Agenda item

Heating Failures – Redbrick/Braithwaite Houses

 A Member expressed deep concern at the recent communal boiler heating failures at the above estates

Member stated that the failure of the heating and hot water had started on Thursday and despite the contractors assuring residents and Ward Councillors that the problems had been resolved the faults continued until Saturday evening. This caused considerable distress to residents and Ward Councillors were constantly engaged in efforts to try and resolve the problems

Meeting was advised that despite the contractor reassurance that the repairs had been resolved , the system failed within a few hours later and contractors unable to return for a long period as they claimed to be working on another job. Members expressed concern that a contractor should be able to manage two jobs at the same time, and that monies should be able to be recovered from contractors who do not fulfil their duties under the contract. He added that estates with communal boilers needed to have a back-up system in event of the communal boiler failing

Meeting was informed that Ward Councillors having met with officers the previous day, there was concerns about the attitude of officers, which was not acceptable as both residents and ward councillors expect a better level of service.

There were also concern that the Council appeared to be having two classes of estates, the new build and the old blocks, noting in particular the high rise blocks, which were old and beset with problems. Braithwaite House had continuing problems which had still not been fixed and this was unacceptable.  Residents deserved a better level of service from the Council and were losing faith with the Council

A Member also stated that she had encountered problems in resolving an issue at the Stephens Ink Building with water egress to a residents flat and despite a number of complaints to Housing this had still not been resolved. The Director of Housing stated that she would investigate this if details were provided

The Executive Member Housing informed Members that a public meeting had been organised with residents, acknowledging that the situation that residents had faced was unacceptable. He also stated that there is a need for compensation to be made to affected residents and an action plan be put in place. With regard to the state of the older building blocks, members were advised that the Housing Delivery Board were investigating reallocation of funds to look at increasing the major works allocation, and that he would work closely with Ward Councillors, and ensure regular communication with residents

The Director of Housing referred to the fact that the communal system was installed in 2017 and was now out of the defect liability period. An investigation had taken place as to the reasons for the problems and it had been established that the fault was related to the Bunhill 2 connection and the new build at Redbrick Estate. The Director acknowledged that although communication with residents and the heating had been restored, however she accepted that residents had faced unacceptable problems

The Director of Housing stated the contractor had generally performed well, however in view of the problems on the Redbrick and Braithwaite Houses changes were being made to how such faults were dealt with in future

Member referred to the fact that the residents on Redbrick Estate had been living on a building site for a number of years because of the new builds. In addition he enquired why an e mail from an officer sent had removed the name of the Emily Thornberry MP concerning the problems. The Director of Housing stated that she would investigate this, however Emily Thornberry had been kept up to date with the situation

Thames Water

A Member expressed concern that following Thames Water attending the last meeting of the Committee that a letter should be sent by them to residents to inform them that were entitled to have a water meter installed

In addition it was stated that there is a need to survey the borough to ascertain where in the borough there was low and high water pressure as this is a problem, especially when considering new developments

Concern was also expressed that residents were receiving letters from Thames asking for them to complete a direct debit form to pay their bills without any idea of how much they will be charged

The Committee were informed that Thames had been requested to provide details of their communications plan to residents but this had still not been provided

RESOLVED:

That Councillors Ward and the Chair be requested to discuss the above issues and raise their concerns with Thames Water