Morning Briefing: council heckled at meeting

In the news

This morning’s news outlets are full of reports from last night’s meeting of Kensington and Chelsea Council, which saw Elizabeth Campbell formally elected as the new leader.

Shouts of “shame on you” rang out around the hall, as residents expressed anger over the fire and at the council’s response.

“We know you can’t bring back the dead, but you can stop treating people like dogs,” said one.

“For almost a week we governed ourselves, you lot were cowering in the town hall probably shredding documents,” added another.

The Telegraph reports Ms Campbell as saying: “I am deeply sorry for the grief and trauma that you are suffering.

“I am truly sorry that we did not do more to help you when you needed it the most.”

The meeting was drawn to a halt prematurely when a resident either fainted or collapsed.

Elsewhere, it is reported in the local Cumbrian press that Derwent and Solway’s merger with Two Castles, first announced in March, has completed.

On social media

"You’ve let the dead down, now you want to come for the living?" Grenfell Tower victims call for council leader to stand down pic.twitter.com/st3SuI0M3S

— Sky News (@SkyNews)

"You've let the dead down, now you want to come for the living?" Grenfell Tower victims call for council leader to stand down pic.twitter.com/st3SuI0M3S

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 19, 2017

Grenfell resident Edward Daffarn applauded as he calls for ’ignorant’ council to stand down at angry public meeting t.co/0WVEySmLPS pic.twitter.com/28CBv4LJg4

— ITV News (@itvnews)

Grenfell resident Edward Daffarn applauded as he calls for 'ignorant' council to stand down at angry public meeting https://t.co/0WVEySmLPS pic.twitter.com/28CBv4LJg4

— ITV News (@itvnews) July 19, 2017

Now petitioner presents Grenfell petition and demands pic.twitter.com/VsG5FvhP0y

— Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster)

Now petitioner presents Grenfell petition and demands pic.twitter.com/VsG5FvhP0y

— Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster) July 19, 2017

What’s on

It’s the last day of term in parliament today, before MPs head off for their summer breaks.

Among the wrapping up business scheduled, there is nothing that directly relates to housing.

There will be a general debate on matters to be raised before the adjournment – which may touch on Grenfell – at around 10.30 this morning, before Sajid Javid makes a statement to the house on Grenfell and fire safety at 12.45.

The National Housing Federation is also hosting an event titled The Future of Housing in Greater Manchester in Salford, with Paul Dennett, mayor of Salford and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s housing lead, addressing the sector.