ETRA meeting October

Alice proposes to approve the minutes from the last ETRA meeting.

Bronwen seconds. No objections were raised.

Deborah explain how to report to the ASB Team:

If residents are victim of ASB, the first point of contact is the ASB Team (except for the police if this is regarding a crime).

The ABS Hotline number is 020 8356 3310 and email is abs.housing@hackney.gov.uk

This is true even if the ASB is caused by non-residents.

The ASB team does not necessarily involve the police so residents should be comfortable to report issues caused by people with obvious mental health issues where the involvement of the police is not desirable.

When reporting, residents can request to be anonymous which means they will not be recontacted by the ASB Team afterwards. Anonymous or not, all reports are confidential.

There is now a Neighbourhood’s Watch on the estate with over 30 members. Cheryl explains that by raising awareness, crime decreases. If anyone wants to contact Cheryl, use: cheryl.spruce@ourwatch.org.uk.

AH asked if an update could be given following the closure order and Deborah confirmed that updates couldn’t be given on specific actions but did say that the closure order is in place until November 2020.

Issues regarding what is covered by Higgins (original defects) are still dealt with by the New Build team but everything else is dealt with by the normal Hackney’s services.

The Housing Team is now in charge of the new development, since the end of July 2020. Annette does a monthly inspection of the estate for fire hazard, slip and trip hazard etc. (not cleaning inspection). This means Annette Reid is the Housing Officer covering both North and South sides of the estate.

Update on courtyard.

Dog nuisance: There is a Hackney-wide public consultation on what the “pet policy” should be. Everyone can access it online: www.consultation.hackney.gov.uk

The rules on pets are as in the rules and regulations, these and the form to register a pet can be found : https://hackney.gov.uk/kings-crescent-estate

Noise: The swing will not be removed unless it is dangerous. Noise is not a reason to remove play equipment.

It was noted that the ongoing noise in the courtyard has continued to be an issue for some residents. There was some discussion on this across both residents and workers from Hackney, recognising that it is a difficult issue. It was noted that play equipment is unlikely to be removed unless dangerous and that Hackney is moving away having signs (“no ball games”) across estates. It was also noted that when more activities are running in the Unit C space, it is hoped that there will be less disruption from the children.

Council agreed to look at noise dampening measures such as trees. It was raised by a resident that the ‘football goal’ shaped structure encourages children to play ball games when this was not the intended use

Andrea also asked for Jill’s perspective on the noise of children playing & Jill confirmed this had not seemed a particular issue over the past summer in the south side of the estate near where Jill is based.

Email: cleaner.estates@hackney.gov.uk and within 24 hours the problem should be solved.

Billy explains that fingerprints in doors cannot be cleaned all day so residents should not expect these to disappear as quick as they appear.

Arranging for signage to be placed inside the refuge storage areas (bin areas) in Kimpton Court reminding residents to dispose of their waste correctly. For example household waste and recycling should be disposed of appropriately.

AR

Bronwen explains that all doors had new door closers installed. A contractor has done a full report of all doors and the New Build team will try to get Higgins to fix the issues highlighted in the report.

It was noted that there is a still an ongoing issue, particularly for Kimpton Court. This is an issue Bronwen is aware of and a resolution is being progressed.

o   Fire access key misuse

Garda boxes will be put over the fire access key holes. These have been ordered from the supplier and will be installed once they arrive.

o   Smoke vent alarms

Higgins has agreed to get the original installer to come back and check those alarms. The smoke vents do work properly, it is just the alarm that is faulty. Hackney is trying to get a third party to get a full review of these alarms.

o   Slippery courtyard

The sealant has been reapplied on the courtyard paving and Hackney will monitor the situation in the next few years.

o   Heating costs increase – competitive price?

John Lonergan says the price of the heating is the price of the heating and there is nothing he can do about it. He is reminded that Hackney was supposed to send a letter to residents to explain how the cost is decided and how Hackney makes sure the prices are competitive. This

letter should also clarify if residents are paying twice for maintenance through service charges and again through the heating charges.

Alice highlighted that this (a letter to all residents confirming how Hackney have determined the Insite charges are value for money) has been an outstanding action for some time and Annette/John L confirmed this would be reviewed by the New Build Team ahead of the next meeting.

Residents have asked for a representative from the Energy Team to attend the next meeting or at least provide an update on the heating costs.

o Graffiti in lifts

Graffiti cannot be removed; the mirrors will need to be replaced.

o   Possible CCTV for bike stores

A positive outcome in that new buildings in Hackney will have CCTV in bike stores. They are still deciding if it is possible to install in the existing bike stores.

o   Kimpton Court address did not register on emergency services system in June 2020

Bronwen confirmed that previously all blocks have been confirmed as registered with the emergency services, but confirmed that given this latest update, this will be checked again.

o   Issue of broken window 11^th floor Kimpton and other window issues

A contractor is working on this.

o   Balcony doors… a resident has raised (ahead of this meeting) that their understanding is that building regulations show that the doors ought to be closable from the outside, plus there have been several ongoing issues with broken balcony doors.

o   This was a new issue from the perspective of the New Build Team but Bronwen noted the additional information was helpful & would be used to follow-up further with Higgins and confirm what (if anything) will be done.

This has been raised with Higgins. Details are to come.

o   bike stores / bin stores… these have been either in a state of not locking (bikes) or not opening (bins) recently

A contractor is working on this and dealt as part of the original defect.

o   Lifts continuing to break in Sandon, previous issue in Kimpton and recent issues started in Radwell

Dealt with as part of the original defect, New Build team is trying to have Higgins solve the issue.

o   Ongoing theft of parcels from lobby

No update, refer to Bianca Rembrandt’s update on Kings Crescent Estate. This was not explicitly discussed in the meeting due to limited  time.

o   Mismatched paint used in communal areas

Hackney is working on trying to get this sorted.

Bronwen to continue to monitor issues and find permanent resolutions

BT

From 26 Oct 20 SP will have samples of materials proposed for the new buildings which will be stored in the Vince Murrain community centre for residents to come and see.

If anyone wants to get in touch with SP, the Residents Group can link people up (Email address in footer).

The residents steering group has restarted. The 9 Nov 20 and 14 Dec 20 are the next scheduled meetings. SP would like to have more council tenants to be part of the group.

Update on the refurbishment Section 20 notices to Leaseholders in Southside blocks. Ongoing but SP are supporting Leaseholders.

Alice thanked the various representatives for attending and noted that it is helpful to have a forum to discuss & raise awareness of such issues.

Community focused residents meeting December 2020

Next ETRA January 2021 (specific dates will be announced soon)

Timing

·       Address current estate concerns

·       Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Update

Cheryl Spruce (NHW)

·       Courtyard concerns

·       Play Street – bollards missing, 3 no entry signs promised but never delivered

Andrea Scott (Hackney)

o   Broken doors

o   Fire access key misuse

o   Smoke vent alarms

o   Slippery courtyard

o   Heating costs increase – competitive price?

o   Graffiti in lifts

o   Possible CCTV for bike stores

o   Kimpton Court address did not register on emergency services system in June 2020

·       Address current issues

o   Issue of broken window 11^th floor Kimpton and other window issues

o   balcony doors… building regulations show that the doors ought to be closable from the outside

o   bike stores / bin stores… these have been either in a state of not locking (bikes) or not opening (bins) recently

o   Lifts continuing to break in Sandon, previous issue in Kimpton and recent issues started in Radwell

o   Ongoing theft of parcels from lobby

o   Mismatched paint used in communal areas

and John Lonergan New Build Team

Community focused residents meeting December 2020

Next ETRA January 2021