Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
29 October 2009
13:1831908Good posting there Ken .Yes A Tory Administration set the wheels in motion for Buckland Court and it was under my watch .Cant find the figures you asked for at the moment .Will get back to the thread later .Times have changed and although Im a Senior Citzern iwould not give up my home and garden for a shelterd scheme which i could not obtain as i have enough money to live on .So thay say
29 October 2009
14:3531909When will Councillor Nicholas stop speaking for the tenants? I visit Sunny Corner on the first Tuesday of every month to do a hearing aid clinic. I did not imagine the notices signed by Angie' (the then housing officer, now gone) saying exactly what I have said. The 'Warden' seems to be rarely there according to the tenants and, of course, she is no longer resident.
If St. Monica's is not classed as sheltered accommodation, why has my rent card for the past several years said 'sheltered accommodation'?
The original Communications Strategy for Tenant Participation and Empowerment was clear that tenants should not have to attend meetings but would receive information through a 'tenants newsletter'. The Tenants Compact says that there will be a quarterly estate inspection. I have not been made aware of any such inspections except the first. Why not? The news letter 'Close to Home' is just DDC spin with no correspondence from tenants, no questions/answers, no information as to what might be said at 'meetings'. and no information what so ever about the joint system for management which is supposed to be getting under way.
I though that the Conservative party stood for transparency. I now know better.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
29 October 2009
15:2631917Mr Langsford may I politly advise you to speak to the Housing Services Manager .I have passed on information given to me .If as a tenant you are dissasified it is within your power to speak to the appropriate officer at DDC .I think I have more knowledge of housing than a lot of people so I advise you to speak to your ward councillor or as I stated previously the Housing Services Msnager or indeed THe Head of Housing .Since you were on the Tenants group things have changed and the days of a resident Warden have gone .
29 October 2009
18:2031942I guess that was what he meant by "of course, she is no longer resident"? I am just gusssing that he knew that.
Guest 676- Registered: 1 Jul 2008
- Posts: 521
30 October 2009
11:0232015Keith. When will you stop speaking for the tenants, you are not elected to do so.
Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
30 October 2009
11:0632016'The days of the resident warden have gone' to quote Sue. That is unless you can afford £200 per week to live in Buckland Court where according to the brochure 'staff on hand 24 hours a day'. Municipal Charities have an on call service 24 hours a day and charge far less for its accomodation and offer virtually the same services as Buckland Court.
I was speaking to a proposed tenant yesterday who was concerned at the compulsary deduction of £12.95p per week food charge which she does not wish to avail herself of but has no choice but to pay irrespective of its apparent good value.
''Where else can you get such good value for a meal'' no doubt Sue will say, but of course the hidden charges to supplement this low cost are in the rents. Which of course that other provider of meals for the elderly(Age Concern)cannot conceal and although giving excellent value must charge an economic figure.
Sue, I have mentioned 3 providers of services for the elderly and you have been a lead member of all, but apart from telling us how they fill your day what positive benefits do you believe you have brought to them?
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
30 October 2009
11:1532018Stewart I have just seen your posting. I don't believe Keith is speaking for the tenants as an elected member but as someone with immense knowledge of tenant participation strategy and also as a tenant and confident to those he meets at his hearing clinics and as a trustee and volunteer at Age Concern.
The world is full of those who pretend to listen to disadvantaged groups but are merely trying to gain a social standing and do nothing. Let us not discourage those who are prepared to listen and do something.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
30 October 2009
12:0432023Ken ,In my role as Cabinet member for housing I feel i did contribute to peoples needs .I was able to oversee Adaptions for the Disabled indeed met with many people who had received grants etc .I oversaw grants in the Private Sector where grants/ loans were received and again I visited these properties .For several years I helped to judge Tenants Gardens a scheme I introduced .In this way I visited many tenants from all over the district and was able to see what improvements could be made to the housing stock .I was partly responsible for seeing that elderly tenants no longer live in outdated housing schenmes .
My role at Age Concern .I have been a trustee there for sixteen years and during that time I have seen many changes ,Along with fellow Trustees we have seen a large extension built ,a new kitchen ,an improved snack bar ,and a new bath .
The centre is currently being decorated .New Curtains provided .No one person can take the credit for this .I have never been a volunteer there but as you know only too well I have my lunch there one day aweek thus I get to know the clients .
Municipal Charities ,again a lot of work overseeing improvements for the comfort of the residents .. We now have a new structure in place re staffing .
Buckland Court can not be compared with THe homes provided by Municipal Charities .For a start they donot have Extra Care provision.This is not Like For Like . THe lounge facilities are completely different .
I have already put on this thread earlier how the costs are broken down .
Your comment to Stewart was incorrect .Its a long time since Mr Langsford was on the tenants committee and his knowledge is not current .
Stewart is on the committee and Im still a councillor so I think we do have up to date knowledge .I dont know what positive things I have done for people .I do know that all the Officers at the Council I have dealt with find Im very dedicated .Some of the things I do are beyond the call of duty .
30 October 2009
12:4032026Is it me, or is there no absolute and concrete answer hidden in there at all??!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
30 October 2009
12:5632029i am still trying to work out why the residents are forced to pay for grub that they may not want.
have i misunderstood what ken was saying on the subject?
incidentally, good to see stewart posting again,
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
30 October 2009
13:3032036Bern, I agree.
Sue, You ensured that the elderly tenants no longer live in outdated housing schemes, so where do they now live? The only new build is Buckland Court.
I will not comment on what you have overseen at Age Concern due to other considerations and on going actions. With regard to Municipal Charities,there is no dispute that you 'oversee' improving' the comforts of residents but what are you doing to ensure the charities not inconsiderable assets(land and investments) are being used to build new properties thereby meeting their remit.
I still stand by my support of Keith.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
30 October 2009
14:2532044Ken you know I cannot on any future plans MunicipalCharities have .We have a new Code of Conduct which means we have to work as a team .
30 October 2009
16:1332048Howard - this paying for meals that are unwanted seems to be a new and hidden way of making money - my son is at Durham Uni, being nicely ripped off by the loans people and the Uni accomodation officers, and is forced to pay a meals subsidy despite being vegan and having specific diet needs that won't be catered for. Put simply, as you say, he will be paying for meals he won't be wanting or eating. Outrageous. I am about to become assertive with Durham!!!!!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
30 October 2009
17:5032057it all seems a bit underhand bern.
ripping off students and the elderly seems rather mean
what reason does the university give for this?
Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
30 October 2009
19:4532067Forumites will be out of circulation for a few days so can't respond, off to either Romania or Spain working. Unless of course I can find a Wi Fi
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
30 October 2009
19:5132068best of luck ken, do try not to bring in some uninvited visitors back in your freight.
