The Liberal Democrats have slammed Southwark Council after a Freedom of Information Request found it had not used its empty homes powers for seven years, writes Issy Clarke.
The FOI, submitted by the Liberal Democrats, revealed the council had not used any Empty Homes Management Orders or Compulsory Purchase Orders – powers that can be used to take over or purchase homes that are long-term empty.
A Labour councillor hit back saying it was “simply untrue” to say the council had failed to act, adding that it was actively contacting empty homeowners and getting a 60 per cent respose rate.
There are 2,531 empty homes in Southwark, according to government statistics published earlier this month – even though more than 17,000 people are stuck on the housing waiting list.
It comes after news that Maydew House – a 144 home council block in Bermondsey – is finally set to be demolished after standing empty for almost ten years while £15 million was spent maintaining it.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Victor Chamberlain said: “It cannot be right for so many homes to sit emptying our borough, which is England’s capital of the housing crisis, whilst so many are desperate for a safe and affordable home.
“Labour now have all levers of power at local, London, and government level – so they no longer have any excuses.”
Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, hit back: “It is simply untrue to say the council has failed to act given the positive traction we’re seeing across our empty homes service.
“Uptake in the grants and loans programme we offer to bring empty homes back into use is the highest it’s been in the last ten years. We have 14 funded projects either completed or due to complete, with a further 17 in the pipeline.
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“We had a 60 per cent response rate from over 1,700 types of correspondence to empty homeowners this year, and we’re applying the maximum level of council tax allowed on empty and second homes.
“We set aside £2 million for potential CPO action, with eight properties currently being considered. Some will be removed due to the case progressing down a different route or changes in homeowners’ circumstances.
“We must carefully consider the best approach to each complex case, exploring all other avenues before taking any decisions on CPO action.”
