Charcot House Residents’ Association
GENERAL MEETING held at Minstead Gardens Clubroom
Thursday 19th September 2024 - 6:30pm
MINUTES
In Attendance:
Committee: Lila Palmer (Chair - LP), Saida Daudova (Treasurer - SD), Danny French (Secretary - DF), Nolly Phuthi (Committee Member)
Charcot House Residents’ Association: Marta Mazgaj, Marjan Popal, Barbara Bagalo, Sue Anderson, Joan
Online Observers: Shelana, Susan French, Joanne, Sarah
Representatives from Wandsworth Borough Council - Sarah Stevens (SS), Clare D’ham (CD), Tammy Taylor (TT), and Jaz Smith (JS)
Guest: Observer from Winchfield House Residents’ Association
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
The Chair opened the meeting at 6:30pm and welcomed attendees to the meeting.
2. APPROVE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING
Minutes from the previous meeting were accepted and approved.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES FROM CHAIRPERSON
LP reported that all previous action items except the establishment of a bank account had been completed. The committee has spoken to residents to discover priorities within the block. Many issues had been raised with her but the main issue appears to be general cleanliness and appearance of the area. SD and LP ha
4. INTRODUCTION OF TAMMY TAYLOR (WESTERN AREA ESTATE MANAGER)
Tammy Taylor was introduced - she is the Western Area Estate Manager covering repairs, antisocial behaviour, and anything to do with council property. Additional representatives from Wandsworth Borough Council were introduced. Jas Smith is an Estate Manager in another part of Wandsworth and is here to observe. Sarah Stevens is the Resident Participation Officer, dealing primarily with Residents’ Associations. Clare D’ham is the Senior Estate Manager.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT
SD reported that due to complications at Metro Bank, the Residents’ Association’s bank account had not yet been set up - she has two emails from the bank asking for more information. SS stated that this isn’t a usual procedure. The observer from Winchfield House RA said that the process would ordinarily not take longer than two weeks. LP pointed out that we cannot receive our operational grant until the account has been opened so it is critical to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
● ACTION POINT to SD and LP - the Chair and Treasurer will meet and attend Metro Bank again to understand the hold up and get the account opened as quickly as possible.
6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
DF stated that the Residents’ Association now has 46 members across 41 individual properties in Charcot House - a fantastic achievement. He thanked the other Committee members - LP, SD, and NP, for the “astronomical” efforts they’ve put in behind the scenes, and asked the meeting to recognise their hard work.
DF reported that memberships were now being collected electronically with a Google Form, which can be accessed by a QR code. Collecting memberships in this way helps us keep accurate records.
7. OVERVIEW OF WALKABOUT CONDUCTED BY LP, SD, and NP
LP reported that a block “walkabout” had been conducted prior to the meeting to discover issues. LP and SD had been left “shocked” and “appalled” by what they had seen. They noted ongoing issues with leaks and faulty pipes in communal areas, mould, dirt, droppings, etc.
8. OPEN DISCUSSION - RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS
A resident raised the point that people sometimes “learn to live with” problems rather than report them, due to perceived council inaction and disinterest.
TT stated that she was unaware of any leaks.
Residents reported ongoing leaks at least four separate properties within the block which have already been reported to the Council.
TT then clarified that she was aware of numerous leaks within the property, but explained that the council explore reports of leaks as separate unrelated incidents and that she is unaware of any wider issue endemic to the building structure. She pointed out that it is often difficult for the council to gain access to properties due to uncooperative residents and properties owned by leaseholders, which complicates efforts to resolve problems.
She indicated that problems logged by residents are not routinely monitored by the Council once they have been referred to a contractor for action.
A resident agreed with this assessment – she reported that she had a leak coming from the flat immediately above, but was made aware that despite multiple efforts by contractors to gain access, nobody opens the door.
Residents reported numerous problems with leaks - some ongoing, some now resolved but leaving behind serious damage in their flats which has yet to be repaired despite many months of enquiring.
Damage to walls, wallpaper, clothing, wardrobe space, children’s toys, and other property was noted.
One resident stated that after council inaction, she had been forced to redecorate the affected room twice at her own expense - each time the new decor was quickly damaged by the unresolved leak. She stated that residents take pride in their homes and they feel that the council is not listening to their concerns – she noted that the lack of action has a deleterious effect on residents’ mood, income, mental, and physical wellbeing. She expressed sympathy with the problems faced by Estate Managers but said that resentment builds up and people are getting angry because nobody is helping or communicating with them
Another resident reported a leak which had been first addressed with the Council in 2023, and which has not been addressed to date.
Residents asked how long the council will keep a “job” open before closing it. TT replied that once a report is made, the Council instructs the appropriate contractor to undertake the work - they will try to book an appointment and attend the property to investigate. If they cannot gain access, they will drop a calling card. The contractor (frequently Drain Surgeons) should keep the council appraised of progress. The Council does not monitor the jobs proactively but instead relies on the contractors updating them on progress.
The Council acknowledged recent examples of the contractors “letting us down” and that these issues would be addressed directly with them.
A resident asked whether they should deal with the Council or the contractor once this point had been reached - TT replied that the contractors usually leave behind a contact number and the resident can deal with them directly.
A resident asked how long they should wait before seeking an update. TT replied that the resident was welcome to contact her daily for updates if they wished, however the resident replied that it is not easy to chase a job so often and felt strongly that it was not the residents’ job to constantly harangue the Council for updates. The resident felt that chasing jobs is the role of the Estate Manager. She stated that the perception is that jobs simply aren’t done.
Residents presented multiple examples of issues being addressed to the council that aren’t addressed, sometimes despite years of repeated complaining.
Residents reported that the block cleaning is not being done to an adequate standard.
A resident suggested that a video report could be made and sent to the Council by email, but TT indicated that she would rather attend in person and see the issues for herself.
A resident pointed out that sometimes contractors do not clean up after they have finished a job – T Brown was mentioned specifically as a regular offender, leaving behind debris. TT asked for these problems to be reported to the council so that they can follow up with the contractor.
LP asked about the possibility of adding CCTV in the lobby area of the block during the upcoming block works. The area and the lifts are “disgusting” – frequently full of urine (and worse). The observer from Winchfield House pointed out that the chance of CCTV being installed increases if the RA can make a case – with documented evidence – to justify the expense.
SS suggested that inadequate cleaning could be addressed by holding a meeting between Pinnacle (the cleaning contractor), the council’s Estate Services, and the RA.
A resident noted that the cleaning material and equipment used by the block’s cleaners is inadequate, and caustically suggested we have a whip-round to buy them new mops.
LP wanted to clarify that some of the cleaners we have are very good, and regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to keep the block clean. She has noticed some improvements in recent weeks. She mentioned a cleaner called Wayne and recognised his efforts.
Fly Tipping was bought up – TT said that non-residents often visit the estate to dump rubbish.
A resident reported that the new bins were difficult to access. The council suggested using the rubbish chutes to dispose of rubbish if access to the communual bins was difficult, but the resident pointed out that the rubbish chutes were often blocked.
SS noted that Harbridge Avenue was unofficially known by residents as “Garbage Avenue” due to the amount of rubbish being dumped, but that the recently installed new bins have helped the situation immensely.
A resident reported that people from the flat above her often throw cigarette butts over the balcony which land in her balcony which is covered with artificial grass, creating a fire hazard.
TT replied that artificial grass was not permitted in balcony areas for exactly this reason and urged the resident to remove it immediately. She further clarified that artificial grass absorbs water which can exacerbate leaks affecting properties beneath.
The observer from Winchfield House suggested that the RA could put a poster in the lobby area to point out fire hazards (e-Scooters, cigarette ends, etc) and send a message to residents that they are being watched.
SS reported that it is difficult to obtain planning permission for estate projects due to buildings being listed. A planning application for the old boiler house was rejected – it cannot be touched, or even painted. Planning permission has been ontained to display artwork, although it would be fixed and cannot be changed once installed. Historical photos of the area, including inside the boiler house, will be displayed.
· ACTION POINT to SS – will find more information about CCTV in the lobby area and will report back to LP – “no promises though”. SS also to look into arranging a meeting between Pinnacle, Estate Services, and the RA to discuss cleaning.
● ACTION POINT to TT - she will attend the block to complete investigations.
● ACTION POINT to LP and Residents - SS proposed that perhaps the RA could work with the Council to assist in such matters as helping Drain Surgeons gain access to properties, contact residents, and so on. It was suggested that the RA could help by collating issues and liaising with the Council so that everybody is aware when problems may be connected and require a more joined up approach to properly resolve. LP agreed that this is a good idea.
9. CHARCOT HOUSE RA – ACHIEVEMENTS, ONGOING PROJECTS, AND FUTURE PLANS
SS reported regarding the storage sheds under the block. One shed is currently being rented. SS is going to check the condition of the other sheds. They will be renovated, with new doors. When this is done, they will be turned over to the RA. The RA could then rent out sheds to residents for a small fee, and that money could be used by the RA for block improvements, events, etc.
LP said that the RA will try to arrange events going forward – an outdoor cinema event was suggested.
The observer from Winchfield House said that their RA had installed a “community library” under the block, where you can donate books or take books. It sometimes gets messy but the concept is working very well and no thefts have been noted.
SS affirmed the Council’s desire to work with the RA, and suggested inviting local councillors to a future meeting.
10. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
· Due to time constraints, these Agenda items was not discussed.
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