The length of time that Council houses stand empty before being re-occupied has spiralled since Labour took control of the Council in May. Now homes can lie empty for over 30 days compared to around 21 days when the Liberal Democrats were in power.
The failure not only means that people in need of a new home have to wait longer, but also that rent income is being lost.

Meanwhile rent arrears on Council properties hit a record low by the end of the last financial year (March 2011).