Mussel Men Special Plus Foyer Door Security
Just a quick post to say your Dalston Square resident only special offer from Mussel Men can now be found in your post-box. If you decide to take it up (and I highly recommend you do), do not forget to take the card with you: You will not get the deal without it.
One last thing before I sign off: In the process of posting these cards into everyone’s post boxes, I tail-gated into 4 blocks within the square, and encountered residents in 4 further lobbies. Not a single person questioned me as to what I was doing. For your own security, as well as that of your neighbours, please question apparent post-box spammers, and ensure those attempting to tail-gate you in have an entry fob of their own. If they do not have one, ask them to leave: If they refuse, report the issue to the concierge. Foyer entrance doors are the front line of your security.
Meetings And Merriment
The ‘Merriment’ first I think. So you have probably seen posters are now up, on each block’s notice board, for our Christmas social (in case you have missed it you can click the thumbnail at the bottom of this post to check it out). Two things. Firstly, our thanks to resident Stephen for putting together yet another great poster. Secondly, you will see on the poster that it says “Mulled wine and warm apple juice from Eastern Curve at reduced rate on presentation of invitation”. These invitations will be posted to every mailbox in the development the week before the event. Don’t forget to bring it with you.
And now to the ‘Meetings’. A report from Ben Collins, Chair of the DSRA, on last weeks regular 6 weekly meeting with Barratt Homes that turned into a high level meeting with Barratt and Consort.
Representatives of the DSRA met with both Consort and Barratt senior management on Thursday the 5th of December, at their regular 6 weekly ‘Buildings & Maintenance’ meeting, to go over the ‘log’ of issues needing attention. Here is a brief summary of what was discussed, and agreed for action.
1) The 2012-2013 budget: The DSRA Finance Commitee has long been questioning the way in which costs are established. Common electricity (lifts and corridor lighting), water charges, building insurance, cleaning ‘value for money’, and fair Concierge wages, have been some of the key issues we have questioned. After two years of pressing, Consort is getting closer to setting our service charges on the basis of sound cost analysis rather than on estimates. Given the current evidence, it seems that many residents may learn of ‘above inflation’ increases in their service charges next year. Given past experience, this may be especially true of new residents moving in to the Phase 3 buildings.
2) Flooding garage under phase 1 buildings: Barratt are calling in the original sub- contractors who may have to reseal some of the joints in the concrete foundation slab and walls. A separate contractor is looking at the leaking drains. Barratt promises that is will look into basement drainage problems with specialist engineers to ensure all drips and flooding are cured and prevented.
3) Waste air extraction from restaurants below Phase 1 buildings: Residents in Phase 1 buildings have long been complaining about smells from refuse bins, and now restaurant kitchens, permeating into the building from the service tunnel below. Barratt have accepted our concerns and agreed to install a modern extraction system, which will require a new ducting system carrying foul air up to above roof level in Gaumont Tower.
4) Ventilation for the Site Manager’s office: Sean Stone has been operating from a very unhealthy, unventilated ‘storage space’ office. A new ventilation system is being installed and should be operational by January.
5) The playground in the Square: This is holding to its original plan and Barratt says it should be open by Christmas: With Luck
We would like to thank all those residents who have helped with the work of the DSRA thus far: Together we have made an important impact on the way the Square has been built and managed. If you would like to be a part of the team, and help us going forward, please do get in touch. The best way would be via our website email address at DalstonSquareRA@gmail.com.
New Parking Permits & DSRA Autumn Get-Together
Hello residents and neighbours of Dalston Square, time to bring you up to date with all that is happening in and around the Square. There is though quite a bit to say so I am going to break it down into a few posts over the next few days to avoid boring you all with an info-overload.
For today then, 3 very important things to tell you about. Firstly, one for all of you who own or rent a parking space below phase 1. I have just posted the latest Residents’ Alert from Consort to our Forum which gives notice that new parking permits are currently being issued to replace the existing ones. If you have such a permit, read the alert HERE.
Secondly, the latest news regarding Telford Homes planned redevelopment of Holy Trinity School at the south-east corner of the Square. Most of you will already know that Hackney Council rejected the plans on many grounds including problems with the design, it’s contravening the council’s own DAAP, and it’s impact on local residents (both in the Square and outside). What you may not all know is that the developers then went over the council’s head and directly approached the offices of London Mayor Boris Johnson, the GLA, who have the power to overrule Hackney Council. The GLA are currently looking to do just that, on the grounds of needing the extra school places, but before giving the final go-ahead will be holding a public Representation Hearing (date to be announced but expected to be before the end of the year). In the meantime however, the next Hackney Council Dalston Ward Forum meeting will be held in the CLR James Library on Monday 7th October between 7pm and 9pm, where this topic will be further discussed. When I have more info on the GLA Representation Hearing I will of course let you all know.
Lastly, and probably most importantly 😉 it is time for the DSRA Autumn get-together. Posters are being produced for each blocks’ notice-board, and flyers are on the way to residents’ mail-boxes, but here are the details so you can plan ahead. Click into the thumbnail image below to see it full size.
That’s it for now folks, but I will be posting again very soon with news of what the DSRA have been up to, on your behalf, over the summer months.
Dalston Square Residents' Association 