Housing committee rejects claims it's failing

The chair of Douglas Council’s Housing Committee has defended its performance in the second quarter of the year.

Claire Wells rejected a claim it was ‘failing on repairs’ after criticism from Derby Ward member Samuel Hamer.

On average, 57.3 per cent of emergency, urgent, and routine repairs had been achieved on target, according to the latest figures.

The targets are set by the Department of Infrastructure.

Mrs Wells admitted the housing committee is 'struggling for resources in our maintenance department' but added she '[doesn’t] think we’re failing on repairs'.

Victoria Ward councillor Ian Clague also objected to Mr Hamer’s comments, saying the committee should be 'congratulated on its Q2 performance, rather than criticised.'

Housing was one of the key issues of Mr Hamer’s election campaign in October.