Housing issues were massive vote-swingers in last week's local elections. We report on the most important results for the sector and what made waves at which ballot boxes
Although it is transforming the city’s image with award-winning urban regeneration including housing projects, Labour suffered from the party’s national problems and lost control of the council, ceding 12 seats. The Liberal Democrats picked up six, the Conservatives and independents divvied up the rest, although Labour is still the largest party with 40 of the 99 seats. But with councillors still debating how to form an administration, the impact on housing, and particularly the city’s controversial arm’s-length management policy, is hard to judge.
The re-election of Labour in the home secretary’s home town and constituency was a bright moment for the party in a difficult night. Sheffield’s Labour councillors lost five seats but keep control of the 84-strong authority with a four-seat margin. Plans for 10 neighbourhood commissions to meet the decent homes target partly explains this. Housing has long been a big political football here: the Lib Dems lost control in 2002 after trying to force through a transfer.
Labour performed better than expected in Birmingham, a council it controlled until last year. A forecast Conservative surge failed to materialise but the Tories and Lib Dems did gain four seats each. Labour lost only four and the council remains heavily weighted in its favour, which means registered social landlords can breathe a sigh of relief: John Lines, Conservative housing spokesman, had hinted that a Tory council would consider bypassing RSLs in negotiations with housebuilders. Labour leader Sir Albert Bore retained his seat. Expect the Labour group to press the government harder for an extension to the July 2005 deadline for its stock options survey.
The most dramatic result of the night was Newcastle council, snatched from Labour by the Liberal Democrats with an 18-seat majority. The Lib Dems are likely to scrap the city’s controversial Going for Growth regeneration plan, which earmarked 1500 homes for demolition over 20 years. Lib Dem housing spokesman Greg Stone said the council would be seeking a meeting with the ODPM to see how its Northern Way plans can be used to “maximise the benefits for Newcastle”. The portfolio holder for housing will be chosen next week and is likely to be Stone himself. Meanwhile Sir Jeremy Beecham, the Local Government Association chair and Labour councillor in Benwell and Scotswood, part of the housing market renewal pathfinder, held onto his seat.
Labour is still the largest party in Kingston-upon-Hull with 27 seats. It retains effective control because of an ongoing feud between the Lib Dems, who have 24 seats, and independents (five seats), despite the fact that the council is still threatened with central government intervention over its failure to tackle housing and governance problems. It’s a dedicated Old Labour authority, and leader Colin Inglis’ commitment to council housing is set to put it on a collision course with central government – not to mention local MP and deputy prime minister John Prescott – soon. This may also be a reason why it’s enjoying more popularity with voters than the national party.
Ken Livingstone fought off stiff competition from Conservative Steven Norris to win a second term as London mayor. Norris had pledged to cut the London Plan target of 50% affordable housing on new developments to 35%; Livingstone’s re-election, this time as a Labour candidate, should ensure that half of all new housing in the capital is affordable. But with just seven seats out of 25 in the London assembly, the mayor will have to court the support of smaller parties such as the Greens, which could threaten the proposal for a road bridge in the Thames Gateway.
Norwich faces uncertainty after a switch from a Liberal Democrat administration to no overall control. The council will choose its housing portfolio holder next week. The current member for housing, Hereward Cooke, said the council could meet the decent homes standard while retaining its stock. However, it had planned to upgrade homes beyond the standard and needs extra cash to do so. Its options appraisal is not yet complete. Cooke, a Liberal Democrat, said Labour members wanted to hold onto the homes; the council has backed the campaign for a fourth way.
The far-right British National Party won three council seats in Epping Forest, giving it a new foothold in the South. Councillor Michael Heavens, leader of Epping Forest council, attributed the BNP’s success to spiralling house prices and the belief held by some local people that minority-ethnic communities get preferential treatment for social housing. Elsewhere, though, the BNP made fewer gains than had been feared, particularly in the North-west: it won four seats in Bradford, but only gained one in Burnley and lost another. It failed to make any wins in Oldham.
The government’s plan to build up to 30,000 new homes in Thurrock over the next 20 years could have tipped the balance against Labour in this former stronghold, according to ousted deputy leader Carl Morris. “We’ve already had a lot of development here,” he said, “and people are a bit scared of it.” The new Conservative leaders are still debating their policies but can be confidently expected to oppose development. Locals predict they may become a thorn in the side of the urban development corporation in this vital part of the Thames Gateway.
Leeds
Labour loses controlAlthough it is transforming the city’s image with award-winning urban regeneration including housing projects, Labour suffered from the party’s national problems and lost control of the council, ceding 12 seats. The Liberal Democrats picked up six, the Conservatives and independents divvied up the rest, although Labour is still the largest party with 40 of the 99 seats. But with councillors still debating how to form an administration, the impact on housing, and particularly the city’s controversial arm’s-length management policy, is hard to judge.
Sheffield
Neighbourhood commissions prove popularThe re-election of Labour in the home secretary’s home town and constituency was a bright moment for the party in a difficult night. Sheffield’s Labour councillors lost five seats but keep control of the 84-strong authority with a four-seat margin. Plans for 10 neighbourhood commissions to meet the decent homes target partly explains this. Housing has long been a big political football here: the Lib Dems lost control in 2002 after trying to force through a transfer.
Birmingham
Good news for RSLsLabour performed better than expected in Birmingham, a council it controlled until last year. A forecast Conservative surge failed to materialise but the Tories and Lib Dems did gain four seats each. Labour lost only four and the council remains heavily weighted in its favour, which means registered social landlords can breathe a sigh of relief: John Lines, Conservative housing spokesman, had hinted that a Tory council would consider bypassing RSLs in negotiations with housebuilders. Labour leader Sir Albert Bore retained his seat. Expect the Labour group to press the government harder for an extension to the July 2005 deadline for its stock options survey.
Newcastle
Drama starring the Liberal DemocratsThe most dramatic result of the night was Newcastle council, snatched from Labour by the Liberal Democrats with an 18-seat majority. The Lib Dems are likely to scrap the city’s controversial Going for Growth regeneration plan, which earmarked 1500 homes for demolition over 20 years. Lib Dem housing spokesman Greg Stone said the council would be seeking a meeting with the ODPM to see how its Northern Way plans can be used to “maximise the benefits for Newcastle”. The portfolio holder for housing will be chosen next week and is likely to be Stone himself. Meanwhile Sir Jeremy Beecham, the Local Government Association chair and Labour councillor in Benwell and Scotswood, part of the housing market renewal pathfinder, held onto his seat.
Hull
Old Labour keeps controlLabour is still the largest party in Kingston-upon-Hull with 27 seats. It retains effective control because of an ongoing feud between the Lib Dems, who have 24 seats, and independents (five seats), despite the fact that the council is still threatened with central government intervention over its failure to tackle housing and governance problems. It’s a dedicated Old Labour authority, and leader Colin Inglis’ commitment to council housing is set to put it on a collision course with central government – not to mention local MP and deputy prime minister John Prescott – soon. This may also be a reason why it’s enjoying more popularity with voters than the national party.
London
Ken’s backKen Livingstone fought off stiff competition from Conservative Steven Norris to win a second term as London mayor. Norris had pledged to cut the London Plan target of 50% affordable housing on new developments to 35%; Livingstone’s re-election, this time as a Labour candidate, should ensure that half of all new housing in the capital is affordable. But with just seven seats out of 25 in the London assembly, the mayor will have to court the support of smaller parties such as the Greens, which could threaten the proposal for a road bridge in the Thames Gateway.
Norwich
Lib Dems pushed outNorwich faces uncertainty after a switch from a Liberal Democrat administration to no overall control. The council will choose its housing portfolio holder next week. The current member for housing, Hereward Cooke, said the council could meet the decent homes standard while retaining its stock. However, it had planned to upgrade homes beyond the standard and needs extra cash to do so. Its options appraisal is not yet complete. Cooke, a Liberal Democrat, said Labour members wanted to hold onto the homes; the council has backed the campaign for a fourth way.
Epping
BNP gains a footholdThe far-right British National Party won three council seats in Epping Forest, giving it a new foothold in the South. Councillor Michael Heavens, leader of Epping Forest council, attributed the BNP’s success to spiralling house prices and the belief held by some local people that minority-ethnic communities get preferential treatment for social housing. Elsewhere, though, the BNP made fewer gains than had been feared, particularly in the North-west: it won four seats in Bradford, but only gained one in Burnley and lost another. It failed to make any wins in Oldham.
Thurrock
Tories on topThe government’s plan to build up to 30,000 new homes in Thurrock over the next 20 years could have tipped the balance against Labour in this former stronghold, according to ousted deputy leader Carl Morris. “We’ve already had a lot of development here,” he said, “and people are a bit scared of it.” The new Conservative leaders are still debating their policies but can be confidently expected to oppose development. Locals predict they may become a thorn in the side of the urban development corporation in this vital part of the Thames Gateway.
Source
Housing Today
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