Swindon Borough Council has one of the worst backlogs of housing repairs in the country according to a story in The Guardian using data compiled by the Observer
From information obtained via a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Observer it has been revealed that currently there are 1,015 homes waiting at least a year for repairs, and a further 1,902 that have been waiting between six months and a year.
Deputy Leader of the Labour Group Emma Bushell said “It is horrifying to read in black and white that over 1000 Swindon families have been waiting for more than a year for repairs to their homes. It is depressing to see Swindon Borough Council named in a national newspaper among the worst performing councils for housing repairs.
“Sadly, these figures do seem to reflect the amount of complaints about outstanding repairs that myself and other councillors deal with on behalf of residents.
“The day the Observer article was published I raised one outstanding housing repair for an elderly resident with the council that I’d first reported in November.
“There are some brilliant staff working in the council’s Housing team, doing their best for residents amidst staff shortages and inadequate reporting systems.
“However, the primary responsibility lies with the long-term under-investment in Swindon’s housing stock by the national Conservative government.
“We have seen the devastating impact that issues such as damp and mould can have on health in the sick, young, and elderly.
“Swindon Borough Council’s Conservative administration and the national Conservative government are letting council tenants down and our tenants deserve better”
We have approached Swindon Borough Council for a response to these numbers and will update the article once we get a response.
