The councillor responsible for housing at a Midland local authority is being investigated after he moved into a council flat ahead of a waiting list of 3,000 people.

Gerald Pinner was given notice to quit his privately rented flat at Wilnecote Hall in Tamworth because the building is being developed and moved into a council-owned flat in Eringden, Stonydelph, at the beginning of July.

The local authority has an obligation to house people who have been made unintentionally homeless, but the Labour Party claims he has known for some time that he had to find alternative accommodation.

Council leader Ron Cook (Cons, Spital) said: "All I can say at this stage is that we have been concerned about the procedure and there is an inquiry started to make sure that the normal procedure has been carried out. Until that inquiry reports back to me there is nothing more I can say about it."

Coun Dennis Powick, (Lab, Glascote) said: "I have expressed concern that Councillor Pinner has suddenly acquired this property in Stonydelph.

"I find it amazing when we have a number of people who are still on the waiting list for council housing who have been in bed and breakfast accommodation for some time.

"These are people who we consider eligible for council housing and the Government wants to ensure they are not in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks."

The Labour Party has put in a written question to be answered at a council meeting on Tuesday, asking how Coun Pinner acquired the flat. They say the Wilnecote Hall property was advertised for sale at least nine months ago so Coun Pinner was aware that he would have to move and could have found another flat.

Coun Powick said: "How has Councillor Pinner suddenly become eligible for the council housing? He is in full-time employment and he was paying rent to a private landlord. He was told he would have to move some considerable time ago so he was quite able to find alternative rented accommodation.

"If he is eligible, and he meets all the criteria and nothing has happened, then we welcome the council supporting someone in a homeless situation.

"But I want to make sure that the procedures we have implemented as a council are not being used in any other way. If the clarification isn't to our satisfaction we will almost certainly be pursuing this through outside methods, through the standards board or external investigations."

Coun Pinner (Cons, Trinity) denied that he had done anything wrong.

He said: "This is just another cheap attempt by the Labour Party to try and gain control. It's got nothing to do with them whatsoever.

"They are entitled to ask the question but I've complied in all respects with the requests of the PM.

"Being the portfolio holder does not exclude me from applying for housing within the borough, but as far as the Labour Party is concerned I shouldn't be entitled to anything.

"I am disgruntled because it means that the officers who are doing their jobs properly are called into disrepute because they are alleged to have done something illegal for the portfolio holder. I refuse to be bullied into resigning because I have a lot to offer this position."

Danielle Passey, a 19-year-old single mum, who has been on the council's waiting list for more than a year, said: "I am really furious about this. I don't understand how he can just decide he needs a house and then get one, when I've been waiting for more than a year to find a permanent home for me and my daughter.

"Chloe was born with a heart condition, which means the valve in her heart doesn't work properly. I'm sleeping in a single bed with her and keeping her awake at night. It's just awful. It's hard work and I've been waiting such a long time - a year and two months."

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