Vince Cable

The council is having to embark on major structural work to restore a flat above the Carlisle Park pavilion which they have let sit empty, falling into disrepair, for almost three years.

Vincent Cable, MP, has been writing to the council since autumn 2003 appealing to it to bring in a new tenant who can make use of the flat and also keep an eye on the park which has been subject to vandalism. Hampton Councillor Suzette Nicholson and the Hampton Bowls Club have also been pressing for action.

Vincent Cable said: "this is shocking incompetence. There is a chronic shortage of family housing. But here is a flat sitting empty, collecting no rent and falling into disrepair. The flat was originally occupied by a park keeper but after the last occupant was asked to leave the place was left unoccupied. The park, which was once in excellent shape, is prone to vandalism because of the lack of supervision. Windows in the pavilion have been smashed".

"It is not as if the council is unaware of the problem. Councillor Nicholson and I have repeatedly raised the issue and the matter has been widely publicised. There is absolutely no excuse for failure to act".