Motion in the name of Councillor Ergin Erbil
Austerity has meant councils have lost 60p in every £1 of central government grant that the previous government was spending on local government.
Inflation caused by government mismanagement of the economy has cost the Council £21m this year alone.
On top of that, central government has slashed council housing budgets. Enforced rent reductions and a rent cap this year – set without reimbursing councils – has set Enfield Council back by £300m over the next 30 years.
These measures by central government are short-term sticking plasters resulting in long-term pain for social housing tenants, with less funding to make sure every council tenant lives in a high-quality home.
The result is an under-investment in council homes which is impacting councils across London. Greater London Authority figures show 1 in 5 council homes need funding to improve their condition.
At the same time, following the tragic Grenfell fire, central government have broken their pledge — failing to give councils funding for vital fire safety works.
Despite funding cuts, Enfield Council are investing in our council homes and estates, including £47m for building safety and £163m for major works over the next five years.
But government cuts and mismanagement of the economy has meant that councils are having to do more with less, with council tenants paying the price.
Cheshire House in Edmonton Green, for example, has suffered from structural issues because of long-term underinvestment.
This Council believes:
· Central government support for council housing budgets has not been adequate since 2010
· Every Enfield Council tenant deserves to live in quality council homes, on well-maintained estates
· Without adequate and increased central government funding, major works our residents need will be impacted or delayed
· The Government need to invest in a green decent homes programme — investing and retrofitting social housing across the country
This Council resolves to:
· Call on the Local Government Association to make further representations to central government to provide funding for major works projects to deliver decent homes.
· Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for:
o an end to attacks on council housing budgets;
o a programme of investment into specific council housing in Enfield to support and accelerate major works improvements and regeneration.
· Continue with its plan to introduce a resident-led Building Safety Group to better inform residents and produce an Asset Management Strategy.
Minutes:
Councillor Ergin Erbil moved the below motion:
“Austerity has meant councils have lost 60p in every £1 of central government grant that the previous government was spending on local government.
Inflation caused by government mismanagement of the economy has cost the Council £21m this year alone.
On top of that, central government has slashed council housing budgets. Enforced rent reductions and a rent cap this year – set without reimbursing councils – has set Enfield Council back by £300m over the next 30 years.
These measures by central government are short-term sticking plasters resulting in long-term pain for social housing tenants, with less funding to make sure every council tenant lives in a high-quality home.
The result is an under-investment in council homes which is impacting councils across London. Greater London Authority figures show 1 in 5 council homes need funding to improve their condition.
At the same time, following the tragic Grenfell fire, central government have broken their pledge — failing to give councils funding for vital fire safety works.
Despite funding cuts, Enfield Council are investing in our council homes and estates, including £47m for building safety and £163m for major works over the next five years.
But government cuts and mismanagement of the economy has meant that councils are having to do more with less, with council tenants paying the price.
Cheshire House in Edmonton Green, for example, has suffered from structural issues because of long-term underinvestment.
This Council believes:
This Council resolves to:
The time for the end of the meeting having been reached, two procedural motions moved by Cllr Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for 10 minutes were each AGREED.
A recorded vote was requested by Cllr Ozaydin, and another 11 members of the Council having stood in support of the request, the motion was then agreed following a recorded vote detailed below:
For:
Cllr Abdul Abdullahi
Cllr Josh Abey
Cllr Nicki Adeleke
Cllr Gunes Akbulut
Cllr Mahmut Aksanoglu
Cllr Nawshad Ali
Cllr Kate Anolue
Cllr Mahym Bedekova
Cllr Sinan Boztas