ETRA meeting July

Sarah H proposes to approve the minutes

Alice seconds

·        Update on actions taken in recent months

·        Outline of community safety action plan for whole estate

·        Address current estate concerns

·        CCTV update

·        Introduce Neighbourhood Watch

Discussion:

·        There has been a closure order at Bramfield Court due to drug dealing issues since 2017, linked to a particular individual. The order is good for 3 months since May 2020 and means that their flat and communal areas in and around the block are “closed”. The resident of the particular flat involved should have also been removed but with the pandemic it could not be done. BR wants to extend the order for a further 3 months once it’s over.

·        BR has a wider plan for the estate which will take place in the next weeks/months. This plan is to tackle issues of drug dealing, prostitution, tailgating to gain access to the buildings on the estate, loitering, rough sleeping etc. She also wants to launch a neighbourhood watch. She is working on the new CCTV project and solving the issue that the fire key holes allow anyone to gain access to the blocks. She also has legal resources to tackle anti-social behaviour towards individuals at fault. She wants to keep the reputation of the estate that it is not somewhere people can come and create trouble. This will include the set-up of a Neighbourhood watch area and further details will be sent to residents on this and how to get involved.

·        There are two DWOs (dedicated ward offices) patrolling the estate. Their patrol is led by reports so residents should continue to report if they want higher patrolling.

Send an update letter to all residents about the entire plan for Anti-Social Behaviour and Crime on the Estate.

·        This has been solved and the concerned residents have been updated.

·        Update on flood affected flats and when residents due to return

·        All residents affected on the estate are now back into their home.

·        ASB in Bramfield, Theobalds, Datchworth

·        Update from BR has covered this.

Broken doors:

o   Door handles will be changed, Higgins is still being held responsible for some of those issues. Hackney’s maintenance contractor is looking at finding a long-term solution.

o   There was also a brief discussion on the issue of automatic door closures and the ongoing issue that is for estate members. In particular, it was highlighted that the combination of poor door security with the ASB, potential crime on the estate and mail being solen are related issues which combine to lead to some residents feeling unsafe.

Fire access key misuse:

o   The system will be changed; it has been agreed with the fire brigade.

Smoke vent alarms:

o   Hackney’s maintenance contractor is currently looking at this (rather than Higgins resetting the faulty lights). Hackney is also trying to work out if they were built faulty or not.

Slippery courtyard:

o   Higgins has agreed to clean the courtyards and to reapply the sealant. Higgins will also do individual ground floor properties; these properties will be contacted by Higgins directly.

Heating costs increase – competitive price?

o   No updates but action taken by Hackney

Graffiti in lifts:

o   The maintenance of the lifts is now with Hackney rather than Higgins and the team should be able to do something about this.

Possible CCTV for bike stores:

o   The project has been on hold because of lock down restrictions but Hackney is still investigating the cost for this.

o   Clare Potter mentions that there have been lots of large scale bike thefts in Brownswood so it may be an organised group. BR takes note of this.

o   A resident mentions that the outdoor bike stores at Sandon Court are designed in a way where several locks need to be used to lock the frame and wheels.

o   Questions are raised as to whether garda keys can open the cupboard where the electricity board is?

Pigeons:

o   Hackney will not go ahead with their suggested plan to apply repellent gel as it is too expensive for an estate-wide solution and there was insufficient support from residents.

ASB – drugs and prostitution:

o   Update already covered by BR

Mail theft:

o   Bianca suggests that residents have their post delivered to a collection point when not in to receive the package.

Lifts keep breaking:

o   No update at this point

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

Dogs fouling in courtyards:

o   There are no legal actions that Hackney can take against residents about owning a dog, unless it is a “dangerous dogs.” Residents can exercise their dogs on green shared places but not where there are children’s playing amenities. If anyone is aware of a dog owner not picking after their dog they can contact Hackney who will follow this up with the relevant resident.

Get a letter to be sent to residents explaining how the heating rate is competitive

Working with emergency services to solve this

BT (with Donna)

BT, Hackney

·        Sign-off of the contract should happen in March 2021 after the tender process and the negotiation

·        The refurbishment works should start in October 2021 and complete around Oct 2022

·        Entire project including new builds should be complete by Summer 2024 (but timelines can slip)

·        Section 20 notice (only relevant to leaseholders in Southside blocks). Overview of concerns raised and plan for Hackney to address concerns.

·        Anyone who has raised concerns should get an individual response soon. Source will continue to support this group to liaise with Leasehold team.

Can residents have emails from Hackney rather letters?

Check with Hackney

BT

2 September – Community focus meeting (not estate issue meeting) and AGM

Date TBC in October – ETRA

A call was made for anyone interesting in joining the TRA committee next year to get in contact with the TRA.

Timing

·       Outline of community safety action plan for whole estate

·       Address current estate concerns

·       CCTV update

·       Introduce Neighbourhood Watch

·       Update on flood affected flats and when residents due to return

·       ASB in Bramfield, Theobalds, Datchworth

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   Pigeons

o   ASB – drugs and prostitution

·       Address current issues

o   Cycle store by Kimpton broken into again in May 2020

o   Mail theft

o   Lifts keep breaking

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

o   Dogs fouling in courtyards

and representative from New Build Team

·       Section 20 notice (only relevant to leaseholders in Southside blocks). Overview of concerns raised and plan for Hackney to address concerns.