A DELAY in solving heating and plumbing problems is making people living in sheltered accommodation feel like “second rate citizens”, a resident has claimed.

Danny Constable, 74, is the resident’s forum rep for Sweetbriar Lodge, on Canvey .

He claims Axis, the maintenance firm employed by Castle Point Council, is “useless” and response times have gone downhill since the company was given the contract.

He meets the council every month and says he has brought up the “misery” suffered by some of his neighbours. Recent troubles have included a 72-year-old woman, who had a leg amputated three years ago, who was without hot water for ten days, and a 79-year-old man, suffering from prostate cancer, who did not have access to a toilet for five days.

Mr Constable said blocked drains had also been an issue.

He said: “The council needs to get rid of them.

“I’ve got to represent the people here, I can’t see them treated like this. I’m in a wheelchair myself, but we will not be treated like second class citizens and like we don’t matter.”

The Sweetbriar Lodge scheme is home to 42 residents. David Marchant , chief executive of Castle Point Council, said: “The cases you refer to are unfortunately two examples of where the council contractor’s performance has not been satisfactory.

“Currently, we are recording an 80 per cent satisfaction level with the work carried out by the contractor.

“No major concerns have been raised through the sheltered housing forum concerning the contractor’s performance.

“In respect of the drains at Sweetbriar these were cleared earlier this year, but the recent heavy rain fall has continued to create problems and further clearance is to be undertaken.”