Updates ... been a while ... changes to repairs ....

Finally we have a Children's Play area and social area for residents. I asked, at the start of the Decent Homes project, many years ago now. To move the play area to the green as it was much safer, not least as the area is surrounded by flats allowing parents to keep a watchful eye on there kids. This suggestion was objected to by a few residents. Now we have on with activities for the kids. Open day by the mayor is tomorrow, 5th July.

I spend some of my time running a campaigning website. Activities here and with meetings some local, some even in Parliament have kept me busy.

However as always. Our focus changes when something affects us. Currently I am trying to get a resolution to water leakage problem that has been on-going since the completion of the "Decent Homes" work in our block.

Never ever having a problem with any water leaking in the flat prior to this. It seems that the council has been unable to properly diagnose and institute a lasting repair.

We know from previous investigations this is likely a pipe issue and thus no fault of the tenant concerned. Though establishing this was protracted, it took several months. Then only when the "its a sealant in the bathroom problem" didn't solve the problem.

When it was supposed to be fixed. The first rectification of the structural damage had to be redone within weeks.

The problem is back now, and worse.

Oh and I was told that the structural damage that has re-occurred isn't a repair anymore. Here is an extract of an email I sent to H&F Homes and Stephen Greenhalgh on the 8th June 2010 and have yet to receive a reply from anyone -

"The severe damage from the constant leaking to the wall but mainly the ceiling which has mould etc. I don't want you to deal with that as it will be part of my complaint but I have an issue for clarification. I was told that repairs wouldn't deal with structural repairs that I had to claim off my "contents insurance" ????? that the procedure had changed a few weeks ago.

1) Is this true?

2) When are tennants going to be informed of all these new changes?

3) Contents insurance will not cover structural repairs that is why building insurance exists ? Does the council not have buildings insurance on there estate?

4) Are they aware of how many tennants may not be able to afford insurance and the very quick demise of there estate portfolio as a result of strucutral defects going unrepaired.

I know housing is a media issue in this borough and I think there are many interested in this aspect.

.....

I have copied in our local councillor Mr. Greenhalgh for his input/response into this specific matter."

Did anyone receive information on this?

Well the process of engaging with H&F Homes and the repairs team has been like "pulling teeth".

Last week we had another leak into the flat and I finally decided enough was enough.

Having heard nothing to the complaint emailed, with a copy taken to the office in person. I emailed following this last event.

Within a day I received some replies. I guess when I do engage with the media on this they all want to demonstrate they were not at fault. However this has been going on for over 2 years now.

So this is a project. When I get some answers I will post more.

Also you may be interested in http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/

In the mean time I hope you are enjoying your summer.

Serco Now dumping outside our block & they collect the refuse

As you may know I have had many issues over recycling but specifically the fly tipping of Orange bags as well as other rubbish outside out block.

I am waiting now for the council to properly provide this service to estate residents before I return to recycling.

I stopped because some month ago Serco the councils refuse collection service removed two black bags of mine from the bin and left them outside. The caretaker called as he was surprised they were from me. But there was a third bag from another resident. An investigation by the competent recycling team concluded that Serco will not take black bags.

I had asked for a key for the recycling bin to place my bags in it as the 'slot' is ok if you only recycle pizza boxes. The bin was replace. But a YEAR on and several emails and promises and I have yet to see a key.

Now it seems that Secro are dumping there own rubbish outside the block. Ironically, though you can see the green bags marked "SERCO". When they emptied the bins both domestic and recycling waste - THEY LEFT THERE OWN BAGS - BEEN THERE 2 WEEKS NOW!!!!!

You draw your own conclusions but clearly the message I get is that the council is no longer interested in recycling for council estate residents - just everybody else.

Housing in H&F in the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/davehillblog/video/2009/oct/09/housing-london-tory-social

Watch this ......

New bin moves around the front of the block on its own

It seems the new recycling bank has been left with no brakes, or at least brakes that work, and so now every day it is in a different position outside the block.

If you are injured I have emailed the council about this already should you complain.

(This just continues to make me laugh, the council has £100millions and cannot get a recycling system or infrastructure that works)

Any progress?

A letter from the council apologising for the delay in response and that a "full investigation" is underway. I look for the action plan in dealing with this years old problem but I am not, based on experience, sure they will actually do anything.

As the recycling bin has been moved slightly there is now more room for tipping.

And it grows ....

Further to the last two posts.

The only response to the email sent to the Recycling Team, Cleaner Greener Team and my local councillors (that include the leader of the council), was that I was copied into an email sent from the Cleaner Greener Team to the Recycling Team leader. Otherwise NOTHING has been forthcoming. Clearly the silence indicates that the council are impotent when it comes to dealing with estate issues.

We do have a new Smart Bin which is now padlocked.