Birmingham council has drawn up an action plan to tackle its spiralling repair bill.

The authority has also pledged to rid the city of “ambulance-chasing” law firms. Council papers reveal the impact of the growing “compensation culture” on the country’s second-biggest landlord. Officials have set aside over £7.6m for 2004/05 to pay for legal fees, compensation claims and to deal with the repairs themselves.

This rose from the £4.7m reported earlier this month due to the £2.9m needed to cover late repairs.

To date, 2170 compensation claims against the council have succeeded.

Key areas of the action plan are:

  • The legal services department will work with the housing department to ensure claims are processed efficiently to prevent law firms taking advantage of delays
  • A centralised computer system will be set up by 4 January 2005 for use by housing and legal staff
  • Dates will be agreed for all disrepair cases by 22 November.
John Lines, cabinet member for housing, said Birmingham had failed its tenants in the past but not any longer. He added: “We are fully aware of the need to grasp the nettle and kick the ambulance chasers out of Birmingham.”

Source

Housing Today