where do you live kev? I do a lot of work for the Council in North Wales, and our work and the councils work here is a very high standard,so they aren't all like it, your first port of call is the housing officer for your area,
if you get no sense there go to the head of housing directly, or get onto your local councilor,they will sort it pronto,the council do not like complaints from councilors believe me on this one, good luck mate, hope you get it sorted, Ray