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THE MAGAZINE FOR RESIDENTS OF AND ISSUE 56 CHELSEA TENANT MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION

SUMMER 2014

See centre page insert for your 2014 residents’ conference invitation Up Your Game football project – a summer success story SUMMER 2014 What’s inside Welcome by Fay Edwards, Board Chair 3 Back in time

4 Home ownership

6 News from the TMO

8 Your Credit Union The Children’s TMO (CTMO) 9 Home safety for 8 to 13 year olds gives the children of TMO residents a voice in their community, helping them 10 Focus on Resident Engagement to develop as individuals and to create positive, long-lasting ties 12 From the Council and involvement with the TMO. It has been my pleasure to see the membership of the CTMO go from strength to strength. 15 Letter to the Editor I’ve watched the growth and development of individual children during the regular visits I make to see them, which 16 Party time has been very satisfying. On page 12 you can read about one of its latest successes 17 Performance chart in the community, at Silchester Estate West. As Link went to press members of the group were getting 18 Residents’ corner ready for an exciting activity weekend in Surrey. This is just one of the latest initiatives that the children can enjoy. 19 Membership form The success of the CTMO has not only made it necessary for us actively to extend its reach to accommodate children in the south of the borough, but also to create a Youth TMO (YTMO) to cater for 14 to 19 year olds. This is a great development which will allow even more young people to benefit and shows how popular and successful the CTMO Front cover picture shows participants in the first Up has become. Your Game football training session on 1 June. They are (l-r): Mohamed El-Abdi, Bilal Bihi, Zak Ellis Khan and Nadir Hedioued-Malika. See p15.

This word cloud is made up of Link articles and gives prominence to words that appear the most!

ENT I ID D S E A In this issue: We’ve got lots of E We need photos, stories, and

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T N you’d like to request a specific news 2 [email protected] item please get in touch! From back in time ...to the present day 1905 2014

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Maighread Condon-Simmonds, opens the newly restored gardens on the Sir Thomas More Estate. She is assisted by RA Chair John Powner. w

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TENANT RISKS

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5441_04/10 Houndsditch, , EC3A 7AW. Registered in No 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96. The National Housing Federation is an Appointed Representative of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.

Become a member for free! Contact us for your membership pack or download one online. 0800 137 111 kctmo.org.uk 3 SUMMER 2014 Home ownership

Cyclical decorations programme What it involves: repainting inside and out; any necessary repairs externally or in communal areas; the replacement of some roofs and windows. Where: boroughwide, split into two contracts: North and South How many homes: 1,268

North South Fairhurst Ward Abbots Contractor: Contractor: Axis Carol McGarry TMO project manager: TMO project manager: Simon Girling May 2014 When it started: When it starts: July 2014 August 2015 When it ends: When it ends: November 2014 (to September 2014 only) 32 Dawson Place; 7 Properties: Properties in the programme; 1-125 Campden Houses; Tor Russell Garden Mews; 12 Russell Gardens; 17 Russell Road; Court; 140, 162 and 169 Finborough Road; 1-12 and 13-48 10 and 33 Arundel Gardens; 55 and 172-174 Lancaster St Mark’s Grove; Hereford House; Elm Park House; 68 Road; Nottingwood House; Foreland House; 43-85 and ; 5, 6, 8 and 10 Ashburnham Road; 57-59 Edith 109– 305 Tavistock Crescent;10a Avondale Park Gardens; Grove and 36 Gunter Grove. Eastry House; 1 Pembridge Square; 18 and 25 Basing Consultation and choice: all residents will be invited Street; Talbot House and 1B Kenley Walk. to ‘meet the contractor’ events for individual blocks or Consultation and choice: all residents have been or will be estates prior to any work starting. Information will be invited to ‘meet the contractor’ events for individual blocks provided on the scope of works to individual blocks and or estates prior to any work starting. Information will be colour choices at the meeting. provided on the scope of works to individual blocks and colour choices at the meeting. Cavity wall fill programme Roof renewal programme What it involves: there is a small abseiling cavity fill What it involves: roof covering renewal and associated programme on site, covering approximately 500 homes. work, including repairs to copings/parapets/safety rails Many buildings already have cavity fill, so this is a around perimeter roofs. programme to ensure the other brick built properties with Where: World’s End; Wiltshire Close; 62 Finborough Road cavities over 40mm wide get the benefit of the additional and 69 Philbeach Gardens insulation. How many homes: 457 The work is funded via British Gas as part of the Contractor: Amber Construction government’s energy policy; it’s a way of reducing a TMO project manager: Carol McGarry building’s heat loss and carbon emissions, so that less fuel is When it started: April 2014 used to heat homes. Also, residents are less likely to suffer When it ends: September 2014 fuel poverty. Consultation and choice: ‘meet the contractor’ events open Where: Carton House; Marley House; Tor Court; Talbot to all residents have already been held for all properties Walk; Walnut Tree House; 63,123 and 125 Finborough Road; within the programme. 437 Fulham Road; Clarendon Walk; Manchester Drive; 48-50 and 53-100 Powis Square and Camelford Walk. How many homes: 500 Contractor: Avalon Construction Further information TMO project manager: Claire Williams Home Ownership When it started: June 2014 020 7605 6464 When it ends: August 2014 Consultation and choice: all residents have been or will be [email protected] invited to meet the contractor events for individual blocks or estates prior to any works starting. Information will be provided on the scope of works.

Is there an event happening Having problems paying your rent? in your area? Tell us about it Call to speak with a welfare reform officer: 4 and get published in Link! 0800 137 111 or 020 3617 7080 020 7605 6346 [email protected] Home ownership

Need help with improving your home?

You are eligible for the grant if you are a household which: • is in receipt of one or more income-related or disability benefits or a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) AND has children. Or you have a household which has: • older people beyond working age; or You could be eligible for an average grant of £3,000 to • someone with a long-term illness or a disability. improve your home and reduce carbon emissions. Even if you’ve already had a Council grant or adaptation works, you may still be eligible. The Council is part of the West London Better Homes Project, which awards Better Homes grants for Further information improvements to meet the decent homes standard in owner occupied homes. This would include work to kitchens, Denise McDonald at Staying First bathrooms, insulation and new boilers. 020 8996 8808 [email protected]

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Repairs Direct

Could you be our new Resident Board Member?

The Board of Repairs Direct has a vacancy for a resident of the TMO to join its Board.

Are you interested in making your own contribution to a company delivering an excellent standard of repairs? Do you have time to commit, do you have a versatile mind and do you adapt to change quickly? Are you skilled in customer service standards and are you customer focused? Do you want to ensure that all TMO residents receive high quality repair services?

Deadline: 15 September 2014

Contact: Company Secretariat 020 7605 6352

Our mission To deliver excellent services through resident-led management. 5 SUMMER 2014 News from the TMO Community Centres Officer Parking update appointed As we reported in the last issue, we’re changing the way in which we manage estate parking. The TMO Board has approved a new parking policy so that we can standardise management arrangements and provide a transparent and consistent service to all residents. This will enable the Council to enforce parking restrictions on our estates, which is required following recent legislation banning the clamping and towing of cars on private land. In Link 55 we reported that the new policy would come into effect next January; however, we have since decided to go live at the beginning of the new financial year in April 2015; this is in order to make it a smoother process. We held our initial consultation with all residents on the overall policy in December 2013. We will hold another Sharon Baah in the clubroom consultation this September and October on the specific layout of parking areas and terms of parking on each estate. Sharon Baah has joined the TMO in the newly created We’ll be doing this by letter, the web, noticeboards and a post of Community Centres Officer. She has five years’ series of public meetings which residents can attend to experience in managing community buildings on housing discuss further the project and voice any concerns and estates. suggestions. Sharon will be working with residents to make sure all The Council will hold a separate public consultation in community centres and clubrooms on our estates are well January 2015 to establish the legal terms on which it can used and professionally managed, with a straightforward enforce parking restrictions from April 2015. booking system, clear hire terms, regular cleaning and effective maintenance. We mean business Sharon has already embarked on round of estate visits to find out residents’ views about centre management and The current business plan is due to end in 2014 and the usage. You can meet her also at the residents’ conference. Board and the TMO’s senior directors have been reviewing all elements of the plan to set the strategic direction for the TMO going forward for the next three years. Further information The new plan will run until 2017; it has five strategic Sharon Baah priorities needed to deliver the TMO’s mission of delivering 020 8964 6072 excellent services through resident-led management. These priorities are: [email protected] 1. Customers at the heart. 2. Fantastic people work here. Smarter working ahead 3. Invest to make great homes and communities. 4. Deliver excellent good value services. 5. Grow our scale and scope. The days of estate service assistants having to take reams of paper around with them will become a thing of the past later These priorities will be met by a priority business plan, with a this year. New handheld devices will automate the following strategy to support each priority. processes: There will also be a lower level plan for business as usual, • estate inspection findings covering the TMO’s day-to-day routine business. • booking of certain communal repairs • reporting of anti-social behaviour Copies will be available online. • cleaning call backs (i.e. follow-ups).

Have you got ideas to share? Tell us about it and get 6 published in Link! [email protected] astic P nt e a o F p

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K 2014 C T M O s S rd Meet Ian Wills, taff Awa the 2014 Resident Focus Award winner

service. The winner is chosen by the So, what makes him tick? He says: Chair, Fay Edwards, so it’s an extra “ I just love my work. I love the special category. challenges, doing the job right and seeing the finished article. I’ve just This year’s winner was Ian Wills and come off a two day job fitting a new Link caught up with him to find out kitchen for an older tenant on the more about him. Henry Dickens Estate. It replaced a Ian is what is called a multi-trade 1980s kitchen and the resident was operative. This means he can pretty just so pleased to see his kitchen well turn his hand to anything. He transformed. began his career in 1980 with Bayada “The Royal Borough is great one to Bros, a long-established chandelier work in. I love the , company and spent the next 28 years but spend a lot of time at World’s End. there. These buildings have to have some of Then seven years ago he joined the the most complex piping in London but social housing sector and worked as we’ve mastered it all now.” a plumber and carpenter for a range So, what’s it like being part of the of organisations: Connaught, Lovell, TMO? He says: “The relationship and Willmott Dixon. It Ian receives his award from between the two companies is very CEO Robert Black was while at Wilmott Dixon that he strong. It’s great being part of an transferred across last September organisation which such a commitment when Repairs Direct was formed. Link no 55 carried an entry form for to providing a much better service than this year’s Fantastic People Awards Over the years Ian has become highly residents have ever experienced before. Resident Focus award category. We qualified, gaining the highly regarded We all get tougher once a month for had very encouraging number of CSCS (Construction Skills Certification a ’Toolbox Talk’. This is when we look nominations and would like to thank all Scheme) card in property maintenance. at issues, such as how well our new those who went to the trouble of doing He’s also a qualified locksmith and floor devices are working. so. layer. He’s even carrying out a major So, look out for Ian if you haven’t met refurbishment of his own home at The Resident Focus Award is a special him already. one, as it marks out a single individual weekends. who epitomises excellent customer

Repairs Direct has received RoSPA’s Silver Award for Occupational Health and Safety. This is the highest award possible for a new buisness and recognises Repairs Direct’s commitment to safe working practices. The RoSPA Safety Awards are internationally recognised and have fast become the most sought after accolade by organisations from every sector.

RoSPA Trustee Dr Mary O’Mahony presents Repairs Direct’s Andy Marshall with the award in June

Feedback loop If you have any feedback on Link, or news you’d like to share, please forward it to [email protected] 7 SUMMER 2014 Your Credit Union by its Chief Executive Will Rhodes

Summer is proving to be an exciting time for local credit The union is also continuing to work in partnership with a union YourCU. In the past few months the co-operative, number of other housing associations, including Octavia which enjoys a partnership with the TMO, has forged a Housing, Women’s Pioneer Housing and Catalyst Housing. relationship with a major high street retail bank, received It has also received deposits from local churches and other deposits from a number of local churches and community organisations: St John’s and St Peter’s churches in Notting groups and is set to take on an apprentice. Hill; St John’s in , Westway Community Transport and Tudor Trust. In July YourCU became what is believed to be the first financial co-operative in the country to work with Barclays YourCU aims to offer people in need of affordable loans as part of its £1m community initiative scheme. YCU held – or who want to consolidate expensive credit card debt – successful pop-up sessions at the bank’s Kensington High somewhere to turn to, with loans on more favourable terms Street (see picture), and Fulham Broadway and a longer payback period. The Union also provides better branches. Barclays’ customers gave us a really warm off residents with opportunity to invest their money in a welcome on each occasion, opening both savings and loan venture that will benefit their community, as well as giving accounts. them a financial return. Meanwhile, in another first, YourCU strengthened its relationship with RBKC by offering two local people a year Further information long apprenticeship. The successful applicants will spend Your Credit Union six months learning the ropes at YourCU, followed by a further six month placement with the the TMO’s Resident 020 7605 6341 Engagement Team. www.yourcu.co.uk

Rent collection On average For April - June the TMO achieved We re-let empty properties in a 99.33% collection rate. 8 21.69 days between April and June. Home safety by Janice Wray TMO’s Health, Safety & Facilities Manager

A smoke alarm could save your life and those of your loved ones

The advises that the most effective If you are anxious about fire safety in your home and have way to protect your family from fire in your home is to not yet been contacted about an electrical inspection and ensure that you have a working smoke alarm fitted (larger smoke alarm installation please either contact the TMO properties and those on more than one floor will benefit Health & Safety Team or request a free home fire safety visit from two devices). This will give you early warning of a fire from the London Fire Brigade. They will visit you, discuss any and ensure that you get that vital extra time you need to fire safety concerns you might have about your home and evacuate safely before fire or smoke can cause injury or install a smoke alarm. We work closely with the London Fire damage to your property. If you live in a block of flats the Brigade to ensure that we continue to meet its requirements. stay put policy means that you will initially be safe to remain We’re committed to ensuring the fire safety of all blocks. in your flat if a fire breaks out elsewhere in the block. Regular fire risk assessments and inspections are carried Smoke alarms are available in a few varieties: battery out and, where required, improvements and repairs quickly operated and electrically operated (mains powered/ made. hard wired). The battery operated variety are relatively inexpensive, widely available in DIY and hardware stores and are widely used in homes. Electrically operated smoke alarms are fitted with a battery Further information back-up; this ensures that they will operate even in the TMO Health & Safety Team event of a power failure and provide a greater degree of 020 7605 6344 reassurance to residents. London Fire Brigade The TMO recognises that electrically operated smoke alarms offer residents the greatest degree of protection 08000 284 428 from fire and as such we are working towards installation of these within all tenanted homes. We have started a major programme to fit these alarms within dwellings. This work is now an integral part of our extensive electrical wiring inspection programme. We’ve made good progress so far with the fitting of these hard wired alarms. We’ll be writing to all residents on this electrical inspection programme in order to arrange access. This work will not just ensure that your electrical wiring is in safe condition but will also improve your family’s fire safety with the installation of these fire alarms.

Home improvements Please contact the TMO before starting any home improvements 9 0800 137 111 or 020 3617 7080 SUMMER 2014 F s on Resident Engagement

First Communities Outreach surgery is an instant hit The residents’ conference is fast approaching!

This year’s conference on Saturday 13 September will be better than ever, so make sure the date’s in your diary and reply to the invitation inserted on this page. The first KCTMO Communities Outreach surgery took place The event, which will celebrate our 18th birthday, is a in May in Notting Dale. A joint initiative with MIDAYE, it fantastic opportunity to speak to senior directors and proved an instant hit with over 30 members of the Somali other staff. and Arabic speaking community asking for housing and welfare advice. Pictured is Kawther Hamed of Notting Hill A question and answer session with Robert Black, with adviser Robin Lawrence. TMO Chief Executive, and directors will take place in the morning; followed by another with RBKC Leader Cllr Nicholas Paget-Brown in the afternoon. Question CTMO wins competition and answer sessions with Peter Maddison on stock investment and Dan Wood on service charges Mace, the builders of the new Peabody homes at will take place in both the morning and afternoon Silchester, recently ran a design competition – with sessions. the winner being given the opportunity to have their Other workshops and activities on the day will design painted onto a hoarding. include: The design submitted by CTMO member, Kenza • Health and wellbeing Kharchaf of Manchester Drive, was chosen to go on • Employment fair two hoarding boards. • IT workshop • DIY tips • Gardening • Online services • Salsa dancing zumba • Healthy eating.

Annual general meeting This will take place after the conference at 3.45pm, for members only. Papers will be issued to members soon. Members should look at their papers for ways to get involved. If you are not a member and wish to get involved, why not sign up (see p19)?

Having problems paying your rent? You can now register for the TMO Call to speak with a welfare reform officer: online service at 10 0800 137 111 or 020 3617 7080 www.kctmo.org.uk Cover story New season’s roadshows Youth football project kick off

Amunti Frimpong of Silchester Estate West with TMO Chair Fay Edwards at the roadshow

The first of this year’s roadshows, Your Route to Success, started at the Henry Dickens Court Community Centre in Notting Dale on 5 June and A youth football project called Up Your Game, organised nearly 60 residents went along. by our Youth Engagement Officer Abdi Aden, had a This third series of roadshows continue to focus on very successful run this summer in Kensal Town, North employment and training opportunities; but they have Kensington. a wider remit, which now includes workshops on The project, with a capacity of 50 places per Sunday session, budgeting and using the internet, as well as advice on was run in association with the Chelsea Football Foundation welfare reforms. and attracted interest from more than 100 young people. The second of this series’ roadshows will be combined Nine of the participants were female and additional funding with this year’s resident’s conference and will make for is now being sought to extend the project. an exciting and feature packed event.

Children’s TMO If your child would like to get involved with the Children’s TMO activities email [email protected] 11 SUMMER 2014 From the Council

Latest Kensington Academy and Leisure Centre news

The final finishing touches are taking place before the The Kensington Academy and Leisure Centre (KALC) Kensington Aldridge Academy welcomes its first cohort of scheme represents a £57.4m investment in North Year 7 students through its doors on Monday 15 September. Kensington. It will mark an exciting new chapter for many young people in who will no longer have to travel outside

the Royal Borough for their secondary education. Further information Students will receive a first class education in a modern KALC building, with facilities such as the sports hall and dance www.rbkc.gov.uk/kalc studio available to the community outside school hours. Kensington Aldridge Academy Meanwhile, at the other end of the site, the leisure centre building is rapidly taking shape and will open to the public www.kensingtonaldridgeacademy.co.uk in early 2015. The building’s external structure is complete and works are now focusing on the interior such as tiling the pools, fitting out the changing areas, café, sports hall and squash courts.

The Kensington Aldridge Academy (foreground) and the Leisure Centre – new neighbours of

On Twitter? If you would like to find out if there is a Follow us and get the latest updates: resident association in your area, or to get help setting one up, contact us: 12 @kctmo 0800 137 111 [email protected] Crossrail 2

The Council is backing Chelsea Fire Station as the right place for a Crossrail 2 station. The Council has written to residents in the southernmost wards of the Borough setting out its reasons and describing the safeguards it will be seeking. Here is an edited version.

Background impact on Council tenants and leaseholders. Major redevelopment of Council homes would only ever be countenanced by Kensington As you may know, Transport for London (TfL) has consulted on the and Chelsea when supported by cast-iron guarantees about how route for Crossrail 2, which is a major new service that would pass residents’ interests would be protected and indeed enhanced. under Chelsea. On balance therefore we have concluded that the fire station site TfL is consulting on three route options: one with a station at is the better option for Chelsea and have told TfL so in our own Chelsea Fire Station on Dovehouse Street, another with a station submission to the consultation. further west along King’s Road and one that bypasses the borough altogether. The case for Chelsea Fire Station We have long believed that Crossrail 2 will bring tremendous benefits. Parts of Chelsea remain relatively poorly serviced by If the Fire Service agrees, a station in this location would bring public transport and the Council thinks the line would: 5,500 households within an 800m walk of an Underground • dramatically improve local transport options station. It would be in the heart of Chelsea, easily accessible from • relieve local and city-wide congestion World’s End to . It would boost the eastern end of • ease pressure on the transport network, especially on the the King’s Road, which enjoys only a fraction of the footfall enjoyed at the Sloane Square end, and help secure the future of this vitally District Line important shopping street. • improve air quality • dramatically improve journey times And journey times to the King’s Road from south west London • help our hard-pressed retail sector. could be halved, which could be highly advantageous for the many businesses and offices in the area, and particularly for Residents seem to agree with us. In 2013 we asked local people for major employers such as the Royal Marsden and Royal Brompton their views. About 3,000 Chelsea residents and businesses replied hospitals. Moreover, these flagship hospitals form a burgeoning to our survey, with about 70 per cent expressing support for the medical research quarter that we all wish to see prosper and better new line and a station in Chelsea. transport links could help. We are convinced that it would be a terrible outcome for the Royal Borough if we were bypassed altogether by this hugely important Safeguards piece of infrastructure and we have been lobbying hard to avoid this outcome. We need Crossrail 2 to stop at Chelsea. The question is As well as making the case for Chelsea Fire Station, our submission where. also set out the critical need for planning safeguards to protect this lovely part of Chelsea from insensitive development. Amongst In our survey last year residents were divided almost equally other things, we would want to ensure that any station is in between those who thought the best location for a station was at scale with its surroundings and that historic Dovehouse Green is the fire station and those who thought it might be better placed protected as far as possible during the building period and fully further west. restored thereafter. In the Council’s own submission to last year’s consultation we therefore asked TfL to consider whether there might be a better location further to the west. However it was TfL that selected the actual site and it will be TfL that takes the final decision about where to build the station. Further information

So which of the two station options do we favour? Crossrail 2 www.crossrail2.co.uk That is something we have been studying and debating very hard over the past weeks. Our conclusions have been reached purely on Tfl submission transport and planning grounds. www.rbkc.gov.uk/Crossrail2 In public transport terms slightly more households would benefit from the Chelsea West option, in so far as more of them would be within a 10 minute walk of the Tube for the first time. But the economic benefits, particularly for our retail sector, would be much smaller. And there is just too much uncertainty at present about the

In a personal emergency, always call 999 for assistance. You should call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. 13 You should call 101 to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. SUMMER 2014 From the Council

TMO Board member elected Mayor

TMO Board member Cllr Maighread Condon-Simmonds has been elected to serve as Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for 2014/15.

Born in Castlemartyr, County Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, Maighread Condon-Simmonds trained as a nurse at Torbay Hospital. Three years later she came to London and did her psychiatric nurse training at the Maudsley Hospital.

As well as a career in nursing Maighread Condon-Simmonds has worked for Pan Am and Pilgrim Airlines at Kennedy Airport, where she had learned to fly.

Cllr Condon-Simmonds was elected to the Council in 2002 to represent Cremorne ward; from 2014 she has represented Chelsea Riverside.

Her Mayoral charity for the year is SANE, which helps people affected by mental illness. Her son Timothy is her consort.

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New Housing Office

The Lancaster West Housing Office has moved to the old EMB rooms by Station Walk:

3 Grenfell Road Lancaster West Estate London W11 1TG

Our number has changed from 020 7727 9464 to 020 8968 2738.

Delivering excellent services through resident-led management 1996 - 2014

Tell us about activities Do you have feedback about you are involved in: Repairs Direct? [email protected] [email protected] 14 Letter to the Editor

From Rudi Braithwaite

Dear Editor I read with great interest your special 18th birthday anniversary edition. It bought back many happy memories of the role which I and my neighbours played in the creation of the TMO. I myself served on the the Shadow Board 1995-96, first under John Keys and then Doris Besant. I’ve been living on the Edenham Way estate for twenty years now, but before then I lived on Clarendon Walk on Lancaster West. Things weren’t great when I lived there, with lots of social issues. To make matters worse, the estate was in very bad repair. I vividly remember Margaret Thatcher saying soon after she became Prime Minister that people who lived on local authority estates should take them over and manage them. It was Councillor Ben Bosanquet who then encouraged me to do something about it. There were tenant associations in the borough, but many were run undemocratically. In 1979 I stood for election as Chair of the new Lancaster West Residents’ Association and was successful. My deputy was Lucy Daniels and the other committee members were Carol Williams, Teresa Korgan, Hazel Burke and John Pemberton. We soon got an office, converted from the estate workshop. All kinds of people started getting involved. I looked into how we could take control of the estate and I worked closely with the Council’s Director of Housing, Martin Kingsford. Finally, the Lancaster West Estate Management Board (EMB) was formed in 1981. We lobbied the Department of Environment for funding to refurbish the estate. So much needed renovating – windows, front gardens, walkways. We also needed new lifts and security gates. I succeeded, accepted in getting my £6.5m invitation – a huge to visit the amount in those days. The Concrete Jungle Alice Coleman, author of estate and it was her suggestion that the name for the new company formed by the Tenants’ Steering Group be called a tenant management organisation. In November 1994 I was elected to the Shadow Board. Cllr Nicholas Paget Brown was also on it and Cllr Judith Blakeman became a steadfast supporter of the TMO. Martin Kingsford’s secretary, Jane Clifton, was a loyal and efficient advocate. Happy 18th birthday TMO! Yours faithfully Rudi Braithwaite

On Twitter? Follow us and get the latest updates @kctmo 15 SUMMER 2014 Party time Cremorne bingo (every Thursday afternoon – new members welcome)

Members of the Cremorne Over 50s Social Group Bingo Bingo caller Nora Jones Club with Hash Chamchoun Sir Thomas More garden opening, supported by Waitrose

RA committee (l-r): William Farah, Gloria Gardner, John Powner (Chair), Peter Kosta, Melissa Archer Bouncy castle fun and Nick Wimborne

The Mayor with a bouquet presented The party in full swing by Alfie Bowcott

Having problems paying your rent? You can now register for the TMO Call to speak with a welfare reform officer: online service on 16 0800 137 111 or 020 3617 7080 www.kctmo.org.uk Performance chart Cremorne bingo During the first quarter of the year Repairs Direct achieved answer. For the first quarter they answered 92% of calls, above target performance for the percentage of emergency an improvement on 2013-14 but short of their new target and non-emergency repairs completed on time. of 95%. The beginning of April saw the arrival of two new Customer Service Team leaders; we have also recently Throughout the same period the TMO ensured that 100% of employed two new advisers (CSAs), who are providing its homes were in possession of a valid Landlord’s Gas Safety valuable input into the service that the TMO delivers. Certificate (LGSC). The TMO, together with its servicing contractor, continues to undertake all appropriate measures The Rent Income Team collected 99.33% of rent and service to maintain the 100% compliancy rate; this includes charges due in the period, against a target of 100.10%. obtaining warrants to gain lawful access to properties where Historically rent collection is lower in the first three months access is unreasonably withheld. of the year, as residents adjust to the annual rent increases. It is anticipated that rent collection will improve going forward. For 2014-15 our Customer Contact Centre has set more stretching targets for the percentage of calls they aim to

Sir Thomas More garden opening, supported by Performance indicator How we did April-June Target Traffic last year 2014-15 2013-14 light Waitrose Belgravia 2013-14

Repairs % Emergency repairs completed within 24 hours 98.91% 99.7% >=99% % Non-emergency repairs completed in target 97.19% 98.4% >=98%

Gas servicing Properties with valid Landlords’ Gas Safety 99.90% 100.0% 100% Certificate

Customer services Calls received 87843 19674 - N/A Percentage of calls answered 91.8% 92.0% >=95% Average call waiting time (seconds) 47 46 <=25 % Residents’ complaints responded to 87.9% 95.0% >=90% within target

Empty properties Average time taken to re-let empty 21.1 21.69 <=23 properties

Rent collection Collection excluding arrears brought 100.84% 99.33% 100.10% forward

Grounds maintenance % Estates passing estate inspection 97.3% 97.8% >=95% standards

KEY: Target met Near to target Off target

Youth TMO If your child would like to get involved with the Youth’s TMO activities email [email protected] 17 SUMMER 2014 Residents’ corner

Crossword submitted by Colin Cherrie British Heart 12 3 45 Foundation

by John Mendes

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89 10 11 12 give them to the British Heart Foundation? All its profits help fight coronary heart disease, the 13 UK’s single biggest killer. It runs a free collection service. 14 15

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22 23

My simple suggestions for 24 25 shoes by John Mendes

Across Down As feet swell during the day, try buying your shoes in the 1 Gaming ones have chairs too (6) 1 This art gallery sounds sweet (4) afternoon when they’re at their 4 These take back the blood (5) 2 Moaners and lambs do this (5) largest. 6 Sounds like golfer’s tea (3) 3 Tremulously shine (7) 7 Royal Chelsea highway! (5,4) 4 In fashion; this magazine? (5) Wear shoes/trainers for the 8 Can be like a lot of hot air (5) 5 It was hung at Tyburn Hill (5) first time only when it’s raining, 10 Comes in (6) 9 The Royal Show is such a one (5) because as they become wet 14 Taken back like the cat’s claws (9) 11 These parks have a special motive (5) they’ll mould to your feet 16 Said clearly (5) 12 The Mary Rose was one (5) perfectly. When you get home 19 All, the lot (5) 13 It isn’t his (4) 22 Like a quiet night’s sleep (9) 15 Our own local flower show (7) out of the rain, stuff them with 23 Flying mammal (3) 17 James Bond was a special one (5) newspapers to help them dry. 24 The Philosopher’s one? (5) 18 Dig deeply (5) Keep footwear away from direct 25 Is this a dear type of horn (6) 20 James Dean was a causeless one (5) heat to have longer lasting and 21 Sherriff’s badge (4) more comfortable shoes. What about feet, I hear you asking? Boost their blood circulation and relieve muscle ache by rolling your foot across the top of a tennis ball every evening. Please email [email protected] when finished for the solutions.

Is this true in your Our performance information neighbourhood? We’re working is updated monthly on our website. If 18 hard to improve our services - tell you’d like to keep track of our progress, us about your experience! visit us online! [email protected] www.kctmo.org.uk I would like to become a member MEMBERSHIPPlease print all details in this box in BLOCK CAPITALS PAGE Mr Mrs Miss Ms Other Address First name(s) Surname Postcode Tel no Email Please tick if we can contact you by email How did you hear about signing up to become a member? Would you like more information about opportunities to be involved with us? Yes No I confirm that I am over 18 years old and the named tenant, leaseholder or freeholder of a property owned by RBKC and managed by the TMO. Please enter my name on the register of members of the organisation. Signature Date

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