Letters

--- On Mon, 27/4/09, hawkstonetra@yahoo.co.uk <hawkstonetra@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:


From: hawkstonetra@yahoo.co.uk <hawkstonetra@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Valerie Hodson's letter on the Hawkstone Estate debacle
To: Nicholas.Stanton@southwark.gov.uk
Cc: "Valerie Hodson" <vhodson@thersp.com>, simon@simonhughes.org.uk, "Jeff Hook" <jeffrey.hook@southwark.gov.uk>, Wilma.nelson@southwark.gov.uk, auditissues@audit-commission.gov.uk, johnp@southwarknews.co.uk, sam.masters@slp.co.uk, news@standard.co.uk, mirrornews@mirror.co.uk, politics@guardian.co.uk, yourlondon@bbc.co.uk, londontonight@itvlondon.com, Shelley.Lanchbury@london.gov.uk, "Hawkstone TRA" <hawkstonetra@yahoo.co.uk>, "valerie shawcross" <valerie.shawcross@london.gov.uk>, "Barbara Lawless" <blawless60@hotmail.com>, "allen macpherson" <allen.macpherson@southwark.gov.uk>, "david lewis" <david.lewis@southwark.gov.uk>, "Sebasteon Fender" <sebasteon.fender@southwark.gov.uk>, "AnnieShepperd" <Annie.Shepperd@southwark.gov.uk>, "Columba Blango" <columba.blango@southwark.gov.uk>, "GillDavies" <Gill.Davies@SOUTHWARK.GOV.UK>, hazel.flynn@southwark.gov.uk, "margaret O'Brien" <Margaret.O'Brien@southwark.gov.uk>
Date: Monday, 27 April, 2009, 3:28 PM

Dear Cllr Stanton,
 
Valerie Hodson has written to you & the media. It is also fair to point out that many people have responsibility for the terrible state of the Hawkstone Estate London SE16 (a.k.a Silwood II) located at
 
Google Streetview available.
 
Four resources are maintained holding a selection of the information and archives we hold:

http://www.youtube.com/hawkstonetra (video, fire, rats, disrepair)

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/49jkh/hawkstone.html (web)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10165592@N02/ (2900+ images of filth, disrepair and danger)

http://hawkstone.vox.com/ (suspended comment blog)

We have already thanked Southwark News and the South London Press for recent coverage.
 
However, the Council's response continues to be "do little" or even "do nothing". Kim Humphreys went to SGTO in Peckham (on fools day I think it was) and told the audience to refer to their tenancy agreement: Valerie Hodson did, and she is suggesting that the Council has broken that agreement time and time again. Residents at Westfield and Harbord House say the same. John Kennedy House too. (Paint layer records done for fire testing will also show the facts of painting done or not done). What do you say to over a 1000 or so people (AND THE GOVERNMENT & THE TAXPAYER) when they have been fleeced by contractors and others working for Southwark Council? Elderly and vulnerable people in their 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's let down by the Council...(Violet was 97 years old, died in Hospital when double glazing windows were finally fitted and yet she never saw them: too little, too late)...hard working people, good residents, totally fed up with this Council when it comes to housing:
 
  • No double glazing + no secondary glazing
  • No thermostatic valves
  • No wall cavity insulation
  • boliers over 20+ years old
  • Poor insulation + drafty frames
  • corroded pipes, asbestos floor tiles, leaks and floods
  • ceilings falling down with corrosion
  • Asbestos riddled throughout
  • Toxic mould not tested for + poor, or no, ventilation systems
  • Arson and fires, fire sytems defective or missing entirely
  • Door entry systems never fitted
  • Cleaning and grounds care shambles
  • Estate signs so faded that they cannot be read
 
BUT approximately over £1,100,000 paid in rent + charges each year...
Low rise leaseholders facing repair bills of over £50,000-£60,000 each!
 
I could go on...and on...But of course you know all this and more.
 
Best regards
Jerry Hewitt
Secretary Hawkstone T&RA
 

 

To: Nicholas.Stanton@suthwark.gov.uk ; Shepperd, Annie ; Columba Blango ; Davies, Gill

Cc: simon@simonhughes.org.uk ; Jeff Hook ; Wilma.nelson@southwark.gov.uk ; auditissues@audit-commission.gov.uk ; johnp@southwarknews.co.uk ; sam.masters@slp.co.uk ; news@standard.co.uk ; mirrornews@mirror.co.uk ; politics@guardian.co.uk ; yourlondon@bbc.co.uk ; londontonight@itvlondon.com ; Shelley.Lanchbury@london.gov.uk ; Hawkstone TRA ; valerie shawcross ; Barbara Lawless

Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 2:08 PM

Subject: HAWKSTONE LOW RISE

 

I am writing to complain about the way in which Southwark Council has got away with breach of contract and neglect.

The Breach of Contract is because it clearly states in our Tenancy Terms and Conditions that it is the Council’s responsibility to redecorate the exterior every 5-7 years whereas the Hawkstone low rise has not been repainted for about 30 years.  Another breach is where the Council is not doing the repairs that are needed in order to keep the estate fit to live in as many residents have damp and all of us are desperate for new windows where our old ones have not been replaced for about 25 years and are literally falling apart and in some cases close to falling out.  We also have a rat problem because of faulty drainage.

This matter has been raised several times but still the Council is ignoring us.  It seems they are so focused on the Canada Water Regeneration Scheme that they are not living up to their responsibilities.  They are also ignoring the local residents as many of us have clearly stated that we do not want our estate demolished but still we are being kept hanging around for a decision and it looks likely that the Council is going to do exactly what they want without any concern for their tenants.  We were due to be informed of this decision in May but apparently this has now been put off until June.

We do not want our area to be made into a town centre as this would make a massive difference to the local people, i.e. more traffic, higher council tax, less parking facilities, congestion charging to name a few.

It makes me angry when I read the Southwark News that states how wonderful Southwark Council is whereas in reality they really do not give a damn about their tenants or leaseholders.

The Hawkstone low rise was on the Decent Homes list about 5 years ago but then removed because Jeff Hook came up with the idea to demolish us for a new road.  Since then we have all struggled to get the Council to do the necessary repairs without much success.

It was made clear at the Focus Meeting in February that the residents are not being fully consulted or asked their opinion about the CW Scheme and we are being bulldozed into the Council’s views on what they want for our area even though they have not thought of the practicality of their proposals.  Their drawings and ideas may look good on paper but have clearly not been thought through properly.  At the risk of repeating myself, I think the Council is getting carried away with ideas of a whole new area but not thinking about how it will affect the local residents.

Another example is that the Council considered moving the shopping centre and Seven Islands Leisure centre which is not a very popular idea as the local residents are more then happy with the current location, although agree that the leisure centre needs refurbishment and we could do with some more shops in the area (I understand the parking bay opposite Surrey Quays has been suggested which would make sense).

Simon Hughes informed me that he had a questionnaire on his website asking for people’s views but this was not advertised and when I raised it at the last Tenants Association meeting, not one person knew of the questionnaire.  Simon should also have realized that a lot of people do not have access to the Internet so obviously his questionnaire is worthless.  From his opinions copied to me, I can confidently say that he has obviously lost touch with the local people.

I could go on but I think I have made my point and would like to know your comments as to what is to be done about the breach of contract and neglect.

I await your reply.

Regards,

Valerie Hodson

15 Jarman House