H&F Grange Consultation on 12th June

H&F are going to hold a second consultation meeting on the proposal to build two new flats at The Grange. The consultation will take place in the Community Hall on Tuesday 12th June*, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 
The proposed development will effect both The Grange and Samuel Richardson House, so if you are interested in talking to members of the development team please come along.

Red box marks the development area

* Please note, this has been rebooked in place of the cancelled 7th June consultation.

Chelsea's Champions League Victory Parade

Thousands line the Fulham Road to cheer the Chelsea team

Well Done Chelsea

Champions League & FA Cup Winners 2012

Minutes for LETRA's AGM, 17th May 2012

Committee Present:

Secretary: Chris (Samuel Richardson)

Treasurer: Dawn (The Grange)

Suzie (The Grange)

Isabel (The Grange)

Ron (Glenallan)

Fred (Pelham)

 Councillor Joe Carlebach was the guest speaker at our AGM, where he delivered an informative talk on his work and plans, at this mid-term point, at H&F Council. 

 Despite his worries about the economic situation, both here and in Europe, Joe highlighted the future regenerations projects in the borough at Old Oak, White City and West Kensington, which will be a benefit to residents, both improving local facilities and aiding job prospect. When asked about jobs for locals on these schemes, he said, that H&F were working with the developers to aid residents securing employment on the projects.

 On the problem of H&F's large debt, Joe said, they were still striving to reduce it, now down to £100 million, but have continued to maintain front line services. This has been achieved by reducing overheads and management costs, in providing tri-borough services with Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, in addition to selling off buildings such as Fulham Town Hall and the Irish Centre in Hammersmith.

 He stated his concern about the possible threat to close the A&E at Charing Cross Hospital and has been to working with the local Health Trust to maintain the present service.  As part of his portfolio, currently the Cabinet Member for Community Care, he has put a large effort into working with GP’s to keep elderly residents at home and out of residential nursing care and the building of the new White City Health Centre, due to open in 2014.

 As to the recent difficulties with Hammersmith Flyover, he supported the idea of building a tunnel in its place, to prevent similar problems reoccurring.

 To close, Joe talked with residents about  current issues on the estate, in particular, those  concerning housing and instances of anti social behaviour. In response to their worries, he proposed to invite Cllr Andrew Johnson, who is Cabinet Member for Housing, to a future meeting with residents and lead a walkabout on the estate with senior police officers.

 Two police officers, from the Avonmore Safer Neighbourhood Team, who had joined the meeting, also discussed and took note of residents problems.

 Finishing the evening, elections for the LETRA's committee took place, which resulted in Fred Dale becoming our new Chairperson and two new members joining the re-elected committee.

Focus Panel for Avonmore Library & Neighbourhood Centre

The refurbished Barons Court Library is due to open soon as the Avonmore Library and Neighbourhood Centre, which in addition to being a library, will be a base for the Citizen Advice Bureau and the Irish Support and Advise Service (ISAS). Before the centre opens H&F is looking to set up a focus panel of local residents and library users who will be able to test the new facilities before the doors open to the general public.

If you would like to assist the council with this exciting project please contact clare.edgson@lbhf.gov.uk or phone 020 8753 8753 - 3827

Surgery with Housing Officer Carmen McFarlane

LYTTON ESTATE

SURGERY

A new Housing Officer surgery for residents will be taking place every Monday morning between 10.00am – 12.00pm from 2^nd April 2012. The venue for the surgery will be the Lytton Estate Tenants and Residents Hall (between Burne Jones House and Samuel Richardson House).

This will be an opportunity for residents to meet with their Housing Officer (Carmen McFarlane) to discuss issues they may have regarding their tenancies or issues on the estate.

It is hoped that residents will find the surgery useful and look forward to meeting with you all.

Carmen McFarlane – Housing Officer

Direct Line: 020 8753 6881

E-Mail: carmen.mcfarlane@lbhf.gov.uk

YouTube Video of Edward Burne-Jones Work

• Link to YouTube page

Pram Sheds to Flats at The Grange ?

It seems H&F have included The Grange in a possible scheme to increase affordable housing in the borough. The buildings pram sheds, on the ground floor, is the area they are considering for redevelopment. The plans are at an early stage and no decision has been taken, as resident consultations and a planning application still have to be made.

Red line marks the pram shed area at Grange

Here is how H&F describe the plans:-

"Site Description: The site comprises of pram sheds at the ground floor level of a ten storey 

Council owned tower block. The ground floor of the tower block is split between four flats on the northern side and the pram sheds to the south." 

"Site Potential: The pram sheds could be converted to create two new flats consistent with the existing design of the properties to the north. The pram sheds will be re-provided."

• Cabinet Minutes- See item 12, Housing Development Company 
• Housing Development Co. document

  UPDATE  17.2.12

  H&F are to hold a consultation meeting with all residents who want further information on the proposals. The meeting will take place in the Community Hall on Tuesday 21 February, 4pm to 7pm. Please come along, the plans for these works haven't been fully worked out yet, so this will be a first chance to have your views heard, either for or against.  

Refurbished Playhouse at Burne-Jones

The newly refurbished open playhouse and slide, at Burne Jones House young children's play area, looks very smart. Thanks to the work of H&F and the builders, who replaced the roof and repainted the structure of the equipment, to ensure it will be fun for many more years to come.

Housing Services being 'market tested'

LETRA has received an important letter, belatedly and not from H&F, but a concerned leaseholder, regarding the caretaking service provision on the estate and across the whole borough. The letter outlines to leaseholders that the council are considering whether to keep caretaking as a 
in-house service run by H&F or put it out to tender for an outside contractor to manage. This gives leaseholders the opportunity to consult with H&F, over a 30 day period, that is due to finish on January 16th. No such opportunity was given to tenants.

 On contacting H&F, we were told that at present this is 'market testing,' no decision had been taken and leaseholders had been informed because it was a legal requirement. LETRA also asked, if the rumour that the Housing and Regeneration department, the services that manages council properties, was also to be tendered out and received the same response, that it was also being 'market tested.' Both these major changes to our service provision, we were informed, will be discussed with tenants at a later date.

 LETRA considers that this half-hearted consultation has left at least 50% of our residents, the tenants, in the dark about one extremely important decision making processes, with regard to caretaking, that affect our homes and the future workings of the council on the Lytton Estate and all residents being excluded, at present, from knowing about any in-process decisions concerning H&F's Housing & Regeneration department. This at a time, when the council is promising a greater say for residents through the 'Involvement Strategy.' 

 Draw your own conclusions about all of the above.