Welsh Liberal Democrats welcome new attempt to transfer powers on housing to the Assembly

12.00.00am GMT Mon 30th Nov 2009

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black has welcomed the latest attempt to acquire powers over affordable housing for the Welsh Assembly but he has warned that there might not be enough time to get the Legislative Competence Order through all of its stages before a General Election overtakes it.

Mr. Black was referring to the Legislative Competence Order on Sustainable Homes that was published today, which seeks powers over social housing providers, the tenure of rented social housing, the right to buy, tenant and housing related support, Gypsies and Travellers, Homelessness and Council Tax on second homes. This is the second attempt to draw down powers on housing. The first effort was ruled to be ultra vires and was withdrawn after a long and controversial process.

Commenting, Mr. Black said: "The scope of this order is particularly welcome because it reflects what Welsh Liberal Democrats and housing groups have been asking for over a long period of time. In truth, if the Assembly Government had listened to us then we could be passing laws on these matters by now instead of starting this process all over again.

"The Government wasted two years in pursuing an order that was not fit for purpose. My fear now is that there may not be enough time before the General Election is called to get this new improved order through all of its stages. If that proves to be correct then we will have to start all over again in May or June.

"I particularly welcome provisions in this LCO to give the Welsh Assembly powers over Council Tax on second homes. These will enable the Government to sort out the inequity whereby people serving in the armed forces have to pay full Council Tax on their homes in Wales but would not have to do so if they were from England.

"These powers will also enable the Government to give more scope to Welsh Councils to penalise owners who leave empty homes in local communities for years on end, effectively, creating a blight on that community. In the absence of an effective Government strategy to deal with the 26,000 empty private houses around Wales, that power is much needed by Councils. I hope that the Government heeds calls by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to use it in that way."