Councillor Nick Wiltshire talks about housing in Littlehampton

9.17.25pm GMT Sun 2nd Nov 2008

Nick Wiltshire

Housing is a big issue and nowhere more so than in Littlehampton, as it encompasses issues of homelessness, affordable housing and sustainable development. My fellow Ward Councillor, Dr James Walsh and I are very much aware of the acute housing problems that currently afflict the Littlehampton East County Council Division, such as a lack of decent housing and problems with residents being housed in substandard accommodation.

Landlords in the private rental sector have a responsibility to help our community by providing decent accommodation. When letting out property we expect it to be clean and warm not so dirty and damp that it causes health problems. Equally, there is a responsibility placed upon those renting such properties to pay their bills on time and where they have problems to promptly seek guidance and assistance, such as from Arun District Council Housing Department and community groups or charities, such as HOMElink.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors are determined to ensure that in Littlehampton new housing is of a high quality build, all housing has the highest insulation standards and that there is sufficient housing available to residents and their children alike. It is interesting to note that Gordon Brown, in his 1997 Budget speech, his first as Chancellor (or is that "chancer") said;-

"I am determined that as a country we never return to the instability, speculation and negative equity that characterised the housing market in the 1980s & 1990s."

Even more interesting is the fact that the quote has, mysteriously, disappeared from the Treasury website, having been relegated to the archive. I wonder why that might be?

Nick Wiltshire.

Liberal Democrat councillor in Beach ward.