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When politics shifts: Delivering homes across divided councils
Housing delivery is increasingly shaped by political fragmentation at the local level. While the national government pushes for the largest expansion of social and affordable housing in a generation, councils are navigating conflicting priorities, financial pressures, and rapidly shifting political leadership. The rise of Reform UK councillors and leaders - with pro landlord positions, planning deregulation agendas, and calls to undo key housing reforms - has added new complexity for housing associations seeking stable partnerships and consistent decision making. This session explores how providers can deliver homes across politically mixed councils where Labour, Reform, independents, and local groups hold competing ideas and vision for delivery. Panellists will examine practical strategies for maintaining constructive relationships, managing planning risk, and keeping development pipelines moving - even when political priorities pull in different directions or councils face deep financial strain and governance challenges.