LCO fails to get support

I wish to draw your attention to the following statement regarding the Legislative Competency Order sought by the National Assembly for Wales and housing partners.



Disappointment at the failure to transfer housing powers
The National Assembly for Wales set out proposals concerning the transfer of legislative powers via the Legislative Order Process (LCO) in the key areas of tenancy issues, housing related support, homelessness, regulation of social landlords, gypsy and travellers, empty homes and council tax for second homes.
The Welsh Tenants Federation supported the LCO as indeed many other housing organisations in Wales, and gave evidence during its development phases. However, it appears that the powers will not now proceed to legislation. The problem is that there is a wash-up period in which consensus on legislation that needs to be passed before parliament shuts down at the end of the term of office, the rush to support particular pieces of legislation in the remaining timescale is therefore crucial as government prioritises what it wants to see passed and negotiates with opposition parties to ensure the bills get through without hindrance. The consequence is a process known as wash-up, which will see remaining legislation bartered over.
For our members here in Wales it’s confusing, while many of our members wish to see housing legislation developed in Wales based on issues raised here in Wales, why on the one hand political parties support the principle of devolving powers and on the other, vote against powers when consensus has been reached here.
Many of our members are also rightly confused that a piece of legislation which received majority support in the National Assembly for Wales could then be stalled by those who oppose it when it reaches Westminster. Given the range of organisations that supported the transfer of powers, it does not inspire confidence in the co-production approach to resolving Wales’s housing issues, or in the LCO as a process.
The problem would appear to be that the LCO is not al a carte, it has to be accepted in its entirety or not at all, and opposition to one part, effectively gives a veto to the whole order. In this regard we are also critical of the Labour party who while being aware of the issue here in Wales did not do more to ensure that a piece of legislation which received majority consensus in the National Assembly for Wales was not prioritised in Westminster. Cynics among us suggest that the legislation has been used is as a battering tool to achieve support post the general election should either party not have a majority and require the support of for example Plaid Cymru.
For our part, we are hopeful that the co-production approach to the development of housing responses here in Wales will not be knocked back by a consequence of this flawed process, and that our politicians seek to remedy this situation in the future.

The Welsh Tenants Federation is the representative voice for tenants in Wales. Further information can be found by visiting www.welshtenantsfed.org.uk Further information about this press release can be obtained by contacting the Welsh Tenants Federation on 01685 723922.