Agenda item

(1)            Tamil Heritage Month Motion

To be moved by Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar and seconded by Councillor Kuha Kumaran:

“This Council notes:

·       that January 2024 will be Tamil Heritage Month.

·       The tremendous contributions that Tamils make to Harrow’s diverse community.

·       The richness of Tamil culture and the positive difference it has made to our society locally.

·       January is an important month for Tamils as it marks Thai Pongal, the Tamil Harvest Festival.

·       The importance of increasing awareness about the accomplishments of the Tamil diaspora.

This Council resolves to:

·       Reaffirm our strong commitment to support Tamil Heritage Month events in Harrow.

·       Continue to work with and support the local Tamil community.”

(2)            Supporting Voter ID Motion

To be moved by Councillor Paul Osborn and seconded by Councillor Marilyn Ashton:

“The London Borough of Harrow recognises the importance of public trust in the security of the electoral process.

This Council notes: 

·       The threats to the democratic process must be combated to protect the integrity of our democracy.

·       That the independent electoral Commission has called for a resolution to issues relating to voter ID in the UK.

·       The recent law change allows for the provision of free voter ID cards (Voter Authority Certificates) which are issued by local authorities.  This means financial hardship will not be a barrier to a voter’s ability to get an ID and cast their ballot.

This Council believes:

·       Considering how frequently residents now require ID in their day-to-day lives, the new requirement for voters to have ID to vote is a reasonable approach to reducing the threat of voter fraud and ensures that there are still not significant barriers to voting.

·       That the system for applying for voter ID for those without a valid voter ID is simple and has ensured that all can access the electoral process.

This Council resolves:

·       To fulfil its duty to properly inform residents about the latest change in voting requirements.

·       To commit to continuing to use its communication channels to notify residents about the need for voter ID in next year’s Mayoral, GLA and parliamentary elections.”

(3)            Motion – Mortgages and Rent in Harrow

To be moved by Councillor Antonio Weiss and seconded by Councillor David Perry:

Council recognises that people across our borough are struggling to make ends meet and are in urgent need of support.

·       One in five adults in the UK has less than £100 in savings.

·       Nearly four million children in Britain live in poverty.

·       Areas of Harrow are the most deprived in the country, with many residents living in overcrowded accommodation.

High inflation and borrowing rates have hit lower-income households hardest, mostly because of the sharp increases in mortgage rates and rent.

Council notes that:-

·       The Resolution Foundation estimate that about 21% of the 7.586m households with mortgages or loans (around 1.6 million households) will see their fixed-rate mortgage deal expire between Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, and are set to face an average increase in their annual mortgage bill of around £2,300 if they re-fix.

https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/macroeconomic-policy-outlook-q2-2023/.  In Harrow, that is the equivalent of 5771 households paying a combined £13,273,806

·       For a typical mortgage couple in their 30s that would translate into a fall in disposable income of around 11%.

·       The Bank of England Bank Rate was just 0.25% at the beginning of 2022 and although the Bank of England kept interest rates at 5.25% in November 2023, analysts expect more pain to come with some predicting rates will go as high as 5.75% and remaining above 5% until the summer of 2024 before starting to fall towards 3.6% in five years’ time.

·       Mortgage stress levels are set to hit heights not seen since the 1980s.

·       Private landlords will also be looking to pass this increase onto their tenants through increased rents.

·       Between April 2019 and September 2023 there were 753 no fault evictions in Harrow.

‘No-fault evictions’, also known as Section 21 notices, allow landlords to order tenants to leave with a minimum of two months’ warning - without having to prove that the tenant is at fault in any way.

The figure of 753 is based on the number of no-fault eviction letters that have been followed up with a possession claim in the courts.  The true scale of the problem in Harrow could be worse, as not all Section 21 notices will necessarily reach this stage.

·       According to the latest Government data, in 2021 there were:-

o   22,629 households privately renting in Harrow

o   9,234 properties were let at social rent.

·       According to the latest Bank of England data, 43% families are struggling to pay their rent – 13,700 households in Harrow.

·       Due to the lack of leadership in government from successive Conservative Prime Ministers and Chancellor’s, the economy has suffered from bad policy to bad decisions, thus negatively impacting mortgage payers and renters in Harrow.

Council resolves: -

·       To use all available routes to urge central government to take a more proactive approach in supporting Harrow residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis and high inflation, in particular: -

o   to immediately adopt measures to ease the mortgage crisis and halt repossessions and evictions by guaranteeing support from lenders for struggling mortgage borrowers.

o   Mandatory mortgage flexibility and support from lenders, not voluntary.

o   recognise the pressures that high inflation is placing on local government finances and provide proper funding to councils to support residents to remain living locally in Harrow; like through Discretionary Housing Payments that allow councils to support those in the greatest need.

·       To clearly signpost the support, networks and guidance that is available in Harrow, and promote through appropriate channels to our residents and businesses.

·       To ensure our local voices are heard, the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition will form a delegation with all Harrow MP’s and request a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.  The Council must stand up for our local residents and aim for the above positive changes to alleviate the pressure on mortgage and rent payers.

(i)             “Tamil Heritage Month Motion

Motion in the names of Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar and seconded by Councillor Kuha Kumaran:

“This Council notes:

·       that January 2024 will be Tamil Heritage Month.

·       The tremendous contributions that Tamils make to Harrow’s diverse community.

·       The richness of Tamil culture and the positive difference it has made to our society locally.

·       January is an important month for Tamils as it marks Thai Pongal, the Tamil Harvest Festival.

·       The importance of increasing awareness about the accomplishments of the Tamil diaspora.

This Council resolves to:

·       Reaffirm our strong commitment to support Tamil Heritage Month events in Harrow.

·       Continue to work with and support the local Tamil community.”

A tabled amendment in the names of Councillor Krishna Suresh and Councillor David Perry was received. Councillor Paul Osborn raised a point of order stating that the amendment introduced a new proposal.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.6.1, the Mayor stated that he would accept the amendment subject to the deletion of the changes proposed to the last bullet point.  The tabled amendment, having been further amended was then put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That the amended Motion, as set below, be adopted:

“This Council notes:

·       that January 2024 will be Tamil Heritage Month.

·       That Harrow Council was the first ever council in the country in 2020 to recognise celebration of Tamil Heritage Month in January.

·       The tremendous contributions that Tamils make to Harrow’s diverse community.

·       The richness of Tamil culture and the positive difference it has made to our society locally.

·       January is an important month for Tamils as it marks Thai Pongal, the Tamil Harvest Festival which are proud to be celebrating in Harrow since 2011.

·       The importance of increasing awareness about the accomplishments of the Tamil diaspora.

This Council resolves to:

·       Reaffirm our strong commitment to continue to support Tamil Heritage Month events in Harrow.

·       Continue to work with and support the local Tamil community.”

(ii)           “Supporting Voter ID Motion

Motion in the names of Councillor Paul Osborn and Councillor Marilyn Ashton:

“The London Borough of Harrow recognises the importance of public trust in the security of the electoral process.

This Council notes: 

·       The threats to the democratic process must be combated to protect the integrity of our democracy.

·       That the independent electoral Commission has called for a resolution to issues relating to voter ID in the UK.

·       The recent law change allows for the provision of free voter ID cards (Voter Authority Certificates) which are issued by local authorities.  This means financial hardship will not be a barrier to a voter’s ability to get an ID and cast their ballot.

This Council believes:

·       Considering how frequently residents now require ID in their day-to-day lives, the new requirement for voters to have ID to vote is a reasonable approach to reducing the threat of voter fraud and ensures that there are still not significant barriers to voting.

·       That the system for applying for voter ID for those without a valid voter ID is simple and has ensured that all can access the electoral process.

This Council resolves:

·       To fulfil its duty to properly inform residents about the latest change in voting requirements.

·       To commit to continuing to use its communication channels to notify residents about the need for voter ID in next year’s Mayoral, GLA and parliamentary elections.”

A tabled amendment in the names of Councillor Eden Kulig and Councillor Asif Hussain was received, put to the vote and was lost.

RESOLVED: That the Motion, as set out at (ii) above, be adopted.

(iii)         “Motion – Mortgages and Rent in Harrow

Motion in the names of Councillor Antonio Weiss and seconded by Councillor David Perry:

Council recognises that people across our borough are struggling to make ends meet and are in urgent need of support.

·       One in five adults in the UK has less than £100 in savings.

·       Nearly four million children in Britain live in poverty.

·       Areas of Harrow are the most deprived in the country, with many residents living in overcrowded accommodation.

High inflation and borrowing rates have hit lower-income households hardest, mostly because of the sharp increases in mortgage rates and rent.

Council notes that:-

·       The Resolution Foundation estimate that about 21% of the 7.586m households with mortgages or loans (around 1.6 million households) will see their fixed-rate mortgage deal expire between Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, and are set to face an average increase in their annual mortgage bill of around £2,300 if they re-fix.

https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/macroeconomic-policy-outlook-q2-2023/.  In Harrow, that is the equivalent of 5771 households paying a combined £13,273,806

·       For a typical mortgage couple in their 30s that would translate into a fall in disposable income of around 11%.

·       The Bank of England Bank Rate was just 0.25% at the beginning of 2022 and although the Bank of England kept interest rates at 5.25% in November 2023, analysts expect more pain to come with some predicting rates will go as high as 5.75% and remaining above 5% until the summer of 2024 before starting to fall towards 3.6% in five years’ time.

·       Mortgage stress levels are set to hit heights not seen since the 1980s.

·       Private landlords will also be looking to pass this increase onto their tenants through increased rents.

·       Between April 2019 and September 2023 there were 753 no fault evictions in Harrow.

‘No-fault evictions’, also known as Section 21 notices, allow landlords to order tenants to leave with a minimum of two months’ warning - without having to prove that the tenant is at fault in any way.

The figure of 753 is based on the number of no-fault eviction letters that have been followed up with a possession claim in the courts.  The true scale of the problem in Harrow could be worse, as not all Section 21 notices will necessarily reach this stage.

·       According to the latest Government data, in 2021 there were:-

o   22,629 households privately renting in Harrow

o   9,234 properties were let at social rent.

·       According to the latest Bank of England data, 43% families are struggling to pay their rent – 13,700 households in Harrow.

·       Due to the lack of leadership in government from successive Conservative Prime Ministers and Chancellor’s, the economy has suffered from bad policy to bad decisions, thus negatively impacting mortgage payers and renters in Harrow.

Council resolves: -

·       To use all available routes to urge central government to take a more proactive approach in supporting Harrow residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis and high inflation, in particular: -

o   to immediately adopt measures to ease the mortgage crisis and halt repossessions and evictions by guaranteeing support from lenders for struggling mortgage borrowers.

o   Mandatory mortgage flexibility and support from lenders, not voluntary.

o   recognise the pressures that high inflation is placing on local government finances and provide proper funding to councils to support residents to remain living locally in Harrow; like through Discretionary Housing Payments that allow councils to support those in the greatest need.

·       To clearly signpost the support, networks and guidance that is available in Harrow, and promote through appropriate channels to our residents and businesses.

·       To ensure our local voices are heard, the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition will form a delegation with all Harrow MP’s and request a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.  The Council must stand up for our local residents and aim for the above positive changes to alleviate the pressure on mortgage and rent payers.”

A tabled amendment in the names of Councillor Paul Osborn and Councillor Marilyn Ashton was received, put to the vote and was carried.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion as set out below be adopted:

“Council recognises that people across our borough are struggling to make ends meet and are in urgent need of support.

·       A few surveys were conducted during 2021/2022 and the data analysis suggested that one in five adults in the UK has less than £100 in savings.

·       In 2021/22 Child Poverty Action Group asserted that nearly four million children in Britain live in poverty.

·       Two LSOAs (Lower Layer Super Output Areas) within Harrow are in England’s most deprived 20% and some residents are living in overcrowded accommodation.

·       According to the 2019 English Indices of Deprivation Index, published by the previous administration on the 26 September 2019, Harrow ranks 207 out of 317 (where 1 is the most deprived out of 317 local authorities in England) and 27 out 33 London Boroughs (including City of London).

High inflation and borrowing rates have hit lower-income households hardest, mostly because of the sharp increases in mortgage rates and rent caused by the global Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Council notes that:-

·       The Resolution Foundation estimate that about 21% of the 7.586m households with mortgages or loans (around 1.6 million households) will see their fixed-rate mortgage deal expire between Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, and are set to face an average increase in their annual mortgage bill of around £2,300 if they refix. https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/macroeconomic-policyoutlook-q2-2023/ In Harrow, that is the equivalent of 5771 households paying a combined £13,273,806.

·       For a typical mortgage couple in their 30s that would translate into a fall in disposable income of around 11%.

·       The Bank of England Bank Rate was 5.5% in 2008 before the global financial crisis before falling to just 0.25% in August 2016 where it held steady until the beginning of February 2022.

·       Mortgage stress levels are set to hit heights not seen since Gordon Brown was Chancellor of the Exchequer.

·       Under both the Coalition and Conservative government’s interest rates averaged at 1.18%, this compares with an average of 4.82% under the last Labour government (1997-2010).

·       Private landlords may also be looking to pass increased costs onto their tenants through increased rents.

·       The current mechanism of ‘no-fault evictions’, also known as Section 21 notices, has existed since the Housing Act 1988.

·       Between April 2019 and September 2023 there were 753 no-fault evictions in Harrow.

o   ‘No-fault evictions’ allow landlords to order tenants to leave with a minimum of two months’ warning - without having to prove that the tenant is at fault in any way.

o   The figure of 753 is based on the number of no-fault eviction letters that have been followed up with a possession claim in the courts. The true scale of the problem in Harrow could be worse, as not all Section 21 notices will necessarily reach this stage.

·       According to the latest Government data, in 2021 there were:-

o   22,629 households privately renting in Harrow.

o   9,234 properties were let at social rent.

·       According to the latest Bank of England data, 43% families are struggling to pay their rent – 13,700 households in Harrow.

Council resolves: -

·       To use all available routes to urge central government to continue to take a proactive approach in supporting Harrow residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis and high inflation, in particular: -

o   Continue the Household Support Fund for an additional year.

o   Raising the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024.

o   Continue the measures the Chancellor has agreed with lenders in the mortgage charter which will help ease the mortgage crisis and will help halt repossessions and evictions.

o   recognise the pressures that high inflation is placing on local government finances and provide fairer funding to councils to support residents to remain living locally in Harrow; like through Discretionary Housing Payments that allow councils to support those in the greatest need.

·       To continue to signpost the support, networks and guidance that is available in Harrow, and promote through appropriate channels to our residents and businesses.”