No Confidence in Council’s Plan to Fix Housing Failures as Opposition told to “Shut Up”

In an explosive council meeting last night, councillors clashed over Southwark Council’s response to the Regulator of Social Housing’s (RSH) findings of “serious failures”. 

The council’s main scrutiny committee met to discuss the findings at the request of Liberal Democrat councillors. The RSH had been invited by the Liberal Democrats to investigate the council in late 2023, and their subsequent inspection resulted in the Labour council being awarded a grade of C3 – indicating serious failures, and is the second lowest available grade. 

The meeting follows increased pressure on the council, as the Government had expressed concern after opposition leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain wrote directly to the Minister urging intervention. The Liberal Democrats had also requested an extraordinary meeting to address the issue, but was rejected by Labour.  

With half of homes not having an up to date electrical safety test, and the same proportion also not having smoke alarms, councillors expressed concern that the council would not be able to address these problems within an appropriate time frame. 

Councillors highlighted that the ringfenced housing account is set to overspend by £8 million, and asked how a drive to save money could be compatible with the investment needed to bring homes up to scratch. 

But as Cllr Chamberlain attempted to ask questions to hold the Labour Cabinet Member to account, the Labour Chair cut him off, eventually telling him to “shut up”. The Liberal Democrats have said that this is more evidence of Labour closing ranks to avoid accountability, especially as the Labour Leader failed to show up to the meeting despite being invited. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Leader and OSC member Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:  

“Residents deserve to know how their council is going to make their homes safe, and address the serious failures highlighted by the independent housing watchdog. That requires the opposition to be able to do their job in holding the Labour leadership to account. 

What the meeting last night showed is that Labour are not interested in transparency or accountability. Labour have blocked an extraordinary meeting, their Leader failed to show up to this scrutiny session, and opposition councillors were told to shut up. 

Without proper scrutiny, how are residents meant to have any confidence that the council can fix these problems? 

We will continue to hold London’s worst landlord to account, and be a voice for residents who have been failed by this Labour council”