A TENANTS group has criticised the decision to put the outcome of the council's housing strategy in the hands of one person, claiming an open debate is being avoided.

A strategy is being developed which will set out a plan for the types of housing to be built in Swindon over the next decade.

There is currently a consultation taking place but the overall decision on the strategy will be taken by the cabinet member responsible for housing, Coun Emma Faramarzi (Con, Priory Vale).

The Swindon Tenants Campaign Group has said this undermines the democratic process and such an important document needs a greater level of scrutiny.

However, Coun Faramarzi says the length of consultation has been extended to allow more people to take part, and if there were any major issues arising, the plan could be referred to cabinet.

The tenants group is also critical of the strategy, saying it will not solve the problem of affordable housing in the town.

Martin Wicks, secretary of Swindon Tenants Campaign Group, said: “It’s unbelievable that such an important decision should be taken by an individual rather than by the full council.

“Why is the council's ruling group frightened of public debate? It may well be because it knows that its proposals cannot possibly resolve the housing crisis.

“It admits that there are 800 too few ‘affordable homes’ built in the town every year but it can offer no remedy. It is not prepared to challenge the coalition government’s disastrous housing policy which has produced a decline of 104,000 council houses in England.

“The council’s document admits that households ‘at or close to the threshold (of greatest need) will have to wait a considerable time for affordable housing or not be housed in this way at all’.”

The eight-week consultation comes to an end on November 10 but Martin has written to the council leader to postpone that deadline until a conference to address any problems has been held.

But Coun Faramarzi says the consultation has been extended to allow more people to take part.

She said: “The document being consulted on is the result of months of work from council officers. It is not something I have come up with overnight.

“I fully understand the importance of this document. There was initially only going to be a four-week consultation but I had this extended to eight weeks so as many people as possible could contribute.

“Cabinet put the final decision down to the portfolio holder but if there is something in the final document, or that arises through the consultation, then I can bring it back before cabinet.”

 

WHO IS COUNCILLOR EMMA FARAMARZI?

  • Cabinet member responsible for housing and public safety
  • Party: Conservative
  • Ward: Priory Vale
  • First elected for the ward: 2012
  • Other roles: Chairman of the Swindon Federation of Small Businesses
  • Personal life: Mum-of-three Coun Faramarzi is the owner of a growing IT business and lobbied BT to provide fibre broadband for the community.