A resident says his council is shirking in its duty to keep the neighbourhood clean and safe.

Lloyd Brammer, from St Martin's Close, Winnall, Winchester, says the streets near his home are plagued by litter and he wants a meeting with council chief executive, Simon Eden, to discuss the issue.

He also feels the council does not mow the grass regularly enough and, when it does, it misses some areas.

Mr Brammer, who has lived in the city for around five years, says the steps to his maisonette, between Beggars Lane and Wales Street, are crumbling and poorly lit.

The 44-year-old interior design shipping agent, who purchased his home on a freehold arrangement whereby the council owns the land and carries out maintenance, says he was surprised to receive a bill from the council last month, requesting £250 for painting.

The letter itemised which parts of his home needed attention, including his garage door, window frames and drainpipes. But Mr Brammer was stunned to see these items on the list as they are plastic.

"I think they're incompetent, to be honest with you. They're talking about painting but there's nothing to paint."

Mr Brammer says he is now looking to move and purchase a property that is not maintained by the council.

He says he has telephoned Mr Eden's office on several occasions, but has never been able to speak to him.

Mr Brammer adds that if the chief executive did agree to see him, it would mellow his view of the council.

A council spokesman said it had been difficult to deal with Mr Brammer's complaints, as they had been made verbally.

All the residents in Mr Brammer's building were each charged an equal amount of £250 for painting the whole block.

He added that Hampshire County Council was responsible for the steps between Beggars Lane and Wales Street.

A county council spokesman said the condition of the steps had not been raised, but an engineer would investigate.

The city council spokesman said that, on the subject of grass-cutting and litter clearance, the community services department called Mr Brammer on Tuesday.

"We asked 'What would you like us to do?' and he said 'Well, nothing'," said the spokesman. Mr Brammer disagrees and says that he asked community services to send Mr Eden to deal with his complaints. He now plans to put his concerns to the council in writing.