Warren Morgan: We are delivering, despite huge Government cuts

In the past week we have reached the next key stage of our new housing venture which should deliver 1,000 truly affordable homes for shared ownership or rent, with the first three sites brought forward across the city.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Sep 2017, 12:00 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:26 BST
Warren Morgan, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-170126-092210001Warren Morgan, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-170126-092210001
Warren Morgan, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-170126-092210001

We’ve also set aside money to start buying back council homes lost under right to buy, adding to the 500 new council homes we are already aiming to build in the city, with some already built and occupied by council tenants. The latest development of new council homes got underway in Hollingdean in the past fortnight.

Also in the past week, over 200 new homes have been given planning permission, while we revealed that over 100 cases of potentially unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation are being investigated. Consultation on selective landlord licensing has just ended.

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New developments for King’s School and West Blatchington School, as well as a new A&E department at the Sussex County, have also been given planning permission. This week the scheme to redevelop Preston Barracks, providing 350 more new homes, 1,000 jobs and purpose built accommodation to take over 1,000 students out of ‘domestic’ housing, was approved at planning committee. It has been put forward by the same developer currently building the Circus Street project.

This month we were able to announce that all of the city’s supported bus routes will continue thanks to our £150,000 investment, ensuring these lifelines for many communities and school pupils are maintained. The city’s bike rental scheme was also launched at the start of the month. We continue to improve our refuse and street cleaning services, with new big belly, communal and wheeled recycling bins, garden and commercial waste collection services, and litter enforcement officers.

Our parks staff were among 21 awards winners from across the city at the South and South East in Bloom 2017 event last week. Meanwhile the city’s campaign to restore the Madeira Terraces hit the 900 donor mark, and was praised by Jeremy Corbyn.

Our Labour-led city council delivers for you, month in and month out, despite a cut of £100 million from our annual budget by the Conservative Government.

Warren Morgan is the Labour leader of Brighton & Hove City Council.