Across West Northamptonshire, voters will elect 76 councillors in 35 different wards. More than 350 candidates are standing from ten political parties, as well as a number of independents. Find a full list of candidates here.
Chronicle & Echo has reached out the leaders of the parties to ask them about four topics that matter most to our readers.
Over the next few days we will be publishing a series of articles, detailing the responses we have received from some of the political parties competing for your votes on polling day on Thursday May 1.
Next up is the issue of regulating Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and issues connected to HMOs. We asked the leaders what their party intends to do to address the issue if they are elected.
We received responses from the Conservatives, the Green Party, the Heritage Party (which has one candidate standing in Dallington and Spencer), an Independent candidate, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Below are the responses from those parties regarding the regulation of HMOs, in alphabetical order of party name.
Chronicle & Echo also contacted The Social Democratic Party and The Labour and Co-operative Party - who have candidates standing in West Northamptonshire - but we did not receive a response.
If any independent candidates would like to offer their response to this issue, please email [email protected].
5. Ian McCord - Independent
Independent candidate in the Deanshanger ward, Ian McCord, said: This is more of an issue within the town centre than the rural areas. To be fair WNC have followed up on the Northampton Borough policy of attempting to restrict the growth of HMOs. They often get defeated at appeal, where one person, probably never been near Northampton and has no fear of being impacted by their decision making, decides to over turn the policy. I will support any party that will attempt to restrict the numbers in an area. Our planning policy needs to be very clear on HMOs however the present government wants to ease up on planning rules not restrict them. I will also support the council in its quest to find and shut down all illegal HMOs. Rogue landlords should be shut down and face the stiffest of penalties. They often exploit the most vulnerable and put them in unsafe conditions. On May 1 a vote for an Independent candidate will be a vote for you and not them." Photo: Submitted
6. Labour
Leader of the West Northamptonshire Labour party, Wendy Randall, said: "There needs to be a much more robust system put in place for HMO’s. We will make sure that landlords are meeting legal requirements and work with landlords to make sure their tenants don’t leave any household items/rubbish behind. If they need a bulky waste collection the landlord can deduct that from their deposit. We would also look at working with landlords and for a small fee we would do annual inspections and advertise their empty rooms. We want to see certain regulations in place for HMO’s. We can’t keep letting homes get changed into HMO’s where parking is going to cause an issue. There needs to be enough space for tenants’ rubbish. And we won’t allow more than a certain amount in each street." Photo: WNC
7. Liberal Democrats
Sally Beardsworth is leader of the Liberal Democrats in West Northamptonshire. The party said: "HMOs are an unfortunate symptom of a society where affordability of somewhere to live for many has become a real challenge. Liberal Democrats believe this root cause needs to be tackled. West Northants Council and its housing partner have failed at an epic level to build anywhere near enough social housing over the last four years. It just simply hasn’t been a priority. This would not solve the whole problem, but it could make a significant contribution. Liberal Democrats would push the council to use all its available policies, especially through the local plan, to develop and stick to more robust requirements for HMOs when they come through the planning system, such as ensuring appropriate parking and waste storage facilities. Some HMO’s are of a good standard, but many aren’t and the council needs to clamp down on those." Photo: WNC
8. Reform UK
Mark Arnull is the chairman of Reform UK West Northamptonshire. The party said: "As stated in our response to other areas, Reform UK will bring a common-sense approach to the delivery of local government, and a priority is providing a suitable housing market for local people. There remains a fine balance between offering suitable accommodation to meet local accommodation demand, and creating developments that provide nuisance to neighbouring residents, be that in the form of waste accumulation, parking, congestion, noise or otherwise. Whilst HMOs play a vital role in helping meet the needs of West Northamptonshire residents, the behaviour and approach of landlords can differ entirely. A Reform UK led West Northamptonshire Council will review the current HMO licensing plan and establish whether recent changes are having the desired effect, or whether more needs and can be done." Photo: Reform UK