Five Year Fixed Term Tenancies - a short sighted policy for long term agony

Brentwood authority wants to bring in Fixed-Term Tenancies (for future tenants only) in a bid to stamp out antisocial behaviour among its social housing tenants – I’d laugh if it wasn’t so serious.

Doesn’t this Council already have policies in place to deal with anti social behaviours such as 'too much rubbish’ or ‘playing music too loud'?
Well, yes it does.

Have we had no recourse until this new, draconian measure was dreamt up?
Well, yes we have.

So, what is this really? This is ghettoisation, in shabby sheeps clothing. Disgraceful.

We don't really believe that it's all about anti-social behaviour, do we?

The flat-cap wearing, pigeon-fancying, whippet racing working classes get another dose of classic Tory medicine.

But worse, some tenants have pointed out that it might not stop there; the wording of the proposal does not rule out the possibility that present tenants may be affected if they move house, within the service.

Some members at the Town Hall have been getting a bit shirty when residents, and Ward Councillors opposing this proposal, have asked questions about the morality of Fixed Term Tenancy - huffing and puffing; snapping and becoming impatient.

All this impatience feels designed to put people off but to keep quiet means sleepwalking into a housing disaster.

These questions need asking. Brentwood Conservative Councillors in favour of this proposal must think again. Tenants must complete those questionaires and people must continue to voice their concerns and, if that means some huffing and puffing well, so be it. Because annoying the policy makers by asking the questions they would rather not answer is true democracy and the way that policies are shaped.

Irritations, like the grain of sand in an oyster, can shape something that is preferable to all.
Here’s hoping for a pearl.