Sutton Council seeks review over Government's withdrawal of housing millions (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Sutton Council seeks review over Government's withdrawal of housing millions

2:00pm Monday 2nd November 2009

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Sutton Council has sought a judicial review to overturn a Government decision to withdraw £122m of funding to improve conditions for tenants.

The council intends to take legal action against the Department for Communities and Local Government after it withdrew funding for their Decent Homes programmes for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Earlier this year, the Government said Sutton would get the money if Sutton Housing Partnership, the borough’s Arms Length Management Organisation (Almo), received at least a two-star rating in an Audit Commission inspection.

But the Government pulled the plug on the funding before the inspection, which began this week.

Now Sutton Council will join forces with London boroughs Havering and Redbridge, and Sedgemoor District Council in Somerset and the Local Government Association, to seek the judicial review.

Executive member for housing on Sutton Council Councillor Colin Stears said: “This decision was a disaster for social housing tenants in Sutton who should be receiving £112m to bring their homes up to decent standards.

“The real victims are vulnerable and elderly residents, whose homes need improving urgently – this withdrawal of funding will only widen the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ in our community at the worst possible time.

“By working with the LGA and other boroughs we will do all we can to reverse this decision.”

A council spokesman said the money would have paid for replacement of antiquated box bathrooms on the St Helier estate, increased energy efficiency with the installation of new double glazed windows, and insulation and upgrading tower blocks such as Chaucer House.

Chairman of the Local Government Association environment board, Councillor Gary Porter said: “The decision to seek a Judicial review over the decision to withhold funding has not been taken lightly but there are serious concerns jobs will be lost in the fragile building sector, and thousands of people will be left in below par housing.

“The decision to withdraw the funding that was allocated to these Almos will have a serious impact on tens of thousands of tenants – who are some of the poorest in our communities – living in housing that is most in need of repair.

“Poor housing conditions seriously impact on people’s health, education, life chances and on social cohesion.”

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