News from Sheffield Labour

Clive Betts MP challenges Sheffield Lib Dems to pass on rent cuts

Clive Betts MP today once again called on Sheffield City Council to stop dithering and increase rents for Council Tenants by only 3.1 percent. This would mean a 50 percent cut on the original increase with the help of the Government’s financial assistance.

Betts wrote to Councillor Bob McCann, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member on the 5th of March to ensure that the council takes the subsidy that is being offered so that Sheffield City Council can pass on the rent cut. In spite of the urgency, Mr Betts is still waiting for a response.

Following the council’s dithering on the issue, Betts said:

“It seems ridiculous to me that the council are dragging there heels on this. In this economic climate, with many people feeling the pinch, we need to do all we can to help tenants across the city who are still bearing the cost of high energy prices.

“Despite being offered extra Government help the council don’t seem to want to pass on a cut which could give real help to council tenants.

“This follows on from recent policy failures by Liberal Democrats, where there has been:

* a failure to bid for government funding which would enable the council to purchase empty properties in the private sector
* a failure to use funds under the Government’s mortgages to rent scheme
* an attempt to get out of the commitment and promise made to nearly 2000 tenants to modernise their homes to the Sheffield standard, a decision which has only been reversed following widespread criticism

“I have repeated my offer of assistance to the City Council to ensure it delivers on all these opportunities.”