A large number of Labour MPs have voted against an amendment to allow councils to renovate existing council houses and build new ones whilst retaining local authority direct ownership – despite signing early day motions in support of council house building and renovation.  

The vote took place on a rebel Labour backbench amendment to the Housing and Regeneration Bill in the House of Commons on 31st March 2008. 28 Labour MPs voted against the party’s whip for the amendment, which was supported by the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives abstained.

Here in Dronfield/North East Derbyshire, management of the Councils houses has been passed to Rykneld Homes Ltd as the only way in which money to bring the houses up to a decent standard could be borrowed. This will however depend upon Rykneld Homes obtaining a 2* rating in an Audit Commission inspection