MORE than 700 people have signed a petition in a bid to reverse the decision to charge council tenants extra money for services.

The notice, sent out to residents, states that after consultation, carried out earlier this year, the council’s Cabinet has decided to introduce new charges in order to provide a better service for tenants across the whole borough. 

Rob Gledhill, council leader, said the changes were about fairness - and they would free up £2 million of rental income each year which would improve existing council homes.

In a notice to a Corringham resident, seen by the Gazette, it has weekly costs of £1.11 for door entry system, £1.05 for lift maintenance, 49p for communal electric charge and £5 a week for “grounds maintenance”, tallying up to almost an extra £400 a year.

The charges have been criticised as a way for the council to dodge caps on council rent increases.

Tenant Myles Cook, who lives in Grays, said: “This stealth increase in rent is yet another attack on the poor, disadvantaged residents of Thurrock.

“It is more than a lot of council tenants can afford and will only force more people into financial distress.”

Other residents argued they are having to pay for a service that private residents get for free.

One single mother who asked to remain anonymous said: “I am the only council property in my road and have to pay £5 for the grass to be cut on the verge outside when everyone else in the street gets it for free.

“I pay council tax like private residents. This is outrageous.”

Other political parties have also criticised the Conservative administration for ignoring concerns.

But the council, whose full response can be seen below, has defended the move as they try and bridge the ever-growing gap between expenses and funding.

Thurrock Gazette:

Labour leader Oliver Gerrish isn’t buying it.

He said: “It’s frustrating to see these charges going ahead. We have opposed these plans continually.

“The Tories are punishing tenants because of Tory cuts in funding.

“Sadly, they took their first opportunity to bring them in, and now residents are seeing the difference between a Tory and Labour council.

“I am calling on the administration once again to scrap these charges.”
Thurrock Ukip has also described themselves as “immensely alarmed” by the introduction of these new charges.

UKIP Councillor Luke Spillman said: "Having contacted the council today it has been confirmed that the council intend to extend the full charge to detached, semi-detached and terraced council homes if they have a grass verge outside their property.

"I couldn't quite believe it when it was confirmed. It is beyond reason that this Conservative administration could have signed this off.

"I and many members will be asking some very searching questions at full council.

"I am also meeting with the directors of housing on Thursday. If the council haven't accepted how poorly judged this decision is by full council then I'll be amazed."

The Council's Full Response

Following extensive consultation, new service charges are being introduced for some housing tenants to cover £2million the housing department spends on grounds maintenance, lift maintenance, door entry systems and communal heating and lighting.

Rob Gledhill, council leader and councillor for housing, said: “The council already charges many tenants for extra services they receive, such as care-taking and concierge, this is just an extension of that approach.

“It is not fair that a housing tenant in a house in Ockendon is paying for lift maintenance in Grays or tenants in Blackshots high rises pay for communal lighting in Stanford-le-Hope.

“These new service charges will only be used to cover the cost of the services provided to individual tenants ending this unfairness.”

All affected housing tenants were written to in February 2017 and invited to respond through a full consultation.

The issue was put in front of the cross party Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee on December 13, 2016 and February 2, 2017.

Letters outlining each individual increase were sent to tenants in late August.

Mr Gledhill added: “Let’s be clear - the grounds maintenance charges will not be paying for tenants to have their gardens mowed or communal electricity to light their homes.

“What may not be appreciated is that the housing department is responsible for a number of area-based facilities – including 14 play parks, 50 hectares of green space,13 hectares of footpaths, a further 30 hectares of hard surfaces and over 2,000 trees.

“It also provides 4 million kilowatt hours of electricity for heating and lighting in our communal areas, helping to keep 3,000 of our tenants safe in their blocks. 

“By applying these charges more fairly, it will free up £2 million of rental income per year to spend on much needed improvements to our council homes.

“If basic rents had been increasing each year in line with the previous set framework - rather than the 1 per cent reduction introduced by Government - every tenant, on average, by next April would be paying an additional £8.36 in their basic rent.

“The impact of bringing in these charges is at most £7.65 per week, so the tenants paying the charges will not be paying more than they would have if the previous arrangements had continued.

“As a landlord, we want to maintain and improve our stock as well as build as many new homes as possible.

“To do this we need the Housing Revenue Account to keep pace with the necessary requirements of a modern service and ensure tenants are paying for the services they receive.” 

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