At the Bexley Full Council meeting held on the 4th November , Cllr Chris Ball (Shadow Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Climate Change) on behalf of the Labour Group proposed a motion calling on the Council to give greater priority to providing new homes locally, that are of good quality and affordable.
The Labour Group called for an overhaul in the work of BexleyCo, Bexley’s arm’s length development company. Labour Councillor sought to change what they do to, including providing rentable homes. They argued that Bexley Council needs to be more pragmatic and flexible in its approach, protecting green spaces but using the significant amount of land we do have more creatively. Labour Councillors recognise the complexity and the need for wider infrastructure to facilitate success home developments. Labour Councillors also reminded the Council that we now have both a national and London government with high ambition for home building as well as protecting tenants along with seeing an end to rough sleeping. They are also putting huge investment in to back up their aspirations.
Cllr Chris Ball said, “Bexley is in a crisis situation for housing, with many trapped in homes that are unsuitable; where caution, process and policy are hampering progress and the number of new homes coming on stream is dwarfed by local need and demand.”
Making her maiden speech at Council, Cllr Abi Johnson spoke with passion about the benefits social housing had brought to her family and the fears she has for her own children ever being able to find a local home. Cllr Jeremy Fosten talked about one of many housing cases he has dealt with, where local people, living in appealing conditions were brushed off by Bexley and their housing association did not even have the curtesy to respond to requests for help.
Sadly, although unsurprisingly, the Conservative Group sought to make the debate personal and attacked those outside the borough for a lack of support. Whilst acknowledging the Labour desire to get more done, they presented no credible plans to do so.
Bexley Reform group decided not to speak and abstained as a group, despite publicly saying they would scrap BexleyCo, clearly they are not fit to hold office.
Motion submitted by Councillor Chris Ball:
“This Council notes the incredible demand for affordable homes in Bexley and the ongoing housing crisis. It expresses its aspiration to see a significant increase in housing starts, with particular focus on affordable housing to buy and rent, as well as council properties. This Council believes that many options exist to achieve this with the best vehicle being BexleyCo, the council’s development company. This Council encourages the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet, and the Cabinet Committee to change the BexleyCo business plan so that more affordable homes are built in Bexley and we can support residents who are currently on the housing list. This Council also requests that the Leader and Cabinet