'Utter disappointment'
 for Octavia Hill campaigners

The press release began with the triumphant words, "The Church Commissioners announce a spirit of partnership in the management of the Octavia Hill Estates". Sadly what has followed is anything but partnership!

Rev. Benny Hazlehurst writes:

Rejecting almost all the alternative Partnership Proposal put together by clergy & tenants (see last month's Bridge) the decision by the Church Commissioners signals the end of Octavia Hill's vision for these estates, and the start of market rents of up to £1,730 per month.

Sticking almost rigidly to the proposals they published in March, the Commissioners have decided that:

• As vacancies occur, 900 of the 1,600 homes will be let at open market rents, with the remainder available only to people nominated by public service employers
• The estates will no longer offer social housing for the vulnerable
• Family members of existing tenants will be excluded unless they can afford the new market rents.

The only real concession is that 1 in 5 new tenancies on the Walworth Estate will be reserved for key workers.

The reaction has been utter disappointment. Walworth Councillor, David Noakes, said, "Their decision is just another blow at a time when social housing is already in crisis. We have over 10,000 people on the waiting list for council properties and thousands in unsuitable properties due to overcrowding or ill-health."

"Listened"

Church Commissioner, Bishop Peter Selby, said "The Assets Committee has listened to all the views put forward. "We are grateful for the time and effort that residents have put into the consultation, and for the constructive suggestions which they have made"

Waterloo & Southwark Tenants Association and Walworth Tenants Association have rejected the Commissioners offer of partnership - Chairman, Ray Keavey said, "Our understanding was that the Commissioners wanted involvement by the tenants, but this appears to have been window dressing to cover up a very cynical exercise."

In Holy Week, protesters offered the Commissioners a choice - a palm branch or 30 pieces of silver. They chose the palm branch but now the tenants want it back. One said, "They should have taken the silver in the first place - it's all they ever wanted anyway!"

Background to this story