Monday, November 14, 2005

Islington Conservatives write to ODPM over leaseholder repair bills

Chris Skidmore has written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to request that HfI's high repair bills be investigated. He has also called for a cap to be placed on bills that the vulnerable- pensioners, those on income support- will not be able to pay.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to ask if the ODPM might investigate the charges that Islington leaseholders are being threatened with by Homes for Islington. I understand that many of the buildings need basic repair work, but the plans HfI have in place go far beyond the Decent Homes Standard.

I have received many complaints from leaseholders who will simply not be able to pay these bills. I would ask the ODPM to consider if a cap might be put in place. At the same time, I have received further complaints from leaseholders whose properties have already undergone repair, but to a very insufficient standard.

I am very concerned that the same companies that committed this shoddy work will continue to let down those who are paying too much for their repairs. Homes for Islington does not seem to have a competitive tendering process, and I wonder if you might be able to investigate how this could be put into place.


Yours sincerely,




Chris Skidmore
Chairman
Islington North Conservatives

1 comment:

Chris Skidmore said...

It was with great anticipation that I attended last night's 22/11/2005 full council meeting at the Town Hall.
What a farce.
The twenty minutes slot allocated to the public's questions was taken up by two Liberal Democrat councillors answering a planted question by their own supporters.
Each of the councillor took almost 15 minutes each to congratulate themselves and the council for what they considered to be a great achievement in the borough.
Judging by their lavish praise on themselves I was wondering for a moment why the need to employ a PR consultant at £78.000 a year since they were doing an excellent job by themselves.
When they finished waffling the chair of the meeting, the current Mayor, said,despite loud protests from the public gallery, that the agenda ought to move on to the next point.
And thus full "democracy" was exercised and the agenda moved on leaving the public in the gallery who made the effort and time to attend the meeting greatly frustrated by their inability to have their concerns heard.
I think that the liberal/democrat party is a misnomer as this council has shown that it is neither liberal nor democratic in its dealing with the residents borough legitimate concerns.
Residents could also be forgiven for mistakenly thinking that their lib/dem elected representatives have their best interest at heart.
Last nigh's full council meeting was the proof.

Caroline Schwartz
Membership Secretary
Islingon North Conservatives.

5:53 AM