A DAMNING report has slammed the Housing Department for poor performance, adding that its capacity for future improvements is 'uncertain'.

The government's Housing Inspectorate lists poor communication between offices, poor management of contracts and poor rent collection as among the failures. It also said the merging of Social Services and Housing had not yielded any improvements, that Best Value targets were unrealistic, that management lacked focus, and cast doubt on the ability of Ealing Council to improve the situation.

Conservative Housing spokeswoman Cllr Barbara Yerolemou called on the council to re-focus immediately for the benefit of tenants and lessees.

She said: "The report is a reflection of the lack of political leadership given to the department.

"For eight years Labour councillors have been distracted by grandiose pet projects, while completely neglecting the basic housing and maintenance services that the council has a duty to provide."

A spokesman for Labour said: "This is only an interim report. The council's comment will be considered by the Inspectorate before the full and final report is issued."