I regret that the story first published before Christmas about the disabled pensioner in South Kilburn left without central heating for weeks LINK continued over the holiday. This is despite the intervention of a Kilburn councillor and the Cabinet Lead for Housing.
Today heating contractors for Octavia made their 15th visit but, 'The Sureserve engineer was unable to restore my heating, as he needs to call on the assistance of other SureServe operatives, including an electrician to carry out the repair.'
John H was unable to accept Octavia's offer of a Premier Inn hotel room as, 'It does not provide any disability aids and adaptations. For example I need a wet room with support railings around the shower and toilet.'
With cold weather forecast for the weekend this is absolutely unacceptable and makes a mockery of Awaab's Law.
8 comments:
Received by email: Hi Martin, I saw your post on my heating issue in WM tonight
Although my heating issue is now a priority for SureServe, they have not managed to book an electrician to visit me tomorrow, so I have no idea as to when the repair will be done but being offered to decant to a self contained flat suggests it might take some time to carry out the repair.
However, I am fairly certain I will remain in my home while I wait for the repair to be carried out.
Received by email: Hi Martin, my landlord has just emailed me to tell me that I have to be decanted to another property while the repair is carried out but there were no details about where, or when, or any other details.
I am so unwell right now and unable to even leave my home which is down to starting my new medication last Monday.
I will have to contact my GP to see if I can come off the medication and hope I will get well enough to travel.
With all the stress I am going through, I forgot to take my Prostate Cancer medication yesterday
Best wishes
John
@martinfrancis have you reported this to the Safeguarding Adults Team? Another portal in for an urgent response
It is disgraceful a pensioner has been left so long without heating they should be sacked.
Yes I was in contact with the Emergency Team who said it should be resolved by Octavia. However, I received a reply from the office of Brent Council leader, Muhhamed Butt as follows:
Dear Martin,
I am responding on behalf of Cllr Butt.
Thank you for flagging this case with his office and for setting out the position.
Having looked into the matter on behalf of Cllr Butt, I can see that Cllr Donnelly-Jackson has pursued this issue throughout the Christmas period, raising it repeatedly with housing officers and the partnerships team that liaises with housing associations, including Octavia. To avoid any duplication of that effort and to ensure continuity, Cllr Donnelly-Jackson will therefore remain the lead councillor on this piece of casework.
Cllr Butt is aware of the position and will support Cllr Donnelly-Jackson in escalating the matter with senior management at Octavia where needed, with a focus on ensuring that any temporary arrangements reflect John’s health needs and required disability adaptations.
Thank you again for your advocacy on John’s behalf: please be assured that the case continues to be actively pursued.
I communicated with Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council over the holiday and have received this reponse: Dear Martin,
I am responding on behalf of Cllr Butt.
Thank you for flagging this case with his office and for setting out the position.
Having looked into the matter on behalf of Cllr Butt, I can see that Cllr Donnelly-Jackson has pursued this issue throughout the Christmas period, raising it repeatedly with housing officers and the partnerships team that liaises with housing associations, including Octavia. To avoid any duplication of that effort and to ensure continuity, Cllr Donnelly-Jackson will therefore remain the lead councillor on this piece of casework.
Cllr Butt is aware of the position and will support Cllr Donnelly-Jackson in escalating the matter with senior management at Octavia where needed, with a focus on ensuring that any temporary arrangements reflect John’s health needs and required disability adaptations.
Thank you again for your advocacy on John’s behalf: please be assured that the case continues to be actively pursued.
Yet Labour Councillors keep pontificating about of money spent on the old, infirm and disabled, now we know they are taking us for a ride. The council does nothing as everything is subbed out so no blame lands at the councils door.
John H was transferred from a Brent Council property to an Octavia Housing Association property as part of the South Kilburn regeneration. Octavia has a contract with Sureserve for its heating maintenance/repairs. Both and perhaps the original builder of Bannister House have responsibilities here. Unfortunately Brent Council have also had difficulty in getting Octavia to act as urgently as they should when a disabled tenant is left for weeks without heating.
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