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CLLR IAN CLEMENT WRITES
I’m keen that the Council does more to help local people and key workers who are interested in buying their own home.
That’s why we’re giving our support to the Bexley New Homes Show. It’s a chance for local people and key workers to get practical advice about how to get a first foot on the housing ladder.
It runs from 1pm until 7pm on Thursday 26 April at the Marriott Hotel, Bexleyheath. Housing associations with properties available in the borough will be there and there’ll be a chance to put your questions to legal and financial advisers.
Low cost home ownership gives people who would not be able to buy a home outright, the chance to buy a share of a property. Later, if financial circumstances allow, they buy further shares until they own the property outright.
There is nothing wrong with renting your home. In fact, it may make sense to rent if you’re not settled or you prefer not to take on a long-term financial commitment.
But most people seem to prefer the idea of owning their own home and we’ll be looking for ways to help.
We have already made properties available for shared ownership at The Kingfishers off North Cray Road in Sidcup and low cost homes are currently available at another four sites in the north of the borough.
Buying a home gives people the chance to benefit from rising housing prices, to trade up to a bigger home later and hopefully one day pay off their mortgage altogether.
It also gives people an asset that they can take pride in and improve. It gives them a commitment to their neighbourhood and their local community.
I know that not everyone can afford to buy and maintain their own home. And I know that owning a home doesn’t make sense for everyone. But I hope the Council can give more people the opportunity to consider home ownership, if that’s what they want.
If you’d like to find out more, visit the show on 26 April, or log on to www.housingoptions.co.uk
MPJohn Austin Writes
A constituent came to my surgery this month because she had paid a deposit to a landlord when she commenced the tenancy, which should have been refunded at the end of the tenancy, provided that there was no damage to the property. Regrettably the landlord has not done so. Although I have taken the matter up, as I have similar cases in the past, I fear that little can be done to recover the money. Hundreds of people lose their money in this way and because of our experience some MPs, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Shelter have been pressing for changes in the law. Thankfully things are set to change – it will not help the lady who came to my surgery – but after 1st April, under new regulations, tenants’ deposits will be protected.
If anyone is taking out a new private tenancy and is asked for a deposit up front – consult your local CAB.
In March, I invited the Housing Minister to Thamesmead to see the pilot project of energy efficient homes built by Gallions Housing Association. There is often a small added cost in building in features which will generate electricity, such as solar panels and in providing better quality insulation, using energy efficient construction materials and materials from sustainable sources. But the benefits are not just to the environment, they result in much lower fuel bills for the occupants. The government can do much to improve the environmental standard of housing through regulation but I have also suggested some financial incentives for developers as part of our plan to reduce energy consumption and tackle climate change.
I have followed this up with the Environment Minister, David Milliband MP. I attended a meeting with him and colleagues from the North East and a group of designers engaged in a series of exciting pilot projects in the Northumberland area. The following day we met again to discuss climate change and I suggested that micro-generation should be built into every school. The government is providing the biggest school building and school improvement programme, Building Schools for the Future, on record. Not only should we be using the most energy efficient construction materials but we could incorporate facilities in every public building for energy generation, whether through solar panels, fuel cells, combined heat and power boilers, wind generation. This would not only reduce school fuel bills but could actually feed electricity into the national grid. David assured me that these issues are being discussed with Education Secretary, Alan Johnson.
The great news this month is that the government has finally agreed to include a station at Woolwich on the proposed Crossrail line linking Heathrow and Weeest London with Abbey Wood. Woolwich is a natural transport hub, served by buses from most parts of Bexley and Greenwich and a station there will not only aid the regeneration of Woolwich, the Arsenal site and Plumstead and Thamesmead, it will have wider economic benefits to our area. It will also take potential pressure off Abbey Wood which will be the main Crossrail station connecting with the North Kent line.
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The Jacobean Barn has been given a £400,000 facelift and reopens to the public on Wednesday 11 April. One lucky reader can win a £100.00 dining voucher along with one runner up prize of a £50.00 dining voucher.
Click here for for more details |
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