consistent track record of delivering service improvement;

• Does not always comply with its own policies and procedures;

• May not achieve the Decent Homes target by 2010.

Morris, who represents Downham ward, believes members should have had greater access to the report.

He said: "The council is always willing to boast about complimentary reports but it seems coy about releasing this information.

"It is appalling this has been hidden from us and not been properly discussed by full council."

The report also says the council's gas repair service is "weak" and almost five per cent of tenants remain at "unnecessary risk".

Cllr Morris added: "This report just confirms what I hear from people during my surgeries every week.

"I have known people who have had to wait for more than a week for heating and gas repairs."

The report concludes by saying Lewisham provides a "fair service which has uncertain prospects for improvement".

Lewisham Council says the report's recommendations "are being addressed".

A spokesman said: "We feel the report did not put into context the challenges faced by an inner-city borough or recognise plans already in place to improve services.

"The report was published on the Audit Commission's website and was circulated and discussed with our tenants' representatives."

The Audit Commission is an independent body charged with making sure taxpayers receive value for money.