Service Charges for Council tenants.

I heard a rumor. So I submitted a question to the council meeting 28th February 2008. Here is the question and answer.

Question.

"Does the current administration propose, during the course of its current term in office. To make an additional charge to council tenants, in addition to rent, for the provision of Estate Mainenance and up keep? If so, when?"

Answer.

"COUNCIL MEETING 28 FEBRUARY 2008 - PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Further to the above Council meeting held yesterday which you were unable to attend, the Leader’s response to your question is as follows:-

“There have been no proposals put to my Administration either by Hammersmith & Fulham Homes or by Council Officers recommending separate service charging for services provided to Council tenants although of course council leaseholders are already separately service charged for a range of housing and estate management services”."

Proposed Post Office Closures.

The Post Office is going to under take a consultation prior to closing a number of smaller Post Offices in the Borough.

The Consultation starts on the 19th February 2008.

The details can be found by clicking here.

The London Area Plan can be downloaded by clicking here.

Caretaking & service charges for tenants.

I understand that the Caretakers are currently being forced into re-applying for their jobs.

The new contracts mean a reduction in wages and the tethered accommodation given "free" as part of their overall salary package will become chargeable. The Caretakers will be given a 3 month period of adjustment for this extra cost. Which in real terms means more of a wage cut.

The Caretakers have been given a 90 day notice period to accept this new contract or face termination of their employment.

The council are also looking to put this service out to tender. This means no on-estate caretaker.

Apparently in a meeting held last week. Attended mainly by Leaseholders. There was also a vote to provide a caretaking service on Monday through Friday also.

Today being the first day I heard such a meeting was taking place!!!

There is also a fear. That Council Tax Tenants are , in the not to distant future. Pay a service charge similar to that of Leaseholders for the provision of Estate Maintenance (Caretaking). So as well as the council saving money by tendering out caretaking in the long term. We as council tenants will have to pay for this poorer service on top of our rent.

One of our local Councillors is Stephen Greenhalgh, the council leader.

Government thinking on social housing.

From the Guardian website 5th February 2008. Caroline Flint, Housing Minister gave an interview. In which she suggests that those seeking "social housing" should only be offered a home on condition of actively seeking work.

However in a further report, later that day. Downing Street seems to back away from the idea.

Heathrow Expansion. Have your say

All residents should have received a letter about the Public Meeting on the 12th February 2008 at 7.00pm concerning the plans for the expansion of Heathrow.

The meeting is taking place at Hammersmith Town Hall.

You will also have received a flyer to complete. Fill this in even if you are unable to attend to register your view.

Click here for the Councils Press Release

The website for the expansion on BAA's Heathrow Airport web site is here.

Government consultation can be found here.

There are may website against and for just by doing a search of te internet. Here are two AGAINST, FOR.

Police Pay Award.

If you want to show your support for the Police Pay award. You mught consider signing the petition on the 10 Downing Street Website : Click Here

It closes for signatures on the 10th March 2008.