Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TH E SC EN E S
BEHIND O UR PRO PERTY TEAM
ITH W
4 Home Ownership
The TMO has 2,604 leaseholders.
This page covers important issues
from Dan Woods team. 35 Party time
Good times out on the TMO
12 News party scene.
Whats new from around the
TMO since the last Link.
22 My Job
Getting inside the role of the 30 Residents corner
Stable Way Site Manager. Simon Tidy ODonnell tells
us about his award winning
37 Membership boxing career; crossword by
Resident engagement: we meet Colin Cherrie and a poem by
Nadia Charradi of Notting Hill. Basil Hasan.
Theres also an application form.
By as early as 1861, 40 or 50
families had already established
themselves in Latimer Road,
described as a curious spectacle
within an hours walk of the
Royal palaces. The area was
then known as the Kensington but following a parliamentary help remove some of the stigma
or Notting Hill Potteries. Today boundary change in 1995 its and discrimination associated
Stable Way is the only official now in the Royal Borough, on with the inclusion of the word
stopping place in west London for land leased by the Council from travellers in the sites address.
the Irish Traveller community. Transport for London. The TMO
currently has the contract to run The residents have many links
The site opened in April 1974, it on behalf of both councils. to the community, sending their
a consequence of a 1968 Act children to local schools, using
of Parliament obliging all local Recently the site was officially local churches and community
authorities in England and renamed Stable Way, although facilities and working in the area.
Wales to provide such sites. It many still refer to it as the
was originally in the Borough Westway Travellers Site. The
of Hammersmith & Fulham, aim of this name change is to
Ownership
Service charge final accounts Service charge final account
are out in September documentation
In September you will receive your service charge Were seeing a trend across the sector towards
final account summary for the last financial year invoicing at the contract level. What this means
(2015-16). Enclosed with these accounts youll find is that there is a move away from invoices being
a glossary explaining the services you received. issued on a per job basis, which has historically
been the case.
The accounts will set out the reconciliation between
your estimated costs and the actual costs for the Its becoming standard practice now for contractors
year, resulting in a debit or credit, depending upon to issue larger bulk invoices along with separate
where you live and the services that you receive. supporting details that break the invoices down by
service and location. In some cases homeowners
The final account should be self-explanatory but who request invoices when the final accounts are
should you require any further information once issued may receive these contract level invoices.
you have received these accounts you can contact They will include costs for your building or estate
us. along with other locations.
You may have queries that you feel would best be This is a move away from the traditional paper
discussed in person, so we will also be holding two invoice and will provide greater transparency.
drop-in sessions to offer you the opportunity to
discuss your final accounts.
Further information
These will be held at: Home Ownership
1. 10am-4.30pm on 26 October at the Worlds 020 7605 6464
End Estate Office, Blantyre Street, London
homeownership@kctmo.org.uk
SW10 0DS.
2. 10am-4.30pm on 27 October at Network Hub,
Unit A, 292 Kensal Road, London W10 5BE.
ARE YOU A
MEDIA JUNKIE?
Contact:
Andrew Francis
andfrancis@kctmo.org.uk
Delivering excellent
services through
resident-led management
SUMMER 2016 | ISSUE 62 5
Universal Credit
by Rosemary Sawyer
Welfare Reform Officer Benefit cap
Starting this autumn there will be a lower
The rollout of Universal
overall limit on the total amount of certain
Credit throughout the
benefits for claimants. This benefit cap will
borough continues
only affect those receiving Housing Benefit
this summer. On 27
or Universal Credit.
July full service went
live at Hammersmith
The benefit cap is:
Jobcentre Plus. This
296.35 per week (15,410 a year) for
means that anyone
single people
living in the postcode
442.31 per week (23,000 a year) for
W14 8 who needs to make
households with more than one person.
a new claim for one of the benefits listed below, or
is already a claimant and has a significant change
Claimants are exempt from the benefit cap if
in their circumstances, will need to make a claim
they, their partner or any children living with
for Universal Credit instead.
them, receive any of the following benefits:
Attendance Allowance
Universal Credit is replacing the following
Working Tax Credit
benefits with one single payment made directly to
Carers Allowance
claimants each month: Income Support; income-
Disability Living Allowance
based Jobseekers Allowance; income-based
Guardians Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance; Child Tax
Industrial Injuries Benefits (and the
Credit; Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.
equivalent payments as part of a war
disablement pension or the Armed
All jobcentres serving residents of Kensington and
Forces Compensation Scheme)
Chelsea now take new claims for Universal Credit
Personal Independence Payment
for single people looking for work instead of paying
The support group amount of
them Jobseekers Allowance.
Employment and Support Allowance
War Widows or War Widowers Pension
Fulham Jobcentre Plus (serving all TMO postcodes
War pensions
that begin with SW) will also transition to the full
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
service in December 2016. Kensington Jobcentre
Armed Forces Independent Payment.
Plus (serving all TMO postcodes that begin with
W) will follow in 2017-18. Existing claimants
Claimants are also exempt from the cap if
without a change in their circumstances will be
they work for more than 16 hours per week
invited to make a Universal Credit claim from
as a single parent or more than 24 hours
January 2018.
per week as a couple with children and
are therefore eligible to claim Working Tax
Further information Credits.
North of the borough Audrey Giscombe
The Department for Work and Pensions and
020 8964 6095
Housing Benefits will write to claimants if
South of the borough and the Lancaster they will be affected by the cap.
West Estate Rosemary Sawyer
020 8964 6185
Advertisement
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M efi
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Annual general meeting
The annual general meeting will be taking place on Saturday
17 September 2016 at the Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensing-
ton High Street, London W8 4PT. The AGM will start at 9.30am,
taking place before the residents conference which will run
throughout the rest of the day. All members will receive an
invite and papers will be sent closer to the time.
Delivering excellent
services through
resident-led management
ce
ting Residents Conferen
Annual general mee 10am Registration
9am Registration 10.45am - 4.30pm
GM
9.30am - 10.40am A
rs only
Open to TMO membe
Location:
Royal Garden Hotel
2-24 Kensington High Street Delivering excellent
London W8 4PT services through
resident-led management
This conference is for TMO tenants and leaseholders only SUMMER 2016 | ISSUE 62 9
News
Fred Besant at the opening of the Doris Besant Memorial Garden at Convent Estate
on Ladbroke Grove this month. He is looked on by his granddaughter Chevaun Besant
and great-grandson Peter. Doris was one of the TMOs founding members and its
first chair from 1996-2001. See poem on p33
New Chair of
Repairs Direct
appointed
Paul Mains has been appointed
as the new Chair of the Board
of Repairs Direct. Paul, who
took up the post in March,
brings to the business
Youth Forums activity trip extensive experience of the
housing sector, which has seen
by Rohima Khatun him rise to become Group
Youth Engagement Officer Managing Director of 18,000
home South Tyneside Homes.
Nine young members of the youth engagement project enjoyed a three
day residential activity trip in June to the PGL outdoor activity centre Pauls role includes a number
in Swindon. The aim of the trip, which was externally funded, was to of duties: presiding over
develop team building skills and self-confidence by taking the 14-19 year Board meetings, setting the
olds outside their comfort zones and outside London too. agenda and working with the
Managing Director Graham
During the action packed trip they enjoyed zip wiring, archery, giant Webb to support the strategic
swings, aeroball, abseiling and trapezing. One of the most popular direction of the business.
activities was aeroball, which is a cross between trampolining and
volleyball. As Chair, Paul is a non-
executive director. The
They also looked at the future of the forum and had meaningful other directors are: Eman
discussions about tolerance, considering peoples learning abilities, Yosry, a resident of Silchester
differences and equality. Other topics they explored were how to Estate; Sacha Jevans, the
stay safe when using social media and how the TMO can better TMOs Executive Director
communicate with young people through these methods. of Operations; and Barbara
Matthews, the TMOs
Im pleased to say that it was a well-rounded experience which was Executive Director of Financial
enjoyed by all! Services & ICT.
Investing in homes ensures that theyre fit for the You can read about some of the team members
future. Hence FutureFit is our five-year capital below.
investment plan setting out major work like
replacing kitchens, bathrooms, lifts and communal
heating systems.
Capital investment Money set aside by the Council Gas safety check A check that all social landlords
for us to improve and modernise homes and estates. must carry out by law each year to ensure that the gas
appliances in their property are working correctly and
Capital works Work carried out under the capital safely.
investment programme to upgrade, improve or extend
the life of a property. Leasehold A contract with the landlord which gives a
person the right to use the home for a fixed number of
Choice-based lettings A system that allows social years as long as they do not breach the conditions of
landlords to advertise properties online so that those the lease.
who have registered for transfer can bid for a property.
Listed building A building that is of special
Consultations The Council has a legal duty to consult architectural or historic interest in the UK and
tenants on matters of housing management that may therefore worth protecting.
affect them and leaseholders about proposed works
paid for from service charges. Major works Large-scale work that either extends
or improves the life of a building, such as roof
Cyclical works Work that we carry out on a regular replacement, window replacement or structural work.
cycle, for example painting or decorating the outside
of the building. Planned maintenance Non-urgent work carried
out throughout the year on a cycle so that several
Decants Sometimes it is necessary to move a resident properties in the same area can be done at around the
for major works to be carried out to the property. This same time.
may be a temporary decant (where the resident
moves back after the works are completed) or Responsive repairs Minor repairs or routine
permanent decant (where the resident moves to maintenance carried out in response to a request from
another home permanently). a resident.
Decent Homes A government programme to make Service charge A charge to residents for services
sure homes meet certain standards in terms of being they receive to communal areas, such as caretaking,
warm, weatherproof and having reasonable modern cleaning or gardening.
facilities.
Statutory compliance Social landlords responsibilities
Defect The period after the completion of a new build for meeting mandatory health and safety
property or major refurbishments when the original requirements.
contractor is responsible for fixing any faults and
repairs. Tenancy agreement A legal contract under which the
landlord lets a property to a resident. The agreement
Estate services Cleaning or gardening services we sets out the rights and responsibilities of both sides.
provide to the communal areas where you live. The
service is delivered by a contract company and is paid Void An empty property that is waiting for repair work
for through the service charge. to be carried out so that it will be ready to let to the
next resident.
Framework agreement An agreement in which
councils and other social landlords partner with
Portobello Community Centre 60 Meetings, dance and art classes, parties and baby groups
Further information
Sharon Baah
KC Places Co-ordinator
020 8964 6072
sbaah@kctmo.org.uk
Delivering excellent
services through
resident-led management
Im based on site in a smaller, separate office. In 2014 the Council was awarded public health
My main role is to provide an enhanced housing funding to improve the quality of life at Stable Way
management service ranging from rent collection, by refurbishing the community hut. Rose also
reporting repairs and tackling anti-social behaviour, sourced additional funds to provide IT equipment
to helping residents fill out forms and documents, and electric cookers for the hut. In addition, there
advocacy and making sure residents live in a healthy were family gym memberships and swimming
and safe environment. lessons, sewing and computer classes, more hours
for the on-site tutor and many other family activities
Even though the residents have access to the TMOs and outings. This has made a huge impact.
full range of services, my job is unlike any other
housing management role. An important part of it Im proud of the improvements that we continue to
is understanding that there is an unbreakable sense make on the site. Stable Way is a shining example
of community at Stable Way and taking the time of the TMO working together with providers of local
necessary to build up trust. The residents treat me services to create an inclusive and positive living
like family. On a typical morning Ill visit as many environment. I love my job and enjoy working with
residents as possible to ensure there are no issues. the residents. I couldnt imagine working anywhere
Then some of them will usually invite me to join else!
them for tea and coffee. After that Ill complete the
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
6 7 8 9 10
To find out more, please contact Kathe Jacob on 0203 181 0002 or email
kjacob@aukc.org.uk or see our website www.aukc.org.uk.
DATES: 8 - 19 August 2016
If you are 19+, unemployed and looking for a career in construction then apply to take part in
the two-week Building Futures programme today taking place in Kensington and Chelsea.
The programme will be run from the Henry Dickens Community Hall,
Henry Dickens Court, St Annes Road, London W11 4DJ.
During the programme you will get the opportunity to learn a variety of practical skills through
trade taster sessions, visit live construction sites, improve your employability skills and sit your
CSCS test. At the end of the course you will be presented with a
BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Construction
Delivered in partnership with:
Above all, its about people wates.co.uk
Lift safety
by Janice Wray that this happens, you can be reassured that
TMO Heath Safety & Facilities Manager our lift engineers will be quickly on the scene to
release you as soon as possible.
The TMOs expert lift engineers regularly inspect
and service all the lifts on TMO-managed Most TMO-managed lifts have been renewed,
properties. Our aim is to keep them running which means their alarms were upgraded and
safely and reduce the likelihood of them breaking linked to a dedicated telephone line which is
down or malfunctioning. However, regardless staffed 24 hours a day. Therefore, if you were to
of how well lifts are maintained its possible that find yourself stuck in a lift, simply press the alarm
they could occasionally malfunction and this and hold it until a member of staff responds.
could happen while passengers are inside. Youll be asked for details of your location,
specifically which estate and block you are in.
Needless to say, being stuck in a lift can be a
distressing experience. But in the unlikely event
www.rbkc.gov.uk/environment/code-construction-practice
Cllr Tim Ahern, the Royal Borough of Kensington and
Chelseas Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, environmentalhealth@ rbkc.gov.uk
said: We recognise the importance of building and
construction work in the borough. However, we must
appreciate that for people who live close by it can have
an enormous impact on their lives.
If you live in a block with an older lift, then press In rare circumstances where an engineer cannot
the alarm and advise the person who responds to respond in 45 minutes or less, the London Fire
contact the TMO on 0800 137 111. Alternatively, if Brigade will be alerted and requested to attend.
youre carrying your mobile phone and are able to
get a signal then please call us on this number and While we appreciate that you may feel inclined
provide the details of your location. to ring 999 and request emergency attendance,
current London Fire Brigade policy is that they
Once TMO staff have been notified they will should only attend lift shut-ins in the event of a
contact the specialist contractors who will instruct medical emergency. If you call 999 before alerting
their engineers in the local area to respond the TMO in a non-medical emergency, it is likely
immediately. that you will be referred back to us.
Our partnering contract with the lift maintenance If you become aware of any problems with your
company requires them to respond to lift shut-ins lift please do report it immediately on Freephone
within 45 minutes, no matter what time of day or 0800 137 111.
night. During working hours, they are generally
able to attend within a much shorter period.
Simon Tidy
ODonnell
My name is Simon ODonnell, but everyone Our community has certain customs and
calls me Tidy. Im a two-time national traditions that we live by and fighting was
boxing champion, having won my first once one of them. Young people can now
England Boxing Schools title in 2015 and my treat it seriously as a sport by getting
second one at the championship finals in involved at a local gym.
June.
I joined Hooks Amateur Boxing Club in
Ive just turned 14, but Ive been fighting ever Park Royal in 2010 and have been training
since I was about five or six years old. Boxing and sparring ever since. My coach Steve
runs in my family. My cousin is former Newland, who also trained James DeGale
Commonwealth welterweight champion (current IBF super-middleweight champion
John ODonnell. I hope to bring home a and Olympic gold medallist), has helped me
Commonwealth title too one day and to go from the start. Im where Im at now thanks
even further on to the world level. to him.
Im in year 9 at Burlington Danes Academy, My most recent big fight was the EUBC
in White City and I live with my family at European Schoolboys Boxing Championships
Stable Way in North Kensington. Were part which took place from 23 July-1 August this
of the Irish Traveller community who have Summer in Zagreb, Croatia. I represented
been here for generations. England at the 41.5kg category and won a
bronze medal! It was great to have my family
with me in my corner cheering me on.
6 7
8 9 10 11 12
13
14 15
16 17 18 19 20
21
22 23
24 25
Across Down
1 Has not yet woken (5) 1 A curved structure (4)
4 Grassy spot in forest (5) 2 Sign of the zodiac (5)
6 May become a scout (3) 3 Theyve noses for chicken (7)
7 Kents pleasure place (9) 4 Posh piano (5)
8 The waves in the ether (5) 5 A ducks lover! (5)
10 Twelve of these are gross (6) 9 Cupolas shape (5)
14 Go to 7 for this! (9) 11 Regions (5)
16 Lumber one with, a seat (6) 12 Cut out, a bargain (4)
19 Homes for birds (5) 13 Better than a fail (4)
22 Venice of the North (9) 15 Parts of gas lights (7)
23 Something for a wedding (3) 17 Electronic part (5)
24 Limb bone (5) 18 Old time anaesthetic (5)
25 Little tiny bits of (6) 20 Pick me up! (6)
21 Has not paid (4)
32 SUMMER 2016 | ISSUE 62 Answers to the previous crossword are on the website
Residents corner
In memory of Doris Besant
Memory of Doris
by Basil Hasan of Lowerwood Court
So out spreads
The Echo of Sentiment
At the recall of memory
Of loving and caring Doris.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
INSURANCE COVER FOR RESIDENT ASSOCIATION EVENTS
There have been enquiries on the subject of insurance for resident association
events.
We would like to confirm that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Tenant Management Organisation Limited does not provide insurance cover for
resident associations and events organised by them.
All resident associations must ensure that there is adequate insurance cover in
place prior to organising and hosting any events.
If you would like further information or a quotation for insurance cover for a
resident association event, you can go to web.zurich.co.uk/cso or call Zurich
Insurance on 0800 917 9420, where you can get help on the types of cover
available. You can also find lots of useful information on insurance cover for
resident associations on the My Community Starter page at web.zurich.co.uk/
cso/mycommunitystarter.
Further information
Resident Engagement Team
Delivering excellent
services through
resident-led management
Eid surgery
Member
profile Nadia with her sons Siraj,
Dawud and Junayd
Members play a fundamental role at the TMO. getting a good education and this I instil in all my
We are an organisation built on the engagement children. The qualications have helped me achieve
of its members, particularly because at each AGM so much in a wide ranging career.
members are required to consider a resolution
on the TMO continuing to manage the Councils This career has included posts in the Royal Borough
residential properties. Last year 712 of the votes at Barclays Bank and the Al Manaar Mosque and
cast were in favour of this. At 98.3%, this was the community centre, where she spent seven years
highest ever figure in our history. in reception and the accounts department. She
returned there on a part-time basis in December
Also, members are eligible to be nominated for, and 2015, but left in March 2016 to help look after her
elected to, become a Board member. father who had become ill. Sadly he died in July
2016.
Nadia Charradi, 40, has been a TMO member since
2013. Brought up on Ladbroke Grove, she has lived Nadias home is beautifully kept and she is very
on the Notting Hill Swinbrook Estates St Ervans Road house proud. Getting a new kitchen and bathroom
since 1999. She has three boys: Dawud, who is 11; 14 this year as part of the TMOs FutureFit programme
year old Junayd and Siraj, 17. Siraj himself is an active has been a real bonus. She also participated in the
member of the Youth TMO. consultation programme for new windows for the
properties on her street.
One of six children brought up by parents who
moved here nearly 50 years ago from Morocco, Nadia became a member because she believes in
Nadia was born at the Hammersmith Hospital and getting her voice heard. I really value the voting
went to Bevington Primary School, which is o powers that the membership brings with it. I
Golborne Road, in 1980; this was followed by Holland shall be studying the Board election candidates
Park Comprehensive. She then went on to amass an personal statements with great interest. I know
impressive array of qualications: a CACHE Level 2 the importance of elected representation from the
to be a teaching assistant, a BTech in Business and councillor surgeries that took place at my mosque.
Finance, an NVQ Level 2 & 3 in hairdressing and a Im really looking forward to attending the AGM
NVQ Level 2 in beauty therapy. and residents conference too and, over the next few
years, I hope to become even more involved in the
These qualications were hard work to achieve, aairs of the TMO. I certainly believe I have a lot to
but it was all time well spent. Im such a believer in contribute.
some decisions in the company. You can Our promise to you is:
vote in our annual board member election a voice your views will make a
and you can vote at any general meeting of
members. receive
partnership you speak, we listen,
By becoming a member you have a and we find good solutions together
stronger voice in how we run things. real accountability with clear
focus on residents priorities,
including checking and measuring
progress.
Joining is simple and its
FREE. Just fill out this
Who can join?
Anyone who is over 18 and the
form. If you need help named tenant, leaseholder or
with it, or language freeholder of a property managed by
support, please contact us: KCTMO.
Membership statement
I undertake to comply with the provisions of Article 5 of the constitution of the company. I agree to
be bound by the constitution, any rules or bye-laws adopted by the company from time to time.
Signature Date
Would you like more information about opportunities to be involved with us? Yes No
Submitted by ________________________________________________________________________
Verified eligible by ______________________ Occupancy ___________ Date ____/____/________
Membership no ____________________ Date entered ____/____/________
Occupancy key: tenant = T leaseholder = LH
EA
ID
ENT ID
1 Station Walk
We include a translated statement in Link to ensure it is London W11 1AH
accessible to all residents in the borough. We arrange Open Monday to Thursday
translators for those who do not speak English, and signpost to 8.30am-4.30pm
local English classes. Friday 8.30am-1pm
100% RECYCLABLE