Councillor leaves RBH Board over eviction policy

Jonathan Burns

A Labour Councillor has resigned as a director of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Councillor Jonathan Burns left the RBH board yesterday (Tuesday 17 September) after a change in council policy gave RBH the right to evict council tenants if they fail to pay their water bills. Councillor Burns believed his position on the board to be untenable and described the decision as 'immoral'.

He said in his letter of resignation to the RBH Company Secretary: "Following the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Cabinet decision to provide the company with the power to evict tenants on the grounds of non-payment of water charges, I do not feel that I can fulfill my duties as a director of the company, and at the same time honour my principle role to represent the residents (including RBH tenants) of my ward, and of the borough; who will ultimately pay the price for this decision.

"In view of the country’s current financial position, and rising fuel charges I find this decision to be extremely ill-timed. I feel the decision and any consequential action leading from it is certainly not in the interests of the tenants of the borough which the company aims to serve, and will adversely affect older people and those suffering the greatest hardship, those who may genuinely be unable to afford such charges.

"I consider this decision to be immoral, and urge the board to think very carefully when considering its implementation."

Rochdale's Labour group will not be nominating a representative to fill the vacancy left by Councillor Burns.

Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: "Following the resignation of Councillor Burns from the RBH Board, and given the strength of feeling on this issue within the Labour group, I will not be nominating a Labour representative to the RBH board whilst they are actively operating a policy which goes against our core values."