A 68-year-old Carshalton man living on a state pension must pay Sutton £1,500 for repair work a council officer has branded "foolish".

Fred Lee has been told he must fork out the cash to replace lino flooring outside his flat in Denmark Gardens, which the council says is a trip hazard.

But when the pensioner asked a council employee from the Sutton Federation of Tenant and Resident Associations to inspect the existing floor, he agreed there was nothing wrong with it.

In an email to Mr Lee, he said he would try to stop "what appears to be a foolish decision on behalf of the council".

Mr Lee said: "It's a hell of a lot of money and I've got nothing in the bank and no way of paying back a loan.

"They said I can pay it off over 10 months but that works out as monthly instalments of £110, which I can barely afford. And the worst thing is it doesn't even need doing."

New floors are being laid throughout flats in Denmark Gardens to replace tiling which has been there since the block was built.

But outside several flats, including Mr Lee's, newer lino has already replaced the original tiles.

Sutton has received a grant for the improvements, which are free to tenants, but leaseholders must pay.

Mr Lee has made several representations to the council but feels he has been ignored.

Last week, workmen began ripping up the floors and the 68 year old now has no choice but to pay up or the council will take action.

"There's nothing wrong with the floor but the council refuses to come and look at it. I've been told that a contract for the work has been signed and that's it.

"I'm happy to pay for work that needs doing, but this doesn't," said Mr Lee.

The council said the floor needed replacing in order to prevent accidents and Mr Lee was obliged to pay under the terms of his lease.

January 31, 2003 11:00