Soaring management costs, low spending on repairs and some of the most dissatisfied tenants in London are to prompt a complete overhaul of housing services in Merton, a damning report has revealed.

The discussion document into Merton's housing services, written by external consultants and presented to the council's overview and scrutiny commission last week, revealed only 60 per cent of tenants and 48 per cent of leaseholders were satisfied with the service they receive.

Merton's spending on repairs was deemed low in comparison with similar boroughs and on average only 78 per cent of repairs were completed on time.

The number of people unhappy with the repairs service has risen from 20 per cent to 31 per cent making Merton one of the lowest boroughs in London in terms of the quality of service it provides.

Introducing the report at the scrutiny meeting, Merton's head of housing, Peter Mulloy, said: "It is important for the council to look forward to get the best and optimum service. The document does talk about the need for change, both in staffing terms and service delivery terms."

Councillors at the meeting recognised the importance of the report and the urgent need for improvements to council housing stock.

Opposition housing spokesman Councillor Maurice Groves said after the meeting: "This report is damning. It reveals poor service and tenants' rents being spent on unnecessary management rather than full repairs."

April 30, 2003 11:30