Politics of housing

Published: 13 January, 2011

• I ATTENDED the joint District Management Committee  meeting on Thursday – a big annual set-piece where five area committees for tenants’/ residents’ associations (TRAs) meet to discuss rent-setting, service charges and other issues affecting Camden’s estates.

There were real issues to discuss, including a proposed rent increase of 7.1 per cent, a similar increase on service charges, and proposals to cap heating charges.

So I was taken aback that there were no Lib Dem or Tory councillors for my DMC present, given that every ward covered by Hampstead DMC except Kilburn is represented by councillors from one of those parties. 

In fact, there wasn’t a single Tory or Lib Dem councillor from anywhere in the borough at the meeting.

There was a representative deficit on Thursday night, which impacted particularly on NW6. 

DMCs are primarily there for TRAs, but councillors are members for a good reason. 

It helps us stay in touch with our estates and help advocate for tenants and residents, especially in these tough economic times when rents and charges will have to rise.

This Tory Lib Dem no-show sent out a clear signal how little they care about tenant and resident participation and engagement.

CLLR MIKE KATZ
Labour, Kilburn ward