Making Deputation to Cabinet on Wednesday 21th March 2018

By Nigel Rumble elected representative of the Chalcots Estate, Co-opted Member of Burnham TRA, Vice Chair of Belsize Police SNT.

I propose to read this deputation at Cabinet. I will have read same deputation at Housing Scrutiny on Monday 19th March 2018 and any relevant considerations will have already been discussed. This serves to illuminate issues and concerns to whole cabinet prior to the decision to proceed on Replacement Window budget proposals.

This Deputation however to Cabinet is a catch-all to allow the debate which can bring in other representatives of the Chalcots Estate especially to present opinions on matter.

Watch the recording of me delivering the first part of the deputation together with other representatives of the Chalcots HERE

Chalcots Estate New Windows Replacement

The main principles of engagement for the Chalcots Estate New Windows Replacement programme costed at £30m and with 40 years warranty, which is £10m more than original windows installed less than 10 years ago.

This project was presented as an imperative and therefore, not a consultative project on matter of Health and Safety.

The first meeting TRAs were informed of the solution to a problem not seen as a prior vital problem, hence complete surprise as the only viable solution which was to replace all windows of all five tower blocks making up the Chalcots estate. Repair would cost a massive £29m but would only provide a 1/4 of the maintenance and warranty periods and therefore very poor value compared to a new build replacement.

However, residents were not happy at this approach appearing as a fait accompli with no elements of consultations nor were they happy with highly restricted window openings of 10 cm open and 20 cm purge. Especially as they were opening from top inwards.

OPENING TYPE

Residents seek to request more alternatives to be brought to the consultation process. This requires more time than the 21 days on the current table. 

METHODOLOGY 

e.g.. Reducing 7 Day per flat for the windows replacement to something more reasonable and manageable for residents already suffering from high levels of anxiety after the prior 6 week evacuations and continuous works since returning from the evacuations. People are tired, stressed, and shell shocked with core drilling into concrete structure occurring daily and at times constantly during mast climber works.

The method being told is unacceptable as it requires removal of all windows with a security screen being bolted on the inside of home windows with on average up to 7 windows. It must be noted that all private and personal affects belonging to residents must be safely huddled in middle of each room meaning that life would not be normal or stress free for those 7 Days.

Those with Children, the elderly and sick requiring home rest would not be able to cope, without intervention help such as a planned decant, which again is not on the table.

TIME 

More time for consultation of options. Residents ask for adequate and effective consultation and the 21 days on the table for window types whilst planning permission is already well advanced does not inspire confidence. 

It was suggested at the works meeting by TRA reps that more time be given and that this project defer going to Cabinet until after May elections (Purdah). This would remove the political dimension of the works and most importantly allow more time to enhance plans prior to a June submission to the new Cabinet, which would for accountability and continuity would be preferable. It would give a much longer period for residents to reflect on any and all proposals that may be produced. This would also allow the newly elected ward councillors of Belsize Park to be fully engaged with the project at commencement proper.

RESPECT 

Be Treated Right First Time. Being treated with dignity. This is a big one. All residents simply wish to be treated right. Just as Camden Has the mantra Right First Time. I wish to see the introduction of Be Treated Right. 

This ranges from having made an appointment and taken time of work to attend a required works appointment the contractor fails to turn up or arrives late as happens here currently only too frequently. Being communicated in a professional and polite manner. Which again does not occur in a proper manner. Meeting all agreed expectations. Making sure that expectations are set correctly at start of intrusive works. Being given plenty of notice for making any required further relocations of furniture and personal affects. 

It is vital for this aspect of Be Treated Right First Time way of working that it happens both ways for this to be a success.

Watch the recording of me delivering the first part of the deputation together with other representatives of the Chalcots HERE

Author: Nigel Rumble

15th March 2018