Issue - meetings

Motion J (2010/11)

Councillor Bevan has given notice that he will move in the following terms:

Local Housing Allowance

Notes:

• The coalition Government’s decision to slash the cap on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), with a resulting reduction in the amount of housing benefit paid towards the rent.
• That it’s estimated that 218 claimants in Haringey will be directly affected by this change
• That due to higher rents in the capital changes in the LHA cap disproportionately affects Londoners.
• London Council’s predictions that nearly 15,000 families could lose their homes or live in overcrowded conditions as a result of this change.
• That more than one in three private sector homes are rented by families in receipt of LHA of Housing benefit, with 18,645 households in London affected.
• That 14,661 of households with children will be affected by the slash on Local Housing Allowance
• That 10,500 households living in inner London could be forced to move to outer London, putting a strain on local services
• That the new LHA cap is lower than the existing cap for all 33 London boroughs for five bedroom homes, in 25 boroughs for four bedroom homes and in 18 boroughs for homes with three and two bedrooms.

Believes:

• That this a socially divisive policy that will affect a wider range of people than just those in receipt of LHA
• That this cap could create major social dislocation as many families will be forced out of their communities because they will no longer be able to afford their rent
• That Haringey as an Outer London borough may see greater pressure put on services, as people are forced to move out of inner London
• The new cap will result in increased levels of rent arrears, overcrowding, and families living in temporary accommodation, as people will struggle to meet increased costs
• That creating transitional arrangements in London would allow the government to reduce the level of LHA being paid, while seeking to protect the most vulnerable households.

Resolves:

·        Continue to work with members of the community who will be affected by this decision, liaise with other local authorities and our partner agencies to mitigate the impacts of the cap.

·        Call on the Government to rethink its action and look at bringing transitional arrangements in London  

Motion K (2010/11)

Councillor Gorriehas given notice that he will move in the following terms:

Fair Votes Motion

This Council supports moves to change our parliamentary voting system, which will see Haringey’s Members of Parliament elected under a fairer system. 

Council calls on the Returning Officer to take steps to promote participation in the Referendum.

Motion L (2010/11)

Councillor Gorriehas given notice that he will move in the following terms:

Rogue Landlord Motion

This Council notes:

• A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) showing that of those officers working on housing enforcement in the private rented sector, nine out of ten had encountered landlords engaging in harassment or illegal eviction, and 78% had dealt with landlords  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57

MOTION J 2010/11

It was moved by Councillor Bevan and seconded by Councillor Stewart that:

This Council Notes:

• The coalition Government’s decision to slash the cap on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), with a resulting reduction in the amount of housing benefit paid towards the rent.
• That it’s estimated that 218 claimants in Haringey will be directly affected by this change
• That due to higher rents in the capital changes in the LHA cap disproportionately affects Londoners.
• London Council’s predictions that nearly 15,000 families could lose their homes or live in overcrowded conditions as a result of this change.
• That more than one in three private sector homes are rented by families in receipt of LHA of Housing benefit, with 18,645 households in London affected.
• That 14,661 of households with children will be affected by the slash on Local Housing Allowance
• That 10,500 households living in inner London could be forced to move to outer London, putting a strain on local services
• That the new LHA cap is lower than the existing cap for all 33 London boroughs for five bedroom homes, in 25 boroughs for four bedroom homes and in 18 boroughs for homes with three and two bedrooms.

Believes:

• That this a socially divisive policy that will affect a wider range of people than just those in receipt of LHA
• That this cap could create major social dislocation as many families will be forced out of their communities because they will no longer be able to afford their rent
• That Haringey as an Outer London borough may see greater pressure put on services, as people are forced to move out of inner London
• The new cap will result in increased levels of rent arrears, overcrowding, and families living in temporary accommodation, as people will struggle to meet increased costs
• That creating transitional arrangements in London would allow the government to reduce the level of LHA being paid, while seeking to protect the most vulnerable households.

Resolves:

• Continue to work with members of the community who will be affected by this decision, liaise with other local authorities and our partner agencies to mitigate the impacts of the cap.
• Call on the Government to rethink its action and look at bringing transitional arrangements in London  

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor Jenks that:

(Amendments are in italics and in bold, deletions have been struck through)

This Council notes:

·      The coalition Government’s decision to slash the cap on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), with a resulting reduction in the amount of housing benefit paid towards the rent.

·      That it’s estimated that 218 claimants in Haringey will be directly affected by this change

·      That due to higher rents in the capital changes in the LHA cap disproportionately affects Londoners.

·      London Council’s predictions that nearly 15,000 families could lose their homes or live in overcrowded conditions as a result of this change.

·      That more than one in three private sector homes are rented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57