RESIDENTS of Collins House in Stanford-le-Hope started the new year in temporary accommodation following yesterday's power failure at the Thurrock Council run complex.

The complex, which houses up to 45 single elderly residents, including some with dementia, was closed overnight (31 December) and remains empty this morning as council contractors from the Mears company work on site to try and rectify the problem.

A member of staff at the home assured well-wishers that all the residents were 'fine and being looked after safely'.

No timescale has been put on completion of the works and no update on what has caused the problem but council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill said last evening: "Our priority remains the care of our residents at Collins House as well as keeping their families updated. We will of course send updates when there is something meaningful to report. This is likely to be once we are clear on what has caused the fault and how long it will take to resolve."

Meanwhile two Stanford area councillors, who have both praised the authority for its rapid response to the emergency and ensuring the safety of residents, say the problem may be symptomatic of a lack of care and investment in some of the borough's properties.

Cllr Shane Ralph said: "This has been a been a bit of job but council have done well. Let's hope the electricians fix it asap. Unfortunately the location is out of date and needs a lot of work."

His independent group colleague, Cllr Gary Byrne said: "A lot of the council's older assets are in need of love and cash. Both are difficult to get out of Thurrock Council."

Cllr Byrne went on to question the council's management process to ensure proper maintenance, saying: "Thurrock Council have tried to do dilapidation checks over December on all their assets as per normal they cocked it up organised and paid a company to carry out inspections.

"One problem they didn't tell the sites about it so the inspectors were turned away on arrival or the sites were closed. More wasted ratepayers' cash."