Tenant activist Dr Brian Potter claims he’s being ‘ignored’ by Islington Council

Published: 26th November, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

HOUSING activist Dr Brian Potter claimed this week that he is being “sidelined” and “ignored” by Islington Council even though he represents the borough’s two biggest tenant and leaseholder pressure groups.

He complained that not being told about or invited to two crucial local housing events was “extremely insulting and disrespectful” to the borough’s residents, whom he represents.

Dr Potter said he found out about the recent Leaseholders Fair organised by housing agency Homes for Islington (HfI) “by chance”. He also said he was not informed about the Housing Convention run by Islington council two weeks ago and attended by more than 200 people.

He claimed: “There was hardly anyone at the Leaseholders Fair because no one knew about it. It was a box ticking exercise. There were more HfI officials than there were leaseholders.” As for the Housing Convention, he added: “There was little input from tenants. It was another PR box ticking event.”

Dr Potter has been chairman of the Federation of Islington Council Tenants for seven years and chairman of Islington Leaseholders Association for three years. However, Jennie Rooney, chairwoman of St Mary’s Path Estate, who led an anti-social behaviour workshop, thought the Convention went very well.

“There were lots of housing staff who were prepared to listen to complaints,” she said. “All the residents I spoke to found the event very useful and interesting.”

Executive member for housing, Labour council­lor James Murray, said that personal invitations were not sent out although the Convention was well advertised.

He added: “It was an extremely successful event and the majority of workshops were led by tenants. It’s rubbish to say this was a PR exercise. There were frank discussions and much open criticism of housing in the borough. 

“As a result we got views on what can be improved.”