Labour Merges Forces to Withhold Responsibility and Deny Apology for Estate Major Works Disaster

Southwark Council Turns Apology into Performance Review

On Wednesday night, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) delivered a stern reminder: a hefty works programme would spend a £4 million overrun and crawl by an extra two years.
Just a month earlier, the Canada Estate project had already ballooned 17 months past schedule and cost the council an extra £1.7 million.

Who’s Being Held Accountable?

The interim Director of Housing nodded that disciplinary action has already been taken and that an independent investigation—even looking into possible fraud—will be carried out. Officers pointed out that there were “unusual” procurement practices and “clear conflicts of interest,” calling for a thorough probe.

Labour Recounts the Damage

USING NO HARD HIPHALS? That is why Cllr Ian Wingfield. He blocked the Liberal Democrat push to hold cabinet members accountable.
Cllr Darren Merrill, the current housing boss, sidestepped the question of his predecessors by telling a colleague, “I am in post.” He didn’t bring in Cllr Chamberlain’s suggestion for a formal apology or a review of who left before him.
North‑Side Residents Are Untrustworthy The same people and teams that ran the Canada Estate were involved in the larger programme. Residents open up that they feel “no trust” in the council’s leadership.

Quotes That Ring True

“Southwark’s Housing department is rotten.” – Victor Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition

“Since I demanded a ‘root and branch’ review last month, staff have had to be sacked and suspended, there are criminal allegations of fraud and assault, and residents are treated with contempt.” – Chamberlain

“The same Labour bosses remain in the Cabinet. No wonder residents have no trust.” – Chamberlain (says a Devon Mansions resident)

“These institutional failings are endemic not just in Southwark, but across the whole of London.” – Von Wiese, Vice Chair of OSC, after a visit to East Village in Stratford, where botched cladding replacement left residents stuck in a nightmare.

What Will Follow?

Southwark Liberal Democrats pledge to keep working for “full accountability” and will start demanding that the previous posts, including Leader of the Council Cllr Kieron Williams and Finance Boss Cllr Stephanie Cryan, be held to account.