tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16576499829603993542024-03-20T09:42:28.126+00:00Lower FalingeLower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-51471777866613768122019-03-26T16:33:00.000+00:002019-03-26T18:22:58.955+00:00An open letter to the Chair of the Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Representative Body; Lynne Brosnan.<p><b>Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/Brosly7">Lynne</a></b>,</p>
<p>As Chair of the RBH Representative Body you have apparently decided that, after an initial investigation, <a href="https://twitter.com/andrewroche">@andrewroche</a> has “a case to answer to.”
<p>I am involved in this issue; I've been mentioned in the email sent to Andrew, so I am contacting you about this matter.
<p>Please see photos for a copy of the email Andrew received; red numbers denote order.
<p>
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</p>
<p>Since there are no contact details available for you as Chair of the RBH Rep Body, I am contacting you here.
<p>I am very concerned about the way Andrew is being treated.
<p>RBH’s email says you are responsible for the way Andrew is being treated, however, I note this contradicts RBH’s own documentation: it is RBH’s Secretary who is responsible for this decision “in consultation with the Chair of the Representative Body and the Chief Executive”.
<p>If you treat Andrew unfairly because of his disability, or something arising from his disability, then that will be disability discrimination.
<p>Unfair treatment does not have to be deliberate and intentional. It is entirely possible for disability discrimination to be unintentional but it is still disability discrimination; for example, occurring as the result of Policies or Procedures that are automatically implemented.
<p>I also note that only point/allegation 1 in the email Andrew received is a serious breach of the Code of Conduct; points/allegations 2, 3 and 4, again according to RBH’s own documentation, are not considered to be serious breaches.
<p>I wonder why all 4 points/allegations are being treated as serious breaches by you and would welcome an explanation for this. Please DM me with this information if you do not wish to answer publicly on Twitter.
<hr>
<p><b>Point 1</b> in the email Andrew received.
<p>On 14 October 2011 Andrew provided RBH with written evidence of his formal diagnosis from the specialist in autism who made the diagnosis; Andrew should not need to provide this information again unless RBH has lost it.
<p>It is well known that autism has an impact upon social interactions and communication, so it is very clear that Andrew’s disability is a valid reason for his absence from Rep Body meetings.
<p>Prior to this allegation being pursued, Andrew’s disability should have been considered, and it should have been found to be a valid reason for his absences.
<p>It is clear that Andrew’s disability has not been considered, at all, by either you, RBH’s Secretary, or RBH’s Chief Executive, during the initial investigation into this allegation.
<p>Failure to give consideration to Andrew’s disability during the initial investigation of this allegation has resulted in Andrew being treated unfairly by you.
<p>ie. you are treating Andrew as though he does not have a valid reason for absence; in fact, he does have a valid reason.
<p>You have started the formal disciplinary procedure rather than opting to dismiss this allegation since Andrew has a valid reason for absence.
<p>You are treating Andrew in a way that is different, and worse, to how he should be treated, because you have failed to consider his disability.
<p>This is disability discrimination.
<p><b>Point 2</b> in the email Andrew received.
<p>This allegation states that, over 4 months ago, Andrew was featured in an article published on Rochdale Online on 14 November 2018.
<p>Andrew is not featured in any articles published on Rochdale Online on 14 November 2018.
<p><a href="https://www.blogger.com/-%20https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/todays-news?date=14/11/2018">You can see, and read, all the articles published on Rochdale Online on 14 November 2018.</a>
<p>Why are you pursuing an allegation that is false? Why are you pursuing an allegation that relates to something that is over 4 months old? Why are you pursuing this allegation as a serious breach when it is not? Does this seem like fair treatment of Andrew to you?
<p><b>Point 3</b> in the email Andrew received.
<p>On 23 January 2019 Andrew featured in an article on Rochdale Online by <a href="https://twitter.com/NickStathamLDR">@NickStathamLDR</a>.
<p><a href="https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125595/plan-that-could-see-famous-tower-blocks-razed-set-to-take-step-forward">You can read the article.</a>
<p>Andrew is not the only RBH Rep Body member featured in this article. <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyLittlewood2">@AndyLittlewood2</a> is featured first, and the article clearly states that Mr. Littlewood is a Rep Body member.
<p>The article goes on to say that Andrew is also a member of the Rep Body, like Mr. Littlewood, but that Andrew “takes a different view [of the regeneration] to Mr. Littlewood.”
<p>The article literally states that “Andrew ... takes a different view to Mr. Littlewood.”
<p>It is quite obvious that these are differing personal views and that neither Mr. Littlewood nor Andrew is representing RBH/the RBH Rep Body. The content and context of the article make this very clear.
<p>I don’t know why the initial investigation into this allegation did not flag this up. There is nothing for Andrew to answer to here.
<p>Andrew provided views that were expressed in a personal capacity and were legitimate valid criticisms of the regeneration. Andrew’s views may not have had the positive-vibe-press-release-spin-style that RBH prefer, but that does not make them ‘derogatory’.
<p>RBH Rep Body members are allowed to be critical of RBH.
<p>Why is this allegation being pursued by you? Why are you pursuing this allegation as a serious breach when it is not?
<p>If, however, you insist that Andrew does have ‘a case to answer to’ here, then surely you are now compelled to make a complaint about Mr. Littlewood because he too;
<ul style="list-style-type: none">
<li>a) expressed views in this article;</li>
<li>b) is a Rep Body member;</li>
<li>c) did not make it clear in the article that he was not expressing the views of RBH/the RBH Rep Body;</li>
<li>d) referred to some RBH homes as “monstrosities” which is unquestionably derogatory to RBH;</li>
<li>e) referred to other RBH homes as being “in a horrendous state”; not “fit to live in”; that people are living “in squalor”, “because of the conditions”. These things are RBH’s responsibility, so all of this is also derogatory to RBH.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is clear that you should not treat Andrew more harshly for the content of this article than you treat Mr. Littlewood.
<p><b>Point 4</b> in the email Andrew received.
<p>My username is misspelled in the email sent to Andrew. I am the person that has been lied to. I was lied to about the Policies RBH is using during the regeneration, and I was lied to about the ‘Town Centre Area’ map.
<p>I have written evidence of this; some of it was part of a complaint I took to the Housing Ombudsman Service and was awarded £200 compensation for.
<p>Please DM me your email address so that I can provide copies of this evidence, or if you prefer, I will add things here.
<p>It is not untrue or abusive to say that someone has lied when they have indeed lied. It is not derogatory to state a fact as a fact.
<p>Why are you pursuing this allegation?
<hr>
<p>The email Andrew received also goes on to talk about “any medical information that you [Andrew] wish to rely upon”. It then assures Andrew that any medical information “will only be disclosed to a Disciplinary Panel if appointed”.
<p>What do you think you are doing? Seriously. Andrew is a volunteer. He is not employed by RBH and he is not paid by RBH. He is an elected representative and he is a volunteer.
<p>Why should Andrew agree to have his sensitive personal medical data shared with anyone?
<p>Is Andrew expected to prove his disability to you?
<p>Do you humiliate everyone on the Representative Body who has a disability by expecting them to prove their disability before it can be deemed a ‘valid reason’ for absence from meetings?
<p>Or is it just Andrew who has been invited “to raise any issues of disability together with any medical evidence” ‘he wishes to rely upon’?
<p>Andrew isn’t on trial, and he certainly isn’t guilty of anything. Andrew is a volunteer.
<p>Attendance of Rep Body meetings is not compulsory; if it were, that would be a job, not a voluntary position. RBH cannot legally treat its volunteers like employees.
<p>It is also not Andrew’s responsibility “to raise any issues of disability”; it is RBH’s legal duty to give consideration to Andrew’s disability when deciding how to treat him.
<p>Andrew is autistic and RBH have known for years about his autism. Expecting him to prove his autism to you so that you can deem it a ‘valid reason’ for absence from Rep Body meetings genuinely disgusts me.
<p>How dare you subject anyone with any disability to such humiliation.
<hr>
<p>Instead of finding ways for Andrew to be treated equally and ways for him to be included in the Rep Body process if he is unable to attend meetings in person, you have instead opted to threaten him with removal from the Rep Body because of his absences.
<p>Equality, inclusivity, reasonable adjustments - do these things mean nothing to you?
<p>Or do you perhaps believe that all autistic people should be excluded from being members of the RBH Rep Body because they may be unable to attend 80% of Rep Body meetings?
<p>It is very clear that RBH’s priority here is not supporting Andrew so that he can be included, but that RBH wish to actively exclude him, and that RBH is using Andrew’s autism against him to try and do this.
<p>If you have any doubts, I can assure you; this absolutely meets the definition of disability discrimination.
<p>Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply.
<p>Sincerely,
<br><br><br><br>
<p><b>Vicky Haigh</b>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11184597475791857114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-82207885158805921862019-03-10T10:35:00.001+00:002019-03-10T10:35:23.196+00:00Webster says WOOF!<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Buy0lVMDAGW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Buy0lVMDAGW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Buy0lVMDAGW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Webster says WOOF! "My home is being demolished and I don't know where I'll live. Please like our page to support the community!"</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lowerfalinge/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Lower Falinge</a> (@lowerfalinge) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-03-09T16:21:53+00:00">Mar 9, 2019 at 8:21am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.com236 Newstead, Rochdale OL12 6RQ, UK53.6199799 -2.162322700000004328.097945399999997 -43.470916700000004 79.1420144 39.146271299999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-40109481819703494662019-02-27T20:27:00.001+00:002019-02-27T20:27:54.517+00:00Re: Generation Blues<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL4Cz6JRExVxdye6wrVCAklWAZ1OkU6VCx" width="640"></iframe>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12990609314309408408noreply@blogger.com236 Newstead, Rochdale OL12 6RQ, UK53.6199799 -2.162322700000004328.097945399999997 -43.470916700000004 79.1420144 39.146271299999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-22010440379799256012018-09-25T17:24:00.000+01:002018-09-25T18:52:19.903+01:00On the matter of RBH's behaviour …<p>Dear Anyone Who Reads My Writings,</p>
<p>In response to the <a href="https://www.lowerfalinge.org.uk/2018/09/on-matter-of-rat-ritz-not-being-rat.html">letter I received from RBH yesterday</a>, I'd also like to say that I'm really disappointed and unhappy with RBH's behaviour towards me.</p>
<p>This intimidating and threatening letter is an obvious and desperate attempt to prevent me from having a voice and speaking in public.</p>
<p>It is also clearly retaliatory and malicious in nature.</p>
<p>I am just trying to have a voice; RBH presumably feel threatened by this and so in turn, RBH threaten me.</p>
<p>RBH's accusations are apparently based solely upon the two short statements of fact that form <a href="https://twitter.com/RatRitz">my personal Twitter</a> biography.</p>
<p>One would think that RBH would require more evidence before serious accusations and threats were made, but apparently not.</p>
<p>One would think that RBH would behave fairly and impartially when investigating something like this, but apparently not.</p>
<p>Apparently, just asserting that I am in the wrong and jumping straight to accusations and threats based upon no actual evidence, is the appropriate course of action for RBH to take.</p>
<p>This tit-for-tat attitude is grossly unbecoming for a mutual and utterly unprofessional for any organisation.</p>
<p>Whoever decided that this course of action was appropriate should be ashamed of themselves. I think they probably are since they declined to give their name when signing the letter.</p>
<p>Most people would interpret providing "a secure forever home for rescue rats" as being the opposite of running a rescue service/business, but not RBH.</p>
<p>Most people would recognise that all this says, is that I have pet rats and they are rescue animals, but not RBH.</p>
<p>Most people would be reasonable, but not RBH.</p>
<p>RBH instead say my personal Twitter bio is an advert.</p>
<p>RBH instead say I’m running a rescue service/business after 20 years of simply owning pets.</p>
<p>RBH instead say I need to be threatened and must defend myself.</p>
<p>RBH already know that I don’t run a rescue service/business.</p>
<p>RBH took photos of my home.</p>
<p>RBH carried out inspections on my home.</p>
<p>RBH's behaviour and attitude is appalling.</p>
<p>RBH gleefully seize even the most ridiculous vague opportunity to attack, persecute, and threaten tenants.</p>
<p>The way RBH has approached this, asserting that their unfounded accusations are accurate and with bullying and intimidation, sums up RBH's general attitude towards tenants.</p>
<p>This malicious petty attitude towards tenants has got to change.</p>
<p><b>V Haigh.</b></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11184597475791857114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-12470662375717902382018-09-24T21:47:00.000+01:002018-09-25T18:23:14.501+01:00On the matter of Rat Ritz not being a rat rescue service/business.<p>Dear RBH,</p>
<p>Thanks for your intimidating letter.</p>
<p>What you are quoting is my personal Twitter biography. My personal Twitter biography is not an advert.</p>
<p>You already know that I am not running a rat rescue service/business. We had this conversation years ago.</p>
<p>I won’t be providing details of my business to you because I am not running a business.</p>
<p>I won’t be describing the service I provide to you because I do not provide a service.</p>
<p>You already know the conditions I keep my pets in. You even have photos. These conditions were confirmed as suitable by the RSPCA, RBC’s Animal Welfare Officer, and my Vets, several years ago.</p>
<p>I do not know what “previous agreement” you are referring to. Anyone who knows me even slightly knows that I would never agree to “no further rats”.</p>
<p>For one thing, I have autism and rats are my specialist subject. There is just no way I would ever agree to give them up.</p>
<p>For another thing, when the RSPCA told you I was an expert in rat-care, that was the truth. There is no way I would agree to give up what I love to do and excel at.</p>
<p>Finally, you are also already aware that my pets are a protective factor in my life. There is no way I would agree to lose protective factors from my life.</p>
<p>To expect someone with autism to give up their specialist subject is nothing short of cruel.</p>
<p>To expect someone whose pets are a protective factor in their life to give up their pets is also cruel.</p>
<p>Claiming that I have agreed to this is absurd.</p>
<p>I’ve been keeping pet rats since March 1998. You already know this. You’ve known this for years.</p>
<p>Funny how you suddenly think Rat Ritz is a rat rescue service/business, after we’ve already had this conversation, and after Rat Ritz has already existed for over 20 years.</p>
<p>Funny how you’ve hand delivered a letter produced today (24/09/2018) to me immediately after I’d begun a conversation about my water charges on Twitter. To a cynical person, that might appear to be retaliation, bullying, and victimisation.</p>
<p>I can reconfirm that Rat Ritz is not a rat rescue service/business.</p>
<p>I trust this clears up your confusion.</p>
<p><b>V Haigh.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1JfIs3ncwzOboKWyimMsM_S7T1Q2sQ3hvueCciotkIDWZmS9wLJMKy_vkYQZdkdUfOqp2VScEFG8ELlCqEx_srnq9xxlSZCyKhnwPckISaHgBl7C3uA3e4lA8pp7VctvqPuNzekwzA78/s1600/RBH+Threat+24-09-2018+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1JfIs3ncwzOboKWyimMsM_S7T1Q2sQ3hvueCciotkIDWZmS9wLJMKy_vkYQZdkdUfOqp2VScEFG8ELlCqEx_srnq9xxlSZCyKhnwPckISaHgBl7C3uA3e4lA8pp7VctvqPuNzekwzA78/s320/RBH+Threat+24-09-2018+1.jpeg" width="226" /></a></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11184597475791857114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-50168338097135890732018-09-18T13:06:00.000+01:002018-09-18T14:27:45.455+01:00On the matter of things other organisations have put in place to ensure my needs are met.<p>Dear RBH,</p><p>Since you ask for specific examples, let me break this down for you as simply as I can.</p><br><br />
<p>When I explained to <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueChula">Blue Chula</a> that I needed to discuss things in writing with one point of contact, this is what they did:</p><p>Provided one person who could speak to me by email.</p><p>Talked to me by email using the format I'd requested (quoting me and replying to what I'd said).</p><p>Behaved in a friendly, open manner whilst retaining an appropriate level of professionalism.</p><p>Treated me like a person, as though they were face-to-face with me.</p><p>Treated me as an individual. Treated me as an equal.</p><p>Discussed things with me.</p><p>Listened to my concerns.</p><p>Responded to each of my questions and concerns.</p><p>Explained things when I asked them to.</p><p>Gave me examples and links to relevant information published by others, to further my knowledge.</p><p>Actively engaged me and actively sought my opinion.</p><p>Respected my opinion and took me seriously.</p><p>Gave me information and data I asked for.</p><p>Gave me clear timescales.</p><p>Gave me enough time to reply.</p><p>Kept me updated if necessary while I replied.</p><p>Blue Chula had an <b>actual</b> dialogue and conversation with me, with <b>a discussion going back and forth</b> over several months, by email.</p><br><br />
<p>Here is what Blue Chula didn't do (and what RBH has done):</p><p>Patronise me.</p><p>Treat me like I am an annoying nuisance.</p><p>Tell me that I was taking up too much of their time.</p><p>Make me wait an age for a reply.</p><p>Continually suggest doing things differently.</p><p>Continually suggest that I meet in person.</p><p>Change the format of replies to something I hadn't requested.</p><p>Put replies in a table making a conversation impossible.</p><p>Cherry-pick what they replied to.</p><p>Constantly place the onus on me to contact them and chase things up.</p><p>Continually bring up my partner.</p><p>Include my partner in our conversation.</p><p>Just assume that I know nothing.</p><p>Just completely ignore me.</p><p>Just reply once and then ignore me.</p><p>Just ‘note my comments’.</p><p>Just refer me to the FAQ.</p><p>Just give me press-release replies.</p><p>Just behave like a faceless robot.</p><p>Blue Chula didn't just talk <b>AT</b> me, they talked <b>TO</b> me.</p><br><br />
<p>This is how I felt as a result:</p><p>I felt like I mattered.</p><p>I felt like they cared about what I had to say.</p><p>I felt like they were genuinely seeking my opinion.</p><p>I felt like I had been actively engaged and involved in a process.</p><p>I felt like I’d had a discussion and conversation with a real person.</p><p>I felt, and still feel, genuinely grateful for their work and effort in involving me meaningfully.</p><br><br />
<p>RBH employed Blue Chula.</p><p>I helped design the Residents’ Charter survey with Blue Chula.</p><p>I wasn't even invited by RBH to complete the survey I helped design.</p><br><br />
<p>Apologies to Blue Chula for bringing them into this. Irony aside, I could have used another organisation to illustrate my example, but, with respect to meeting my communication needs, Blue Chula has honestly done the best job I’ve ever had the pleasure of receiving and they are officially occupying my top-spot right now.</p><p>This is all the more impressive knowing that they are a small company. Their exemplary work deserves recognition. This is individually tailored engagement and communication for someone with autism at its finest folks, do take note!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11184597475791857114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-40011120569910764292018-09-08T13:15:00.000+01:002018-09-08T13:15:59.007+01:00An Open Letter to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rochdale Boroughwide Housing recently scolded me on Twitter for trying to interact with them. I replied to each of their scolding tweets (there were four), and this is what they tweeted to me in return:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAAhtCbehy84AmS2rLordD0DJ4DzGJbNEMdDnxRqxoby8YT8PNVl1knQQA4P7gJZtHTZcq25lDBy-H2nDibdBiBn0uI4Afdp21Dlz9VYEKGk-j2kejevbjWTqGrjqtgNf1KZ-m6LDLwJz/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-04+at+13.57.28.png" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAAhtCbehy84AmS2rLordD0DJ4DzGJbNEMdDnxRqxoby8YT8PNVl1knQQA4P7gJZtHTZcq25lDBy-H2nDibdBiBn0uI4Afdp21Dlz9VYEKGk-j2kejevbjWTqGrjqtgNf1KZ-m6LDLwJz/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-04+at+13.57.28.png" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #454545;">You can</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/rbhousing/status/1034749425833390080">view the whole </a><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rbhousing/status/1034749425833390080">exchange</a> </span><span style="color: #454545;">on Twitter.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my open letter reply:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear RBH,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're so committed to meeting my needs that I've been waiting for over 18 months for you to meet my needs. You're so committed that I've had to take a complaint about you not providing me with the reasonable adjustments I need to the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’re so committed that you took 7 weeks to reply to the HOS, and you only replied after I called you out on Twitter for not having replied. You’re so committed to meeting my needs that you won’t deal with me as an individual any more, even though you did previously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ve also inferred on Twitter that my interactions are so numerous that I am harassing you, and that it will cause detriment to other tenants if you try to reply to me. I haven’t contacted you using any other methods during this time, and you’re hardly rushed off your feet on Twitter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You won’t even tell me who I’m talking to on Twitter. Your staff shamelessly hide behind a corporate moniker whilst claiming to uphold RBH’s mutual values of openness and honesty. Who is responsible for replies on Twitter? How are these staff members held accountable?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I have asked other organisations to provide me with reasonable adjustments, those other organisations have provided the reasonable adjustments I need. You, however, seem intent on delaying things and continually making other suggestions instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even now, in your reply to the HOS, you are suggesting things that are not the reasonable adjustments I need. You are the only organisation I have ever dealt with that has behaved like this. It feels like you don’t want to provide the reasonable adjustments I need on principle, simply because I have asked for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your replies on Twitter are just like everything else you’ve said to me for the past 18 months; empty public-relations nonsense. There is no sincerity. It’s just the words you know you need to say to make yourselves look good in front of the people you deem to be important housing peers. Everything you say is a press release. I might as well be talking to a bot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You constantly claim that you want to work with me. You constantly claim that you want me to be engaged. Then you completely ignore me; not even a perfunctory acknowledgement to some previous emails; no contact from you at all about the last event you held; no video for me of the models; no token gesture replies on Twitter. You then scold me publicly on Twitter for ‘engaging with you too much’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You want to demolish my home. A home that is compatible with my autism. I am going to lose everything I have; my home and environment of 20 years; neighbours and relationships built over 20 years; my safe space, my secure sanctuary, where I can exist peacefully without some of the pressures my autism places upon me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have no idea just how horrifying the thought of losing this is for someone with autism. You have no idea how hard I have worked to create somewhere I am able to function day-to-day within the boundaries of my autism; somewhere that I can actually live a life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have no idea how hard it is for someone with autism to build relationships and how precious these long term relationships are. You have no idea of the level of trauma you are inflicting and the distress you are causing with your regeneration plans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have tried to evict me before. The impact upon me was that I was almost forcibly sectioned for being a danger to myself. Now it is happening again and you won’t guarantee that you will meet my housing needs and provide me with a home and environment that is compatible with my autism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, this time, I am going to talk about it, in writing, whenever and wherever I like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know you despise dealing with me. I know what staff think of me; I’ve seen internal emails and the way I am spoken about. Do you think I like dealing with you? Dealing with people who belittle and berate me? Do you think this is easy for me, knowing what you say about me and how you view me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact is, you want to demolish my home. I am going to have to talk to you about it, and you are going to have to talk to me about it. This will have to happen in writing. So I suggest you suck it up, and get on with it. If you are doing nothing wrong, then you should have no problems talking to me about any of your regeneration plans right here, in public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Losing my home is <b>terrifying</b> to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It affects my mental health. I’m having difficulty sleeping and I’m having night terrors again, like I did when you tried to evict me before. I’ve had to have my medications increased. I’ve had to find specialist counselling services for myself to receive any help and support. My blood pressure is being monitored and I'm suffering crippling headaches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It affects <b>everything</b> in my life; the stress and anxiety impact negatively upon my ability to manage myself and my autism. Day-to-day life becomes more difficult across the board.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This could go on for 7 years.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not ashamed of my autism. I am not ashamed of the impact the regeneration, and the way I’m being treated by you, is having upon me and my health. I will not be silenced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You, however, do appear to be ashamed of what you are doing to people during this regeneration because you won’t give a straight, open and honest answer, to anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are a Charitable Community Benefit Society. You claim you exist to provide housing for the most vulnerable residents in the Rochdale community. It is part of your “Purpose and objects”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am one of the people you are supposed to help and protect. I need a home and environment that is compatible with my autism. I need this to be able to function day-to-day. I have this now and you want to take it away from me. You won’t promise to replace it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are completely destroying people’s lives and you don’t care. You jolly well <b>should </b>be ashamed of yourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">V. Haigh.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11184597475791857114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-32189624214132699212018-07-17T15:38:00.001+01:002018-07-17T15:38:40.799+01:00AFFORDABLE HOUSING-what does that mean in a poor area?<h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>AFFORDABLE HOUSING?-what does that mean in a poor area</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recent article in "The Guardian"(6/7/2018), was in some ways an improvement in the way Lower Falinge has been portrayed in the past. The interviews were respectful, and the people interviewed came across well as a result.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, pleasing from that perspective. What it failed to deal with, however, was the problems that regeneration will present- understandably so from the perspective of RBH. And the main aspect of that will be affordability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now one of the most egregious elements of Lower Falinge media coverage in the past was the way it was labelled a so-called "benefits blackspot", due to the proportion of residents in receipt of benefits- a way for successive governments, Labour, Coalition,and Conservative,to cover for their brutal economic policies in the guise of "reforms". The figures were somewhat skewed by the presence of large homeless hostels in the ward, and since their demolition, the latest 2015 Indices of Deprivation show an improvement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However,this improvement can be seen as relative. Lower Falinge is still amongst the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods in the country. There are more people working, but a higher proportion than nationally are still in receipt of tax credits and housing benefits, as a high percentage of those jobs are minimum wage. There's a large proportion in receipt of disability benefits, who are either unable to work, or who would need the sort of intensive,consistant financial and practical support to help them get and maintain employment that successive governments, with their hostility towards the poor, have been entirely unwilling to give.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And I may be being a little cynical here, but particular ongoing difficulties with refuse collection and repairs to empty properties, were suddenly attended to just before the reporters came to the estate, after weeks of residents complaints not being dealt with in a satisfactory manner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The movement of people onto Universal Credit from other benefits will also create problems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In areas where it has already happened,80% plus have found themselves in rent arrears, and eviction rates have gone up. Now,as Rochdale has now gone 'full service', you can expect a rise in both .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we have the amount of 'affordable' homes being built nationally, the percentage of which has actually fallen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We also have what is defined as 'affordable', which is complex and variable. For instance,'affordable' rent is defined as 80% of local market rent, whereas 'social' rents are nationally determined. The formulas are muddled, inordinately complex, and lead to inequities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And there is the question of developers being able to evade the building of affordable properties, something they are doing with impunity throughout Greater Manchester, where most 'affordable' properties have been purchased by people from outside the area, because they have been unaffordable to the vast majority of people living within those areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It's one thing being optimistic about the future, but it's quite another being disingenous about the scale and type of problems that have to be overcome to achieve what we want. And that will involve less brownnosing of government ministers, and more telling of home truths. It would also be helpful if we had a more capable body of councellors who were willing to support their constituents.</span><br />
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FinnFenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262828457749617560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-70406724923322513932018-05-23T18:46:00.002+01:002018-05-23T18:46:42.864+01:00Going Backwards.....<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">RBH would claim that their demolition/regeneration plans for College Bank and Lower Falinge are brave and radical,somehow. If you look at it in more than a cursory way, though, they are planning to replace them with "affordable" housing, two/three bedroomed that will, over time, end up displacing people living in these communities because they will no longer be able to live there, because <i>they</i> won't be able to afford to. Hardly radical,that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A more radical alternative would be to give tenants genuine control over the place where they live.What we have at present is a set of non-options, a limited and disingenuous consultation exercise, the whole process being tightly controlled by the board of RBH, in co-ordination with the virtually indivisible political/business Greater Manchester elite.The truth is that tenants are marginalised.We are told that the board is acting in our best interests, that they have expertise and contacts, that they are there because they "respect" the values of the organisation.I have no doubt that some of this is genuine, that they do have genuine,but limited,altruistic intentions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In reality,this is about money and profit, very little of which will benefit the community.I would not be entirely surprised,further along the line, if a merger with another housing association happens, at which point the profit motive will become ruthlessly apparent, and the present values will look ever more a desirable, though hardly essential, "add on".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would hasten to add that none of this is anything like a conspiracy; it is simply the accepted way of doing things.We are tolerated,patted on the head, and sent on our way. God forbid that we might have genuine demands about where and how we live, because you can bet those demands would be treated with contempt by the elite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are alternatives.Not perfect alternatives, not alternatives without problems, but better ones than we are being offered. Refurbishment, co-operatives, community land trusts would all be ways for us to take control of the process.Starting with an independent tenants organisation....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And why going backwards?When these estates were built, they were a radical solution from not terribly radical politicians, built to standards sadly not maintained down the years, leading to structural decline.Which is <i>not</i> in itself a decent reason for mass demolition.I would like to see more of it preserved,a lot more. But let's not make any bones about this, these estates have become regarded as "dumping grounds", a contemptible attitude, with the people living in them regarded, with poorly disguised hostility, as a "burden".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They do need regeneration, new people moving in- but <i>not</i> at the expense of the existing community. This has the potential to provide some long,long overdue change- but these proposals are a million miles off providing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The present madness that constitutes economic orthodoxy holds that it is better to demolish and replace with housing for priced out young mancs, living in a dormitory anywhere, rather than have a real, tenant led alternative.I know what i'd prefer.....</span>FinnFenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262828457749617560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-20975777171839835182018-05-05T18:04:00.000+01:002018-05-05T18:04:11.629+01:00<b><u>The Future part 2.....maybe,</u></b><br />
So, a few weeks ago, RBH unveiled the first phase of the demolition and redevelopment of Lower Falinge. The deck access blocks are to be replaced by two bedroom houses. These homes are going to be 'rent to buy'. This means that homes are rented at an 'affordable' rent whilst a deposit is being saved, with the idea that this will eventually result in tenants becoming homeowners. The problem with this is that the providers offering mortgages for this new'product' are few and far between, and with significantly higher interest.<br />
<br />
So not for the present residents, then, and not that likely to be taken up by the Rochdale resident who is maybe in low paid or zero hours work. 'Affordable' rent in these circumstances would seem to be a better option, at least locally, as there is more or less parity locally between private and social rented properties. But there is likely to be more demand than supply for these properties, as the emphasis will be, inevitably, on 'affordable' homes for sale - affordable that is to relatively comfortably off young professionals priced out of the Manchester market.<br />
<br />
The underlying problem with all of this is that it isn't a consultation at all. It is a pretend consultation, intended to tick a box. The residents of Lower Falinge have been presented with this as being the only choices available. Demolition, and the vast majority of new homes beyond their reach,with the promise of a replacement in the area, if they wish to stay, but with less properties available.<br />
<br />
And you may as well forget the problems being addressed by the present tenant representation structure, in partnership with employees who sometimes appear to be more concerned with addressing their own problems, with not much concern for tenants.<br />
<br />
There is no independent tenant association representing tenants of RBH. This means no effective representation for tenants,as part of this faux mutual, where lip service is given to internal democracy, but where the choices given are determined by business, not tenants needs.<br />
<br />
I propose that we need an independent social housing tenants organisation for Rochdale, to represent our interests. I also feel that a viable option for tenants could be true tenant controlled Co operatives. My honest opinion is that the present system cannot provide the housing we need, and one of the alternatives is to take control ourselves.FinnFenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262828457749617560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-64303692071279975412018-05-03T15:23:00.001+01:002018-05-03T15:23:26.675+01:00Turner's and Spodden Valley-questions unanswered and the brownfield conundrum.<strong><u><br /></u></strong><br />
So why am I writing about an old industrial site in Greater Manchester? Because it is a possible example of what could happen when the interests of property developers take precedence over the public health and safety concerns of the area's residents and people in Rochdale. Turner Brothers was the site of what was once the biggest producers of asbestos products in Europe. As is known now, the fibres produced by the industrial processes are carcinogenic, and the cause of respiratory diseases. It has been banned from use for many years now. Which makes it worrying that it has been a long term target for redevelopment.<br />
<br /><br />
The land was purchased in April 2014 by Renshaw Properties, a company registered for tax purposes in the British Virgin Islands, clearly with an eye to future development. After some standard corporate faux consultation in the area, an environmental testing company called RSK was commissioned by them to carry out air and ground tests for contamination. There was then a gap of some months before a partial statement was released. This showed that air quality testing had shown a minimal quantity of asbestos fibre, far below what would be considered as toxic.However, the results of the ground testing has not yet been released. And whwn we look at the recent history of the site, there are a few clues as to why this might be.<br />
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In December 2004, MMC Estates bought the 72 acre site, and submitted a planning application for what they called an"urban village" of 650 homes, a business centre, and a children's daycare centre. A particular phrase in the planning application is striking because of how disingenuous it is;<br />
<br /><br />
".....of particular note is the absence of any asbestos contamination..."<br />
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Unfortunately for them, by September 2005, they were obliged to admit there was "significant" contamination.( Remember that this is a toxic substance responsible for a great deal of illness and death in Rochdale.). There was then a major pause in the planning process until October 2008, when the principle planning officer for Rochdale Council at the time, Richard Butler, said;<br />
<br /><br />
".....The application has not yet been determined, and is suspended whilst the applicants and their consultants, together with our own contamination experts, assess a number of issues, the most importaint of which is the asbestos risk and the remiadiation work required as part of the development."<br />
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And despite no such work being carried out, the council then earmarked the site for a further 568 homes, proposed to be built at a density of 30 homes per hectare. Now, if you consider the main road in this area- Rooley Moor Road- building housing at this density would require major improvements in infrastructure, to the detriment of the area, quite apart from the contamination concerns. This was part of a future allocation of brownfield land targets. By January 2010, however, any mention of this had disappeared from the council website.<br />
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It is enlightening to look at the history of past test results for the site. HSE (the Health and Safety Executive), after testing the site, said that out of the eight samples tested, three samples showed a content of 1% of asbestos, ten times higher than the level at which it would be classified as "special waste". There is also the test results of Encia Environmental during the same period, which found asbestos levels of 1.3 and 2.3% respectively, 13 times above the level considered as "hazardous" for the former, 23 times for the latter. To give some context, a level of 3% is considered "toxic". In addition, the HSE inspector for the site, Anna Bliss, claimed their was a hotspot of "100% contamination" at the northern end of the site. MMC said they had "no plans" for developing that area of the site. Inconveniently for them, Ken Smith, a planning officer for Rochdale Council, said the planning application aws for "the whole of the site."<br />
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Then in July 2006, a report commissioned at a cost of £80,000 pounds from Atkins Global, said that a considerable amount of work neede3d to be done to the site before development proposals could even be considered, and that the tests commissioned by the developers had not determined the true levels of contamination, concluding that ;<br />
<br /><br />
"....the presence of asbestos cannot be ruled out across much of the site cannot be ruled out."<br />
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Eventually, after throwing a massive strop, Countryside Properties, partners of MMC, withdrew, and finally in January 2011, the application was rejected. Which brings us back to now, and the question- what has changed to make the site suitable for development. The previous negative ground testing may explain why the announcements of the recent tests have been so slow in coming. Unfortunately, public health and safety concerns , with plenty of evidence to back up those concerns, does not seem to stop the constant attempts to build on this unsuitable site. Huge credit must go to Jason Addy, Carl Faulkner, and the redoubtable Mick Coats, who have all put in sterling campaign work on this issue.<br />
It is worth bearing in mind that the driving forces behind the redevelopment of Lower Falinge and College Bank are also the people who think Spodden Valley is suitable for dedevelopment, This is on our doorsteps. To put it mildly, Iam deeply skeptical regarding their intentions.FinnFenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262828457749617560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-19344457634766910662018-04-19T08:31:00.000+01:002018-04-19T08:31:55.824+01:00<b><u>The future... </u></b><br />
I have seen the future of housing, and I believe the market does not, and cannot, work in our interest. This is something that the recent history of regeneration in Greater Manchester should tell us. Housing as lucrative investment opportunity, yes, housing that meets actual needs... not so much. The present waiting list for social housing in Greater Manchester amounts to 80000 and counting. Homelessness is visibly, utterly shamefully, growing exponentially, compounded by the utterly dishonest labelling of vulnerable, damaged people as aggressive beggars. One of those bastards is responsible for regeneration in our borough - I know, couldn't make it up etc...<br />
Which brings me neatly to the regeneration proposals. The ones where we have plenty of input, but no control at all, with this faux mutual. The solution has to based, ultimately, in government investment in housing benefit, because the market is not going to provide us with a solution. As far as we're concerned, at Lower Falinge, I think the answer could well lie in a genuine, tenant managed housing co-operative, an alternative I intend to explore in future blogs. Bye for now...FinnFenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262828457749617560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-81960562541306361052017-07-03T10:48:00.001+01:002017-07-05T01:38:49.932+01:00Interesting Times for Lower Falinge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z682iqdhyphenhyphenV4nVu-ZDz_XnF4YPNCpK8yIZQxy8vbCDKL-qyOiE9Qqtud5tebX8VmsPFvFYbsepJS-o1eYsjkmYQSXTFmHxr6hkCss6SUBqJOtSE0h-zkSnOONIcVY8OwRACRq7lG2by4/s1600/printemps.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Cherry trees in springtime on Lower Falinge in Rochdale." border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z682iqdhyphenhyphenV4nVu-ZDz_XnF4YPNCpK8yIZQxy8vbCDKL-qyOiE9Qqtud5tebX8VmsPFvFYbsepJS-o1eYsjkmYQSXTFmHxr6hkCss6SUBqJOtSE0h-zkSnOONIcVY8OwRACRq7lG2by4/s400/printemps.jpg" title="Springtime in Lower Falinge" width="300" /></a></div>
<p>
Things are changing. <a href="http://rbh.org.uk/">Rochdale Boroughwide Housing</a> has decided on a dramatic plan to demolish half of the blocks. There are obviously mixed feelings about this development, but at the moment there are not many details of what will replace the homes being brought down. Here are a few links that may be useful during this uncertain period.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lowerfalingetra">Lower Falinge Community Activity Group</a>, the local Tenants & Residents Association, has provided a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/476070209407752">Facebook Group</a> for residents to discuss the plans.</p>
<p>
RBH has provided a Facebook page for news and discussion: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=743005362528781">A Stronger Future For College Bank and Lower Falinge</a>. They also provide news and information on their own website about the regeneration on here and on College Bank: <a href="http://www.rbh.org.uk/collegebanklowerfalinge">College Bank and Lower Falinge: Latest Updates</a>.</p>
<p>
There is a Lower Falinge Facebook Page at <a dir="ltr" href="http://facebook.com/lowerfalinge" target="_blank" title="Lower Falinge Facebook Page">facebook.com/lowerfalinge</a>, feel free to drop by and contribute. We are also on Twitter as <a href="https://twitter.com/lowerfalinge">@lowerfalinge</a>, please follow us there and say hello. 😀</p>
Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.com238 Newstead, Rochdale OL12 6RQ, UK53.620004852935949 -2.162439823150634853.61941635293595 -2.1637003231506347 53.620593352935948 -2.1611793231506349tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-14697182671898025782011-11-17T22:47:00.000+00:002011-11-17T22:47:09.086+00:00Christmas Cheer 2011<p>The second Lower Falinge <em>Christmas Cheer</em> event will be on <strong>14th December 2011 6.30pm</strong> in front of Newstead.</p>
<p>There will be carol singing accompanied by the <em>Salvation Army Band</em> and Father Christmas, followed by a nativity play with coffee and mince pies at <em>Hebron Church</em>, Howard Street.</p>
<p>For more details please contact <em>Jackie Robinson</em> on <strong>07570 040 983</strong>.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-1025313587373050482011-05-09T20:30:00.000+01:002011-05-09T20:30:24.117+01:00Furniture flog-it day<p>The <em><a href="http://www.rbh.org.uk/your_services/money_matters_and_benefits.aspx">Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Money Matters Team</a></em> are selling furniture at <strong>bargain prices</strong>.</p>
<p>It is happening on <strong>Tuesday 10th May from 2-4pm</strong> at the garages near the end of Melrose.</p>
<p>Also the <em>Lower Falinge Gardening Group</em> will be doing some gardening on the Melrose play area and would love it if people want to join in.</p>
<p>For more details contact Louise Keenan on 07976 038 197.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-87173658396798017302011-04-26T18:27:00.001+01:002011-04-26T18:32:16.038+01:003:2:1 Celebration<p>Come and join the <em>Lower Falinge Junior Wardens</em> celebrate:</p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<p><strong>Chinese New Year</strong></p>
<p><strong>Easter</strong></p>
<p>&</p>
<p><strong>The Royal Wedding</strong></p></div>
<p><strong>Also</strong> there will be a parade by the Junior Wardens showing off their outfits, the opening of the greenhouse, face painting, henna and food!</p>
<p>So join them at the Community Base on Newstead at 3:15pm Wednesday the 27th of April.</p>
<p>(With help from the <a href="http://www.rbh.org.uk/">Rochdale Boroughwide Housing</a> staff.)</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-58555517163944974842011-03-24T16:48:00.001+00:002017-07-03T18:17:39.442+01:00Printemps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIZXKBsWuBdXNE5ji64E_X8oVsXUicmzzcQi4GKj2nqoop3fNfByW1Jhfp4jfJYSgHr5s5kI1XpUCxOgumH0xPmY10GUNnRVwf-yhB2JLc2EmCO2HrnmYVroYa4FEYRUSFpD1AU5sVIc/s1600/printemps.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" width="300px" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIZXKBsWuBdXNE5ji64E_X8oVsXUicmzzcQi4GKj2nqoop3fNfByW1Jhfp4jfJYSgHr5s5kI1XpUCxOgumH0xPmY10GUNnRVwf-yhB2JLc2EmCO2HrnmYVroYa4FEYRUSFpD1AU5sVIc/s400/printemps.jpg" /></a></div><p>Springtime at last. The cherry blossoms are really beautiful at this time of year.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-20225859647241484732011-03-15T16:08:00.001+00:002011-03-15T17:02:28.519+00:00Explore Falinge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUS9OcS3ohgdKz3eVzQ3l4LNUUwil6Hu7htMyDUgkhT28UZ_BJbxOcQoBCbUGDbdUPepigSZaxUFBeh302I_VL9HborTceH-zusVgrcRfO3Jt_C7z-3sFPV849hmVy73WP1ECEKKOuyQ/s1600/Explore+Falinge+Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" style="width: 28em;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUS9OcS3ohgdKz3eVzQ3l4LNUUwil6Hu7htMyDUgkhT28UZ_BJbxOcQoBCbUGDbdUPepigSZaxUFBeh302I_VL9HborTceH-zusVgrcRfO3Jt_C7z-3sFPV849hmVy73WP1ECEKKOuyQ/s320/Explore+Falinge+Screenshot.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><a href="http://explorefalinge.org/"><strong>Explore Falinge</strong></a> is a multi media site showcasing our community in a positive light. You can follow them on <a href="http://twitter.com/ExploreFalinge">Twitter</a> and befriend them on <a href="http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Explore-Falinge/100001805032913">Facebook</a>.</p>
<p>Part of the <a href="http://www.NeighbourHub.org">NeighbourHub</a> project.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-65229127136755994772011-01-11T19:33:00.000+00:002011-01-11T19:33:37.218+00:00Celebration & Health Event<p><strong>Lower Falinge & Freehold Women's Group</strong> would like you to share in a celebration of their achievements over the last twelve months which was made possible through funding by the Aspirations Board in partnership with RBH & the Health Connections Team.</p>
<p>There are lots of things planned, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Launch of Flavours of Falinge recipe book</li>
<li>NHS Health Awareness stands</li>
<li>Art & Craft Exhibition</li>
<li>Free Health MOT’s with the health trainers</li>
<li>Light refreshments</li>
</ul>
<p>The event will be held on Tuesday 25th January 2011 from 11.00am until 2.00pm at the Hebron Pentecostal Church, Falinge Road. Please confirm your attendance by Tuesday 18th January.</p>
<p>For more details Jackie Robinson (Priority Area Worker) by telephone on (01706) 642 220 or mobile (07800) 672 443 or email <a href="mailto:Jackie.Robinson@rbhousing.org.uk ">Jackie.Robinson@rbhousing.org.uk</a>.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-78355480227741758752010-12-16T13:14:00.000+00:002010-12-16T13:14:28.955+00:00Carol Service<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Iw9YUzkTVbk?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<p>Lower Falinge folk and the Salvation Army celebrate Christmas. (via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/FalingeExplorer">Falinge Explorer</a>)</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-4737424231208314782010-12-09T14:22:00.001+00:002010-12-09T15:48:19.319+00:00Festive Cheer<p>Jackie is organising a big event on our estate on the 15th of December at 6pm.</p>
<p>To kick off the festivities there will be carol singing around the estate with the <strong>Lower Falinge Choir</strong> accompanied by the <strong>Salvation Army Band</strong>. Thanks to our friends at <strong>Hopwood Hall</strong>.</p>
<p>Following this, the <strong>Junior Wardens</strong>, with help from <strong>Hebron Social Concern</strong>, will be putting on a nativity play at Hebron Church. To round off the day there will be coffee and mince pies. Mmmmm, can't wait, hope to see you all there!</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-30169502490963895472010-08-27T20:50:00.004+01:002010-10-13T00:27:54.222+01:00Lower Falinge Junior Football Stars<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j5XsbfSW3FU?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<p>Our young folk do us proud on the football field.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-53004301455037971142010-08-16T18:47:00.002+01:002010-08-16T18:51:43.437+01:00The Scenic Estate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; margin: 1em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowerfalinge/4898504842/" title=""><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4898504842_68f7d2bd6c.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="The Scenic Estate 1" /></a> <p style="font-size: 0.8em; margin: 0.2em;">The Scenic Estate 1</p> <p style="font-size: 0.8em; margin: 0.2em;">Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/lowerfalinge/">Lower Falinge</a></p></div><p>It was such a nice day I decided to take a few pictures. It's surprisingly scenic, especially since <abbr title="Rochdale Boroughwide Housing">RBH</abbr> installed flower boxes everywhere. The <strong>Gardening Group and Caretakers</strong> have done a brilliant job, the plants are really thriving.</p><p>There are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowerfalinge/sets/72157624738367848/">more pictures</a> on Flickr.</p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-59714640628470694502010-07-16T13:31:00.000+01:002010-07-16T13:31:56.031+01:00Young People's 5-a-side Football Tournament<p>On <strong>Saturday, 14th of August 2010</strong> <em><a href="http://www.rbhousing.org.uk/information/Communities_First.html">Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Communities First</a></em> and <em><a href="http://www.link4life.org">Link4Life</a></em> are holding a 5-a-side football tournament at <a href="http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=241">Heywood Sports Complex</a> (coaches to the event will be provided).</p>
<p>The teams will be selected from the young people who attend coaching sessions provided at various places around the borough. For <strong>boys</strong> there will be teams for different age groups:</p>
<ul>
<li>9 - 11</li>
<li>12 - 15</li>
<li>16 - 18</li>
</ul>
<p>Teams for <strong>girls</strong> will be picked based on who attends.</p>
<p>The coaching sessions for Falinge will be at the <em>Lower Falinge Kick Pitch</em> on Mondays from the 19th of July to the 9th of August. The coaching will be from 4.30pm to 5.15pm for 9 - 13 year olds, and from 5.15pm to 6.00pm for 14 - 18 year olds.</p>
<p>There are more details on this <a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B7bat4mppWcMNzc1YjMwNmUtOWM4Yy00N2Y0LTllMDMtZGQ0YWFkZjNiMGFm&hl=en_GB">flyer</a>. For further information you can contact <em>Ruth Sillence</em> (Communities First Co-ordinator) by:</p>
<p><em>Telephone:</em> (01706) 651 425</p>
<p><em>Mobile:</em> (07975) 231 666</p>
<p><em>Email:</em> <a href="mailto:ruth.sillence@rbhousing.org.uk">ruth.sillence@rbhousing.org.uk</a></p>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657649982960399354.post-56981890638803268532010-07-15T19:25:00.004+01:002010-07-16T11:41:04.037+01:00The Dream Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxy_-DqjHzobRqg-AdavdtJi8BhLSpoIyR15jTCLAHUibGP3-kFxpVc5UbjSHGXpuDl5cC_Hv489Gc6v_w7YjKt3B0k4Y4Nwa9CkMgfkU7MA6lD0PkPtal1WHhx8EhyphenhyphenK-DHYPaffooGY/s1600/SL378811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxy_-DqjHzobRqg-AdavdtJi8BhLSpoIyR15jTCLAHUibGP3-kFxpVc5UbjSHGXpuDl5cC_Hv489Gc6v_w7YjKt3B0k4Y4Nwa9CkMgfkU7MA6lD0PkPtal1WHhx8EhyphenhyphenK-DHYPaffooGY/s400/SL378811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>The <strong>Lower Falinge Dream Team</strong> are a men only (16 years or over) football team run by women. The team have been running since June 2010 and play every <strong>Monday</strong> night 4.00-5.30pm on <em>Lenny Barn</em> playing fields.</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Captains</em> - Andy Higson & Ged Sugden</li>
<li><em>Ballboy/Mascot</em> - Jake</li>
<li><em>Manager</em> - Jackie Robinson (RBH)</li>
<li><em>Assistant Manager</em> - Louise Keenan (RBH)</li>
<li><em>Coach</em> - Sarah Shard (Link4Life)</li>
</ul>
<p>For more info contact <em>Jackie Robinson</em> (07800 672 443) or <em>Louise Keenan</em> (07976 038 197).</p>
<p>Philosophy of the Dream Team:</p>
<blockquote>Every mans' dream is to be organised by a woman. ;-)<br />— Jackie Robinson</blockquote>Lower Falingehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17018548260191245962noreply@blogger.com