News from Southampton Labour

Labour sets the standard tackling problem housing

John Denham leads Labour team to study Oxford Council’s action on HMOs.

While Southampton City Council drags its heels on tackling the unplanned spread of HMOs Oxford’s Labour council has set the national standard for dealing with bad landlords and poorly managed properties. A team of Labour activists from Southampton, including MPs John Denham and Alan Whitehead, will be visiting Oxford tomorrow to learn from the council’s example.

The Labour team will meet with local MP Andrew Smith, City Executive Member for housing Joe McManners and council officers as well as visiting an area badly affected by HMOs.

Oxford’s Labour City Council enthusiastically supported John Denham’s moves to being HMOs under planning controls while a Government Minister. However, shortly after taking office the Tory-LibDem Coalition Government announced their intention to scrap Mr Denham’s plans. The replacement system has been described by Southampton planners as “unworkable”.

John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen said: “I’m looking forward to learning from a council that takes the issues of HMOs seriously, unlike Southampton.”

Other news from Southampton Labour

• Water bills hiked as Southampton Council and Southern Water waste public money - 2 February 2012
• Southampton Labour MPs urge constituents to claim free heating and insulation help - 1 February 2012
• Welfare changes hit poorest areas in Southampton hardest - 1 February 2012