THE Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, has today (Tuesday 26 September) announced the temporary suspension of the grounds maintenance service charge for council tenants.
Cllr Gledhill, who is responsible for council housing in the borough, said: “I have received more detailed information, have listened to tenants and other elected members, have visited tenants in their homes and reflected on the information I have received.”
“From this, I feel that there are a number of anomalies identified in the grounds maintenance charge and will be suspending it with immediate effect.”
“I have spoken to my Cabinet colleagues and to the Chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee to start the process of a full review.”
“We will be writing to tenants about this change in the coming days. This temporary suspension is for the grounds maintenance charge only, the other charges will remain in force.”
Only the charge associated with grounds maintenance has been suspended – service charges for lift maintenance, door entry systems and communal heating and lighting will still become active on 2 October.
Cllr Luke Spillman, Chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “I’d like to thank Cllr Gledhill for considering the argument we and many residents put to him. Calling for a review of the grounds maintenance charges was the correct decision in the circumstances.
“The grounds maintenance charges will remain suspended until the conclusion of the review, then will be considered by the committee and then Cabinet in the coming months.”
