A bitter war of words has broken out between council tenants and housing staff after a scathing attack on Castle Point's housing services.

The row flared up after the borough's tenants' association openly criticised the way the housing department is run in a newsletter sent to all members.

The article condemned lack of consultation between the department and the association, as well as attacking a delay in drawing up a new working agreement between the two sides.

Now council staff have hit back, saying they have been extremely saddened and disappointed by the attack.

At a meeting last night, Richard Chew, deputy director of housing, said: "I personally was disappointed with some of the content of the newsletter and a lot of the housing staff were also extremely saddened."

Labour councillor Joe Cooke said: "There is no point in having this meeting if the only way you try to resolve problems is with a public newsletter. It gets my back up and I am not prepared to be vilified publicly."

But Labour councillor Jane David said: "If you push someone into a corner, they will fight back. The tenants are just not getting through."

The newsletter, in attacking delays in a new agreement, stated: "We can only assume the problem lies with the officers. Are they unhappy about the idea of working with tenants or are they just waiting for the council elections in May?"

Officers admitted there had been some delay but a great deal of information had to be drafted up before discussions could take place.

Housing director Alan Longford vehemently denied the claim that staff were dodging tenants.

In an attempt to stave off a further decline in relations, the housing department has agreed to meet with the tenants association in two weeks.

He said: "While some staff may be out of the office or in meetings on occasion, there is always an alternative officer to deal with an enquiry or at the very least take a message."

In an attempt to stave off a further decline in relations, the housing department has agreed to meet with the tenants' association in two weeks.

Cyril Grey, chairman of Castle Point Tenants' Association, was at the meeting and claimed afterwards the newsletter had achieved its purpose.

He said: "I know the councillors were disgusted with some of it but these newsletters are useful and they help us to put our point of view across."

"There are things in there that people want taking up and we are gradually getting them done."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.