He was assured that whenever health and safety is at risk, windows would be repaired or replaced. He was also assured that the Cabinet Member for Housing would deal with any such cases he sent her. The Downham councillors have since forwarded many such cases to her.

Councillor Huntbach commented, "Downham tenants frequently contact me saying their window frames are rotting away. Often, the panes are in danger of falling out and they cannot open the windows. Draughts are getting through and making the house chilly.

"When I go to see for myself, I find every other house in the road is the same. The tenants are often frail or chronically ill and the draughtiness is a real risk to their health.

"This is not the first time we have asked about this. Now, finally, the Council seems to be treating this with the urgency it deserves. Tenants will be relieved to hear that their complaints will be treated seriously and dealt with without delay.

"However, I am still concerned that the Council may sometimes try to wriggle out of replacing windows, saying that repair is possible when their own staff say it is not. If the carpenter says repair is not possible, they must replace the window."


26th November 2004

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