Thornton Ward Councillor, Cllr Lib Peck has told of her sense of achievement at being one of three councillors who helped bring the new Windows and doors to Weir Estate in the recent Lambeth Life ‘Around your way’ Interview.

Labour Councillor Peck has told in an interview with the Lambeth Life how helping to get the windows on Weir and Thornton stands out as her biggest achievement as a councillor.

WERA has consistently been supported by the three ward councillors who have helped change the face of Weir Estate for residents as well as working closely with the association. Councillor Peck who is also the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, set about tackling the problem two years ago along with WERA Chair Dave McEvoy after residents were left with age old windows that had been in place since the estate was built in 1952. The metal double-glazed windows are currently being installed into homes, making them safer and most importantly warmer. This follows the hard work and dedication of the ward councillors, who have fought tirelessly to represent the needs of residents across the ward.

When asked what her biggest achievement was Councillor Peck is quoted saying ‘It’s very hard to pick out one thing… But if I have to pick one it would be the getting the aged old windows, onto two estates in our ward, Weir and Thornton Gardens replaced.’
Councillor Peck and colleague Councillor Diana Morris also tackled complex and time consuming leaseholder issues as well supporting Weir Estate Residents Association to make its case for urgent replacement of the windows.

Two of the ward’s councillors were presented with a large bouquet of flowers at the end of 2009, to thank them for their hard work during the year and the resulting success of getting the new Windows as well as many other aspects of change on the estate.

Councillor Peck has also praised the work of WERA and its committee for its work on improving the estate “WERA is an extremely effective organisation – it represents the concerns of tenants and leaseholders on the Weir estate and Anfield Close very clearly and determinedly. The previous year has been a particularly good and significant one for WERA – a lot of hard work has gone into ensuring first that the windows programme happened and that it has gone as smoothly as possible.”

She added “Through close monitoring on the estate, WERA has ensured that there have been improvements to some of the basics – the bins and to the cleaning on the estate.  And this year, there are exciting plans for a community garden.

As local councillors we enjoy working with WERA, attending their regular meetings and taking up case work for residents. We were delighted to finally see the new windows coming in after much joint work by WERA and the three of us.

Finally, WERA continues to attract new residents at its monthly meetings ensuring that it is welcoming to newcomers. The new snazzy website provides a lot of information and news to residents while the Christmas party, a first for the estate, was a genuinely lovely occasion.”

The ward councillors hold regular monthly surgeries as well being frequently seen around the ward listening and taking up community concerns and issues, with good affect.

Dave McEvoy, current Chair of WERA said of the ward Councillors “We have been incredibly lucky on Weir Estate to have such hard working and determined as well as community minded Councillors. They have been a pleasure to work with and have achieved and succeeding in more than we could of ever have asked for. WERA see’s our councillors more as friends than politicians, which in today’s society is incredibly rare and that says how good and important they are to us as an estate and the wider community across the ward. We are very fortunate on Thornton and hope they can continue to bring about the changes our community needs.”

One of the councillors at least attends WERA’s meetings every month to hear views and concerns of residents as well taking up individual cases of those residents who have experienced housing repairs issues.

The team known as the Thornton Action Team, has also been joined by Ed Davie who assists the councillors in tackling issues around the ward.

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