Labour’s deputy leader, Cllr Amanda Evans has written in Brighton & Hove News about the win Labour Councillors secured for renters in the private sector in the city last week:

“…Shockingly, almost half of all renters across the south east have suffered illegal acts from landlords.

“The Labour group have long been advocating for the implementation of a licensing scheme to address some of the issues.

“Since the local elections in 2019, Labour and the Greens have been committed to a joint working programme on housing and this has been working well for our residents in many respects.

“However, we were shocked when papers for this week’s Housing Committee were published to see that the recommendation in the Green’s report was not to move forward with licensing.

“Apparently, Acorn were shocked too – they held a demonstration outside Green party offices last week accusing the party of failing renters in the city which triggered something of a war of words…

“Labour housing lead Gill Williams put forward an amendment reinstating the licensing plan and events took a bizarre turn with the Greens – presumably rattled by the row – deciding to join Labour in amending their own report.

“Still, the eventual result is the city WILL soon, by hook or by crook, join the growing list of around 50 UK local authorities that have licensing schemes.

“So all’s well that ends well – and the Labour group are delighted to have played our part in arm-twisting the administration into doing the right thing.”

To read Cllr Evans’ piece in full, visit Brighton & Hove News.

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