General Meeting

Grand Union Place - General Residents Meeting Wednesday 15 March, 7.00 - 8.30pm Dear residents, The next general meeting is scheduled and we would very much appreciate your attendance to help us improve the quality of service and care across the estate. We do not feel the promises made by East Thames at the last meeting have been fulfilled and we will be pressing forward for distinct improvements. The local Police will be present for the first 10-15 minutes to give an update on e.g. anti-social behaviour, after that the focus of the meeting will be on East Thames and failures of delivery: • Communication - is still very poor and improved comms would have massive positive impact - At the last meeting local surgeries were suggested to address repairs - no progress or visibility of this at all • Contracted timelines not being met - e.g. still months to fix priority items like security gates when internal timeline is days / weeks - E.g. Tramway court carpark gates have not been working since November last year • Double-digit service increases of circa 15%+ being charged annually despite poor service and repeated failures - How do East Thames justify inflation-busting increases while still failing to meet basic service level requirements? Please come along to support the team. We want to keep the attention & focus on the big picture and intend to ask East Thames why promises made at the last meeting have been broken, and be clear we are no longer willing to accept the poor service of the last 9 years and will be looking to escalate action without immediate improvements. Your presence will help send the message this is no longer acceptable to the residents of Grand Union Place. Thanks in advance, GUPRA committee.

Important Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM GUPRA
1. Security patrols
Today I met with Shaique and Supervisor from Enigma Security services.
The security patrols will be covering 2 weeknights and 1 night at the weekend
(variable nights) from 6pm to 2am and commencing next Tuesday 27/9/2016...
for three weeks.
They will focus mainly on the canalside and memorial area, stairwells and
Candle Street and White Tower Way but will also be checking courtyards.
To be more effective there will be two security guards instead of the one
originally planned. The cost will be divided between residents which for this
three week period will be approx. £4-6 per household (will be on our annual
service charge as a one off for the year).
Any future strategic planning of security will be fully discussed with residents
before any implementation and we will start to do this at our next GUPRA
general residents meeting on 9th November
2. St Dunstans and Stepney police ward panel meeting
On Wednesday 21/9/2016 I attended the above meeting which was good. The
new acting police Sergeant is very pro-active and a number of things are
happening. His promises and priorities to ward residents are; –
 High speed vehicles – measures already put in place include: signed
agreement with car hire firms; use of new speed guns; in discussion with
highways re traffic calming measures
 ASB – if we ring 101 there is a min-bus which can be deployed to the
area to move people on or arrest if appropriate (started last week
 Tackling Drug issues
The SNT will be working closely with the security and will also be doing more
patrols themselves on GUP, both in uniform or plain clothes.
It is important that we as residents work closely with the SNT. At the meeting
yesterday residents had provided photographic evidence of youths causing ASB
and also of a motorbike. We need to get number plates of suspicious cars so the
SNT can follow up, either by photo or writing the number and emailing over.
SNT should be contacted on 0208 721 2808 or by email on
StDunstans.SNT@met.police.uk
I will inform you the date of next ward panel meeting.
I have invited SNT to attend our general residents meeting in November to
discuss results, further developments and to answer any queries from residents.
We look forward to some peace and quiet being restored to GUP
Regards
Margaret
GUPRA Chair

Contents Insurance information - from Shaique

I attended a content insurance seminar recently, which was very interesting and something residents could take advantage of for their homes and personal belongings. East Thames is now working with 'My Home Insurance Scheme' who is providing a special contents insurance for all East Thames Tenants only, this went live on Monday;

Contact details: 0345 450 7288
Website: www.thistlemyhome.co.uk

Advantages
* Flexible regular premium payments, fortnightly or monthly by cash at any post office or pay zone outlet, monthly by direct debit, annually by cheque, postal order, debit or credit card
*Quick and easy to apply for cover over the phone or by requesting a form or a call back using the contact page.
*No Excess – you don’t have to pay the first part of the claim.
*There are no minimum property security requirements.
*All social housing tenants and residents of East Thames are eligible to apply regardless of tenure type.
*Cover is provided on a new for old basis with no deduction for wear and tear – except in respect of linen and clothing.
*Cover is offered in bands of £1,000 starting at £6,000 for tenants aged 60 and over and from £9,000 for all other tenants. The maximum sum insured available is £35,000.
*Cover includes Theft, Fire, Storm, Water Damage, Flood and Accidental damage to items such as hobs, sanitary ware such as toilets and washbasins as well as fixed glass in furniture, doors and windows.
*There is no quibble over bike thefts from car parks - which is great for bike owners - please ask for this additional service.

I hope you find the above useful.

Kind regards

Shaique

GUPRA GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING

ATTENTION! 

GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING  

DATE : WED 16^TH MARCH 

TIME:  7 – 8.30PM 

PLACE: HARFORD STREET MULTICENTRE
 

JOIN OUR GENERAL MEETING TO RAISE YOUR

 QUESTIONS TO EAST THAMES AND INTERSERVE

 SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT ISSUES

THAT CONCERN YOU EG. GATES, SECURITY,

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, CYCLICAL WORKS, ETC
 

LET’S NOT MOAN BUT HAVE OUR VOICES

HEARD AND GET ACTION!
 

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

 

Grand Union Place Residents Association (GUPRA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

BICYCLE MARKING EVENT

As part of our move to improve cycle security across the Capital, St Dunstans & Stepney Green NPT and Safer Transport Police,are offering free security marking and registration on the MPS preferred database, Bikeregister.com.

Security marking your bike deters potential thieves as your bike can be easily traced if it is stolen.

Cycle Marking Event at Stepney City Farm, off Stepney way on Saturday 06th February 2016 at 1pm – 2pm

Any questions please feel free to call the team on 0208 721 2808

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM EAST THAMES

Grand Union Place Cyclical Decoration (Redecoration of Communal Areas)

East Thames can confirm that Cyclical Decoration (redecoration of the communal areas) is about to commence on the estate from 25^th January 2016.

Our maintenance provider ‘Interserve’ has instructed K&M Decorating Ltd to carry out the cyclical decoration to all 7 blocks on the estate. This is a huge project which will take a few months to complete. The redecoration works will also include car park and street line markings. K&M decorating will write to you shortly before commencing works to your buildings, there will be a resident liaison officer on site to supervise the works and answer any questions/concerns that you may have.

K&M will set up their base at Coalstore/Gray Court courtyard and their working hours will be Monday to Saturday 8am- 5pm).  Works will commence at Mercer Court from the 25^th January 2016 and as the Contractors progress they will be writing to each block in advance to let you know the exact date of works for your block.

Please can residents remove any bikes chained to the stair rails and remove any prams and buggies stored under the stairs as soon as possible to ensure that the block is clear of any obstructions in order for the decorators to commence their work. Not removing these items will cause unnecessary delays to the redecoration works.     

 Please keep communal areas clear of personal items!

Please can residents remove their bikes, prams, buggies & shoes from all communal areas immediately. We have identified a number of blocks on the estate which are all currently in breach of health and safety regulations.

East Thames requires your co-operation to remove your personal items.

Please note that this message applies to everyone and all blocks on the estate. East Thames is taking this opportunity to remind residents of the communal area rules; Residents are not permitted to use the stair railings to lock their bikes or store any personal items such as buggies and prams under the staircase of your block. Please note that the communal areas which include the stairwells and landings must be kept clear at all times.

From the 25^th January 2016, East Thames will have no option but to remove any personal items belonging to residents from the communal areas. Our disposal of goods policy allows East Thames to remove any items (bicycles, prams & buggies) from the communal areas without the need to issue a notice (Please see notices in your block). If we have removed any items that belong to you there will be a collection charge applicable to the resident. Please can you remove any items that belong to you from the areas concerned immediately!    

Thank you for co-operation and understanding. 

"FAULT FIXERS" NEW PILOT PROJECT FOR REPAIR REPORTING
 

Our maintenance partner Interserve is piloting a new interactive way to report repairs and keep updated.

Faultfixers is phone App which allows residents to report communal repairs using their phone to scan a barcode which is linked to a particular area in the block.
 

The App allows you to take photos of the repair and residents will also receive job reference updates via the App. We are currently testing it out on a few blocks at Grand Union Place. Letters have been issued to the nominated blocks.  We hope to have more information at the next General Resident Meeting. Please use the App and try it out!

 

  

East Thames Drop In Advice Session

NEED HELP WITH YOUR BENEFITS?

STRUGGLING TO PAY YOUR RENT?

PROBLEMS MANAGING MONEY?

If any of the above applies to you then call in at the drop-in advice session to see a trained Welfare Benefits Advisor

When:  Wednesday 16th December

Time:   2.30 - 4pm

Where: East Thames Office Harford Street Multicentre

GUPRA WINTER GATHERING

GUPRA would like to invite the residents of Grand Union Place to its Winter social.

Date:         Saturday 12th December
Time:        3 - 5.30pm
Location:  Ocean View Café and hall in Harford Street Multicentre

Parents come and chill away from the Christmas rush over a hot chocolate/coffee and cake in the Ocean View Café whilst the children get involved in activities in the hall next door.

GUPRA look forward to you all joining us on the day.

INTERMEDIATE MARKET RENT and RENT NOW BUY LATER PROPERTIES

IMR & RNBL SALES ADVICE - OPEN SURGERY (TUESDAYS)

 

East Thames will be holding IMR & RNBL Sales Advice Surgery every Tuesday at the local Neighbourhood Office (115 Harford Street E1 4FG). We will have a member of the Sales Team on hand to help provide advice and updates on individual applications.  The advice sessions will run between 10am -1pm.  We encourage residents who have made applications or are interested in purchasing to attend for advice or updates. Thank you, East Thames.    

 

Kind regards

 

Shaique Choudhury 

 

Shaique Choudhury l Neighbourhood Manager l East Thames

GUPRA GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING

 YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING

TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

7pm  - 8.30pm

HARFORD STREET MULTICENTRE

Join our General Residents Meeting to raise your questions, voice your concerns to
 East Thames Senior representatives about matters that concern you
eg Intermediate Rent and Rent to Buy properties
Security issues
Repairs and maintenance

DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY!
 

DISPOSAL OF BULK RUBBISH

Tower Hamlets council have stopped the charge for collecting bulk rubbish.
Each household will now be entitled to two free collections a year of up to five items.
Phone Streetline on 02073645004 to arrange a collection

INTERMIDIATE RENTED/RENT TO BUY PROPERTIES - QUESTIONS RESIDENTS MAY RAISE

The East Thames Harford Street office is open every day this week for those residents who have received a letter regarding changes to East Thames regarding changes to East Thames Intermidiate and Rent to buy schemes.
The office will be open on Wednesday 10-6pm and Thursday and Friday 9-5pm and East Thames staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have .

Also there will be a General Residents meeting on Tuesday 10th November from 7-8.30pm where senior East Thames staff will be present so you can question them directly - more information to follow. 

GRAND UNION PLACE CYCLICAL PAINTING WORKS

Hi all

You will be pleased to know that the cyclical painting of all internal areas in each block is due to commence Nov/Dec this year. There is a choice of 4 colours for the wall paint which are "White truffle" "Sweet fennel" "Just walnut" and "Blueberry white" If you have a preference you can see these colour boards in the office in Harford Street and state your colour choice. Please bear in mind that all the doors, railings, skirting boards etc will be white so it may be better to have a colour on the walls.

The outside white walls will be jet washed and the outside stair walls painted.

I have not been informed as yet as to how long the works on the estate will take to completion.

Regards

Margaret

GUPRA Chair

GUPRA - GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING

 

 Your Voice Matters! 

Tuesday 23^rd June 2015

6.30pm – 7.45pm 

Harford Street Multicentre

 

Join our General Meeting to raise your questions, voice your concerns on Grand Union Place to representatives from East Thames, Interserve, Newlon and Gateway Housing Associations and also Stepney Neighbourhood Police Team.  

Don’t miss the opportunity!

GRAND UNION PLACE SUMMER PLANTING

Residents and children are invited to plant summer flowers around the memorial next to the canal. Join us in improving the landscaping!

 

SATURDAY 6TH JUNE

 

11AM - 1PM

 

GRAND UNION PLACE AT THE MEMORIAL 

 

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult



MESSAGE FROM RESIDENT

Dear colleagues, neighbours,

I'm a resident of Johnson Lock Court.
I would like to apologise and say sorry to all of you been disturbed by my noisy motorbike which occurred at the courtyard of Johnson Lock Court on Saturday the 9th of May.
The fault has been resolved so I won't disturb you anymore.
Could you please publish my apologies on the blog and Facebook. Unfortunately I'm not on any social media.
I'm sorry. ..

Kind regards

Your neighbour

Zibbi

GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING

HAVE YOUR SAY

GENERAL RESIDENTS MEETING
TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY ; 6.30 - 7.45PM
HARFORD STREET MULTICENTRE

An opportunity to ask questions of East Thames and Interserve Management. Open to all residents

ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTS WHO OWN OR RENT CAR PARKING SPACE

The new automated gates to the underground car parks at Grand Union Place will be switched on in a few weeks.
Please click on this link below re instructions for collection of new fob keys.

Christmas Parking Suspension

Temporary Suspension of Parking Enforcement at Grand Union Place.

East Thames would like to inform all residents that CES Parking Enforcement Service will be suspended for a set time during the Christmas Holidays. Please note that the suspension only relates to the dates mentioned below and at all other times drivers should complete the visitor vouchers/permit according to the parking procedures.

Parking enforcement on White Tower Way, Candle Street and All Courtyards will be suspended from 07:00am on Tuesday 23rd December 2014 to 07:00am on Monday 5th January 2015.

Street by Street

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