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.

To prove the point below

I give up on Recycling

I have finally given up on bothering to recycle. It is far too much hassle for a disabled resident like myself. For those copied in you can see the history here - http://arthurhendersonestate.blogspot.com/

1. Over the last few months I have had to report our overflowing bin to just be emptied as this system of weekly collection is going awry - AGAIN for the up-tenth time.

2. I am fed up with the building entrance looking like a tip with ORANGE BAGS filling the bin and being left around it.

3. This encourages fly-tipping, as I write there is a pint of semi-skimmed milk on the bin, two cardboard boxes & a plank at the side of it.

4. I have GIVEN UP asking for a KEY for the recycling bin as after almost A YEAR of ASKING for one - this seems an impossible thing for you to organise. I cannot use the bin when it is locked.

5. This is the FINAL STRAW. On Monday, we had a collection for the 1st time in 2 weeks. The caretaker knocked on my door with an envelope addressed to me asking why I had left my recycling outside the bin, especially as I had always complained about it. I explained to him that I had placed my recycling in the bin the Tuesday before and had another black bag of recycling waiting for the bin to be emptied. As explained I have facilitated my recycling by having a 50l bin in my kitchen which takes black bags. I told him that the bin had been overflowing with ORANGE BAGS with 4 ORANGE BAGS left, 2 either side all over the weekend and to CHECK with the caretaker who was on the estate at the weekend to confirm what I was saying. I went down to the front entrance with the caretaker to find my two recycling black bags outside, which I identified to him. He then presented me with another black bag of recycling which was not mind. It then became apparent that whoever is doing the rounds to collect the recycling has been taking out black bags assuming they are domestic waste. Clearly NO ONE had COMMUNICATED with them that estate recycling has no 'code' for the type of bag to be used, it varies from carrier bags etc.... . Of course they had TAKEN all the ORANGE bags which are supposed to be left out on the street by OFF ESTATE RESIDENTS.

I have enough to deal with, and frankly, historically you have done nothing that has made a difference to this problem.

The bin is currently locked so I cannot dispose of my rubbish as I cannot get a full 50l black bag in through the "cleverly" designed pizza box slot.

You can treat this as a complaint but my expectation is that nothing will be done nor achieved, lets be frank it is beyond the council to organise and implement a solution here.

Until such time as you can demonstrate and facilitate as originally promised, residents being able to dispose of their recycling in a tidy & safe manner I shall simply go back to using the domestic waste bin. I am not going to contribute to the recycling rubbish obstacles etc... anymore.

I note that the local political administration, following the report from Localis (http://www.localis.org.uk/images/Localis%20Principles%20for%20Social%20Housing%20Reform%20WEB.pdf) don't seem to appreciate council tenants sometimes do treat their homes and estates with care. Without the drive here I do understand why it is difficult for you to do anything. As nothing is what I have become used to.

I have copied in South Fulham Housing Management though expecting a response has longer odds than potentially winning the National Lottery. They NEVER respond.

Body of email sent to my local councillors in Town Ward & various departments within the council responsible.

http://handsoffqc.blogspot.com/ for updates, new coverage etc ..

There is a supporters meeting this week see the website for details.

How safe are our homes?

If you want to understand the long term strategy and thinking from the Conservative Council on Social Housing I would draw your attention to

"The Greenhalgh Vision of the Future" & the policy paper mentioned.

"Stephen Greenhalgh's social housing revolution" - Guardian Online.

HANDS OFF Our Queen Caroline Homes.

The residents of Queen Caroline Homes have set up a campaigning website, http://handsoffqc.blogspot.com/, further to the youtube post below.

Some of us remember the antic's of Westminster Council under Dame Shirley Porter some years ago. With the Leader of the Council wanting to reduce the number of Social Housing Lets in the Borough this is the "tip" of the iceberg.

All residents in council rented accommodation should be worried about where this will go? Could it be your home eventually? I urge you to support our fellow tenants at this time.

Have a council home? for how long more?

From Stephen Cowan.

See this youtube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tV7oK0Olvk

Communal areas & Decent Homes.

I have heard a rumour that the communal area were being cleaned rather than being re-decorated. I phoned the Decent Homes team today and they confirm that the communal areas will be re-decorated and I notice our windows in the hall have been painted today.

Where do I put my recycling?

So with the Smart Bank outside full to overflowing, not emptied this week and full of orange bags, building materials & food rubbish where am I to put my recycling?

This bin is supposed to be for the use of all of us in this block.

I repeat again that it seems ok for council tenants to live in the midst of a rubbish tip, yes the council know about this and are impotent. They boast of "recycling made easier" on their website, for whom? those with orange bags of course.

This happens when the bin is left open. I asked 9 months ago for a key when this happens so I could place my rubbish in the bin. I sent a reminder a month ago. After being promised a key hey guess what? yes you are right! Still waiting.

External Works .... sorry but we missed ...

Those of you who have balcony's will have been asked to clear them so they can be "overhauled". We have a problem with the "down pipe" that comes from the roof through all the balcony's from the roof, in that is leaks. Apparently it also leaks on other balcony's as well.

When were asked the builders if they were going to fix this before laying the new flooring for the balcony. I was told that not only was this a common problem but that maintenance of the "down pipe's" was not included in the schedule of external repairs to be undertaken. In fact I believe that the council and builders are having to discuss the cost of this necessary work.

So new balcony floors are laid only to be spoilt by leaking down pipes!

Given the lack of up to date information given to council tenants on what is happening with this already overdue project. It is clear that our council is ill prepared to manage such huge undertakings a major infrastructure projects.

I cannot understand why such a key element as drainage was missed from the schedule of external works.

Bushes AGAIN! Why are they allowed to grow wild?

A "pet hate" because of the dirt and detritus that falls on our cars, causing more cleaning. Now covering a "Disabled Parking sign". The people of 8,9 & 10 Claridge Court let the bushes from their gardens grow wild without a care in the world. If this was council bushes encroaching on their land they would waste no time in getting the council to cut it back. But these are private residents who seemingly are outside of any social responsibility. I have "moaned" about this for many years. The council have, so I have been told, cut these bushes back and invoiced the owners of the property. I was then told the council merely cuts them back whenever. Last time I mentioned this last year a member of Fulham North Housing office told me they would be added to the estate plant maintenance schedule. With this not being done I have now been told that plant maintenance is being reviewed! Whatever that means.

So who pays to have these bushes/tree's maintained?

Our front door the rubbish dump.

As the recycling bins were designed without any consideration of how they were to be used. The slot is not able to take the bags that residents use to recycle. Leaving the bin open means that off estate residents use it (you will note the orange bag) and it gets full and overflows, again leaving residents unable to use it. Either way it over flows. The council, has been told, and does nothing.

Updates

Scaffolding & Satellite.

I am told that dishes will be moved today and back online. Thursday 22 January 2009.

Front doors.

Tenants are to get new doors. For Leaseholders it will be optional.

Leader Listens.

The council leader is holding an event for residents of the borough today at The Lancaster Court Tenants Hall from 7pm.

Scaffolding and moving Satellite dishes.

Well work has started on erecting the scaffolding to the back of William Banfield House, 19th January 2009.

Well planned? I think not.

Council tenants have been ignored in this project for the last year or so. However we do get the occasional letters telling us what is supposed to happen.

We had such a letter last week, 12th January 2009, from H&F Homes and Balfour Beatty.

There is a FREE phone number for residents to call, that is if you like speaking to a fax machine - 0800 587 60322. This in line with keeping residents in the dark!

It says that any satellite dishes will be moved to the scaffolding and that you will be contacted prior to this. Interesting as we have heard nothing and the scaffolding is going up.

Depending on who you ask the scaffolding is either going all the way up the building today (this may obsure your satellite dish line-of-sight and thus a loss of signal) but only until Thursday. Again this depending on who you speak to, will be the day the dishes are moved. The Balfour genetleman who's mobile number is on the letter also seems to know little about this, his assistant is the person to talk to apparently as he is arranging this.

So what about the Decent Homes team? Did I call them? Yes I did after 3 attempts I did speak to a nice lady but she tried 3 times to put me through to the person I needed to speak to then took my contact details as there is an apparent problem with the phone of our contact.

So "tenant participation", you remember we were promised that, is dead. Unless it seems you are a leaseholder. They have a bill to pay and are in the minority of estate residents. But being a homeowner clearly makes you a more important class of tenant.

Though to be fair, from the leaseholder I have spoken to. Though they get more communication. The situation for them is also just as bad and equally a mess.

If you want to speak to the H&F Homes Decent Homes team call 0208 748 3020 and ask for them.