Myatts Field North Residents Forum Meeting Summary

Present
Residents:

Diana Hayes, Leroy Kraku

Pinnacle:

Paul Williams, Head of Housing, Adis Pajic, Area Housing Manager, Sam Mason, Community Development Manager

Equitix:

Jacquline Munro, Operations Manager

Apologies:

Caroline Scully, Emilie Cloos, Eleanor Jubb, Marcia Campbell

Matters Arising 

On lighting, AP confirmed that Lambeth Council have a schedule of improvement work in place locally, in addition to works carried out on Fitzpatrick and Winterslow Road recently. AP is meeting the council representative, Jay Ward, tomorrow and will report back. SM, PW and CS carried out an after dark estate walkabout on 15th April to assess lighting levels following concern from some residents. In addition, the security wardens carried out an inspection last night to note specifically which lights aren’t working, and a list of internal lights (Bramah Road and Foxley Square) and external lights that aren’t working has been sent to Rydon to be fixed. PW said the basketball lights were used during the after dark inspection and had little impact on lighting the park, which is itself well lit and the majority of the lights are working though the lights around the perimeter of the park could be improved and asked AP to pick this up with Lambeth.

On speedbumps, Adis will raise the issue of installing improved speedbumps to reduce dangerous driving through the estate with Jay Ward from Lambeth during their meeting tomorrow.

On CCTV, SM said that Patrick White from Lambeth has confirmed his availability for the next panel meeting on 27th May and all agreed, based on his attendance for the, focus of that meeting to be CCTV on MFN. LK asked if the lighting and CCTV representatives can both attend due to the overlap between those areas and questions raised on CCTV performance in low light. AP said he would try to arrange.

On bike storage, AP said all keys have been given out to residents and Pinnacle retain no master copies. Pinnacle staff are contacting residents to secure new copies. AP confirmed that some leasehold properties with tenants (14 properties) might have copies of bike storage keys and that it’s hard to keep track of key ownership amongst this group. LK said that vandalism of bikes is an issue and as a result a lot of residents store their bikes in their properties.

On personal CCTV systems, PW referred to guidance he had shared from the ICO on the obligations of people with personal CCTV cameras. Residents are bound by relevant GDPR regulations and the Data Protection Act and must display signage if they’re filming communal areas. SM confirmed the above and the existence of an ICO checklist for anyone who has or intends to instal a CCTV system.

Actions:
• AP to report back on council and Rydon lighting works and the installation of improved speedbumps.
• SM to ask residents and panel members to send in CCTV questions for PW.
• SM to feedback on suitability of bike storage and explore the possibility of surveying users.
• AP to share CCTV checklist from ICO with residents, with hard copies sent to residents known to have systems in place

Refuse Arrangement and Enforcement

AP explained that Myatts Field North isn’t a typical set up, roads through the estate are adopted by Highways and the responsibility is with Lambeth Council. This includes refuse collection which is done on behalf of Lambeth by Veolia. AP confirmed that the council’s officers are responsible for fly tipping enforcement.

Pinnacle is responsible for the internal cleaning of the blocks, and external cleaning of the pods once a week and jet washing the pods once a month. Our bulk refuse collections happen seven days a week from 7.30-9.30am and we ask residents to put bulk items next to pods from 7.30-9am or make an appointment if they’re not able to move items to the pods themselves. Many residents leave rubbish next to the pods and this should be picked up by Veolia. Mindful that collections happen only once a week, our bulk team collect this rubbish as well. Pinnacle aren’t responsible for general rubbish collection or fly tipping enforcement, but can and do continue to help in both these areas.

Fly tipping Enforcement is Lambeth’s responsibility and can ultimately lead to a fine of £50,000 or 5 years in prison. If Pinnacle knows of residents who are fly tipping we issue them with a letter and outlining our options including possession or suspended possession orders, though this is very unlikely to result in an eviction based on fly tipping alone.

LK said people are posting photos of resident names on fly tipped rubbish on Facebook. AP said there is a reporting function on Lambeth Council’s website and that this would be a more practical step to take as these are the people who can take enforcement steps against perpetrators. PW suggested establishing a refuse working group and a designated day on which residents could leave out items for reuse by other people as this is a known source of flytipping.

LK noted that laziness will be a factor, but the pods are awkward for larger items and are often jammed, so residents are left with no alternative but to look for another pod, or leave rubbish next to the pod, and therefore fly tip.

JM suggested staggering the pod collections, AP said this might not work logistically as the collection teams have a complex schedule of work.

Actions:

• SM to prepare a two sided document outlining the current refuse arrangements, what constitutes fly tipping, how to report it and enforcement options

• Refuse working group to be established and investigation of preloved household item day

Wardens

Adis outlined the role of the wardens. They work seven days a week, 5-10pm. They are responsible for 3-4 estate patrols during their shift, delivering flyers, letters and newsletters to residents, gathering evidence in fraud cases, acting as a visible deterrent for antisocial behaviour and opening and closing the community centre before and after weekend events. AP said they were very useful at enforcing social distancing, breaking up gatherings and liaising with police during lockdowns over the summer. AP confirmed they patrol in uniforms and are DBS checked.

DH said they’re visible and well known on the estate, though many don’t get through via phone and messages aren’t responded to. LK said a significant amount of high level ASB on MFN is down to a small, well known group and they’re not dealt with by the wardens. AP said the situation has improved and related evictions have taken place and the properties refurbished. LK questioned this, noting that the situation escalates in Summer. DH asked who the contact for ASB should be. AP confirmed the advertised customer services number will come through to him or another member of the housing team.

Actions:
• Promotional piece with photos and contact number to appear in next estate newsletter
• Mystery shopping calls carried out to quality check the phone service provided by wardens

Any Other Business:

JM asked about using a TV facing outwards from the centre to show messages on, for example, refuse collection and the contact number for the wardens. AP agreed this was a good idea.

LK suggested reducing the length of panel meetings down to one hour. All agreed.

DH said she’s happy to support the panel and the work of officers in anyway she can.

PW suggested moving the panel meetings back to 6.30pm, based on low attendance this evening. All agreed.

Actions
• Pinnacle to investigate setting up TV to show relevant messages from MFN Community Centre
• Future Regenter MFN Panel meetings will be 60 minutes, from 6.30-7.30pm

Date of Next Meeting – 27th May 2021, 6.30-7.30pm on Zoom