Camden News - Frank Dobson - Government housing policy

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Camden New Journal - By RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 3 April 2008

MP: Residents have right to say ‘no privatisation’

FRANK Dobson has compared attempts to convince council tenants to back government housing policy to the election turmoil in Zimbabwe.
He made his latest appeal for funding in Camden’s housing estates on Monday night when he told the House of Commons that residents should have the right to refuse privatisation.
Mr Dobson said: “I am sure that everyone welcomes the idea of free and fair elections not just in Zimbabwe, but in the ballots we are talking about. If at the end of the process tenants vote to stay with the council, we are saying, ‘So what? You won’t get any money to do up your housing.’
“That has been the problem all along.”
Camden tenants refused to back a transfer to an independent board known as an arms-length management organisation – but have been punished by having investment meant for estate repairs frozen.
Mr Dobson’s latest intervention came in a debate on the government’s Housing and Regeneration Bill.
He said: “People are left in a position where a Labour government are refusing to find any money to do up housing. The council is now selling the most attractive individual houses on the streets to raise money in order to do up a small part of the rest of the estate.”
Liberal Democrat housing chief Councillor Chris Naylor has already sanctioned the auction of 500 homes to help make up the shortfall.
Housing minister Iain Wright said: “All local authorities now have a clear road map on achieving decent home standards, regardless of management or ownership of the property. I know that Camden is a special case and (Mr Dobson) has worked hard in that instance, but the roles are clear. Private borrowing can be levered in so that more can be done more quickly.”

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