Tenants let down by Conservatives and Labour

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 8th Apr 2007

Both Labour and Conservative councillors have let down local tenants

Abbots Langley councillor Matthew Bedford, the Executive member for Housing has accused local Conservative and Labour councillors of abandoning council tenants, by refusing to take up their place on a vital local housing forum.

A 'shadow board' of Thrive Homes has been set up to run local housing if tenants vote yes in a ballot later this year. The board is made up of tenants, councillors and independent members and will make important decisions about how local homes are run and maintained.

The Conservatives have refused to take up their place, as they do not want an independent association - despite this being the overwhelming choice of tenants. Labour have now decided that they will not take up their place due to political dogma.

Cllr Matthew Bedford said, "Tenants and councillors wanted to see the Board with representatives from all political parties and all areas of the district. Sadly Conservative and Labour councillors have put party politics above the future of people they have been elected to represent".