howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Interesting read, especially the bit about what they are responsible for. Managing improvements to tenant's homes but doesn't mention anything about essential repairs.
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,138
Stuart, as WGS has pointed out it is no great secret where the chain of responsibility lies including the portfolio holder who is paid a responsibility allowance.
I can't think that I could make any valuable comment on the matter, especially having only heard one side of the story.
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:Interesting read, especially the bit about what they are responsible for. Managing improvements to tenant's homes but doesn't mention anything about essential repairs.
What are you reading Howard.
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Sue Nicholas wrote:I can understand Howards comments .In my experience I found it useful out of courtesy to advise the complaintants Ward Councillor that I had been requested to get involved .I often helped people outside my own Ward.EKH need a good revamp of their services.The leadership seems to be wanting.This sort of situation would not have happened when it was DDC .
Sue, you dont mind me asking but do you or have you sat in on EKH tenant meetings.
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
No but I used to sit on the tenants meetings when it was DDC.EKH came into being in 2011 by that time I wasChairman of the Councilso did not have anything to do with housing.I was portfolio Holder for housing for six years I loved housing .
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
I can see Sue nice to see lot of heart in what you were doing and met a lot of people no doubt. Things not so good from what I have seen it maybe this one tenant who was hit very hard by it all, Thing is some people look down on council tenants dont know why they just people renting no different from private renters only cheaper rent and more rules. No-one should be robbed of over charging which is happening now with private landlords.
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If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Sue was on top of the job as Housing Portfolio holder. She later played a role as part of the former South East’s Regional Housing Committee & did sterling work on housing issues.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
In my opinion "right to buy" was the worst thing ever for social housing with long term tenants able to pick them up for a song and when they passed on their kids rented them out privately for a lot more than a council would charge. When I was a child most people lived in council houses usually taking great pride in their gardens front and back but in some areas nowadays sink estates emerge because the people that took pride in their surroundings are not around anymore.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
amberleaf 50
You can attend the Dover tenant meetings.According to their web site these are open to to the public.I think there is.one in April.These are held at Whitfield.I miss that part of my council work greatly.Because of my age I retired nearl three years ago.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Private owners gardens are much worse than council tenants gardens and yes your right about selling off the houses. I mean some have not had new kitchens or toliets or bathrooms since they were built some going back to 50's. So selling them off made money by not paying out for updating them, saved on collecting rent, management of them and of course allowing people to own their own homes. In doing so it made it worse for council tenants who live next to the buyers. Because when ASB is caused Council (EKH) cant do nothing to help the council tenant as the person owns their own home. So council tenants have to suffer as CSU dont help either.
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
I have to say though EKH do some good work one being garden contest yearly on best kept garden
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If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Sue Nicholas wrote:amberleaf 50
You can attend the Dover tenant meetings.According to their web site these are open to to the public.I think there is.one in April.These are held at Whitfield.I miss that part of my council work greatly.Because of my age I retired nearl three years ago.
They wont want me there Sue beleive me. I say it as it is and more than likely they will say why you coming here you need to complain LOL. I think you should attend Sue and see how it is now and give some tips to them they need it they really do.
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If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
The lady in question went in 2015 she later found in 2017 the minutes to that meeting were nothing what she had said at that table in fact it was a disgusting act created. I trust not a meeting with EKH than I trust a Viper in my pants
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
howard mcsweeney1 wrote:In my opinion "right to buy" was the worst thing ever for social housing with long term tenants able to pick them up for a song and when they passed on their kids rented them out privately for a lot more than a council would charge. When I was a child most people lived in council houses usually taking great pride in their gardens front and back but in some areas nowadays sink estates emerge because the people that took pride in their surroundings are not around anymore.
We bought our council house and spent a lot of money on improvements, we lived in it for years before moving, my daughter then moved in freeing up the council house she was in. A young couple eventually bought it and also lived there a long time and spent quite a lot of money improving it.
The houses where we were are still well kept just the same as when we lived in ours. Looking back some tenants took no pride in their homes or the area in general while some were really cared about their home, it is the same now.
The worst thing about right to buy was that housing stock in some areas dwindled.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Sue Nicholas wrote:amberleaf 50
You can attend the Dover tenant meetings.According to their web site these are open to to the public.I think there is.one in April.These are held at Whitfield.I miss that part of my council work greatly.Because of my age I retired nearl three years ago.
You still out about though Sue -if you are sit in on one I heard the coffee machine drinks are nice,
If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I might just do that.Yes I started the garden competition off.It was a great way of seeing the districts housing stock.I have all the Close to Home magazines.Those are now reduced in size.I wrote an article in each edition.I still keep my hand in as I'm Chairmanof Municipal Charities of Dover.
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Guest 1535- Registered: 27 May 2015
- Posts: 399
Only if you were there still Sue but what you say about it - you really loved your work and what you did and seem a really fair nice person and that is lacking in housing today. Complaints system is a complete disaster leaving tenants frustrated and without fair outcomes I beleive and from one case at present time. Well there you go Sue make your presence known
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If only everyone could be kind and honest what a better world we would be in.