HE firm responsible for carrying out repairs and improvements to thousands of council homes has agreed to end its contract with Colchester Council.

Colchester Council and Inspace Partnerships (Inspace) have mutually agreed to end their five-year partnership for the delivery of emergency repairs and the Decent Homes scheme.

The decision has come days after Inspace ended its contract with Basildon Council to carry out its housing repairs following criticism over performance.

Town MP Bob Russell said the move was "long overdue" and said he believed there were problems over the financing of the partnership.

In January this year, Colchester Council's cabinet agreed to set aside £3 million to pay for the completion of the Decent Homes scheme after it ran out of money.

After a handover period, Colchester Borough Homes will carry out repairs and maintenance and complete work to bring all council houses, including many in High Woods, up to the Decent Homes standard by 2010.