COUNCILLORS are supposed to represent the interests of their constituents but some it seems do it more rigorously than others.

Figures obtained by News Shopper under the Freedom of Information Act reveal hundreds of complaints have been made by the 54 Lewisham councillors on behalf of residents in the past three years.

The man who has made the most moans about the conduct of the council is Lib Dem leader Councillor Mark Morris.

The Downham ward councillor put 252 complaints to Lewisham Council between November 1, 2002, and December 31, last year.

Cllr Morris has been a fierce critic of the council's handling of the new Downham Lifestyles leisure centre.

He puts his position at the top of the complaining league down to his role as an opposition leader.

He said: "The more active you are, I suppose, the more liable you are to make complaints.

"I hold four surgeries a month in Downham dealing with people's problems and do a lot of casework, taking forward people's interests."

Seeing the funny side of his new tag Cllr Morris added: "I suppose I can at least wear it as some sort of badge of honour."

The next three councillors in the list are all members of the ruling Labour party Councillor Dave Bodimeade, outgoing member for children and young people Councillor Katy Donnelly and Deputy Mayor Gavin Moore.

The councillor who has made the fewest complaints is Labour member for Evelyn Councillor Crada Onuegbu, with just two gripes in the past three years.

The council says a complaint is defined as "any expression of dissatisfaction with our service, whether it is justified or not."

Complaints include representations made by letter, fax, telephone or email or complaints made by the councillor in person.


Lewisham's 12 councillors who have lodged the most complaints:

Mark Morris, Lib Dem, Downham, 252
Dave Bodimeade, Labour, Lewisham Central, 219
Katy Donnelly, Labour, Blackheath, 198
Gavin Moore, Labour, Blackheath, 197
Julia Fletcher, Lib Dem, Downham, 190
Carl Kisicki, Labour, Whitefoot, 183
Stephen Padmore, Labour, New Cross, 172
Matthew Huntbach, Lib Dem, Downham, 169
Dave Whiting, Labour, Forest Hill, 128
Jackie Addison, Labour, Crofton Park, 115
Ian Page, Socialist, Telegraph Hill, 112
Susan Wise, Labour, Forest Hill, 111