The number of disabled and elderly people in Basildon waiting for much-needed work on their homes is amongst the highest in the county.

One hundred people have been told they are eligible for help but are waiting for Basildon Council to start work.

Tendring is the worst of the county's 12 district councils, with 148 people on the waiting list.

Basildon Council chiefs said the figures did not reflect the district's large population, while recent policy changes may also have been important.

The work involves essential alterations to homes to help the elderly and disabled lead independent lives.

Special toilets, handrails and tailored kitchens make life easier and safer both for the disabled and their carers while also taking the strain off social services.

County councillor Roy Smith, Labour's social services spokesman, called for an investigation into the delays.

He said: "It is most important that in community care people who need this support in their own homes should have urgent attention.

"Particularly disabled and elderly people because it means they can keep mobile and independent.

"I hope things are investigated to ensure we can deliver the best service we can."

Essex County Council decides who is eligible for the adaptations.

However, it is up to district councils to implement and pay for the changes and there are big discrepancies between local authorities about how and when the adaptations are made.

Third worst is Maldon with 96 people on the waiting list, followed by Colchester with 79. There are just five in Chelmsford.

Basildon Council chiefs said some cash from the 1998/99 budget for adapting homes had been put into a new project called Transfer Plus.

The scheme aims to get the elderly and disabled into new accommodation rather than overhauling their homes.

Councillor Paul Kirkman, chairman of the council's housing committee, said: "The council has found it more beneficial to move tenants rather than adapt their homes and this scheme is being monitored.

"We take this area very seriously and we are committed to having people living independently within the community.

"We are spending £140,000 in this financial year on adapting homes and that figure will increase next year."

By ROB COLE

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