Forum Topic

Cllr Bells social home

Watching the news last night about 'Families on the brink as UK's housing crisis bites' I was left wandering how many social homes are being taken up by people who shouldn't have them. I thought of Cllr Bell and the social home he's had even though he bought a big house 9 years ago. How can anyone get away with keeping a social home if they own their own house? Is it because he's the council leader do you think?  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38021834

Nick Johnson ● 3083d12 Comments

So So vert true

Harold John Ward ● 3057d

Why would changing the Council make a difference?

Philippa Bond ● 3058d

Shows there is one law for them,and a different one for us?Time for change.

Dr John Stolworthy D.Sc ● 3058d

Apparently, there is nothing illegal in renting a housing association property whilst also owning one's own house.This is ridiculous and the terms of social renting should be changed to prevent it.Mr Bell has declined to explain his situation, but I certainly think that he should do so.  There may be an innocent explanation, but I think we are entitled to hear it.

Thelma Leach ● 3059d

Could the fact that Bassam Mahfouz was working at A2 dominion have helped to make it happen

Philip Hurrell ● 3059d

Will Cllr Bell be forced to License his home under the new selective licensing rules starts 1/01/17

Nicolas Ozegovic ● 3070d

I think councils and housing associations allow their tenants a few months grace to  to make a new home ready if necessary before having to quit a publicly subsidised one. But it is only a few months, definitely NOT 9 years. The fact that Bell has kept hold of both houses for 9 years is an outrageous abuse. But then he is the council leader and his landlord, A2Dominion, needs to get planning permission from his council when they want to build developments there.

Nick Johnson ● 3070d

we will never no one law for them and one for us maybe

Harold John Ward ● 3077d

I'm astonished how the leader of the council on a attractive salary and owns his own home can have the bare faced cheek to claim a HA house!If it were an ordinary member of the public with the same circumstances in this authority then they would never pass the tests to qualify for this type of HA property.Surely this is somehow fraudulent behavior or abusing a position of power to benefit himself and his family, how can he be held accountable? Is there a legal means to evict? or has the Leader provided the HA with sufficient evidence to qualify?

Lee Page ● 3077d

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2873049/Labour-chief-social-housing-owns-1m-home-round-corner-Councillor-branded-hypocrite-buying-property-staying-housing-association-tennant.html

Nick Johnson ● 3077d

http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/story/families-on-the-brink-as-housing-crisis-bites/vp-AAkqrdI

Philippa Bond ● 3078d

You've answered your own question Nick. It's sickening that just because there is a loop hole, those in power choose to mercilessly exploit it for all they can. Snouts firmly rooted in the trough.

Philip Slater ● 3078d