On Tuesday 6 April the CoL Major Works project team shared an update on the Golden Lane Estate Investment programme for Crescent House residents. On the project website you can find a video recording of the meeting, presentation slides, the indicative timeline and a Higher Risk Building (HRB) factsheet (notes from the Q+A session will be posted in week commencing 14 April).
GLERA questions with answers
In advance of the meeting residents were invited to send in questions. GLERA submitted the questions below and received answers in advance of the meeting:
1. Could you please give us a statement outlining the objectives of the Golden Lane Investment Programme (as opposed to the scope of the work)? This will not only reassure residents that the huge expense and disruption will have measurable and clear outcomes, but will encourage active engagement – we know that resident input via the CH RLG has been considered very useful to the project team and we would like to see the same relationship with other RLGs (Wider Estate, and block specific as work progresses).
The objectives of the Golden Lane Investment Programme are to ensure the following:
- That all buildings are wind, weathertight and maintained to a good standard in terms of building fabric condition
- That the thermal efficiency of all buildings is optimised through improved glazing and upgraded roof insulation (in line with current Building Regulations), which will in turn help to reduce residents’ heating costs
- That upgraded ventilation will help to combat future damp and mould within individual properties, to the benefit of residents
- That the Corporation fulfils its landlord obligations in terms of cyclical decorations and also health and safety with regard to electrical compliance
2. How will the Corporation calculate the consequences of their neglect of the Estate, particularly in relation to the windows and roofs? Expecting leaseholders to ignore this issue is unrealistic and compensation of some kind should be offered.
This is a matter which is currently under consideration by both Peta Caine (Assistant Director, Housing) and Judith Finlay (Director of Community and Children’s Services). Initial discussions have focused on the matter of ‘meanwhile’ repairs (which will be carried out at no cost to Leaseholders) and the possibility of further winter measures (which were implemented on a one-off basis previously). There are further potential items which will be discussed in greater detail at the next scheduled meeting with GLERA. This will form part of an ongoing dialogue, once the full scope of the project has been defined and costed.
3. When can residents expect to receive the promised fact sheet relating to HRB status of almost all the estate?
This will be available in hard copy at today’s scheduled resident consultation event and an electronic copy will be freely available thereafter.
NOTE: The factsheet does not cover everything that GLERA was anticipating so there will be additional follow up.
4. The Corporation has provided residents with a timeline rather than a programme for the proposed works. Can we be provided with a programme highlighting the critical path and key milestones?
This will be available in hard copy at today’s scheduled resident consultation event. The project team will be happy to discuss further in person. The Activity Timeline (which is currently available online) will be updated and uploaded periodically, so that residents can be kept fully informed as to progress alongside key milestones.
