Babergh councillor on Suffolk housing issues including damp

The new housing team at Babergh District Council faces the task of improving the state of the area's council housing, much of which has been described as being in poor condition with inadequate heating, damp and mould problems, ineffective insulation and insufficient plumbing and electrical systems. 

Jessie Carter, the new Babergh cabinet member for housing, said: "The housing team have done a lot of good work in getting the compliance testing back on track.

Councillor Jessie Carter, the new Babergh Cabinet Member for Housing (Image: Babergh District Council)

"However, I still believe that it is crucial for the council to address these problems urgently.

"Improving the complaints process and conducting regular checks on the quality of its housing stock.

Damp in a council house (Image: Jessie Carter)

"It is our responsibility to provide safe, affordable, and decent housing for all our tenants. I will be urging the team to take the necessary steps to achieve this."

Since the local election in May, Babergh Green Party councillors say they have been talking to tenants and collecting data on the condition of the housing stock in the area. 

A cracked ceiling in a council house (Image: Jessie Carter)

 Ruth Hendry, who represents Great Cornard on Babergh District Council, said: “I have noticed a steady decline in repairs and maintenance. The ‘sticking plaster’ approach and lack of large-scale improvements has left much of our stock in dire need of investment.

Ruth Hendry (Image: Babergh District Council)

"A full stock survey needs to be carried out as soon as possible so we can identify those properties in most need of improvement and give tenants the standard of homes they deserve." 

Damage to the front of a council house (Image: Jessie Carter)

Miss Carter said she is determined to face the issues head-on, and added: "We owe it to our residents to provide them with high-quality, safe, and secure homes."