Agenda item

Councillor Robert Largan declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item as a Council lease holder. He considered that this did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interests and, in the circumstances it would be reasonable to participate in the discussion and vote thereon.

10.07pm – Councillor Greg Smith moved, seconded by Councillor Charlie Dewhirst, the special motion in their names:

“This Council:

1.    Notes the strong opposition of council tenants and leaseholders to the Labour administration’s proposal to abolish council housing in the borough

2.    Is concerned by the administration’s willingness to proceed without the approval of both a majority of council tenants and a majority of council leaseholders.

3.    Resolves that the misguided proposal be withdrawn before any further money is wasted on it.”

A speech on the special motion was made by Councillor Greg Smith.

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Lisa Homan moved, seconded by Councillor Ali Hashem, an amendment to the special motion as follows:

“Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:-

“condemns Hammersmith and Fulham’s former Conservative administration who:

·         Secretly undertook a deal with property developers to demolish 800 council homes on the West Kensington and Gibbs Green Estate against the wishes of residents who voted 4 to 1 against the plans.

·         Further planned to demolish and sell off a third of all the remaining council homes in the borough.

·         Lobbied the former Conservative/Lib Dem government to hike all new rents up to 80% of market rates instead of 25% or 40%.

·         Hiked up rents and service charges for Hammersmith and Fulham's established residents by far more than inflation - with rents rising by as much as 7% in one year.

·         Fixed the planning process to stop any new socially rented homes being built.

·         Granted permission for more new homes for overseas investors than they did for UK residents.

The Council congratulates the current Labour administration for empowering tenants, leaseholders, and other residents of the borough’s council estates to decide the future of their homes via the Residents’ Housing Commission and pledges to work with them to protect and improve their homes.””

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Lisa Homan, Ali Hashem, and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration), and Councillor Robert Largan (for the Opposition). The amendment was then put to the vote and roll-call was requested.

FOR                            23

AGAINST                    17

NOT VOTING             1

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

A speech on the special motion as amended was made by Councillor Greg Smith before it was put to the vote:

FOR                            23

AGAINST                    17

NOT VOTING             1

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

10.44pm – RESOLVED

This Council:-

Condemns Hammersmith and Fulham’s former Conservative administration who:

·         Secretly undertook a deal with property developers to demolish 800 council homes on the West Kensington and Gibbs Green Estate against the wishes of residents who voted 4 to 1 against the plans.

·         Further planned to demolish and sell off a third of all the remaining council homes in the borough.

·         Lobbied the former Conservative/Lib Dem government to hike all new rents up to 80% of market rates instead of 25% or 40%.

·         Hiked up rents and service charges for Hammersmith and Fulham's established residents by far more than inflation - with rents rising by as much as 7% in one year.

·         Fixed the planning process to stop any new socially rented homes being built.

·         Granted permission for more new homes for overseas investors than they did for UK residents.

The Council congratulates the current Labour administration for empowering tenants, leaseholders, and other residents of the borough’s council estates to decide the future of their homes via the Residents’ Housing Commission and pledges to work with them to protect and improve their homes.