Bolton Council backed Reform motion on housing impact

The motion, proposed by Reform councillor Derek Wunderley at Wednesday night’s meeting, centred on what he described as putting Bolton residents first when decisions are made about housing and local services.

Speaking during the debate, Cllr Wunderley said: “This motion is about one simple principle.

“Bolton residents must come first, not second, not somewhere on the list of competing priorities.

“First, because this council exists to serve the people of Bolton, the people who live here, the people who work here, the people who pay their taxes here.”

He said councillors regularly hear concerns from residents about housing waiting lists, a shortage of affordable homes, families living in temporary accommodation and increasing pressure on schools, GP surgeries and other services.

“People have every right to ask whether there are enough homes, people have every right to ask whether the services can cope and people have every right to ask what the impact is on their community,” he added.

The motion passed by just two votes at the full council meeting. (Image: Phil Taylor)

The Bolton Council debate touched on the impact of national government decisions on Bolton, including housing and migration policies, and whether local authorities have enough influence over decisions which affect their communities.

However, councillors also heard that Bolton has received millions of pounds through Greater Manchester schemes to bring empty homes back into use

The chamber heard that through its membership of the Greater Manchester Combine Authority, Bolton had received millions to bring back empty homes into use, the majority of which went to Bolton residents.

Cllr Sean Fielding said:: “However, the motion also refers to Bolton Council’s participation in discretionary refugee resettlement schemes, the inference being that this is a significant in contributing to housing strategies locally. Bolton Council has indeed participated in the Afghan Resettlement Scheme as part of receiving money from the Local Authority Housing Fund. The scheme provides homes for Afghan nationals who supported British troops during the occupation of Afghanistan and who would more than likely be persecuted. The Local Authority Housing Fund was awarded to Bolton Council by the government and has been used to bring empty homes back into use. The funding has refurbished more than 50 Be-One homes that would otherwise have been sold off. .”

And of those only a small fraction have been used for resettlement.

Cllr Andy Morgan argued the debate should not focus on “race, immigration or nationality” but on “local democracy, local accountability and ensuring that the people of Bolton, and the councillors they elect, retain a meaningful say over decisions affecting their communities”.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Morgan said there was “nothing unreasonable” about asking what capacity Bolton has to accommodate further demand on housing and services, adding that residents “deserve a meaningful voice” in decisions that affect their communities.

He said:”We all recognise the pressures Bolton faces. We need more genuinely affordable homes. Families are waiting for housing, pressures on temporary accommodation are increasing, and health services, schools, social care and other public services are facing significant demands.

“There is nothing unreasonable about asking what capacity we have as a borough. Nor is there anything unreasonable about asking the government to recognise that capacity when making decisions that ultimately have consequences here in Bolton.

“That principle of local decision-making is precisely why I believe this motion has relevance.

“At the same time as we talk about giving local communities a voice, government planning reforms and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework are reducing the ability of local planning committees to make decisions.

“As a member of the planning committee, I see first-hand how important local knowledge is when applications are considered.

“Councillors know their wards and residents know their communities. They know where traffic problems exist, where schools and GP surgeries are already under pressure, where drainage and infrastructure difficulties occur, and where well-planned development could genuinely improve an area.

“That does not mean we simply oppose development. Far from it. Bolton needs more homes, investment, regeneration and economic growth. I support appropriate development in the right places.

“However, local democracy cannot be treated as an inconvenience when it conflicts with national policy.

“Whether we are discussing housing, planning, infrastructure or pressure on public services, there is one common thread: local decisions should include a meaningful local voice.

“I support the principles contained in this motion: that we properly understand Bolton’s capacity, protect public services, consider local need, and ensure decisions affecting the borough are transparent and evidence-based.”

The motion was ultimately approved by the council, with a vote of 27 for, 25 against, and one abstention.