Is this Planning?

[Roland Jeffery]

Someone called Jacqui Campbell was introduced at tonight's GLERA meeting as the person in charge of Barbican and Col Estates. She took up a whole hour of what is supposed to be our meeting, when we could have talked about real issues. The last time I went to a GLERA meeting, more than a year ago, someone from the CoL Census office went on at very great length about .......the census.  No wonder GLERA meeting are so poorly attended.  There were just 24 residents present last night.

 

Jacqui Campbell said was making a new Plan for each estate.  When asked why and what for her reply was not clear. But she was starting with us. There was then a rather simplistic consultation exercise. A neighbour at the meeting muttered < I hate being infantilised?>. They had a point.  There were little yellow stars, a flip chart and a patronising  Blue Peter tone.

 

Anyway, it showed that poor maintenance was the area most people though needed work.< I am not responsible for that> she said brightly, relief clearly audible in her voice.

 

How can the officer responsible for all the Corporation's estates not be responsible for repairs and maintenance?  Along with collecting rents and serive charges it is surely the most crucial function of a housing manager.

 

Asked at the end whether she would be consulting anyone other than the 24 present (that's something like 1 to 2% of residents) she muttered about resources.  If you weren't there I think you can take it that Jacqui Campbell won't be asking for your views.  

 

Properly designed survey forms could easily have elicited all the information that Jacqui Campbell captured by this session plus a lot more - plus it could have been sent to every household.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[patsy cox]

While Roland did not enjoy the evening, it seemed a real attempt at consultation and to me an historic occassion, the first time (in 40 Years) a Housing Manager has asked me face to face what I thought about the Estate.  To tackle a whole group of residents seemed really brave.  Roland might not have liked the reaction but at least he got one.

If a thousand residents discuss an Estate problem they are much more likely to come up with a workable solution than an individual Manager, no matter how well intentioned.  What is needed is more communication or feedback, (or consultation as  it is now called).  I feel the event should be welcomed as a first attempt and encouraged.

Regarding the length I think this was an exception and guests should usually be limited to say 15mins.  Written guest contributions to the Minutes might also speed things up.

Regarding questionnaires I believe the response to our meeting has often been better than that to some of the questionnaires.

Dave Cox former chairman (but not on behalf of GLERA).

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I understand exactly what Roland is saying.  Ms Campbell stated she wanted to hear what we had to say, but does she take heed?  I know from personal experience that this attempt at a 'caring attitude' towards residents is not always what it seems!  For example, I contacted her with a personal issue which I was greatly upset about, and which I had raised at the last meeting.  To recap, we had to have a new bathroom, due to the old one 'losing the will to live', and due to circumstances, we had to be left without a toilet for 1 night.  I live near the top floor guest flats, so asked if there were any flats vacant, could my partner and I have access to one just for toilet vacilities overnight.  My partner is elderly, and has suffered a stroke, and heart attack, so I was particularly concerned for his comfort. We were forced to pay the full charge for an overnight stay, even though we were only going to use the toilet, and nothing else.  I even offered to bring my own toilet paper!!!  I complained to Ms Campbell, who stated that the guest flats had to be run as a 'business', which is why she felt they were justified in charging us, even though a few were empty anyway.  I have also been told that many times people book guest flats, but fail to turn up!  What sort of business running is that?  It is only after I pursued this, that I have now been offered my money back.  What has happened to the times when the Estate office used to help any resident in trouble, and were sympathetic to their plight?  I feel so sad at how times have changed.