New Mobile Phone Mast Vetoed by WERA
Oct 31st
Mobile phone operator, Vodafone have approached Lambeth Living to put new mobile phone masts on top of one the estate blocks. This has quickly been ruled out by Weir Estate Residents ExecutiveOfficers who are elected to represent the views of Weir Estate Residents.
Weir Estate already has a number of phone masts on a number of its blocks and this has raised concerns by those living in and around the antennas. Weir Estate has however benefited from the income generated by having the aerials, which has enabled the association to improve the area and make such projects as the Weir Link a success.
With Vodafone taking an interest in installing new aerials on the roof of Dan Bryant House, this is felt to be one mast too far and has been dismissed by officers at WERA.
WERA’s Spokesman said of the proposals “WERA’s Executive Committee are here to work for the residents on the estate. With Weir Estate’s current mobile phone masts already having caused controversy in the past, the decision was taken that the residents would not want any further masts on the estate.”
Lambeth Living’s Strategic Housing Manager agreed that there would be no need to continue with the plans and will ensure that further masts by the mobile phone company would not appear on top of Dan Bryant House “If that’s your [WERA’s] view I can’t see the point of going through a consultation exercise and will ensure this is relayed to the mobile phone companies agents”
Current masts contracts are understood to have vanished and nobody knows who is responsible for the existing masts and these have blighted some resident’s lives.
The Lambeth Promise – Lambeth Council’s Pledges
Oct 25th
Lambeth Council has announced the following promise and commitment to you, their residents:
Lambeth Council is committed to ensuring you receive a high level of service.
We will be helpful, open and honest with you and always aim to make a real difference.
We pledge to:
- treat you as an individual with dignity, fairness, courtesy and respect at all times
- make every effort to get it right first time. When we can’t help you straight away we will let you know why and when we will be able to help
- say sorry if things go wrong. We’ll listen to you and tell you how we’ll try and put things right and learn from it
- work with you to develop your trust and confidence in our services
- respond to your requests, comments and complaints promptly
Pilot Flat Windows and Doors get Thumbs Up from Residents
Oct 20th
Weir House Residents Pat and George Broderick, who were the selected residents for the pilot flat for the long awaited new Windows and Doors, have spoken of their delight at the style and quality of the windows soon to be installed across the whole estate.
The pilot flat which is designed to iron out any problems that arise before they are installed in other properties, this also allows residents to see the standard and quality of the new windows and doors.
Weir Estate Residents Association identified Mr & Mrs Broderick as the pilot flat, in recognition of the many years of hard work and dedication to Weir Estate.
Despite some changes and difficulties during the installation process, new windows and doors as well as Carbon Monoxide detectors and Extractor Fans have successfully been installed at the property much to the delight of Mr & Mrs Broderick. Mrs Broderick who has lived on Weir Estate for over 50 years spoke of her delight “We are very pleased with the new Windows and Doors”
The windows which are aluminium clad windows and secure by design doors which residents will be able to choose their own colour and design if they live in Jewell, Glanville and Dan Bryant Houses and despite attempts to scupper the agreed plans, which were agreed in conjunction with WERA, Lambeth Living Major Works Officers, Local Ward Councillors, and Breyer Group, for a ballot to select one colour to uniform the blocks, those living in Quennel, Olding, Weir and West Houses which are all open fronted blocks will get one Colour and be able to choose their own design. This does not impact on Leaseholders who will be able to keep their own doors.
Mrs Broderick added “The workers carrying out the work have been clean and very efficient. We love the new Windows, We have had a few hick-ups along the way, but now we hope they can go ahead and do the rest of the estate and everyone else will be as delighted with the Windows and Doors as we are”
Residents can view the windows and doors from outside the property at Weir House and closely inspect the new windows at the site office.
For the Ballot, residents have four choices of colour which are Red, Green, Blue and stained. So far it is understood that the stained door is most popular from the first and second choice of colour from residents.
Residents will still be able to select their own door design such as diamond, square panel, 4 Squares and plain.
It is expected that the rest of Weir House will begin at the beginning of November and will roll on across the rest of the estate.
WERA has requested a full update so visit the windows section for the latest update in the next few days for the latest on the progress of the Windows programme.
Heating Update – Anfield Close Residents Feel the Heat with New Combi-Boilers
Oct 19th
Chilled Anfield Close Residents, who had been left without heating when their Communal Heating failed due to a leak, are now feeling the heat again as new combination boilers have been installed to restore heating to residents homes.
Many properties had been left in the cold when a leak was discovered as previously reported on wera.org.uk. One resident had faced being moved out of their home.
After some weeks of discussions Lambeth Living rushed in plans to bring individual heating to the flats affected and now residents have brand new ‘combi’ boilers which control the heating and hot water.
WERA Chair, Dave McEvoy who has been affected by the lack of heating praised the speed and prompt response of Lambeth Living and their Contractor, OCO Heating Services “I have been delighted with the way this has been handled and residents will not have to worry about freezing in their properties as the cold weather sets in and the contractor has been superb in the way they have managed the situation and conducted their work.”
Lambeth Living Principal Heating Engineer, Lincoln Sampson has apologised for the lack of consultation but has explained to residents that there was no time to bring heating back to residents homes.
Residents who will now have to pay for their own heating and hot water had been left bewildered while the decision on what action to take but residents many of which are elderly or in poor health. Residents will now enjoy a much warmer home in the coming winter months as work is expected to be finished by mid October 2009.
Rent Cuts for Lambeth Residents
Oct 12th
Lambeth Council has successfully lobbied central Government for extra funding to reduce the rent for Lambeth tenants.
The cut, which comes into effect at the end of November, will be backdated to April 2009, and rent accounts will be adjusted from November 23rd. Councillor Lib Peck, Lambeth Council cabinet member for housing and regeneration said: “I am delighted that tenants are going to benefit from this rent cut, but the council’s commitment to tenants doesn’t stop here. We know there is still more that can be done to make sure that householders get an excellent housing service and we will continue to strive to ensure that happens”.
This means household rents will be cut by an average of £117 per year!
