NEWS RELEASE

From the Labour Councillors on Bristol City Council

17th March, 2012 for immediate release

Labour seek Last Minute Talks with Mayor on Bedroom Tax Labour councillors are to hold last minute talks with the Mayor to see if they can reach agreement concerning the bedroom tax no evictions policy before council on Tuesday. In December the Mayor at Cabinet ignored a two-thirds vote of council to continue the no evictions policy and then went on to scrap it against the wishes of the majority of councillors. Councillors protested and the call-in committee made the unusual decision to refer the matter back to Council. The Mayor seems to be concerned that the council-agreed policy is a blanket no-evictions policy. But there were four conditions expressly designed to protect only those tenants who consistently pay their rent but have fallen into arrears as a sole result of the governments new under -occupancy charge. I hope that at a last minute meeting just before the Council on Tuesday that we can reach agreement. I know the Mayor is no fan of the bedroom tax. I feel sure that some agreement can be reached, says Cllr Ron Stone, Labours Deputy Leader. Below the proposal (with strict conditions) that the council supported on 17.12.2013:
Council recommends the Mayor continues with a no eviction policy for those tenants affected by the Under Occupancy Charge so that no council tenant will be evicted as a result of the benefit cuts, and introduction of the Bedroom Tax, in line with criteria listed below. Council believes that continuing the no evictions policy is tenable, provided the following actions are put in place to mitigate against wholesale no-payment of rents:1. 2. 3. 4. Their arrears have accrued since 1st April 2013 They fully engage with housing officers and services provided/support networks for budget management advice, to reduce level of arrears owing Have given consideration to any reasonable downsize option or exchange Council call upon the Mayor and Housing Officers to assist and promote appeals by tenants to the 1st tier tribunal for housing benefit issues. Where a tenant may have good grounds for such a case, in particular using the Housing Act 1985 with regard to room sizes.

Contact Cllr Ron Stone - 07718 588475

Or Labour office - 0117 922 2013 or 07957 474865

Labour creating a fairer Bristol