The new leader of Kensington and Chelsea was booed and heckled as she apologised to survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire present at a full council meeting for the authority’s “inadequate response”.

Elizabeth Campbell was elected to replace Nick Paget-Brown, who quit at the end of June amid criticism of his handling of the disaster.

He was absent from the meeting, as was his deputy and former head of housing Rock Feilding-Mellen.

Cllr Campbell pledged to halt all regeneration plans in the borough, build or buy 400 social housing units over the next five years, and change the culture at the council, promising to work with residents at the meeting on Wednesday July 19.

Survivors packed into the gallery above booed and heckled the new council leader following her appointment

Her opening speech and subsequent others were punctuated with cries of “resign” and “shame on you” from a packed gallery of Grenfell survivors, bereaved family members and residents who lived close to the stricken building.

They were invited to address councillors, and spoke of their anger and frustration on issues including accommodation .

Addressing the debating chamber following her appointment, Cllr Campbell said: “We did not cope well enough in our initial response to the tragedy.

"I know that you will have heard me apologise for the inadequate response of the Council.

"Tonight I reiterate that apology to you directly, no ifs, no buts, no excuses.

“I am deeply sorry for the grief and trauma you are suffering.

"I am deeply sorry that we did not do more to help you when you needed it most.”

New Kensington and Chelsea Council leader Elizabeth Campbell speaks during a council meeting

She went on to say: “I want to thank community groups and volunteers for your extraordinary work.

“You went above and beyond and continue to do so.

“I understand why you are angry.

“I am determined to do everything in my power to help you.”

New commitments included:

  • Building or buying 400 social housing units over the next five years.
  • Investment in 31 homes in Hortensia Road.
  • Working with central Government to secure a deal for North Kensington which will allow the authority freedom to borrow against the Housing Revenue Account and have more flexibility in how to use money from right-to-buy sales.
  • A commitment that Grenfell survivors and their families will have the determining say on the future of the tower site.

She added: “We will rethink all our plans for regeneration in the borough.

"We will work with residents to create new plans and you will vote on any results – if people vote against then we’ll go back to the drawing board together and start again."

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During the meeting, survivors and bereaved family members addressed councillors.

One waved the 10-page agenda and said it showed that it was “business as usual” for the council.

Another took exception at having North Kensington constantly described as “poor”, saying: “We are rich in culture and love and dignity and heritage.”

The auntie of missing schoolgirl Jessica Urbano was angry that the council had vowed to spend its vast reserves tackling the crisis, instead of preventing it from happening.

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Another added: “Why haven’t we been rehoused? I need a place to go and start my life again.”

A petition calling for the resignation of the entire cabinet was also heard before the meeting was called to a sudden close after a Grenfell survivor collapsed.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Campbell, who has served on the cabinet before, said she accepted “collective responsibility” but that she would not resign.

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