Southend Council could be brought into "disrepute" if it does not reassess the use of 1,000 empty homes according to veteran politician Reg Copley.
Father of the Council Reg is to continue his quest for the homes to be used to bring in more council tax for services and help bring down the area's homeless numbers.
The St Luke's Ward councillor was angered last year when the council failed to respond to a Government consultation paper which offered councils the opportunity to lease out empty properties.
He says figures show that if the 1,000 homes, which are empty in the area were leased out, the council could be making an extra £400,000 per year. Mr Copley said: "I am angered by this and I think the council could be brought into disrepute if news of this reached higher ranks.
"Personally, I cannot tolerate homes without people, when there are people without homes."
Published Monday January 5, 2004
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