Update on Changing the Eligibility Criteria for WDCs Housing Waiting List

The story so far...in changing the eligibility criteria to allow people in financial hardship/debt to be accepted on the housing waiting list:-

Cllr Martyn Ashford has been excellent. He is working extremely hard to get something done. This is what he has done:

1. Contacted Cllr Bob Crowther (WDC Council Leader)
2. Approached the Labour Group
3. Spoke to the relevant council officers: Mary Hawkins
4. Preparing to submit my motion to the Labour Group
5. E-mailed Cllr Alan Boad, asking that he responds to me.

We have encountered some problems:-

a) Mary Hawkins has expressed a view that she does not think it appropriate to "tweak" the policy for "one needs group at this time". I think this is completely unacceptable and quite frankly I am not interested in her views. Cllr Ashford is in agreement with me and the motion is still going to be presented to the Labour Group.

b) Cllr Alan Boad, the portfolio holder for housing may not support the motion. If he responds to me, then I might be able to tell you why.

Supportive comments:-

a) These have come from Cllr Crowther who is aware that this is a problem. He is rightly concerned about the impact such a change would have for the council.

Change can happen to help people in our society, it just takes the political will.

Paul