Yet again I have visited a council house tenant who is living in appalling conditions. She is trying to bring up her 16-year-old son and baby daughter in a flat where the tiles are off the wall in the bathroom and holes have appeared near the sink. Water has come through the ceilings of the bedroom, sitting room, bathroom and kitchen. There is only one plug in the kitchen. This has to be used for a number of activities.

I have seen similar problems in council properties on the Norbiton Estate and the Cambridge Road Estate. Since becoming a councillor in 2002 I have been shocked at the state of many of the council properties. So much needs to be done. People should not be expected to live in such conditions. This is the result of years of under-investment. It is a tragedy that the last stock transfer failed, five years of repairs have been lost. If there is another stock transfer ballot, it is hoped that all councillors will support it.

Coun Sheila Griffin
(Labour)