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?

Bushes continued.

Speaking to the council following further exchange of letters the bushes above the car parking area are to be added to the horticulture schedule and be cut back to the top of the boundary wall.

This will hopefully but an end to the organic debris falling and more importantly marking our cars parked there.

So I complained about the bushes (again) & other issues.

You will note that even though we are supposed to have our own Estate Housing Officer now, this compaint was not even handled in our local office at Fulham Town Hall.

I have edited the response as it is unfair to name council individuals.

How not to deal with a complaint.

Click on image to enlarge.

My initial letter.


The H&F Homes response - not even our housing office ????



My escalation - any wonder?

Overhanging Shrubs.

I understand the delay is due to this service being placed in the hands of a private contractor.

Oustanding matters update.

Information and emails awaiting a response from out Principal Project Manager for Decent Homes have not been received due to typo with my email address. Can happen I accept. I have spoken to the PPM and the following information has been forthcoming -

1) There is a pilot flat in William Banfield House. No doubt everyone will be aware of the construction noise. Which cannot be helped. This is not an empty flat. So tenants will not be able to have a "look see" at the works. It is important that the builders at the very least get to realize any problems they will face. So thanks to the tenant that was willing to be the "guinea pig" for us all.
2)New front doors are compulsory. The council has to comply with a legal requirement. I have been told keys will be handed over to tenants. Housing will not be keeping a copy.

Other matters concerning Estate Services :

1) Cutting of overhanging trees. The manager of this department has been unwell. I will contact the office when he is expected back Monday.

2) The Estates office has been in touch. Though I missed the calls. With regard to the missing manhole cover & graffiti. I have left a message to get a call back.

I hope to speak to the PPM later today to discuss outstanding Satellite/sky issues.

Still waiting for response ...

Still have recieved no email response on either the outstanding Decent Homes issues or the Overhanging trees.

Trees

The trees due to be cut back yesterday haven't been. I await an answer from Estate Services as to when.

Pruning of Overhanging Tree's

Please note the following :


Dear Tenant/ Resident


The shrubs overhanging the car park are going to be cut back on the afternoon of Thursday 24th January 2008.

To enable the operatives free access to the area we will require your vehicle to be parked in another location for a few hours.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but we will try to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Thanking you in anticipation for your co-operation.


Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.


Yours sincerely








Estates Services Manager, South Fulham.

Overhanging tree's & parking.

If you have a car parked in an allocated bay. It could be that shrubbery from Claridge Court namely the gardens causes you frustration. Especially when the buds and leaves fall on to your paint work , marking it. Let alone the general filth it leaves on you windscreen etc.

Well the Estates Manager is aware and this is the current situation -

1) The owner of the offending plant is responsible for ensuring these are prunned back.
2) The Estates manager doesn't have the funding to just cut these back , remedying the problem resident drivers have. It would make sense to have this done when the trees are prunned.
3) The owners don't seem to want to keep there plants under control and avoid them becomming a nuisance.
4) The Estate manager has to raise a bill to the offending owner and then schedule the work through the Estates Management Office.

I have been in touch with the Estates Manager and the shrubs from the gardens of Claridge court are due to be cut back.

Hopefully this will now become a yearly event & resident drivers will not have to sue for any damage to the paintwork of their cars.