Islington Leaseholders Association » Information

Leaseholders left out of important meeting

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:03:01 +0000

“Leaseholders left out from this very important meeting” The GLA Planning & Housing Committee (who were investigating this issue) person responsible is Steve O’Connell and the “invited guests” to the Meeting of 23rd January 2012 were: 1) Martin Green, Head of Home Ownership & Tenant Management Initiatives, Southwark Council 2) Randall Bevis, Head of Home Ownership, Cith West Homes 3) Matthew Saye, Assistant Director – Home Ownership Services, One Housing Group 4) David Hewett, former Chief Executive, Association of Residential Managing Agents 5) Bob Suvan, Managing Director, BlocNet – BlocNet is a managing agent: Bob Suvan spoke at the last CARL AGM (see attached) where he gave a huge amount of how Leaseholders are being ripped off. The Greater London Assembly [GLA] is undertaking a Review of Leaseholder Service Charges. We have requested involvement and early notice of any public meetings, and have not received formal acknowledgement so far. At very short notice, on the day of the meeting, we were informed that a public meeting to discuss the review was taking place. The meeting was held on Monday the 23rd of January 2012, at 2.00 p.m, and only one representative for the ILA was able to be present in the public gallery. A copy of the list of issues submitted by a director of the ILA is attached. One example, relevant to points 1,2,3, 4 and 5 of the list, is that, during the major works programs, key individuals involved in running the various contracts are moved to other duties at key stages. New staff are brought in, without any continuity. This disrupts and undermines proper contract management, leads to inconsistency in client decision making, and leaves the contractor in charge of the works and the costs. The contractors in turn give insufficient supervision and instruction. All of this can lead to defects and higher costs. As there was insufficient notice of this public meeting, leaseholders would like an opportunity to put their case at a further meeting, to have a dialogue with the politicians in charge of the review directly. Please view the two attachments and link for further information about the issues discussed at the meeting on the 23rd of January: GLA Jan 12 Meeting Papers.pdf HC GLA list.docx A copy of the list of issues submitted by a director of the ILA. Please view the link. The meeting was webcast live and a recording was posted on the website. A full transcript of the meeting will also be available on the Committee’s web page here: http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/the-london-assembly/assembly_investigation/service-charges All leaseholder’s who agree please send via email a request to “Paul Watling” paul.watling@london.gov.uk and the Chair of the Review, Cllr. Steve O’Connell, steve.o’connell@london.gov.uk, stating that because of the insufficient notice, leaseholders request that a further meeting is held, and in the meantime, would request that we are told how leaseholders views will be taken into account. The summary questions asked at the GLA meeting were insufficient. Please copy in Dr Brian Potter email address “Brian Potter” , and Mary Morris email address “M Morris” , thank you. Dr B.S. Potter Chairman ILA

ILA in the local press

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:18:10 +0000

Please click here to see two recent news articles at your convenience.

Islington Tribune dated 2 Dec 2011 - HFI brought in house
Islington Gazette dated 5 Dec 2011 - Residents say they’re ripped off over caretaking charges

My upstairs neighbour has flooded me again!

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:47:56 +0000

LEASEHOLDER NITTY GRITTY - What do you do about it?

Twice now, my leaseholder neighbour living upstairs has sent water through my ceiling to drip on my furniture and carpets. First their faulty toilet, then their washing machine overflowed. Actually, the leaseholders were different because the upstairs property changed hands between the two events. More..

ILA on facebook

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:26:04 +0000

ILA are now on facebook , if you use facebook, please “like it”

http://on.fb.me/mWzios

w. ila.org.uk

t. @ilaorguk

f. http://on.fb.me/mWzios

Disband HFI Petition passes 1000

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:21:49 +0000

Only 2 weeks to go, Petition deadline 31. 8.11. If you have not yet signed the petition, please do so.

You can download form here – thanks for all your support so far, Disband HFI

Bring Back Directly Managed Council Housing in Islington. www.DisbandHFI.org.uk

Needs you

Non-Resident Leaseholders

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:50:16 +0000

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR NON-RESIDENT LEASEHOLDERS

Following a joint initiative between the ILA and HfI, there is now an agreed procedure which HfI staff will follow to make sure that leaseholders who don’t live in their HfI – managed flats will receive important correspondence from HfI at their designated correspondence addresses.

This is the list we have jointly agreed and in it ’NRL’ stands for Non-Resident Leaseholders.

Would all NRLs have a look at this list and see if we’ve covered all eventualities?

It may be that you have other examples of mail which you feel you should have received but didn’t.

In which case, please get in touch with us at

islington.leaseholders@hotmail.co.uk

Similarly, we would like to have your correspondence address so that we can send our newsletters direct to you and not to your tenants.

SO PLEASE email us with the best address to reach you at.

LEASEHOLDERS MEETING

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:26:35 +0000

LEASEHOLDERS MEETING

Date: Wednesday 10th August 2011

Venue: Town Hall Chambers

Time :7 – 9 pm

Guest speakers: All of the prospective candidates standing for election to the St Peters Ward by-election.

Please view our website www.ila.org.uk , if you wish to become a member or renew your existing membership you can download a membership form from this website.
Follow us on twitter @ilaorguk

Please inform any leaseholders on your Estate, or in Street Properties about these meetings, and suggest they attend.

URGENT PLEASE… if you have not already signed up…please do so by clicking on to…www.DisbandHFI.org.uk

Dr B.S. Potter Chairman ILA

Unable to obtain last week’s Islington Tribune? Please, see articles and letters here.

White paper proposes to make ALMO’s independent – make your feelings clear if you receive council questionaire

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:24:27 +0000

Tribune letter edit

Many resident have recently received a questionnaire from the council regarding the future of Islington’s council housing , and you should also be aware of governments intention to move “arm’s-length management organisations (ALMO’s) in social housing into the housing association sector”

Despite strenuously denying the possibility of allowing Homes for Islington (ALMO) to metamorphose into a Housing Associations, Islington council, via their latest extremely ambiguous, and divisive questionnaire, leaves the way open for HFI’s continued presence in Islington

Dr. B. S. Potter, Chairman FITA / ILA suggests draw a line across each page and write in the “comments section” Close HFI…TUPE all staff back to the council…and return Islington’s housing stock back under the direct management of Islington council, and our ELECTED councilors…This statement clearly indicates to the council that we consider council homes safer under the council then in a private company. If you agree…go to www.disbandHFI.org.uk and have your say without it being re-interpreted…!!! More

Inspection of Accounts

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:54:06 +0000

Audit Commission Act 1998, sections 15 – 16
Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 Regulations 13, 14 and 16

Each year the Council’s accounts are audited and any person interested has the opportunity to inspect and make copies of the accounts and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them. (A charge may be made for excessive copies.)
The accounts for the year ending 31 March 2011 and documents will be available at the Council Offices, 7 Newington Barrow Way, London N7 7EP between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays from on Monday 27 June 2011 until on Friday 22 July 2011.
If you wish to inspect any documents please apply first to Mohammed Sajid, Chief Accountant, at the above address or call 0207 527 2574/2432/3531 or email Mohammed.Sajid@islington.gov.uk so that arrangements can be made.
From 10.00am on 25 July 2011 until the conclusion of the audit process, a local government elector for the area of the Council, or his/her representative,may:
- ask the auditor questions about the accounts. Please contact the District Auditor, Mr Philip Johnstone, at the Audit Commission, 1^st Floor Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4HQ to make arrangements to ask any questions.

- object to the Council’s accounts asking that the auditor issue a report in the public interest (under section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998) and/or apply to the court for a declaration that an item in the accounts is contrary to law (under section 17 of the Audit Commission Act 1998). Written notice of a proposed objection and the grounds on which it is made must be sent to the auditor at the address given above and copied to me at the following address:
Finance Department,
Floor 2, Council Offices,
7 Newington Barrow Way,
London N7 7EP
Mike Curtis

ILA directors counter HFI spin in Tribune

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Director Helen Cagnoni asks for credit where credit is due , and details how a number of ‘improvements in services’ claimed by HFI, came about about due to previous work done by FITA & Kier, and notes how so-called Tenant Directors elected as ‘volunteers’ , voted themselves Annualised Allowances. more

Chair Dr Brian Potter reminds pro HFi letter writers of the lack of accountability of HFI and notes that HFI directors are rushing to defend HFI when resident lead initiatives, such as, for example, the www.disbandHFI.org.uk petition, threatens their lucrative future?. more