Lawson T&RA meeting: February 2017

  1. Water services

From 1.4.17 Southwark has decided that water rates will no longer be collected as part of the rent for secure tenants. Thames Water has recently sent out a letter that has confused tenants. The important action is that secure tenants contact Thames Water, as per the letter. We have asked Southwark for a full explanation of what is happening; as soon as we get this we will distribute it. Leaseholders and private tenants are not affected.

  1. Water rebate for ex-JMB tenants

Southwark has been overwhelmed by requests from ex-tenants (including people who are now leaseholders) for their water rate refund. We know many ex-tenants are getting very frustrated. As a way forward the JMB last week offered to process refunds. Southwark has accepted our offer, so please contact the JMB if you think you may be owed money.

  1. Joseph Lancaster Nursery site – new build

We had a positive meeting with residents on the 15.1.17. This was followed by a positive meeting between CBS representatives and council officers. Debbie and CBS representatives are meeting with ward councillors, Karl and Helen, to give them an up-date on Friday. The next residents’ meeting is on Wednesday 15th February.

Southwark and the CBS have made a joint bid to the Government’s Estates Regeneration fund, for money to help take Joseph Lancaster and other sites forward.

  1. JMB Director

Peter Coulthard has resigned as a JMB director. The JMB would like to thank Peter for his hard work and commitment to residents. The T&RA is invited to nominate a replacement.

  1. Perronet House and Princess Street

The TRA has asked to become part of the JMB. TRA residents are being balloted at the moment. The result will be declared on 8.2.17

  1. Housing and Planning Act

The Government has abandoned plans to introduce pay to stay. The forced sale of voids has been delayed, we do not get know for how long. The Government is still introducing fixed term tenancies for new tenants, but we do not know when this will be introduced or how it will work.

  1. Red/ Yellow card

The red/yellow card initiative to challenge residents leaving bagged rubbish on communal balconies or next to rubbish chambers seems to be having a positive effect. Let if you notice a problem.

  1. JMB Better Fit Local allocations

Council has ended the JMB’s Better Fit Local Allocation agreement, under which we had some flexibility to move tenants around our estate. This has had a particularly detrimental effect on tenants in Meakin and Elim, who have the highest level of overcrowding within the JMB.

  1. Symington

The JMB is consulting with residents about whether it is possible to devise physical changes to the block that will reduce people frequently going to the toilet in the lift and the communal staircase. The occasional homeless person and drug user are getting onto the communal staircase.

Trying to combat anti-social behaviour through physical

The immediate support we need from resident is to report criminal activity to the police. The police are reporting a high

  1. Other news

The JMB is advertising a Finance Officer job. If interested apply via our website.

If you want to go and see the Pirates of Penzance, an opera at the Coliseum on the 15th February or visit the American dream exhibition at the British Museum on the 5th March, both for free please contact

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