Last night in East Ham Town Hall, the temporary housing issues that we have been campaigning on for 2 years finally got air time in the highest chamber of Newham: Full Council. Nearly 60 Councillors from across the Borough, along with Mayor Robin Wales gathered to discuss the poor quality repairs, terrible customer service and extortionate rents charged by Tando/Mears. Of course, PEACH was representing as well- over 20 Mears Cats turned up to listen to the debate.
One of the Mears Cats in the public gallery said: “We were on the edge of our seats, it was so tense waiting for our motion to come up but we were happy our issues were finally being getting the recognition they deserve”
The proposal was submitted by our local representative Cllr Fiaz. It originally asked for the contract with Mears to be broken, and was amended to call for the setting up of a high level Council Task Force with the power to investigate the full range of issues which tenants are experiencing and report back to Council in spring.
In her opening speech, our Local Councillor Rokhsana Fiaz offered her “Deep and sincerest thanks to the Mears Cats residents, who have kept this issue in the spotlight for public scrutiny and political action” and called for “Decisive political action for our residents to ensure they experience quality of housing.”
Cllr Fiaz had a message for Mears as well: “Please be under no illusions- you are on serious, serious notice.” And laid the ball firmly in the Council’s court, noting that “what’s appalling is that we as Newham Council have a contract with them.”
Cllr McAuley brought up the contradiction that “Tando and Mears are charging commercial rents for a council owned property. That’s not right, that’s not good, especially when they are receiving a service far below what we would provide.” And Cllr Holland also lent her support, recalling the upset that she had witnessed on house visits.
Then, it was the turn of Cllr Paul, Lead Councillor on Housing, who Mears Cats had been to visit just a couple of weeks ago. Cllr Paul confirmed that he had received 66 more issues with Tando/Mears from PEACH that day and said “I look forward to forming the task force that will look at allissues of what’s going on for Tando/Mears residents”. Mayor Robin Wales lent his support and the motion was carried unanimously.
Outside in the entrance lobby, there were scenes of celebration.
A Mears Cat said: “Tonight when the vote went through we knew they’d heard our Mears Cats roar- we were so pleased to hear Councillor McAuley talking the truth about our unaffordable rents. Thank you to Councillor Fiaz for raising this motion and our local Councillors for backing her up”
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