THE service responsible for looking after Bradford Council's huge buildings stock was exposed today as being 'a shambles'.

A damning confidential consultants' report warns the authority's crumbling council homes, schools and other public buildings will become unfit to use unless it finds repair funds.

And it says that some buildings are "almost certainly dangerous."

The council's stock includes Ilkley landmarks the White Wells, pictured right, and the Kings Hall/Winter Gardens.

The full report, leaked to Bradford & District Newspapers, carried out by the London-based Barony group, says of Bradford's building maintenance service: "We do not think the gravity of the current situation can be over stressed."

The report condemns the service as "hopelessly uncompetitive" and says it fails to meet people's expectations.

"There is a massive waste of money and of human talent while the stock deteriorates at an accelerating rate," it warns.

Responding to the report, deputy council leader Councillor Richard Wightman said: "There are lots of well organised officers trying to do their best in difficult circumstances. But the organisation relating to

building maintenance is a shambles and we have to put it right. Looking after buildings isn't a core action for the council and we are not particularly good at it."

The group interviewed 300 staff, union

representatives and tenants about building maintenance across the authority, including housing, education and social services.

The report describes functions as inefficient, confused and overstaffed. It is estimated at least £4 million could be saved through an overhaul and recommends the council should look to privatise the service.

Its grim conclusions reveal:

l Despite a regime of electrical, boiler and gas safety, there were "almost certainly dangers present" in some social services buildings because of the age of equipment.

l It takes at least seven separate people to deal with a housing repair from order to

payment, and involves 13 to 14 separate

transactions.

l Confidence in council workers is waning because of a blame culture and continued reorganisation.

The report continues: "At almost every level, the council is failing to invest sufficient money to maintain its stock in anything approaching a reasonable condition.

"Unless the council takes steps to make and implement a credible investment strategy, backed up with adequate revenue and capital funding, its homes, schools and many other buildings will become unfit for use."