‘Time to consider their positions’ – Housing failures leave Southwark with no option but leadership change, say Lib Dems

The Southwark Liberal Democrats have called for members of the council’s Labour leadership to consider their positions following litany of housing failures.

The Liberal Democrat opposition group have submitted a motion to Southwark’s full council meeting tonight highlighting Labour’s “appalling record” on housing.

The motion covers the recently exposed major works scandals, insufficient repairs service and failure to provide affordable housing.

In the motion, the Liberal Democrat group are calling for the leader of the council and relevant cabinet members responsible to “consider their position” as senior decision-makers.

Both the current leader of the council and the current cabinet member for finance have served as cabinet member for housing since 2020.

Cllr Emily Tester, proposing the motion, said the recent failures and their refusal to take responsibility for them made their positions “untenable”.

The housing waiting list in Southwark has risen to over 17,700 households as of January 2024, with new applicants almost doubling from approximately 6,000 in 2019 to over 11,000 in 2023.

Recently, Southwark Council has been forced to apologise “unreservedly” and suspend staff in relation to major works projects which went millions over budget and years over schedule with residents reporting a poor quality of work.

Multiple housing developments on estates have been paused indefinitely, but only after the council had demolished existing council homes, community centers and playgrounds.

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Cllr Emily Tester said:

“The crises and scandals hitting housing in Southwark seem to be never ending. Housebuilding grinding to a halt while the housing waiting list climbs higher and higher. Major works projects millions over budget and years over schedule. Damp, mould and disrepair rampant in council homes.

It is time for real accountability. Members of the cabinet who have presided over this appalling record remain in key decision making roles – even leading the council – and it is time they considered their positions, as we consider them to be untenable.”