GLERA Meeting - 7.30pm 21st April (Ralph Perring Centre)

[David Kreikmeier-Watson]

Just a reminder to everyone - Karen Tarbox from the City Housing Department will be attending the above meeting to discuss the collapse of the cladding at Stanley Cohen last week, what's being done about it and what measures the City are taking to assess the safety of the areas of the Estate.

This is YOUR chance to find out what's happening and ask the questions YOU want answered. Please come along - and bring your neighbours with you!

The Ralph Perring Centre is above the sports centre - just follow the ceiling windows of the swimming pool etc. and you'll find it; its the end building.

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

It may also be appropriate for Laurence Jones, as he is the Estate manager, to attend this meeting as well.  Many people I have spoken to are not happy over the way the Estate is being managed, and, as Laurence has always said he would like us all to 'work together' this would give him an opportunity to personally address our concerns.

[nathan]

Just a question about this meeting,

will there be enough space for all those wanting to attend the meeting?

Given the concerns and interest of many of the residents, and recent events on the estate.

[David Kreikmeier-Watson]

Good point Nathan - it might be standing room only....or maybe we transfer to the Bar in the Community Centre if it's too crowded?

[nathan]

Good idea, its ok for standing room only for well and able, not so good for the elderly and disabled, then again it might just be the usual numbers, but even then I think some have to stand.

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I am happy to stand if needs be.  If crowded priority for seats should be given for those less able to stand.  

[David Kreikmeier-Watson]

Hi Everyone

As GLERA Chair I have sent an open invitation to the Chair of the Housing Sub-Committee to attend this meeting: 

Dear Ms. Rounding,

I am writing to you in your role as Chairman of the Housing Sub Committee.

Last week I contacted you with details of a serious collapse of external cladding at Stanley Cohen House on the Golden Lane Estate.

I pointed out that amongst many residents there is feeling that the Officers of the Housing Department are, quite frankly, not managing the Estate in a way that instils confidence.

As I hope you have by now been made aware, yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in the basement of Crescent House on the Estate. We were verbally informed by the Senior Fire Officer on site that the cause was "a fire in an electricity cupboard" and that as it was locked it was unlikely to be deliberate.

The fire led to a loss of power for a number of Crescent House residents and one person being trapped in a lift.

Of equal concern for all residents on the Estate was the fact that neither residents or the Fire Brigade could raise a response from the Housing Department's out-of-hours emergency number. Calls were answered by a recorded message.

Some hours later a message was posted on the Golden Lane Estate website by the Estate manager providing emergency numbers for various power companies - this was of course of very little use as the companies are not generally responsible for maintenance of power supply equipment beyond the uptake point.

Given this, residents have asked that I extend a public invitation to you to attend the Golden Lane Estate Residents Association meeting at 7.30pm in the Ralph Perring Centre tomorrow (Tuesday 21stApril), mainly so that you can see for yourself how very, very angry residents feel about what is happening on the Estate and our total lack of confidence in Officers. I appreciate the short notice of this invitation, but would nevertheless welcome your attendance.

This e-mail has been copied to all GLERA Committee Members and will also be posted on the Golden Lane Estate website.

Yours sincerely,

David Kreikmeier-Watson

GLERA Chair

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[Alan Line]

Hi David - do you think Virginia Rounding and co. might EVEN discuss these issues at the Housing Management Sub-Committee on 27th April. After Luncheon has been served for them at 1.00pm in the Members Dining Room of course? You know like REAL Councillors would in a REAL local authority ?
The sort of Councillors who hold management to account on behalf of residents?

[nathan]

I have spoken to several Residents who never go to the residents meetings and explained that this meeting maybe an interesting and worth while event, and they have all of them have said they will probably be in attendance.

[David Kreikmeier-Watson]

Well done Nathan !  All of us need to speak to our neighbours and make sure they come!

[nathan]

The people who have no electricity need to be informed, they have no means of communication, and the  housing department more than likely won't want to face them en masse, and therefore will make no effort to inform them, some people never or have given up on these meeting and pay no attention to the notifications, but I would bet a lot of those without electricity if they were made aware of the meeting tomorrow they would be there. If I had a list of the flats, as the flats without electricity seem to be all over the block and not only on the first floor. I would make an effort to knock on doors or deliver a letter.

[nathan]

Has anyone thought of media exposure for the estate?

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I don't know Nathan.  But, maybe not a bad idea.  I had a lot of media coverage during my case 20 years ago, concerning my little dog Cherie, and it helped me.  The media are very powerful.