A LEAKED council document has criticised Chester-le-Street District Council's housing department.

A week after the authority trumpeted a survey showing that most residents were satisfied with their services, a best value review of housing services, seen by The Northern Echo, paints a much bleaker picture.

A list of criticisms include:

l a lack of professional respect and trust of staff for their managers.

l Only half of the 5,600 tenants are satisfied with the handling of anti-social residents.

l Direct Labour Organisation workers carry out work to suit themselves, not the tenants.

l A lack of investment caused by low rent and council tax levels.

Council officers say they are addressing the problems and are appointing a housing service manager to tackle proposed changes.

Council bosses, who said the report could not be published until after the General Election because of government protocols, are planning to merge public works and housing to create a "seamless" service for tenants.

Council leader Councillor Malcolm Pratt said: "The council takes its responsibilities as a service provider very seriously.

"We are awaiting the inspectors' report into our housing service and will consider their views carefully."