Political Parties In Havering Unite In Efforts To Deliver More Social Housing.

A coalition of Conservatives, Labour and Independents have united in efforts to deliver more social housing in Havering, with opposition from the ruling Havering Resident’s Association party (HRA) .

Councillor David Taylor, on behalf of Havering Conservatives, tabled a motion to council on Wednesday 3rd September. The motion called on the council to review the business plan for the private developer that they own, asking it to provide more social housing. The motion was opposed by the HRA but was passed with a majority of 1 after Labour and independents supported Councillor Taylor’s motion. 

Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) is a private property developer owned and operated by Havering Council. It was set up under the Conservatives and is funded by taking loans from the council, which it uses to then purchase council land and build homes. The HRA have shown regular support for the company. During the debate, Councillor Graham Williamson (HRA), the Cabinet Member who oversees development, reported that MLH had built just under 150 homes in its 10-year existence, citing “affordable homes” as part of the mix. 

In his speech, Councillor Taylor highlighted that the term ‘affordable housing’ is often misleading and that the need in Havering is for social rented homes. These are homes which can be rented using housing benefits and can only be given to local families on Havering’s housing waiting list. 

Councillor Taylor highlighted other issues with MLH, suggesting that it increases building costs and prevents the council from actually building social housing. “We have priced ourselves out of delivering social homes”, Councillor Taylor said. 

This defeat for the HRA marks the first vote that the HRA have lost. 

Councillor David Taylor said 

“I am thrilled that Conservatives and Labour could work together like this. This is the type of politics the people of Havering want, putting lazy party politics to one side so that we can do what is best for our residents. 

Havering spends £millions ever year on housing our local families in temporary accommodation and we can cut that cost by building much needed social homes for Havering’s families. 

A lot of developers are proposing homes all over our borough. MLH is a company where we have control and we decide what to build. If we won’t use it to deliver social housing for Havering families then what is the point of it? We will be reliant on big property developers to build what we need. 

The HRA go to great lengths to reply to every article published about me, including telling the public I am obsessed with MLH. I am obsessed, and we must all be, in delivering housing for our vulnerable families. I am now callingon the HRA to work with us, as we look at the MLH business plan, as opposed to working against the much needed and much wanted change. 

There may be elections coming up  next year, but our residents come before party politics every time.”

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