Liberal Democrats Call for Extraordinary Meeting to Address “Serious Failures” at Southwark Council
The Liberal Democrats have today formally requested that an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council be called by the Mayor, to address the “Serious Failures” identified by the Government’s independent Regulator of Social Housing, and to move a no confidence motion in Labour’s leadership over the issue.
Last week the Regulator of Social Housing became the second official, independent body to raise concerns about Southwark’s conduct as a social landlord, following multiple findings of Severe Maladministration by the Housing Ombudsman in recent years, which drew the attention of the then Secretary of State Michael Gove. The regulator’s grading of a C3 is the second lowest grade available, indicating “serious failings”. The judgement highlighted thousands of outstanding fire safety works, and that half of its properties did not have an up to date electrical safety test.
The Liberal Democrats had already secured time for the finding to be discussed at the next meeting of the Council’s main scrutiny committee and demanded the Leader of the Council attend to be held accountable. The meeting is already considering the two independent reports into the Major Works scandals around Canada Estate and Devon Mansions.
However, in their letter Liberal Democrat councillors say that the urgency and severity of the issue requires the attention of the whole council.
The Mayor of Southwark is able to call an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council at her discretion, but if she doesn’t call it after 7 days of being asked to do so, the Liberal Democrats are able to escalate to a senior officer who will make the final decision.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“Labour will want to carry on with business as usual, but we’re calling for this emergency meeting because we’re clear that this is not just another report – this is a damning indictment of how badly things have got. Labour have broken the council’s housing department.
It’s vital that all councillors are able to address the concerns the regulator has raised, but also be clear about how we got here. Labour are London’s worst landlord, and it’s time there was accountability from those who let this happen.”