This doesn't really apply to the Edge Lane area as they're mainly private, but...The Council took rents for many years and didn't spend enough of this income on repairs. That's the simple fact. They also mismanaged their housing stock (many empty properties/no income). If it were a private landlord who acted in this manner, everyone would say they were either corrupt/useless or purposely neglectful. The 'no funding from central government' excuse has been used by politicians for every cash shortfall I can ever remember. I'll predict that I'll hear the phrase used again and again in the future. I suppose it all comes down to whether one trusts the financial competency of politicians to set proper budgets.
The petition was part and parcel of the route to shifting everyone out, whilst they would be sitting pretty.