Labour Councillor Jennifer Churchill focused the Government's proposals to extend right-to-buy to housing associations tenants in her maiden Richmond Council speech.
The Teddington councillor caused a stir when she defected to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour from the Liberal Democrats in September.
SEPTEMBER: Teddington councillor Jennifer Churchill defects from Lib Dems to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour
Speaking against the Housing and Planning Bill at York House on Tuesday, she said: "There are well over 4,000 families on our housing list in Richmond - these are real people in real difficulty and they all have a right to shelter.
"With the extension of right-to-buy to housing associations, RHP estimate they will lose around 750 units.
"Combined with the expected loss of around 500 from other housing associations, we are going to lose over 1,000 social rented homes locally if this policy goes forward."
Coun Churchill heaped praise on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as she ditched the Lib Dems
Coun Churchill said the issue resonates with residents in her own ward, Teddington.
She added: "In my own ward, I have seen site after site - Teddington Studios, Waldegrave Road - be developed with a total disregard with the need to meet affordable provision.
"Every day planning rules are moving further in the wrong direction to tackle the situation.
"The problem is not going to go away, the problem will define us."
Her partner and former Lib Dem leader in Richmond, Councillor Stephen Knight supported her motion calling on council leader Lord True to lobby against the bill.
Coun Knight spoke in support of his partner's motion at York House on Tuesday
He said: "How many homes that have been lost from the social rented sector in Richmond are not lived in by former tenants at all?
"They are actually owned by private sector investor landlords who have bought them and are charging unaffordable rents."
Councillor Penelope Frost told the chamber that the borough's first council house sold was recently purchased for in excess of £1m in her Ham, Petersham and Richmond riverside ward.
Lord True said: "I do not think this council should set its heart against the right-to-buy and the aspiration of poorer people, aspiring people, hoping people in this country."
He also called for a byelection in Coun Churchill's ward, something which 74 per cent of Richmond and Twickenham Times readers supported in a snap poll.
Syrian refugees could only be housed in 'bed and breakfasts outside the borough', says leader
Lord True said the council would work with other London councillors to help Syrian refugees
Council leader Lord True said Richmond could only house Syrian refugees if they were given priority above those already on the borough's housing list.
He was asked by Caroline Allen whether the council would take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme.
He said: "We do not have housing property of our own, we do have a housing list and could only accommodate by preferring these people over those already waiting on our housing list.
"And they would probably have to be housed in bed and breakfasts outside the borough."
He added: "[The conflict] will go on for a long time and we must face our collective responsibilities - all councils in London will seek to work together to do what we can."
Deputy leader stands firm over £2m sixth forms overspend
Coun Samuel refused to apologise for the £2m sixth forms overspend
Deputy leader Councillor Geoffrey Samuel was put on the spot over a £2m overspend on the council's sixth forms project by Councillor Alexander Ehmann.
The audit committee has identified 'a failure to identify cost increase at an early stage' leading to 'over £2m of additional costs'.
Coun Ehmann said: "In July 2010, Councillor Samuel said of the rebuild of Hampton and Twickenham Academy 'too often in the past we have seen projects overrun and hard-pressed tax payers expected to pick up the tab'.
"'This will not happen this time'.
"Will he now put on record that he regrets these hubristic comments?"
Coun Samuel said there was a late need to re-tender in the process.
He added: "As a headmaster, I saw the effect up on students when building projects very considerably overran and I was determined that our students should not so suffer.
"I apologise, if I have to, for putting our students first."
Controversy over motion in support of police
Coun Khosa proposed a motion for the council to maintain its current level of funding to police until 2022
Councillor Ben Khosa proposed a motion calling on the council to continue its current level of funding, in real terms, to the Metropolitan Police until 2022.
The motion sparked controversy when former council leader Councillor Tony Arbour amended the motion.
His amendment said 'the council reaffirms commitment to maintain its current financial contribution to local policing'.
Speaking after the meeting, opposition leader Councillor Gareth Roberts said: "Coun Arbour represents the very worst aspects of the current administration.
"Rather than support a Lib Dem motion which would have guaranteed the council's commitment to inflation proofed funding for our local police services he tabled an amendment which offered a weaker, non-binding funding offer which wasn't proofed against inflation."
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