The Southwark Liberal Democrats have called on the council start looking for a new Strategic Director of Housing immediately as Southwark housing is in “crisis”.
Earlier this month, Southwark’s Strategic Director of Housing Michael Scorer announced he would be retiring on 30th September.
The council has decided that recruitment will begin after that date, and that while recruitment is ongoing, the Strategic Director of Children’s and Adults Services will oversee the housing directorate.
Cllr Victor Chamberlain, leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, has written to the CEO and leader of the council calling on them begin recruitment immediately and appoint an interim head of housing to provide leadership while the recruitment process is ongoing.
In a letter, Cllr Chamberlain said that the wide ranging and demanding nature of the role means it requires a full time and dedicated director.
In June, the outgoing housing director admitted to a parliamentary committee that Southwark only had funding to build 3,200 of Labour’s promised 11,000 new homes.
Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“Southwark is London’s biggest social landlord and is currently experiencing acute crises of disrepair and a lack of affordable housing for residents. It is the urgent responsibility of Southwark’s Strategic Director of Housing to get a handle on these issues before residents lose any remaining trust in the council’s ability to provide affordable, good quality housing. Given that responsibility, it is deeply concerning that the recruitment process has not already begun and that the council will not be appointing an interim to provide the strong leadership required. We need a full time Director to provide dedicated oversight of housing in Southwark.”
