Interim Affordable Housing Policy

Press Release

At the last Full Council meeting the ruling Conservative and UKIP administration brought forward an Interim Affordable Housing Policy. This document attempts to define a policy for section 106 agreements, where developers agree to an element of affordable housing within any significant development.

‘Affordable’ means different things to different people. What is affordable to some is not affordable to others.

Cllr Ware-Lane is concerned that this barely addresses the housing crisis impacting our town: "This document talks about affordable housing, but what we need specifically is more social housing to rent. With private sector rents sky-high, many local people are struggling to afford decent places to live."

Cllr David Norman added "This is a weak document. We witness many examples of developers trying to evade their responsibilities."

Cllr Norman added: "I hope the current administration recognises the chronic need for new social housing in the borough. I was proud to have been the Portfolio Holder that oversaw the first new council housing in the borough for a quarter of a century."

Conservative-UKIP coalition turns its back on conservation in Southend

Participating in the debate at Full Council on Thursday evening it was obvious that the Chair of Development Control (a member of the Conservative-UKIP administration) was reluctant to give unequivocal support to the Borough's many conservation areas.

There are many conservation areas in the borough; Milton ward, which I represent, has five alone. These act as a bulwark against inappropriate development. They also ensure that the town's rich architectural heritage is preserved.

There are many rules about what development is permitted in these conservation areas. Strictly upholding these not only ensures the integrity of the conservation area, it also provides clear guidance about what can be done to repair or improve one's property.

The Chair of Development Control appears deaf to the concerns of many  across the Borough who want re-assurance with respect to old and beautiful buildings. That the Chair declined to support conservation is unfortunate. I sought support for conservation rules, he declined to give it.

It is a sad day for Southend-on-Sea when the ruling administration turns its back on conservation. I hope that there is a re-think and hope that there will be a commitment to conservation from those in charge at the Council.

Sketch from the chamber

I have a front row seat at Full Council, sat right next to Cllr Ian Gilbert, the Leader to whom I am Deputy.

It was a three fan night; two over on the Tory side of the chamber, one for the opposition. See, this is what administration brings, twice as many fans as those who are there to who you to account. We melted, despite the Mayor inviting us to remove our jackets; this socialist is made of sterner stuff. No comfort for me (even if it did encourage sleepiness at times).

Missing from this occasion were three from the one-fan brigade; Clrs Van Looy and Ward from the Independent Group, and Willis from Labour.

We had a fifteen break at 8.45pm, allowing those who were wilting to take on liquids. I popped out for a cuppa before then, so maybe not so tough after all.

Word of the night - 'plethora'. There was a plethora of plethoras!

So, I asked a question at the beginning. I also asked questions under the following reserved minutes:

32a:        Milton Ward EN/15/00176/UNUA - 1-3 Warrior Square

81:          Corporate Risk Register 2016/2017

102:        Former Beecroft Art Gallery Building

I also commented on

109:        Temporary Traffic Management measures - The Fairway, A127 and Bellhouse Lane

153:        Suggested In depth Scrutiny Projects - 2016/17

Under Ward EN/15/00176/UNUA I was hoping that the Chair of Development Control would assure us that conservation area rules would be strictly upheld. No assurance was offered.

Under Corporate Risk Register 2016/2017 I wondered why, since the administration believes the no diminution of services will result from reduced budgets, the Council had been so wasteful in the past. I got a woolly answered which suggested that £60 million plus of savings can be made by better IT and more efficient processes. I do not believe it. Cuts will affect services

Under the  Former Beecroft Art Gallery Building item I welcomed news that the building would be preserved, and hoped that rental incomes would be monitored to guarantee its future.

We voted on the size of the joint place and policy and resources programme working party. The vote on ten members was tied, and the Mayor cast in favour of ten places. This means that two extra places were allocated. Cllr Assenheim (Independent Group) got one of them, the Tories wanted Cllr McGlone (UKIP), but had to appoint Cllr Bright (Conservative) when it was pointed out to them that they could not appoint someone who was not on either of the Scrutiny Committees.

A subsequent item saw UKIP eventually take up their scrutiny places. Perhaps the Coalition realised that UKIP's reluctance to scrutinise meant that the administration would often be out-numbered.

The meeting closed at 11.30pm.