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

The report was published in April, but has only recently received the attention it deserves. Incredibly the report was not even circulated to the borough's councillors.

The report says Lewisham Council:

• cannot demonstrate it achieves value for money in its repairs and maintenance service
• has no consistent track record of delivering service improvements
• the gas repair service is "weak" and almost 5 per cent of tenants remain at "unnecessary risk"

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

Commenting on the report Councillor Mark Morris said:

"This Council is always willing to boast about any report that is even vaguely complimentary but it seems rather coy about releasing information about such a vital service as housing repairs. Hiding bad news is no answer to the problems faced by so many tenants of Lewisham Council."

20th December 2005

Click here for a full copy of the Audit Commission's report (PDF)