Dear residents

As your local Liberal Democrat team we are here to act on the side of residents. You may have heard that the council is looking at various sites to build new council homes.

We absolutely agree that we need new council homes in our communities. It is great that changes in government rules mean that councils are able to build council homes again. However, it is really important for us that this is done with input from existing residents rather than done to them by the council.

Our priority is to make sure that you have a real say in any proposals coming forward in your area. We will support Tenants and Residents Associations in having their say, and we want to make sure that every individual has the chance to comment to the council as well.

We have therefore asked the council to tell us what consultation will be taking place with local residents and how they will show that they are genuinely listening.

We will always stand up for what local residents want, including if they want new homes built in their area. But we will always make sure that we are acting on the side of residents and not the council. And we will fight to make sure that the council always listens to you.

Local Liberal Democrats want new council homes. But we also believe that Southwark Labour should not be building on community facilities or green spaces until they stop selling off council homes and start getting affordable ones in new developments.

We don’t think it is fair that residents on council estates are being asked to give up their green spaces because private developers don’t want social housing on their sites.

We will keep you informed as much as we can and we will push the council to honestly let you know what is going on every step of the way. It would be really helpful if you could take a few moments to let the Liberal Democrat campaign team in your area know what you think.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any advice with this issue or with any other local matters.
 
Best wishes

Cllr Anood Al-Samerai

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Southwark Council