Cherwell Labour have called for action to tackle the increasing housing waiting list.

At a meeting of full council on Monday 18 July, the leader of the Labour group on Cherwell District Council Councillor Sean Woodcock called for 50% of housing at new build sites to be set aside for affordable housing. He put this in contrast to recently confirmed plans to encourage local housing applicants to consider moving out of the area to find cheaper accommodation.

Councillor Woodcock stated that the council needed to tackle what he dubbed the ‘Tory backlog’ of people waiting to be housed through the district council which he states has increased nearly four-fold since 2013. He also pointed to the reduced number of private sector landlords, being used for housing applicants, despite the proliferation of houses to let on new developments.

He also asked if Councillor Wood was proud of the district council only completing 7 social rent homes in the past 7 years.

Councillor Wood responded by saying that he would be guided by officers advice.