Agenda item

7.30pm – Councillor Adronie Alford, seconded by Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, the special motion in their names.

“This Council notes with concerns the repair bills charged to residents in Council-owned properties across the borough, including at Verulam House where leaseholders have received bills of up to £21,500 for replacement windows an independent surveyor deemed to be unnecessary. This Council vows to protect leasehold residents against being hit with inflated bills for works that aren't needed and calls upon the Administration to ensure fair treatment for Council leaseholders.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Alford and Pascu-Tulbure (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Frances Umeh moved, seconded by

Councillor Max Schmid, an amendment:

“The council is committed to providing the best possible homes to council tenants and leaseholders. As a landlord the council has a moral and legal duty to ensure our homes are safe and kept in good repair.

The council notes that it is putting right H&F’s repairs and planned maintenance, tackling a backlog created through a long period of underinvestment under the Conservative administration. Across H&F, the council is undertaking a £1.4million-a-week refurbishment programme of its homes – including required upgrades to cladding and windows, roofing, structural repairs, electrical infrastructure, lift upgrades and fire safety enhancements such as fire doors, sprinklers and evacuation systems.

It is further noted that under longstanding Right to Buy legislation introduced by the Thatcher government, leaseholders are legally required to contribute towards the cost of improvements according to the terms of their lease. Hammersmith & Fulham’s last Conservative administration charged leaseholders under this legislation.

It is notable that the Borough’s Labour administration has acted to reduce leaseholder charges despite the challenges of rampant inflation brought about in large part by the mismanagement of the national economy over the last fourteen years.

This Council is strongly sympathetic with leaseholders facing large bills that improve their homes. For that reason, it offers support with repayment support including interest-free payment plans that extend longer than many other councils.”

Councillor Frances Umeh made a speech on the amendment (for the Administration). Councillor Adronie Alford made a point of personal explanation (for the Opposition).

The amendment was then put to the vote:

FOR                        35

AGAINST                9

NOT VOTING         0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

A speech on the amended motion was made by Councillor Pascu-Tulbure (for the Opposition).

Councillor Alford then made a speech winding up the debate before the amended motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        35

AGAINST                9

NOT VOTING         0

The amended motion was declared CARRIED.

7.54pm – RESOLVED

The council is committed to providing the best possible homes to council tenants and leaseholders. As a landlord the council has a moral and legal duty to ensure our homes are safe and kept in good repair.

The council notes that it is putting right H&F’s repairs and planned maintenance, tackling a backlog created through a long period of underinvestment under the Conservative administration. Across H&F, the council is undertaking a £1.4million-a-week refurbishment programme of its homes – including required upgrades to cladding and windows, roofing, structural repairs, electrical infrastructure, lift upgrades and fire safety enhancements such as fire doors, sprinklers and evacuation systems.

It is further noted that under longstanding Right to Buy legislation introduced by the Thatcher government, leaseholders are legally required to contribute towards the cost of improvements according to the terms of their lease. Hammersmith & Fulham’s last Conservative administration charged leaseholders under this legislation.

It is notable that the Borough’s Labour administration has acted to reduce leaseholder charges despite the challenges of rampant inflation brought about in large part by the mismanagement of the national economy over the last fourteen years.

This Council is strongly sympathetic with leaseholders facing large bills that improve their homes. For that reason, it offers support with repayment support including interest-free payment plans that extend longer than many other councils.