This reply from Anne Hensley of Stevenage Homes dated January 31, 2012

Further to my email of 20 December 2011, I am now able to answer your queries.

Sorry for the delay in responding but I’ve been caught up with calculating the estimated charges for next financial year for the last few weeks.

My responses are shown in red on your original email below.

The list for The Towers repairs 2011 was sent as an Excel spread sheet in 2011, which is a great improvement. I have been busy, so I only queried the things that really stood out. Below is a copy of the queriers

In the letter dated 1 April 2010 where this was discussed the purpose of this was to allow residents to view visitors on their TV set before allowing access. I can not find a CCTV channel on the IRS system.

This was referred to my colleague who deals with all issues relative to the IRS and he has advised me that we have contacted the contractors and asked them to look into this, check out the system and advise us of the outcome.  Once we have their comments I will let you know.

This seems very high, what do we get for this?

This works order was actually for replacing 15 stairwell lights – unfortunately the description shown on the repairs list doesn’t show this information therefore the cost appears rather excessive.

Again this seems high,£623.68 to paint a ramp?

636744/1 – this was for the cost of the carpenter making the ramp

636744/2 – the description does not give enough information.  This job was for additional timber work and the cost of applying one coat of primer.

641199/1 – again the description is not sufficient.  This charge covered the cost of 2 coats of non-slip paint but the majority of the charge (nearly £500) was the cost of supplying and fitting a handrail to the wall.

The list for The Towers repairs 2011 was sent as an Excel spread sheet in 2011, which is a great improvement. I have been busy, so I only queried the things that really stood out. Below is a copy of the queriers

In the letter dated 1 April 2010 where this was discussed the purpose of this was to allow residents to view visitors on their TV set before allowing access. I can not find a CCTV channel on the IRS system.

This seems very high, what do we get for this?

renew ramp to bin stores 1500mm x 64″ top made of 1″ ply. 2″x2″ x 10m needed to make frame. to be made on site as floor is not level£177.28

Again this seems high,£623.68 to paint a ramp?

In November I received an invoice from Stevenage Homes for the window restrictors that they fitted my flat in 2010.

I had forgotten all about them.

Which is not surprising, they were fitted on the 21st September 2010, thirteen months previously. There was no explanation as to why it took so long to raise an invoice for the work.

The price invoiced was £24.05p + VAT @ 20%, the price quoted in a letter dated 9 August 2010 was £24. with no mention of VAT.

Now I am sure they is something in the law which says you can only charge the price advertised.

So I have queried Stevenage Homes about this discrepancy.

Return by next Monday, the 8th August 2011.

As you probably have heard, Stevenage Borough Council are proposing to dissolve Stevenage Homes Limited and take back direct control of the housing that they own.

FOSTA (The Federation of Stevenage Tenants Associations) have put forward counter proposals.

The council has sent a “Test of Opinion” questionnaire to all Stevenage Homes tenants and leaseholders.

If you have received the questionnaire and have not replied to it then remember that it has to be back by next Monday, the 8th August 2011.

If you are too late to catch the post, you can always hand deliver the questionnaire to the councils customer service centre.

Stevenage Homes Leaseholder Forum
Date: Wednesday 13th July 2011, 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Autun Room, Daneshill House, Stevenage

Agenda

1. Welcome, Introduction & Apologies
2. Minutes of last leasehold forum held on 9 February 2011 & matters arising
3. Update from Tim Fitzsimons (Recycling Officer – SBC) on Recycling in Stevenage flat blocks.
4. Leaseholders to raise Repairs and Caretaking issues to Service Business Managers.
5. Housing Options Council’s housing review Update and procurement of an ITA (independent tenant adviser) – By Jo Martins.
6. Present leaseholders with information on proposed dates for estate inspections by Tenancy services.
7. Benchmarking report on Home Ownership Services by House mark.
8. Update of response from leaseholders on service provided by SHL.
9. 2010/11 service charge issues and current task to collate data.
10. Pilot Surgery for Leaseholders on 3rd August 2011 at The Oval Community Centre: 2- 4pm & 5.30- 7.30pm.
11. Date of next meeting – Wednesday, 2nd November 2011