“We’ll Approach Ombudsman” Threat by Tenants

November 1968

South Yorkshire Times November 2, 1968

“We’ll Approach Ombudsman” Threat by Tenants

Residents of pre-war council houses in Conisbrough, earmarked for modernisation, are threatening to take their case to the Ombudsman, the Parliamentary Commissioner, should Conisbrough Urban Council fail to withdraw their proposed scheme.

Mrs. V. Brookes, of 86, Day-lands Avenue, Conisbrough, one of the residents responsible for a petition sent to the Council decrying the scheme and the rent increase of 13s. 4d., said this week: “The improvements proposed by the Council cannot be regarded as modernisation. Many residents have already done a great deal of renovation to their own homes. The Council have not taken into consideration the money spent by tenants in respect of improvement done by themselves.”

The Council’s list of improvements includes re-siting, and, if necessary, replacing the bath and hand basin; moving the outside toilet inside; tiling the kitchen floor; rewiring and installing extra points; and installing a stainless steel kitchen unit, and warm air central heating unit.

Unjustified

“Nobody has been from the Council to inspect the improvements already undertaken by tenants,” continued Mrs. Brookes. “The work the Council have left to do does not justify the rent increase. What they have suggested is nothing more than a list of repairs that should have been done periodically, and is now being listed together and presented as modernisation,” she added.

In the explanatory letter to tenants the Council say there has been a general demand for these improvements, but Mrs. Brookes who collected all but two signatures from the affected houses in Daylands Avenue, and Ellershaw, Sandal, Harthill, Lewes and Church Roads, says that residents have not made an approach to the Council. “On top of all this we have to meet the cost of our removal,” said Mrs. Brookes. Residents are advised by the Council to move into a nearby house provided by the Council during the week the work is in progress.

Petition

“We have submitted a petition to the Council, and would like it read out at the next public meeting,” said Mrs. Brookes.

Mr. Clifford Ward, Clerk to Conisbrough Council said, “All petitions received are reported at the earliest meeting of the Housing Committee.”

“If we get no satisfaction from the Council, we shall approach Mr. E. Wainwright,” M.P. If he is unable to do anything we are prepared to take our case to the Ombudsman,” concluded Mrs. Brookes.