Dear Editor,
Regarding the Shildon Life election campaign newsletter recently issued by the Labour Party, which discusses the state of rented properties in our town, I question why the publication was printed by Reach Printing Services, Oldham, Manchester.
Surprising, given the prospective constituency candidate, Mr Rushworth’s intent to promote our local area, that a local printer wasn’t used.
I would like to categorically state that the issue described in the newsletter of derelict streets isn’t due to the failure of “levelling up” funding, but of the previous Labour-led Durham County Council’s failure to implement a “Landlord Registration Scheme”.
As a member of Shildon Town Council from 2003 to 2017, the state of private rented properties was a recurring issue. The Town Clerk wrote to Durham County Council expressing residents’ concerns on the state of private rented properties and anti-social behaviour.
Fly tipping was a frequent problem where landlords dumped the contents of an empty property in the rear yard. Landlords only cleared their mess after being threatened with civil action.
Every election leaflet highlighted the issue of rogue landlords and dilapidated housing. Yet, nothing was done post-election. The Labour-controlled Durham County Council promised action, but nothing was done.
Senior Executives from Durham County Council, Labour MP Helen Goodman and the police promised a “Multi Action Task Force” to address the problems of rogue landlords and anti-social behaviour. Again, nothing was done.
As an Independent Councillor, I often informed agents acting on behalf of landlords about falling roof tiles or collapsing bay windows, only to be told that repairs wouldn’t be done because the landlord wouldn’t pay. No wonder properties fell into disrepair.
When Durham County Council (under Labour) decided to introduce a scheme, it was a consultation which I spent time filling in. Again, nothing happened after that.
It seemed the Labour Controlled Durham County Council lacked the political will to introduce a Landlord Registration Scheme. This would have ensured landlords were responsible for the upkeep of their properties and the actions of their tenants. The problems we now face in Shildon could have been addressed years ago.
It’s only under the Durham County Council coalition that some action has finally been taken by the introduction of the Selective Licencing Scheme in February 2022. This mandates private landlords to obtain a licence to rent in Durham County and maintain their property to a reasonable standard.
So, the problem of private landlords and the state of some streets in Shildon is not due to the lack of levelling-up funding.
If Mr Rushworth is concerned about Shildon, he should visit Bouch Street where two houses have been boarded up and fenced off for a long time.
Meanwhile, regarding Sunnydale School, so long as I have breath in my body, I will hold the Labour Controlled Durham County Council responsible for its closure.
Sunnydale never had investment to upgrade and improve its facilities because Durham County Council were hell bent on closing it. It suffered from a deliberate and managed decline.
If Mr Rushworth is elected you will be able to judge him by his actions. You can make every promise under the sun in an election leaflet, the only question I have is will he act on what he says.
I look forward to hearing from him on these points.
Your sincerely,
Stuart Bird, Shildon.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
