Meeting date: Tuesday 3 November
Attendees: From Lambeth Council - Ainsley, Lambeth Council, Teniola, From the TRA - Chair, India, Secretary, Virginie, Vice Chair and many residents
Thank you to everyone who came along, and to the Lambeth housing team for joining us.
Housing and repairs
Resident survey. Housing has a survey about services on the estate over the next 6–12 months. Printed copies are available, but few have been filled in so far. We'll bring copies to the next meeting, and we've asked housing to keep copies in the computer room during their drop-in sessions so people can fill them in there.
Vandalism at Lansdale House. Housing reported vandalism at Lansdale House on Sunday, including damage near the front entrance. They are aware and following it up. This brought us back to CCTV: at the last meeting we asked for a clearer picture of where the existing cameras are on the estate, and housing agreed this would be useful.
Scaffolding. Scaffolding has gone up on several blocks (including Derma House and Hardham) and residents haven't been told why or when work will start. Housing says it relates to loose brickwork reports. The TRA stressed that scaffolding left standing without work is a real cost to the estate, and with winter weather coming it needs checking for safety. Housing will find out when work is due to start, and a manager has said work at Derma House should happen within the next two weeks.
Guttering. We reported urgent guttering problems at Derma House and Ruddle House after the AGM, and were told on 11 March that work orders had been raised, but nothing has happened. Leaking gutters can cause damp and damage to balconies and flats below, especially over winter. The email has been forwarded to housing to chase.
Tracking repairs. Many of the work orders raised since March don't seem to have been completed. The TRA can't follow up every individual job, so we've asked housing for a regular block-by-block report showing what has been fixed and what is still outstanding. We also asked for an update on the new reporting system piloted in Streatham, where repairs can't be closed without the resident confirming the job is done.
Other issues raised:
A hole in the brickwork near the top of Greenleaf, which parakeets have been flying into. A photo is being sent to housing.
Potholes on the estate roads that have been getting bigger for months and will get worse with the rain.
A water leak on the road that has been running for around three weeks, causing temporary traffic lights and long queues in the mornings.
The community garden and planters have been neglected since the parents who helped look after them moved on. We'd like to know who is responsible for upkeep.
Some residents still haven't received the large outdoor food waste bin to go with the small kitchen caddy.
Community safety
Feedback from this month's police meeting: the police are working to set shift times, increase patrols (nights as well as days) and focus on areas around local schools.
The council shared details of Operation Autumn Nights, a joint council, police and TfL operation over Halloween and Bonfire Night. Useful reminders:
Fireworks can only be sold to over-18s, and can't be set off between 11pm and 7am (midnight on Bonfire Night, and other set dates).
Report large piles of rubbish, wood or pallets that could be set alight to the council.
Report fireworks thrown at people, homes, buses or animals to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Fireworks aimed at animals can also be reported to the RSPCA.
Please look out for older and vulnerable neighbours, and keep pets indoors in the evenings.
Coffee morning
Our new weekly coffee morning runs 10am–12pm in the hall and is now in its third week, with around 10 people coming along so far. It's run by the TRA, by your neighbours, for your neighbours.
Posters have been put up on block notice boards and doors (thank you to the committee volunteers). Some keep getting taken down, so we'll laminate them and add that they're from the TRA.
We're looking for volunteers to help welcome people and make newcomers feel at home. We know daytimes are hard for anyone working, but even dropping in occasionally helps.
The best way to grow attendance is word of mouth, so please tell a neighbour and bring a friend!
Christmas programme
Sunday 13 December – Brixton Chamber Orchestra concert in the hall.
Saturday 19 December – Christmas Winter Fair: games and activities, raffle, food and drink, popcorn and candy floss. Tables will be available to hire for anyone who wants to sell things, with a reduced price for residents. Money from table hire goes back into the TRA to fund the event and future activities.
Wednesday 23 December – Christmas party and community meal for children and adults.
More details and posters will follow on the website, WhatsApp group, email list and notice boards.
Parking during events
Concerns were raised by residents' that parking spaces were filled during a recent event in the hall, and a resident returning from a long shift was unable to park. The TRA apologises to anyone affected. We're looking into solutions and adaptations to the hall hire agreement.
Our next meeting
Our next meeting is 1 December, see you there!
You can contact us on estatetulsehill@gmail.com in the mean time!