Labour council's u-turn on tenant gagging orders (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Labour council's u-turn on tenant gagging orders

September 3, 2010 4:34 PM

Cllr Terry Stacy

Islington's Labour run council has finally admitted that tenants have been forced to sign gagging orders about 'shoddy' repairs work.

Liberal Democrats asked the Executive Member for Housing in June whether he was aware that council contractor, United House, have been forcing tenants to sign forms with a gagging clause before they would be compensated for 'dodgy' repair work carried out to their homes. The Executive Member said that he was not aware of any gagging order.

Recently council officers admitted that United House have been forcing residents living in street properties to sign settlements which mean they will only pay for 'poor work' on the condition that they agree not to reveal the terms and amount. Under pressure from the Liberal Democrats they have now agreed to drop the gagging clause.

Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Councillor Terry Stacy said:

"It's absolutely scandalous that council contractor, United House have been gagging tenants about 'shoddy' work. Tenants should never have been gagged to prevent them from making people aware of United House's 'dodgy' repairs. I'm glad they have seen sense and stopped using the gagging clause.

"But what is even more worrying is that the Labour Executive Member doesn't have a clue about what is going on in his own department! It's about time Labour stopped whingeing about the government and concentrated on making sure the council and it's contractors are providing a good service for local people."