MBIs to debate Housing Target and Universal Credit

Laneside Farm lost to Developers

Morley Borough Independent Councillors will take part in two controversial debates to take place at Leeds City Councils Full Council Meeting this Wednesday.

The first relates to a reduction of the Leeds City Councils Planning Housing Target which will also lead to a vote on a proposed no confidence motion in the Labour Administration by Tory Councillors. This follows Labour Councillors setting of the Core Strategy Housing Target of 70,000 new homes and then agreeing to an early review to reduce the number.

Morley Councillors have campaigned since 2007 to reduce the housing target which covers the City up to 2028. They believed the target was too high and would lead to the loss of many Greenfield sites in Morley and across Leeds.

Cllr Tom Leadley – who has battled to reduce the housing target for over a decade said “The 70,000 plus target was never realistic or achievable but gave developers an option to build on Greenfield sites and ignore previous developed brownfield ones. This has led to the loss of many Greenfield sites in Morley including Owlers Farm, Low Moor Farm and Laneside Farm – all important Morley Greenfield sites. The decision to revise the housing target to reduce it downward will not help Morley as these sites have already been granted planning permission.”

Over 2,000 new homes have been granted planning permission across Morley over the last 5 years but no new schools or other infrastructure proposals have been agreed to cope with the increased demand on local services.

A second debate will be held on the Governments Welfare Reform Flagship – Universal Credit.

Cllr Robert Finnigan, a former welfare rights worker for over 30 years said “The principle of Universal Credit is a sound one with the rights and responsibilities of claimants clearly laid down. The Labour Administration in Leeds wants a pause in its introduction but we are backing Labour MP Frank Fields proposals to make Universal Credit work better.”

Morley Councillors are backing Frank Fields proposals to make Universal Credit payable on a fortnightly basis – rather than after 6 weeks and are also backing the removal of rent payments from Universal Credit with payments being returned directly to Landlords.

Cllr Finnigan said “The Labour Administration seems to have no proposals as to how to make Universal Credit work better. We back Frank Fields proposals which make work pay, keep roofs over claimant’s heads and make it more manageable for those on low incomes to cope.”