Last updated 15:36, Tuesday, 17 June 2008

SAFETY FEARS: Paul Finley is concerned about the accommodation he rents from his landlord, Ken Williams, a former mayor of Barrow, inset JOE RILEY REF: 0434020

A BARROW landlord and former town mayor has come under fire due to the state of one of his properties.

Paul Finley lives above William Street News in the town centre.

He came to the Action Desk after becoming increasingly worried about the safety of the ceiling in his front room.

The 33-year-old says he has been trying since Christmas to get the problem fixed by his landlord, Barrow Borough Councillor Ken Williams.

Mr Finley said the ceiling didn’t look right when he moved into the property 15 months ago but did not ask to have it sorted out straight away.

He said: “When I came in you could see that the ceiling didn’t look right but I didn’t think anything of it.

“It has gradually got worse with people sleeping in the front bedroom when they’ve been staying over.

“It feels pretty bad now, like you’re walking on a trampoline.

“I first complained about a year ago and me and a friend asked him again at Christmas. He said he would try and get some builders in and get it sorted in January.”

No action was taken though and Mr Finley decided to seek the help of another borough councillor Jim Hamezeian.

He said: “I went to Jim to see what he could do about it. Mr Williams came to the flat about two or three weeks ago and I told him about the environmental health coming out to see the state of the ceiling. I think he is a little bit cheesed off that I have got the Environmental Health involved.”

Cllr Hamezeian said: “They asked me to go around and have a look and then I passed it on to the Environmental Health. I was disgusted with the state of the place. This is not the way a responsible landlord should behave in Barrow.”

The Action Desk spoke to Mr Williams who said he was aware of the problem and was in the process of getting it sorted.

He said: “There is a maintenance job to be done and I am in the throws of doing this work.

“I have spoken to the Environmental Health and the officer was quite happy with the situation and what I am doing.

“I believe that they have enhanced the damage due to the fact that weights were being used in the bedroom above.”

An initial report from Barrow Borough Council’s Environmental Health department recommended that “a full inspection and assessment of hazards” was carried out.

This was due to take place last Friday.