DETAILS have emerged today of two women council tenants with young families being left in homes without heat or hot water for days – with Thurrock Council saying there is nothing it can do for them.

The news has angered two ward councillors who have slammed the authority for their neglect and lack of care and compassion.

The latest incidents come in the wake of a litany of cases of residents living in dreadful conditions in council homes - though their plight has been rubbished by the leading councillor for housing.

Last month, after uncovering a number of instances where shoddy workmanship and faulty repairs had left council tenants living in misery and even danger, Thurrock Nub News issued a detailed report on the failings of the council and its main local repairs contractor Mears.

In the wake of that report we received many complaints from tenants in similar circumstances, often involving children. We have sent the council details of those complaints, which included one tenant telling us: "I had no heating or hot water when I lived in this block for a few weeks and was told to wash my son in a bucket."

Today we learned of a young woman in Stanford-le-Hope who has not had hot water for a month because of a faulty boiler and there is mould on the wall and floor of her council home where she has to look after two young children.

The case has caught the attention of Stanford councillor Gary Byrne who told us: "This lady has been crying out for help but has been ignored."

And this afternoon (Sunday, 4 April) we were contacted by a mum in South Ockendon who told us: "I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I live a council-owned property. My heating stopped working on Friday. I have five children, one under two. I have no heating or hot water. The council contractor has told me nothing can be done until at least Tuesday, do you know of anybody who can help me?"

Nub News contacted local councillor Mike Fletcher but despite his intervention, it seems Mears and the council have no system for dealing with problems over holiday weekends.

Cllr Fletcher said: "I spoke to Aaron Services, Mears' subcontractors for hearing repairs - they said as it's an electric immersion they can't touch it, I'd have to speak to Mears.

"I spoke to Mears and no hot water is not treated as a priority for out of hours repairs. It's ridiculous!

"When you think how much we pay these people and when it comes down to it they just hide behind service agreements. End product, one upset young lady with a one-year-old she can't bath."

Despite the growing concern over its repair policy, the council insists it offers a 'quality service.

Following our initial report, which included pictures of damp, mould and water running down walls of flats, the council issued a blanket statement of assurance, though it was not attributed to anyone.

The matter was taken up by Cllr Byrne who was particularly outraged by an alleged officer comment to one tenant who was reportedly told to use an umbrella when she went into her toilet which had a leaking ceiling.

Cllr Byrne pressed housing portfolio holder Barry Johnson for answers but was told the situation was being exaggerated. He told Cllr Byrne: "I know for sure that at least one of these stories was rectified as quickly as was humanly possible and the so called "facts" around it that were reported were exaggerated and dare I say even fabricated?"

We contacted Cllr Johnson and asked him what evidence he had that cases we featured were fabricated, but he has declined to furnish any. He did say: "I do agree that the welfare of my residents is the paramount concern here by ensuring the works that need completing are completed within an acceptable period but perception and interpretation is a two way street."

The council has also acknowledged the new cases we brought to its attention, saying: "This document has been passed on to the housing service. Should residents have any queries or wish to report issues relating to housing services they have received, they can call 0800 074 0169 or email [email protected] to receive support. More information can be found here.

Summing up, Cllr Byrne shared the conviction that things need to improve and also pointed the finger at Mears, telling Nub News: "It is shocking that these issues continue to mount up. Where is the care and compassion for our residents? It is simply unacceptable to leave young children, especially babies, in situations like this.

"Yes, things happen, and things go wrong - it's a part of life and of being a landlord. But it is the landlord's responsibility to act and put things right as quickly as possible. It's just unacceptable to leave young children without heat or hot water.

"The Council and Mears need to get their act together. Mears are paid to do a job, they should do it!"