Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen, and Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test visited Oxford today, Thursday 29th July, to learn at first hand of the progress the City is making in tackling problems of houses in multiple occupation, and to co-ordinate action to keep up pressure on the government for support.
 
John Denham and Alan Whitehead met Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, Councillor Joe McManners, City Executive member for Housing.
John and Alan are also interested in what Southampton can learn from Oxford’s experience.
 
They visited the Gipsy Lane/Valentia Road area of Headington to see first hand the impact of houses in multiple occupation.
 
John Denham said: “Oxford City is to be congratulated on the progress it is making to get a comprehensive licensing scheme up and running to cover all landlords running  houses in multiple occupation.  This is essential to improve and keep up standards for tenants and neighbours alike.  Across the country too many neighbourhoods are blighted by an explosion of unregulated and often substandard multiple occupation”.
 
Andrew Smith, who fought successfully for the Labour government to bring in powers for comprehensive licensing and planning control, said: “We are keeping up the pressure on the government to allow Councils to require planning permission for all conversions of family houses to multiple occupation.  That is the only way to safeguard a reasonable balance in communities.”
 
Alan Whitehead said: “This is about improving the quality of life for everyone in areas with houses in multiple occupation.  It is in the interests of good landlords too.  There are lessons Southampton can learn from the way Oxford is getting on with the licensing scheme.”
 
Joe McManners said: “Making sure the licensing scheme works well is a top priority for the City Council.  We are acting on the concerns numerous local residents have drawn to our attention.  I am pleased Oxford is leading the way on this.”