CASP's Deputation to Camden's Executive (December 12th 2007) on the subject of investing in Camden homes.

The Association is here tonight to express its deep concerns about the contents of the Council’s submission of a ‘Stock Options Appraisal’ to Central Government.

Many of our street properties have provided homes to generations of families.  The present administration’s plans to sell therefore, even a limited number of street properties, at a time when demand for council housing far exceeds supply, directly affects our communities and we ask – How can this be justified?

Many of our properties have also provided good homes for the disabled and been situated in areas where they have helped to provide a good social mix in sustainable communities.

Mention of empty properties on the Council’s own website refers mostly to private properties: the Council warns it will compulsory purchase neglected properties – How ironic then that the administration is seeking to sell its own Homes – and at such a time.

We have been reminded by our members that many Tenants’ Associations were set up to protect tenants from the surge in property speculation which sought to clear houses of tenants in order to sell: at that time the council purchased such stock to save people’s homes.  Are we now to inform our members that ‘Council Core Business’ has embraced the self same speculative practices it once rightly opposed?

The Association has consistently demanded adequate government funding of council housing to safeguard public housing with democratic accountability.

The Association formally requested, like many tenants groups, that it be involved in discussions with the Housing Minister, by way of a joint delegation, but this did not materialize.

Whilst the Association also acknowledges the difficulties experienced by the previous administration in securing direct investment for our homes, we would remind that historically, tenants living in Camden street properties have always made their views known on the issue of stock transfer and selling.  That view is: No, No and No.

The Association also wishes to be reassured by the Executive Member for Housing that the report being discussed tonight does not and will not, give Camden any mandate to push ahead with any further plans to transfer; to impose PFI; to sell any tenanted Camden street properties --- or delegate, as policy, to unelected officers decisions to sell, which should always be made by no lesser authority than our Elected Representatives.

Finally, we ask here tonight that a further meeting take place with the Housing Minister, ----- but this time that it genuinely involve our members and other tenants.

Let us move forward with a united voice, tenants and councillors from all parties to actively campaign to secure the funding for its housing stock and to keep all our homes!


Camden association of Street Properties
December 2007

Link to the full minutes of Camden Council's Executive meeting 12th December 2007

http://www3.camden.gov.uk/templates/committees/showHTML.cfm?file=24263.htm