Present:
Residents Association Members
Nahid Ashby (Chair)
Eman Yosry (Treasurer)
Juan Blanco
Ann-Marie Richardson (Secretary)
Rami Leuschner
Michael Jardine
Piers Thompson
RBKC Representatives
Paula Botha – RBKC Head of Capital Investment
Shadi Saami – RBKC Project Manager
Lorna Cunnigham – Resident Liaison Officer
Alan Cochrane – RBKC Project Manager Fire Doors
Judith Blakeman – Ward Councillor.
Residents from Whitstable House, Dixon House and Wayneflete Square
Apologies from Emlyn Osborne (Neighbourhood Officer)
The local Police
The local FB
Welcome and Introduction and Update on Environmental Testing
Nahid opened the meeting with introductions and in the absence of representatives from MHCLG, gave an update on the environmental testing. Soil samples have been taken from Silchester Estate.
The process was done over a two week period and we are awaiting results.
FIRE DOORS
Alan Cochrane presented an update on the Fire Door Replacement – Alan said that the council are committed to replacing all doors in K&C. They are behind schedule and have had to put the work out to tender again because the previous contractor was unable to meet the fire safety regulation with the doors they were offering to install. Alan stated that Tower Blocks will be a priority in year one, blocks with 10 stories and more will be year 2 and year 3 will be all blocks lower than 10 stories high. Alan could not provide a timescale for the works to begin as the council are still in the process of procurement.
The question of whether the lease holders will be liable for the cost of having their doors replaced was raised but Alan couldn’t give a definitive answer! The current position is that lease holders do not know if the new doors will be provided by the council or if they will have to pay to have them replaced!
Details of the design of the doors has not been decided on but are guaranteed to be made of wood. Michael asked that the doors be flush and not moulded. The styles of the doors will not be known until the council have decided on the contractor. The question of the communal doors was also raised. Alan said that the communal doors will be looked at and if they are considered not to fit the new standards they will be renewed. Alan also said that if we are having problems with our current doors he will let repairs direct know but gave no indication as to how we contact him.
Judith noted that Lancaster West Estate have already had their doors renewed although Alan had said Silchester were going to be the first to get new doors! Alan responded that Lancaster west has a separate, dedicated team, addressing their issues but the Borough is committed to change all doors irrespective of a fire assessment!
Nahid showed the fire forms, given to her to be presented to residents by the Ladbroke Grove Station manager, who was unable to attend the meeting personally, to let people know they can be contacted directly. The forms can be filled out and posted to fire brigade who will come and check smoke alarms and do a fire assessment if required.
Remedial Works to the Towers – Paula Botha
Paula has received the reports regarding the remedial works needed on the 4 towers, from Ridge, but has yet to read through. The surveys regarding the drainage on the balconies are ongoing. There are no plans for the lower blocks in Waynflete Square at present. Paula is still to procure a scaffolding company for the decking that needs to be put around the towers.
It appeared that the cost was more of a driving factor when considering which company to go with! But Paula assured the residents that she will not simply go with the cheapest quote, she will make sure she gets the best. Everyone agreed that the driving factor has to be getting value for money.
Nahid questioned the need for the heras fencing around the towers, they are ugly, restrictive and once the decking goes up the fencing should not be required.
In terms of timescale on this it could be another year as RBKC hasn’t found a company yet. Nahid asked if all towers would be done at the same time or will they be done one at a time.
Paula responded that they would probably start with Whitstable house because they need to carry out some gutter works (above the communal front entrance there) which needs to be done before they put up the scaffolding.
There is also a new gas installation supply pipe that is required at Dixon House. It was not clear if these works would take place simultaneously and/or what order the rest of the works will be carried out.
It was suggested that when they undertake the CC tV camera survey to the main roof drains and inspection of the balcony drains, they should select 4 balconies on 4 different sides of the blocks. Residents also wanted assurance that works would be overseen to ensure the quality of the works and professionalism.
Paula is trying to get a team of in- house specialists to check the quality of work in progress and sign off the completed work for quality and workmanship.
Paula said that James Roach is working on the electricals and works closely with Paula.
Ann-Marie asked Paula to take her question, regarding the flooding and brickwork on the patios of the lower blocks in Waynflete Square, back to RBKC which she agreed.
Paula is open to suggestions from RA about the best way to do the works without causing too much disruption.
Repairs
Repairs did not attend –Juan said it’s common for repairs and anti social groups not to turn up to RA meetings!
Ann-Marie raised the issue of the length of time it takes to get repairs completed. Juan wanted to know if there could be changes to the speed of communication in the repairs department. The front desk is still not performing well. Concerns were also raised about the ventilation, damp and mold within the flats. Lorna said she will relay all these concerns to relevant parties.
Nahid expressed her disappointment that no one from repairs and the neighbourhood team was in attendance and felt that the reason given (they had an emergency) was not acceptable.
Michael asked that any progress/decisions on the works that was discussed in the meeting could be fed back to RA, Paula has agreed.
The issue of communication and logging of repair jobs was raised and the fact that not all residents have access to a computer so maybe we could have a surgery within the estate, possibly in the community rooms for residents to log issues. And/or report in person. Something similar to the W11 facilities at Baseline.
Refurbishment
We need to know what level of refurbishment is going to be carried out. Piers asked the question about cleaning the estate and brickwork to improve the appearance of the buildings.
Juan recommended that RBKC look at Hyde Tower as an example of how nice tower blocks could look.
Paula has a list of dates for when the works will take place, health and safety is a priority so it’s not clear if there is any kind of brickwork cleaning or aesthetic work is being considered at this point.
Paula has promised to bring all the info to the next meeting. Piers was not convinced that the works being done will upgrade the aesthetics of the estate as well as the repairs. Paula wants to get back to us with a plan to ensure it is done right.
Nahid questioned if Paula will stay on and see the job to the end as there is a lot of staff changes at RBKC which causes confusion and perhaps delays or even duplication. Paula was positive she will stay until the job is done.
PARKING
The residents again asked about removing the yellow lines in Waynflete Square and for a sign to be put up on Silchester drive saying no through road to mitigate the problem of cars constantly driving around the square only to find nowhere to park and no way off getting out other than a 10 point turn at the entrance to the children’s play area.
Antisocial Behaviour
There was no one available from the RBKC antisocial team. However, residents raised concerns about the increase in such behaviour on the estate.
One resident from Dixon house raised the issue of noise and aggressive neighbour and that she did not know how to handle the situation and who to report to. She stressed that she feels vulnerable and unsafe, having approached the neighbour in question only to encounter hostility.
Michael asked about the best way of reporting antisocial behaviour – Eman said to call 101 and shared a document that she received from the local police.
Meeting adjourned at 8.30pm