Agenda item

Housing

 

It was moved by Councillor Ajaib,

Seconded by Councillor Escott,

“The Council recognises:

1. Housing is a pressing issue for local residents in Slough, across all sectors, tenures and housing types.
2. There is a chronic shortage of housing in Slough and nationwide.
3. Housing is a multifaceted issue, with many teams within the council involved in the delivery of housing services, from planners to housing regulation, temporary accommodation to the allocations team.
4. All of these teams hold data – however, this data is not readily available to councillors in an easily accessible, singular document.

The Council therefore resolves;

1. To request Cabinet to agree to produce an annual ‘State of Housing’ report in Slough to be published at the start of each financial year.

The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent”.

 

It was moved by Councillor Bedi, as an amendment,

Seconded by Councillor Smith,

 

“The Council recognises:

1. The pressures which the new administration inherited within the housing service, and the steps it is taking to deliver a better service for residents including the implementation of Housing Surgeries and other steps such as:

a)  Successfully contracted a Mediation Service to support tenants and communities to resolve issues.

b)  Improved the Resident Board, which now has a direct link to councillors and the service – so issues can be addressed collaboratively and openly.

c)  Changed the Housing Highlights magazine to a monthly magazine, for which the Lead Member writes an update to residents on the work undertaken by the service.

d)  Implemented a new dedicated email address and scheme for residents to report damp and mould, allowing for quicker responses and repairs.

e)  Installed solar panels on 12 bungalows within Slough, as part of a pilot project to support residents with the cost of living and greener energy efficiency.

f)  Recruited two new Occupational Therapists who are specific to the Housing Department, in order for us to improve the service and reduce the backlog for those residents seeking much needed adaptations on their properties.

2. Housing is a pressing issue for local residents in Slough, across all sectors, tenures and housing types.
3. There is a chronic shortage of housing in Slough and nationwide.
4. Housing is a multifaceted issue, with many teams within the council involved in the delivery of housing services, from planners to housing regulation, temporary accommodation to the allocations team.
5. All of these teams hold data – however, this data is not readily available to councillors in an easily accessible, singular document.

 

The Council therefore resolves:

1.  To request Cabinet to agree to produce an annual ‘State of Housing’ report in Slough to be published at the start of each financial year.

 

The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent”

The amendment was put to the vote and agreed with 21 votes for and 17 abstentions. The amended motion became the substantive motion.

 

The substantive motion was put to the vote and carried with 37 votes for and 1 abstention.

 

Resolved  -

 

The Council recognises:

1. The pressures which the new administration inherited within the housing service, and the steps it is taking to deliver a better service for residents including the implementation of Housing Surgeries and other steps such as:

a)  Successfully contracted a Mediation Service to support tenants and communities to resolve issues.

b)  Improved the Resident Board, which now has a direct link to councillors and the service – so issues can be addressed collaboratively and openly.

c)  Changed the Housing Highlights magazine to a monthly magazine, for which the Lead Member writes an update to residents on the work undertaken by the service.

d)  Implemented a new dedicated email address and scheme for residents to report damp and mould, allowing for quicker responses and repairs.

e)  Installed solar panels on 12 bungalows within Slough, as part of a pilot project to support residents with the cost of living and greener energy efficiency.

f)  Recruited two new Occupational Therapists who are specific to the Housing Department, in order for us to improve the service and reduce the backlog for those residents seeking much needed adaptations on their properties.

2. Housing is a pressing issue for local residents in Slough, across all sectors, tenures and housing types.
3. There is a chronic shortage of housing in Slough and nationwide.
4. Housing is a multifaceted issue, with many teams within the council involved in the delivery of housing services, from planners to housing regulation, temporary accommodation to the allocations team.
5. All of these teams hold data – however, this data is not readily available to councillors in an easily accessible, singular document

 

The Council therefore resolves:

 

1.  To request Cabinet to agree to produce an annual ‘State of Housing’ report in Slough to be published at the start of each financial year.

 

The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent.

 

Conflict in the Middle East

 

It was moved by Councillor Smith,

Seconded by Councillor Naveed,

“Slough Borough Council extends and notes:

·  Our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones due to recent events in Israel and Palestine; and acknowledges that Slough residents have been horrified to see the horrific escalation of violence since 7^th October in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed, including over 4,000 Palestinian children.

·  Our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s terror attack on 7^th October; of the fact that whole Palestinian communities have been driven from their homes and that the Gaza Strip has been cut off from crucial water, food, fuel and medical supplies.

·  Our belief that Israel must not be given a blank cheque to continue operating in the manner it has done, and that every effort should be made by the UK Government to ensure the stability of the region.

Slough Borough Council resolves:

That the Leader of the Council write to the Foreign Secretary outlining the following:

·  The multicultural nature of Slough and the pride which Slough places in our vibrant community relations;

·  Our agreement that Israel must stop extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and that we recognise the calls from charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children who have called a ceasefire ‘our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe’.

·  That we call for Israel to protect Hospitals and allow food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; and to stop the aerial bombardment of any targets with likely civilian presence with immediate effect;

·  That International law makes it clear that the intentional killing of civilians, collective punishment and hostage-taking may be deemed as war crimes; and that all members urge the Government and the Member of Parliament for Slough to work to uphold the international rules which underpins our collective human rights;

·  That the United Kingdom should reaffirm its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic and political process to deliver an immediate ceasefire, and a pathway to the lasting peace of a two-state solution.”

It was moved by Councillor Instone, as an amendment,

Seconded by Councillor Ajaib,

 

“Slough Borough Council extends and notes:  

• Our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones due to recent events in Israel and Palestine; 
• That all of us in Slough and acknowledges that Slough residents have been horrified to see the horrific escalation of violence since 7th October in which thousands of over 15,000 innocent Palestinian men, women and children have been killed, including over 5,500 4,000 Palestinian children.  
• Our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s terror attack on 7th October, the loss of 1,200 innocent Israeli lives, the taking of civilians as hostages, of which approximately 160 remain in captivity;  
• of the fact that whole Palestinian communities have been driven from their homes and that the Gaza Strip has been cut off from crucial water, food, fuel and medical supplies.  
• Our belief that the Israeli government must not be given a blank cheque to continue operating in the manner it has done, and that every much more effort should be made by the UK Government to deliver a peaceful and just future for Palestinians and Israelis alike to help ensure the stability of the region.  

Slough Borough Council resolves:  

That the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary outlining the following:  

• The multicultural nature of Slough and the pride which Slough places in our vibrant community relations, to strongly convey the very deep concern felt by Slough residents at the ongoing conflict, alongside the deep disappointment that the UK government initially voted against, and then abstained on a UN Security Council resolution on implementing humanitarian pauses in Gaza;  
• To lobby the UK Government to formally recognise Palestinian statehood in line with the vast majority of UN member states.   
• To recognise the recent announcement of £30 million in aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but stress that this is a drop in the ocean to what is required and urge the UK Government to play a bigger role in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe. 
• The UK government must do more to address the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and to Our agreement that Israel must stop extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and that whilst welcoming the recent humanitarian truce period, we firmly call for an urgent and immediate permanent ceasefire.  we recognise the calls from charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children who have called a ceasefire ‘our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe’.  
• The UK Government must work in partnership with our international partners to guarantee that residents in Gaza who are forced to flee during this conflict are fully able to return to their homes 
• That we call for Israel to protect Hospitals and allow food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; and to stop the aerial bombardment of any targets with likely civilian presence with immediate effect. 
• That International law makes it clear that the intentional killing of civilians, collective punishment and hostage-taking may be deemed as war crimes; and that all members urge the Government and the Member of Parliament for Slough to reaffirm the jurisdiction of the ICC in upholding rules based international order, international humanitarian law and to address the conduct of all parties in this conflictto work to uphold the international rules which underpins our collective human rights;  
• That the United Kingdom should redouble our efforts and make it a strategic priority to progress reaffirm its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic and political process to deliver an immediate ceasefire, and a pathway to the lasting peace of a two-state solution.” 

The amendment was put to the vote and a prior request having been made for the record of the voting - 

 

There voted for the amendment to the motion:

 

Councillors Ajaib, Akram, Anderson, Carter, Dar, Escott, Gahir, Gill, Hulme, Instone, Mann, Matloob, Mohammad, Nazir, Qaseem and W.Sabah………. 16

 

There voted against the amendment to the motion:

 

Councillors E.Ahmed, I.Ahmed, Bedi, Chahal, Dauti, Dhillon, Iftakhar, Kelly, Khawar, Manku, Mohindra, Muvvala, Naveed, Satti, Shah, Shaik, Smith, Stedmond, Wright and Zarait……………………………………………………. 20

 

There abstained from voting:

 

Councillors Tomar and Abbasi (The Worshipful The Mayor) ………………… 2 

 

The amendment to the motion was not carried.

 

The original motion was put to the vote and agreed unanimously.

 

Resolved  -

Slough Borough Council extends and notes:

·  Our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones due to recent events in Israel and Palestine; and acknowledges that Slough residents have been horrified to see the horrific escalation of violence since 7^th October in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed, including over 4,000 Palestinian children.

·  Our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s terror attack on 7^th October; of the fact that whole Palestinian communities have been driven from their homes and that the Gaza Strip has been cut off from crucial water, food, fuel and medical supplies.

·  Our belief that Israel must not be given a blank cheque to continue operating in the manner it has done, and that every effort should be made by the UK Government to ensure the stability of the region.

Slough Borough Council resolves:

That the Leader of the Council write to the Foreign Secretary outlining the following:

·  The multicultural nature of Slough and the pride which Slough places in our vibrant community relations;

·  Our agreement that Israel must stop extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and that we recognise the calls from charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children who have called a ceasefire ‘our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe’.

·  That we call for Israel to protect Hospitals and allow food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; and to stop the aerial bombardment of any targets with likely civilian presence with immediate effect;

·  That International law makes it clear that the intentional killing of civilians, collective punishment and hostage-taking may be deemed as war crimes; and that all members urge the Government and the Member of Parliament for Slough to work to uphold the international rules which underpins our collective human rights;

·  That the United Kingdom should reaffirm its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic and political process to deliver an immediate ceasefire, and a pathway to the lasting peace of a two-state solution.