Comments - CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION FAILS ITS RESIDENTS - goldenlaneestate.org2024-03-28T14:10:54Zhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=2323372%3ABlogPost%3A167117&xn_auth=noPaul, I'm surprised that refe…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-17:2323372:Comment:1670192021-09-17T18:04:39.562ZDavid Graves (your Alderman)https://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/DavidGravesyourAlderman
<p>Paul, I'm surprised that referring to an audience caused you such upset. By "audience" I mean those who follow this site and the conversations/discussions which happen here. I expect that most of these are residents, but not necessarily only residents. I do know that you live locally Paul, so I don't need to be reminded about the Golden Lane resident-focus of this site. However, just in case anyone else thought as you do I am glad to have the chance to correct the record. By "audience" I…</p>
<p>Paul, I'm surprised that referring to an audience caused you such upset. By "audience" I mean those who follow this site and the conversations/discussions which happen here. I expect that most of these are residents, but not necessarily only residents. I do know that you live locally Paul, so I don't need to be reminded about the Golden Lane resident-focus of this site. However, just in case anyone else thought as you do I am glad to have the chance to correct the record. By "audience" I mean those who take time to look in here in the same way that those who watch the BBC or listen to the radio are an "audience". We are speaking to a wider group of people. Also, I was not objecting to campaigning as such, but for example, if you wanted an unbiased view on the merits (or otherwise) of HS2, would you ask the anti-HS2 campaign for a briefing and simply accept uncritically all that it says? And not even consider whether there is another view to consider before coming to a balanced view having considered both sides of the argument? On Sue's points. I have said what I have said, so won't repeat them, and in life it is not always possible to impose one view on everyone else. That's why Paul and I am debating and why there is an audience out there (I assume mostly Golden Lane residents) reading what we write. </p> David Graves makes a fascinat…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-14:2323372:Comment:1672522021-09-14T05:47:33.522ZPaul Lincolnhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/PALincoln
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David Graves makes a fascinating comment in his reply to Sue Pearson:<br></br></span><br></br><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em>'However, I realise that there is an audience on Golden Lane for the "campaigning" style of some people, and I tend to find that those deeply committed to campaigning will feel obliged to see matters and to process facts only from the perspective that suits their campaign.'</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David Graves makes a fascinating comment in his reply to Sue Pearson:<br/></span><br/><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em>'However, I realise that there is an audience on Golden Lane for the "campaigning" style of some people, and I tend to find that those deeply committed to campaigning will feel obliged to see matters and to process facts only from the perspective that suits their campaign.'</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We are not an audience, we live here. <br/><br/>We pay the community charge, rent and service charges. We are residents, both tenants and leaseholders and we are voters.<br/><br/> We elect members to represent the interests of the estate and of Cripplegate ward generally. It is a source of massive concern that our right to vote has been cancelled without any justification. London wide elections for the Mayor and Assembly took place in May without any problems.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Campaigning is a good thing. <br/><br/>If a local authority fails in its duties, if something is broken or if there is an injustice that is not addressed, campaigning to change this is not only legitimate but absolutely essential. <br/><br/>This is about the accountability of public servants. It is astonishing for residents who are Cripplegate voters to be referred to as an audience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sue Pearson had made a wide-ranging analysis of the many ways in which Golden Lane Estate has not been maintained. It is a source of great concern that our only Alderman is unable to understand the validity of these arguments.<br/><br/>We are keen to engage in dialogue and yet our Alderman has chosen not to stand for election despite coming to the end of his term of office. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We are keen to discuss the work of the City of London and yet our Alderman has not convened a residents' meeting or a Wardmote for the whole period of the pandemic despite the fact that Zoom meetings have been shown to increase accessibility and public participation especially for those unable to leave their homes. This is now overdue and essential.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is also worth remembering that the City was due to meet the requirements of the Decent Homes Standards which cover kitchens, bathrooms, windows and insulation.<br/><br/> The deadline for this was 2010.</span></p> Mary Durcan details the works…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-13:2323372:Comment:1672502021-09-13T17:22:36.104ZFred Rodgershttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/Fred
<p>Mary Durcan details the works in the pipeline that David Graves’ “campaigners” are quite rightly demanding be done sooner rather than later. Both of them throw around figures that CoL is spending in GLE but both of them ignore the fact that nearly 50% of this cost will be charged back to leaseholders, whether successfully or not.</p>
<p>However, David Graves is correct that there is a resources problem but this was caused by the fundamental spending review before the delays caused by the…</p>
<p>Mary Durcan details the works in the pipeline that David Graves’ “campaigners” are quite rightly demanding be done sooner rather than later. Both of them throw around figures that CoL is spending in GLE but both of them ignore the fact that nearly 50% of this cost will be charged back to leaseholders, whether successfully or not.</p>
<p>However, David Graves is correct that there is a resources problem but this was caused by the fundamental spending review before the delays caused by the Target - not “Tomorrow’s” - Operating Model - as he alleges. But even with CoL’s unique attitude to time, these resources should have been put in place long before the FSR and certainly decades before the costly distractions of the Centre for Music and Culture Mile. However, as Great Arthur House has shown, it’s not just resources but attention to contract detail and financial controls that were in short supply. But as everyone knows, City residents are an inconvenience and “those living in council houses are never grateful for what we do for them, so, are we bothered?”</p>
<p>Mary Durcan mentions 11 other CoL HRA estates across London, one being Middlesex Street Estate, but claiming that:</p>
<p><span><i>All of our estates have staff and offices on site. I think we are the only local authority in London to have retained these (and one of the few in the country). Most tenants in other areas have to travel to a central office. We think this is an important service to provide.</i></span></p>
<p>might be open to challenge. Searching for Hubert Jones House - a CoL HRA block near City Hall, completed a few tears ago - on Google Maps only brings up its estate office in Pakeman House, Pocock Street. Other HRA estates are also served remotely, particularly Southbank. Mary also refers to GLE Community Centre - which residents saved for the community - and the two new flats in Great Arthur House but neglects to mention her enthusiasm for the aborted move of the estate office into the Centre. </p>
<p>As far as CoLPAI is concerned, one lesson from the Grenfell tragedy should be not to build tower blocks with a single staircase. However, of course, the scheme went ahead without that lesson being learned.</p> Before Mary Durcan posted her…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-13:2323372:Comment:1672492021-09-13T11:44:50.524ZMark Bostockhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/Mark711
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Before Mary Durcan posted her comment on this blog, she sent an email to the other councillors in Cripplegate ward detailing what renovation work had already been done. I replied saying she was missing the point of Sue’s blog, which was not about what had been done, but what had <b class="">not</b> yet been done, and how long it was taking to do it.…</div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Before Mary Durcan posted her comment on this blog, she sent an email to the other councillors in Cripplegate ward detailing what renovation work had already been done. I replied saying she was missing the point of Sue’s blog, which was not about what had been done, but what had <b class="">not</b> yet been done, and how long it was taking to do it.</div>
<p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"> </p>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">I mentioned that while “we can’t change the past”, the long neglect of the estates couldn’t be dismissed while the Corporation was claiming it needed "to strike a balance in our spending across our various stakeholders”. From my perspective, it hasn’t struck that balance in the past as regards residents on its estates, hence the need for so much renovation work now. T<span class="" style="font-size: 11pt;">his past imbalance could be corrected by the work being funded and completed within at least the same kind of time frame as the Corporation’s major new projects.</span></div>
<p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"> </p>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">I asked whether she agreed that "City’s Cash" should be used to correct the imbalance by funding the acceleration of the estate renovation work, which is what Sue Pearson is calling for.</div>
<p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"> </p>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">I also asked whether she seriously believed that 97% of residents were satisfied with the Corporation, as claimed by the Policy Chair. In my experience it’s more like the other way round.</div>
<p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"> </p>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">She replied to say she could only repeat her comments, and repeated what had been spent on Golden Lane so far.</div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"></div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">I pointed out that this spending had never been in dispute, so it took the matter nowhere. This was also not just about Golden Lane, as Sue keeps emphasising.</div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"></div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">None of Mary's comments address the points I had put to her. </div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"></div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Mark Bostock</div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Councillor, Cripplegate Ward</div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"></div> Rather feel that Mary Durcan…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-13:2323372:Comment:1669452021-09-13T09:57:45.641ZJoJohttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/JoJo
<p>Rather feel that Mary Durcan is understating matters by saying CoL estates 'were' neglected for several years when have been neglected for several decades would be more accurate. Why is it taking so long to replace leaking windows that should have been replaced 15 or 20 years ago? GLE residents also care about all other estates and particularly our sister City estate Middlesex Street so perhaps we could have some details about them - and a reasonably accurate time frame for the outstanding…</p>
<p>Rather feel that Mary Durcan is understating matters by saying CoL estates 'were' neglected for several years when have been neglected for several decades would be more accurate. Why is it taking so long to replace leaking windows that should have been replaced 15 or 20 years ago? GLE residents also care about all other estates and particularly our sister City estate Middlesex Street so perhaps we could have some details about them - and a reasonably accurate time frame for the outstanding works, as well as an explanation as to why they haven't been done already.</p> I very much agree that Golden…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-12:2323372:Comment:1672462021-09-12T15:26:24.646ZMary Durcanhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/MaryDurcan
<p align="left" class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>I very much agree that</span></span></font></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>Golden Lane and our other 11 housing estates across London were neglected for several years but that was</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>well…</span></font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>I very much agree that</span></span></font></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>Golden Lane and our other 11 housing estates across London were neglected for several years but that was</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>well</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>before my time. We can’t change the past</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>so let’s concentrate on the future</span></font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>.</span></font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>I’m proud to represent Cripplegate ward on the City Corporation. I wouldn’t be a Common Councillor if I didn’t think there were things needing improvement but let’s also acknowledge the positive things that have happened.</span></font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>Golden Lane is our second largest estate with almost 50% of its properties sold under Right To Buy.</span></font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">So what has the City of London Corporation done to improve things since 2017 when I was elected. I hope these facts and figures will allow you to make a fair assessment of the City’s works.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>The Major Works Programme has a budget of £</span></font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>7</span></font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>5 million.</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>In addition some works were carried out by the City Surveyors.</span></font></font> <font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>£3</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>9.5</span></span></font></font></font> <font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>million is earmarked for Golden Lane.</span></span></font></font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>We’ve already spent £15 million on:</span></font></font></p>
<ul>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">renewal of curtain walling on Great Arthur House</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">refurbishment of passenger lifts across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">heating upgrades across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">remedial concrete works across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">electrical upgrades across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">renewal of concrete balustrades on Cullum Welch</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>replacement of kitchens and bathrooms across the estate</span></font></font></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>There remains</span></span></font></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>£24.5 million</span></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>for Golden Lane Major Works</span></font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>:</span></font></font></p>
<ul>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>replacement of</span></font></font> <font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"><span>windows</span></span></font></font></font> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"><span>on Crescent House</span></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">replacement of all other windows across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">replacement of front entrance doors across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">replacement of roof coverings across the estate</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">installation of sprinklers in Gt Arthur</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">a communal heating system in Crescent House and Cullum Welch House</font></font></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">In addition we have totally refurbished the Community Centre (£1.3 million) and provided a new children’s playground (£300,000)</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">We have also spent £3.9 million on repairs from 2017 – 21 (20% of the budget) including redecorating and installation of energy saving lighting.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">Since the terrible Grenfell fire tragedy we have checked all of our properties for cladding and improved fire safety measures. We continue with that work.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">All of our estates have staff and offices on site. I think we are the only local authority in London to have retained these (and one of the few in the country). Most tenants in other areas have to travel to a central office. We think this is an important service to provide.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">In addition to improving and maintaining our estates we are also committed to providing additional housing. The COLPAI development is well on the way to completion and we now have planning approval for a new development at Sydenham Hill in Lewisham. At York Way in Islington we are progressing the plans for additional social housing.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">On Golden Lane we are in the process of converting the ground floor of Gt Arthur into two much needed flats adapted for those with mobility issues.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">Of course there have been delays. We all regret that things have not moved faster. Listed buildings have their special needs and not being able to get into properties during COVID held up some works but I think we can be proud of our record and my aim as Chair of Housing Management is to continue providing and maintaining homes of a high standard of which we can all be proud. I welcome your support.</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">Mary Durcan</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">Common Councillor Cripplegate Ward</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4">Chairman of Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee</font></font></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p>
<p class="western" align="left"></p> However tempting it might be…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-08:2323372:Comment:1669432021-09-08T15:02:25.375ZDavid Graves (your Alderman)https://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/DavidGravesyourAlderman
<p><span>However tempting it might be to simply say yes to a lengthy post which features a critique of a range of responses from the City Corporation's Chair of Policy & Resources (some would say the equivalent of the Leader of the Council) that isn't my style. </span></p>
<div>If the gist of the "complaint" is that the City Corporation is claiming to have no money for repairs and related works while sitting on hundreds of millions of pounds in assets which it could use to fund necessary…</div>
<p><span>However tempting it might be to simply say yes to a lengthy post which features a critique of a range of responses from the City Corporation's Chair of Policy & Resources (some would say the equivalent of the Leader of the Council) that isn't my style. </span></p>
<div>If the gist of the "complaint" is that the City Corporation is claiming to have no money for repairs and related works while sitting on hundreds of millions of pounds in assets which it could use to fund necessary works, I think this misunderstands the position. </div>
<div>Over £75 million has been budgeted for spending up to 2025 for works to Golden Lane and the City's other housing estates within the Housing Revenue Account. Of this nearly £40 million is for the Golden Lane Estate. So as I see it, the issue is not that the City is claiming to have empty pockets. </div>
<div>As I see it, the problem is in the human resource to progress the projects as quickly as one would like. The problem there is the hiring freeze that was imposed as a consequence of our project to improve efficience and delivery - known as "Tomorrow's Operating Model" or "TOM" for short. That project has in my view adversely affected the ability of the Housing team to recruit for the progression of the works already planned and lined up for implementation. Releasing City's Cash is in my view a red herring here. </div>
<div>I have lobbied the Chair of the Establishment Committee and the Chief Officer of our HR team about this to get that log-jam sorted out. I believe this has had some effect to enable Officers to access the additional human resource they need to get the works done - or at least moving forward more expeditiously. In my personal opinion, making an issue about use or non-use of City's cash is a diversion away from what is really needed if you want to see faster progress. It might offer a good slogan that will suit some people but I really don't think it helps at the practical level. </div>
<div>I have seen a long list of works that have been done recently including during the covid period which has not helped in moving things forward. However, I realise that there is an audience on Golden Lane for the "campaigning" style of some people, and I tend to find that those deeply committed to campaigning will feel obliged to see matters and to process facts only from the perspective that suits their campaign. I wouldn't expect to get an objective view from a campaigner regarding the issue their campaign is pursuing, but it does offer a valuable perspective which I appreciate.</div> I support Sue completely - th…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-08:2323372:Comment:1670102021-09-08T14:17:02.452ZWilliam Pimlotthttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/WilliamPimlott
<p>I support Sue completely - thank you for this detailed post.</p>
<p>I support Sue completely - thank you for this detailed post.</p> The claimed satisfaction rate…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-06:2323372:Comment:1672442021-09-06T21:46:40.615ZDavid Hendersonhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/DavidHenderson
The claimed satisfaction rates with service provided do not reflect the experience or feelings of most on the estate. Based on what sample size?
The claimed satisfaction rates with service provided do not reflect the experience or feelings of most on the estate. Based on what sample size? Thank you, Cllr Pearson and C…tag:goldenlane.ning.com,2021-09-06:2323372:Comment:1669392021-09-06T09:35:06.959ZJacqueline Swansonhttps://goldenlane.ning.com/profile/JacquelineSwanson
<p>Thank you, Cllr Pearson and Cllr Bostock.</p>
<p>We have 8 Cripplegate Councillors and an Alderman. I'm very keen to hear from all of them on this issue as many residents of Golden Lane Estate feel badly represented by the people they have entrusted to represent them.</p>
<p>Thank you, Cllr Pearson and Cllr Bostock.</p>
<p>We have 8 Cripplegate Councillors and an Alderman. I'm very keen to hear from all of them on this issue as many residents of Golden Lane Estate feel badly represented by the people they have entrusted to represent them.</p>