Andrew Barshall and Ian Henderson who both ran as independents in the local council elections earlier this year have now been invited to the Houses of Parliament.
They were there on behalf of the Save the Sutton Estate campaign to meet an all party group of Peers and members of Parliament.
The group discussed the social housing situation in London, and specifically Affinity Sutton's plans to sell off half of the historic Sutton Estate in Chelsea.
If the sale to the private sector is allowed to go ahead Affinity Sutton, the supposed "charity", will end up with a potential surplus of £250 million!
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| L-R Barshall, TomWatson MP, Henderson |
"We were very appreciative to have the backing of so many Peers and MPs for the Save the Sutton Estate campaign, and by the level of support from MPs and Peers from all parties for social housing in London.
Peers and MPs from across the political spectrum expressed a deep discomfort and anger with the selling off of social housing to buy-to-leave investors from overseas. They also expressed deep concern about the transformation of our housing trusts and charities into commercial businesses putting profits, or surpluses, before the people they were set up to serve."
Why do they need to go to Parliament to seek help, when they should be speaking to their ward Councillors and the planning committee.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine this would be in addition to ward councillors and planning committees locally. What is your objection? This is democratic activity
DeleteWhich ward? There's precious little evidence of RBKC councillors acting for residents. And in case you haven't noticed, RBKC's planning committee has been a sick joke for decades!
ReplyDeleteStanley. 'Nuff said!
DeleteWard councillors and the Planning Committee are poised to approve the demolition and redevelopment of the Sutton Estate. It won't be a hard fight, like Wornington Green, where the councillors were on the side of residents and the planning approval only went through at 1 am on the second and casting vote of the then planning chairman, Terence Buxton.
ReplyDeleteThe Labour Ward Councillors were only on the side of the Womington Green residents because if the estate were demolished and the area gentrified, the Labour voting tenants would no longer be there to vote Labour.
DeleteSomeone needs to stand up for the interests of residents of the Sutton Estate. I am not sure that the Ward Councillors in Stanley are congruant with the residents of the Estate.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity athat Barshall and Henderson were not elected.
Hear Hear
DeleteYou might think this is a job for Rifkind - another sick joke.
ReplyDeleteGreg Hands is the local MP and he seems to be a supporter of social housing, and actually holds surgeries for his constituents.
ReplyDeleteDon't rely on Cockell, Pascall or Warwick to help you.
ReplyDeleteDon't heed too much of the advice offered by opportunist Labour Councillors either.
I went to see Greg Hands about the TMO and wasn't impressed.
ReplyDeleteThe Dame has highlighted a pattern in Rotten Borough scandals. Despite its propaganda, RBKC Labour repeatedly fails to act. So the Dame should organise a seminar for those residents known to openly oppose RBKC policies in areas such as the destruction of social housing, facilities for the vulnerable, the elderly and young: ensuring maximum developer profits and those of certain council members and their lackeys.
ReplyDelete20:40 is correct.
ReplyDeleteThe policy of ex Labour Leader, Judith Blakeman to settle for scraps off the rich man's table have left RBKC Labour totally impotent.
Emma Dent Coad "talks the talk" in her private blog but there is no evidence that she will lead Labour to actually finding a meaningful way of challenging the Hornton St neo-con monsters who are viciously attacking the Borough's poor and excluded.
RBKC Labour are about to be set a challenge that will tell residents of the Rotten Borough exactly what the opposition group are made of and their willingness to stand up and be counted. What this space.......
22.30 says, 'Emma Dent Coad "talks the talk." ' Granted, she is a good gas bag. She cut her teeth for RBKC Labour Party leadership on the TMO Board and look at that.
DeleteIs this the same Ian Henderson leading a campaign against Affinity Sutton who is the chair of the CATs tenants committee which is funded by Affinity Sutton?
ReplyDeletei think the campaign is to save social housing, not against Affinty Sutton. As a resident ive never felt better informed and supported by the work he and his committee do. .
DeleteThe very same. The same person that is presently not keeping the tenants nor committee appraised of what they/he is doing on their behalf.
ReplyDeleteIve received a number of newsletters this year on the estate , there is a Residents Blog, and numerous trips and events both on and off the estate for the residents , that are subsidized by residents association fundraising throughout the year. Whilst he has been Chair , Sutton Estate residents have never been better informed . Where have you been .You must have your head in the sand.
DeleteAs i understand it he was voted on again by quite a large majority , with the largest turnout ever for an estate vote.This is the 3rd Year he has been voted on , Its seems the residents on the estate really appreciate the work he is doing on their behalf. Otherwise he wouldn't continue to be voted in to the Chairs position, with an increased majority.
DeleteAnonymous1 January 2015 at 19:44 you seem to be a little confused. Maybe you don't understand that CATS is the resident association for the Sutton Estate and that there is another organisation called Save the Sutton Estate which is a charity composed of residents, locals and other supporters which is there to fight for social housing in Chelsea. These are two completely separate bodies which both would appreciate your support rather than your continuing to push the Affinity Sutton case.
ReplyDelete