Southwark’s “mired in scandal” housing department could face an Ofsted-style inspection under calls from the Liberal Democrat opposition.
In recent months, the News has reported major works going millions over budget resulting in potential fraud investigations.
Southwark Lib Dems have called for the Regulator of Social Housing to exercise its newfound powers to inspect local authorities on a rolling four-year basis.
“With council housing in Southwark receiving record complaints, and its major works programme being mired in scandal, the Liberal Democrats are calling for the regulator to inspect Southwark as a matter of urgency,” the group wrote in a statement.
Southwark Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “It’s about time that Southwark Labour’s rotten housing department is exposed for how dysfunctional it is.
“The consistent message we’ve heard is the appalling way residents have been treated. Residents have either had their concerns dismissed or just not been communicated with at all.”
In September, this paper revealed that major works on Rotherhithe’s Canada Estate had gone £1.7 million over budget and seventeen months over schedule.
Residents branded the refurbishment a “comedy sketch” that had foisted them with “whistling windows”, paint-splattered landings and bills worth tens-of-thousands.
Three months later, Southwark Council admitted it had suspended several staff members and could conduct fraud investigations over works on Bermondsey’s Devon Mansions estate.
Major works had gone roughly £4.2 million over budget and 102 weeks over schedule.
A furious resident claimed she’d endured a “prison of scaffolding” and watched as contractors left the estate “filled with cigarettes”.
Labour councillors turned on their own council. “This is a huge increase in costs and suggests something has gone seriously wrong in the management of the project by the council,” said Cllr Emily Hickson.
Meanwhile, local MP Neil Coyle has accused the council of withholding a building report looking into Bermondsey’s Kirby Estate’s £1.3 million window refurbishment.
Kirby Estate residents have long claimed that poorly fitted windows, installed in 2020, are to blame for cold draughts and black mould growth.
Kirby Estate residents blame new windows for mould growth ‘in almost every home’
The Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP said he believed residents had been “let down multiple times”.
In a briefing paper shared with the News, Southwark Council wrote: “In reference to the Kirby Estate specifically, the windows were of a very high spec and the issues with ventilation are being addressed.”
Earlier this year, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said he was “appalled” by Southwark Council for its inadequate responses to housing complaints.
On this occasion, Neil Coyle MP defended the council and blasted Gove as a “hypocrite”.
“The idea he can pour new demands into councils and cut their funds but expect no impact on services is a nonsense and he knows it,” Coyle added.