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The flashpoints section is intended to give a voice to those leaseholders who wish to comment on what the Council has done for them. We've no idea whether this section will take off and can't promise to include everything but if you have a story to share please e-mail richard@leaseholderassoc.f9.co.uk Our first story comes from Alan Wood of the Bemerton Estate where he faces a major works bill of some £17,000. |
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1: Consultation.
My wife is a member of the Security Steering Group who discussed and contributed to the planning of this work, which is Security, and catch up repairs. The group were promised that this work would be funded by grants, and that the cost to leaseholders would be minimal. This is why the group agreed to the work going ahead in its current format. Unfortunately the first we knew of the extent of our liabilities was when the Section 20 Notice was recieved. The Council had failed to get external funding, but never informed the Steering Group. Minutes of the SSG meetings were never distributed, and cannot be found. I am about to take this matter to the Omwardsman, having failed to have any success with the Council's complaints process,1,2, and 3. The only other consultation the Council engaged in was a meeting with all residents, and one meeting with leaseholders. Both of these were after the |SEction 20 notices were issued. 2: The Work- The work consists of external, and internal re-painting of communal areas, and the outside of the building. Installation of Door Entry systems,Partitions to block off corridors that currently connect all parts of the estate, demolition of walk-ways connecting blocks, demolition and rebuilding of refuse chutes, additional corridor and street lighting. Most of the work is needed, because this estate has been neglected for many years. e.g this is the first time in over 30 years that the external paintwork has been renewed. Also repairs have not been done on this estate for a number of years, and in fact I have had 2 years of repairs charges removed form my service charge account because of this.( I have this in writing). Other parts of the work I feel are not needed, and I am in dispute over these.e.g Refuse Chutes are being knocked down, and rebuilt to allow Black bags to be disposed of, whereas most residents found the original chutes to be more than adequate. Each flat is having an external light over the front door, in addition to the existing corridor lighting, a complete waste of money. So you will see that it's a mixed bag, and there are also areas of dispute about what parts of the work I am liable for, and what parts i.e demolition of walk ways 5 blocks away do not affect, but for which I am being charged. I would add here that dispite repeated requests to the Home Ownership section I cannot get a answer to how the charges will be apportioned, who will apportion the charges, and what areas of the work I am liable for. P.S The Council can cap charges at £10,000, which is recommend in the D.O.E guidelines on this matter, but this Council refuses to do this, and MR Hichins will explain why. Regards Alan Wood ....stronger together.... |
