Council seriously failing its tenants, says report

Government inspectors say they have found "very serious failings" in the way a council in Essex operates its social housing.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) gave Basildon Borough Council a C4 rating - the worst grade that can be handed out – following an inspection this month.

Shortcomings included a lack of accurate records documenting potential hazards in properties, which inspectors said exposed tenants to risk.

The council said the safety and wellbeing of tenants remained a "top priority" and "decisive action" was already being taken.

Kate Dodsworth, chief of regulatory engagement at RSH, said inspectors were working "intensively" with the authority to ensure changes were made quickly.

She said the case reinforced the importance of landlords self-referring issues to the RSH.

"By flagging issues to us at an early stage, landlords can solve them more quickly and, in doing so, protect tenants and improve services," she said.

The council owns about 10,750 social housing homes.

During its inspection, the RSH visited the council's Home Group team, which oversees repairs, planned works, and health and safety.

Inspectors also met with tenants, council officers and senior councillors.

They found "serious failings" in the council's engagement with tenants and a lack of opportunities for them to scrutinise landlord services, policies and strategies.

There was a lack of oversight of work carried out by contractors, the report continued.

There was also a lack of accurate information regarding the quality of tenants' properties - inspectors said - not least when it came to recording potential hazards.

The RSH said it could not be assured properties were free from category one hazards, which are classed as risks that could cause death, permanent paralysis, or serious injury.

Questions were also raised over to what extent effective, efficient, and timely repairs, maintenance and planned improvements were being carried out.

Inspectors were also not convinced that a plan was in place to address the 4,600 fire safety remedial issues that had been identified by the council.

"The council must make fundamental changes so that improved outcomes are delivered for tenants," the report added.

The report comes after residents living in the Brooke House tower block, in Basildon, were evicted from their homes after a flood in the basement car park.

Nine months on, and tenants have still not been allowed back.

Eunice Brockman, leader of the Wickford Independents group, said she was "absolutely disgusted" with the council's handling of social housing.

"We've always been led to believe that the current administration were doing their best to get social housing improved," she said.

"I'm really sad to hear about this report - it's dreadful and it needs improving. I will be asking questions and demanding answers."

Sam Journet, Basildon Reform UK group leader, called for Labour council leader Gavin Callaghan and chief executive Gary Jones to resign.

"It is an absolutely catastrophic scandal, and it confirms what residents already knew - Basildon council is failing," he said.

"Safety risks ignored, data a mess, and no accountability."

Conservative Andy Barns, leader of the opposition at Basildon, said the report was "damning".

"If I was in charge of the council right now I think I would be reading the riot act and finding out what on earth has gone wrong and how the council has got itself in this position," said Barns.

During a previous council meeting, Callaghan acknowledged the housing service was "not delivering for tenants".

"Our residents are not wrong, and we have to own that as a council, because for too long we have not got the processes right," he said.

Basildon Council said it accepted the C4 rating, apologised that it had "fallen short", but said a new leadership team had been appointed.

It was working to ensure every tenant had a named officer they could contact and the number of specialist anti-social behaviour officers would be increased, a spokesperson added.

Deborah Fenton, executive director of housing at the council, said: "While we have a difficult journey ahead, I feel confident that we can work at speed to bring the service back to a compliant standard."

The BBC approached Callaghan, Liberal Democrat Geoff Williams, and the South West Essex Green Party for comment.

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