HMRI Scrutiny Panel : Welcomed by Liberal Opponents of HMRI

Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935 - 07920090322

Dear Editor

It is too often the norm in politics for oppositions to knee jerk oppose policies or decisions of the ruling party

We in the Liberal Party have always tried to focus on the merits or disadvantages of any issue, in a spirit of constructive opposition.

In that context ,may we welcome the recommendation of the new Housing Scrutiny Committee Chairman, Cllr Firth, to propose a scrutiny panel to look at the HMRI policy, its implementation and impact.

It is without doubt in our minds, as the Political Group that has focused opposition to the excess demolitions, that this policy was written for a housing market relevant to a decade ago and which bears no reflection to the current market

Furthermore we have seen dysfunctional lack of diversity and lack of competition,due to the effective monopoly of four national builders on their respective slices of the city

HMRI has also led to the blocking of regeneration of various derelict buildings and land sites outside the inner city

Whether the sheer fact this committee has been established shows a "wind of change" ,or just a PR excersise to justify the current policies will yet to be seen..

However we  welcome it and urge all those who are questioning the current HMRI policies to seize this opportunity in good faith

Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group