Last night the Cabinet took the decision to permanently rehouse the residents of Maydew House in order that 'Decent Homes' works can be carried out. It was not an easy decision and the length of the meeting demonstrated the consideration which we had to give to the issues raised by residents of the block and other external experts employed by the Council.
At the end of the day two factors weighed heavily on our decision. Firstly, we could not contemplate any resident or visitor to the block coming into contact with asbestos fibres displaced during the duration of the works and secondly we could not risk leaving residents living on a building site for up to two years, including losing basic services for lengthy periods during those works. However much thought and consideration goes into the project management of works such as this there are inevitably things that go wrong, and with the added difficulties which already existed in this project those further problems would make life unbearable for anyone still resident in the block.
We would not have chosen to make this decision at this time, but the previous LibDem / Tory administration had thrown the future of the block into doubt and created a level of uncertainty which was unfair on the majority of residents and needed resolution sooner rather than later.
Absolutely no decision has been made about the longer term future of the block. We want to keep all of our housing stock if possible and last night's decision has no bearing on any wider strategy. So we could see no advantage in further postponing last night's decision, despite being urged by the local MP. The reality is that unlike the local MP, who appears to be in permanent opposition whilst in Government, an Administration has to make decisions on the basis of the facts as they are presented, and not as we would wish them to be.
I know some residents will have been upset and angered by our decision. But I hope that everyone understands that we made the decision for the right reasons of health, safety and the proper living conditions of all Maydew's residents.
Elected as a Labour Councillor for South Camberwell in 2002, I have been the Leader of Southwark Council since May 2010.
Cllr Peter John
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About Me
Together with Cllr Veronica Ward, I represent an area extending from Camberwell Grove to East Dulwich Grove to Goose Green and Denmark Hill including the East Dulwich and Champion Hill Estates.Contact me via e-mail above; phone me at Southwark Town Hall on 020 7525 0694
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2 comments:
I am sick of hearing every political party jumping on the bandwagon to 'save' Maydew house.
Perhaps they should try living in Maydew as I have for the past 16 years. They should also try walking up the 32 flights of steep stairs four times, as I had to last week when the lifts were out of order AGAIN.
I am tired of hearing about the 'plight' of those residents who want to stay, most are under occupiers who do not want to lose their 'extra' rooms.
Who is going to stand up and support the vast majority of families who can not wait to move?
I am sick of the floods, cockraoches, costantly broken lifts, leaks that take weeks or months to repair, due to the asbestos riddled everywhere in the flats.
Get the forgotten families OUT of Maydew NOW
Will this block be developed as private flats for the wealthy as happened with Aragon Tower next door? Another loss of 144 flats from the housing stock? The temptation to sell must be overwhelming.
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