Council’s wrecking plan is a snub to Corbyn

The Labour council in Haringey, north London, has defied the plans for social housing laid out in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s conference speech.

Corbyn called for estate residents to have votes on proposed regeneration projects.

“After Grenfell we must think again about what are called regeneration schemes,” he said.

The move brings the Labour leadership into almost direct opposition to Labour councils pushing through such projects.

Haringey council’s Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV), in partnership with developer Lendlease, is the biggest of its kind worth £2 billion.

Alan Strickland, lead councillor for housing, said, “We will continue to put comprehensive and meaningful engagement with residents at the heart of our regeneration plans.

“But we do not expect to start using yes/no ballots.”

Corbyn will come under increasing pressure to row back on his conference promises.

He said, “A decent home is a right for everyone. Houses should be homes for the many, not speculative investments for the few.”

He’s right. And the best way to ensure we get those homes is by organising and fighting for them.

Callous Grenfell estate bosses finally get the boot

Kensington and Chelsea council voted on Wednesday of last week to stop the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) managing council owned properties.

A vote is set to be conducted among residents on estates throughout the west London borough on the termination of the agreement between the council and the KCTMO.

There are some 10,000 council-owned homes managed by the KCTMO.

The KCTMO and the council, as well as successive governments, are responsible for the Grenfell Tower fire in which at least 80 people were killed.

In a letter to residents dated 22 September the KCTMO said, “The council and the government have made it clear that there is no role for us following the tragedy in which many of our friends and neighbours died and caused so much trauma to those who remain.”

The decision by the council shows the strength of the anger. That it took so long to happen is a scandal in itself.

The process is likely to take months and the council is being evasive about what will replace KCTMO.

The homes should be run by the council.