The leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has said the authority will do everything it can to not evict tenants affected by the ‘Bedroom Tax’.
Cllr Harry Andrews made the pledge after councillors voted on a range of measures to support tenants affected by the change in housing benefit.
From April 1 this year, changes to housing benefit by the UK Government meant that working-age recipients faced a cut of 14% to their payments for one spare bedroom, and a 25% cut for two spare bedrooms or more.
Critics have labelled the reduction a ‘Bedroom Tax’.
Councillors voted on proposals put forward by the Caerphilly Homes Task Group based on an original motion by Plaid Cymru.
The Caerphilly Homes Task Group – made up of seven councillors and seven council tenants – said it could not support Plaid’s ‘no eviction policy’ as it may be illegal.
Measures recommended by the group and passed by the council included helping tenants move to more suitable accommodation and increasing the use of the private sector for suitable alternative properties.
Cllr Andrews said: “I’m delighted that Caerphilly Council has endorsed the Caerphilly Homes Task Group’s comprehensive and robust measures to help our council support those tenants affected by the Tory-led Westminster government’s cruel and unpopular ‘Bedroom Tax’.
“No Caerphilly Council tenant has been evicted as a result of the ‘Bedroom Tax’, and we’re determined to do everything possible to ensure that record is maintained.”
But Cllr Colin Mann, the leader of the opposition Plaid Cymru group on the council, has criticised Labour councillors for not backing Plaid’s motion in full.
The Plaid group had agreed to remove a clause covering no evictions in an attempt to win consensus among councillors.
Cllr Mann said: “I’m disappointed that Labour has faced two ways on such an important issue as the ‘Bedroom Tax’. Many Labour councillors sadly could not put politics to one side for those whose lives have been turned upside down by this appalling piece of legislation. The fact that this was led by senior members of the Labour group makes it even more regrettable.
“There was an opportunity for a united Caerphilly to send clear message to the UK Coalition Government.
“This tax is hitting some of the poorest people very hard and there is a lack of suitable alternative accommodation to move into. People are being left in an impossible situation and predictions are that the problems will escalate.
“The officers of the council deserve praise for reacting positively to our motion and making real progress on the various issues we raised.”
Caerphilly council`s interim Chief Executive, Stuart Rosser, only this week, warned Councillors that to recover the cost of the unlawful payments to the suspended Chief Executive and his Deputy, would by too costly for the authority, and they are still being paid from the public purse.
I am sure (the council) can apply the same considerations to anyone who has fallen into arrears by failing to pay this iniquitous additional rent on properties they may have lived in for thirty forty and fifty years?
No evictions, no court actions, no court fees, and no shaven headed, inane, cretinous bailiffs, with the I.Q. of a lamp post, calling to throw families on the streets, costing the very same Caerphilly council many thousands of pounds to rehouse these very same families in ?, you guessed it, another Council house and with little or no prospect of recovering the original debt.
The Council must `TRY` hard and avoid at any cost evicting tenants who are subject to this modern day `window tax`, and in trying they must succeed.
Perhaps Mr Rosser will ensure that the costs of any contemplated eviction or recovery action is measured against the real cost, including that on the Children of families, of taking it, and I am sure he will come up with the same answer as he has in respect to his former colleagues, who, the Auditor General for Wales has already suggested the money in question was obtained `unlawfully`, unlike the hard pressed families now considered for eviction from their homes. There appears to be serious dichotomy in the council`s thinking.
So Plaid Cymru withdrew the no evictions part of their motion even though it's their national policy. If this is correct they've gone against their national policy. Sellouts????
To think the problem only exists due to the way the benefit system in this country works.
Instead of giving the money to the tenants, give it to the authorities managing the houses. Then, it will be up to the authorities to set the pricing (there can be maximum limits. Obviously, the larger homes will cost more and the smaller homes will cost less. It is then up to those looking for a home to decide which rent they can afford.
To make the blow easier, only allow the policy to affect those who are new to social housing.
Tony has hit the nail on the head. I wonder what Leanne Wood's thinking about Plaid Cymru dropping their adopted national policy. Perhaps a Plaid councillor can come on here to explain why they've abondonned their so called principles. They can never lecture about any other party selling out anymore. Cant believe a word Plaid say!
Come on fellas', It's plaid we are talking about. They care about the people's vote and not the people's lives. Just like Lib/Lab/Con.
Harry Andrews – so he does speak then. Funny how he is quick to jump up and down on this vote winner yet anything to do with the unlawful pay business he keeps quiet.
So here is the evidence that Plaid in Caerphilly went against their national policy.
http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2013/11/12/labou…
They've thrown their 'principles' into the trash can!!
STATIC CARAVANS! Cheap, don't take up much space and can be joined together to create a larger home. Let's put them in static caravans instead of helping them with rent.