BASILDON Council is cutting ties with the company that had been carrying out its housing repairs after the authority's leader claimed the service has "not been good enough."

Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of the authority, says it will not renew its contract with Morgan Sindall, which currently deals with repairs and maintenance for the council's housing.

He says residents had been left "frustrated" with the firm's repair service.

In February, Cllr Callaghan threatened to "sack" the maintenance company due to what he called the "diabolical state" of houses in the borough. At the time the firm hit back, saying Labour councillors had got their figures wrong and that the firm had delivered nearly 40,000 repairs in 2024.

Announcing the contract would not be renewed, Cllr Callaghan said: "I have listened to tenants. I have visited homes. I have heard the frustration loud and clear: the repairs and maintenance service has not been good enough. That is why I can confirm that when the contract with Morgan Sindall expires next June, Basildon Council will not be renewing it. We will be looking to bring the service back in-house, and work on this will start immediately. 

"This is not about blame. It is about accountability, fairness, and doing what is right for Basildon. Turning this around will not be quick or easy. There will be bumps along the way. But this Administration is not afraid to take the big calls or the tough decisions. This is about building a housing service where repairs get done, homes are safe and compliant, and tenants voices are heard."

A spokesman for Morgan Sindall said: "We are proud to have delivered the repairs and maintenance contract for Basildon Borough Council since 2016. Our priority now is to maintain our service to residents, alongside keeping employees, contractors and other stakeholders informed until the new arrangements are in place."