Knowsley housing Trust has admitted that tenants in blocks being
decanted have been left without a Housing Officer. The previous housing
officer was in the process of arranging for tenants to be found alternative
accommodation in the area, and by all accounts tenants were pleased with
his work and the fact he was a local lad. As explained, local people with
local knowledge are vital if the Housing Trust is to perform to a standard
which is acceptable. To be left without a housing officer in the final phase
of decanting a tower block is absolute madness and shows the lack of any
forward planning on the most simple of tasks. Tenants were told they were
'a priority', the reality seems to suggest otherwise. The conditions in
the last two blocks being emptied of tenants can only be described as
appalling. Over 1000 photos document the gradual decline of the blocks
in the past 2 years. Over a Million pounds has likely been dished out
to contractors all to no effect. Public money is spent with absolute
carelessness; no-one even tells us how much has been spent. How then
are we to judge KHT's great 'value for money' promises?
Another KHT/Tenant tour of the tower block.
One of KHT's staff has agreed to come out to look at the problems first
hand. I will take them on a tour of the tower block and show them the appalling
conditions, and forward by email a list of questions which I would like answered.
Attempts to get the Council and KHT to hold residents meetings with a view towards
starting a residents group were ignored. They choose to see us one by one. Divide
and rule. We need residents groups to actually get in the faces of
landlords/management who show no concern for the wellbeing of residents.
All I need is legal advice. This is not available in Kirkby for housing
matters or for anything other than tripping over a pavement it would seem.
I want to sue KHT and or the Council - not sip cups of coffee with them.
The only way to make sure KHT act in a responsible manner is to start a
Class Action lawsuit. Former tenants agree.
KHT have failed completely to stop the various problems which were actually
easily prevented. Had KHT employed residents to act as security - we would
have had enough decent tenants to back them. Bear in mind we have had to
live with some of the worse tenants in Kirkby. Heroin addicts, Crack-heads
and Alcoholics made up a great percentage of the actual block. Many of
the tenants cared little about the environment they were living in and made
life an absolute misery for their neighbours. The death of Annie Sanderson
was the last straw for me. This old lady died in mysterious circumstances.
Had she been rich or famous - we may have had a more thorough investigation
into the circumstances of her death. I will put some fresh flowers on the
memorial to Annie later on. Rumour is that the person convicted of stealing
from her is either out of jail or due out soon. Let's hope KHT make sure
anyone who robs the pensioners and decent tenants are kicked off the
housing list. We cannot live with these people any longer. Those who
prey on the community must be isolated from it. No Muggers - No Burglars
- No Scum. The do gooders who wave the flag for the lowlife can invite
them into their homes and communities.
Below - another smashed up car lies possibly abandoned on the streets,
it was smashed up outside Oak Tower then moved. The car is one door away from
Councillor Billy Brennans House. The tower blocks in
question are a stones throw from his house. The smashed
windows on this car include the front side and back. Glass is littered
both outside Oak Tower and here near Mr Brennans abode. The car was still
there at approx 2.00am on the 15 Oct which makes it a fire hazard as it
would easily be set alight by the kids currently into blowing things up
with big fireworks.
Some of our councillors can't even be bothered to spend an hour of their
time to see the destruction going on under their noses. No wonder the towns
in a mess - many of the Councillors are completely out of touch with the Real
World. They would do well to spend a few quiet moments at the Annie Sanderson
memorial on the 2nd floor of Oak Tower. They could have perhaps saved her had
they been more determined to stamp out the catalogue of problems which were made
clear to EVERY serving Knowsley Councillor in 2002. To those Councillors who
are solely interested in the money, you know who YOU are. To the few who
have the sense to see that things are going wrong, I urge you to make a
stand. To those who criticise Kirkby Times - I offer you this quote by
the great George Orwell……
"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."
Note - my problem or the decent tenants is NOT with the workers
of KHT, only the management who are ultimately supposed to be answerable.
We should be allowed to sue Individual managers. It seems we have a
system of management where they get all the credit for anything good,
but manage to duck personal responsibility when it goes terribly wrong.
Tenants however are held personally responsible and can be evicted if
they cause anti social problems. Like in any organisation the great
old British game of 'Pass the Buck' is well and truly being used to
maximum advantage. And whilst this 'game' goes on - people's lives
are being destroyed.
66 Councillors Warned - 4 Reply
Below - an email sent to ALL of Knowsley's Councillors dated 20 - 10 - 02.
"This email is to alert Knowsley Councillors as to the appalling conditions
suffered by tenants of Oak, Cedar ,Larch and Maple Towers in Northwood
Kirkby. It is a disgrace that Working class residents of Knowsley are
left to live in Tower Blocks with NO live in Caretakers and NO security.
The result? Hell for our Old Folk and a nightmare for decent tenants who
are fighting a tidal wave of vandals, drug users, drunks, arsonists and
the sort of SCUM who we know as nightmare neighbours."
Sadly, after all of Knowsley Councillors were sent this email,
only 4 replied. That's only a pathetic 4 councillors out of 66
who actually replied. Below we can see just what this apathy
from our Councillors resulted in.
Man admits theft , May 13 2003, Liverpool Echo
A MAN has admitted trying to cash the pension book of an elderly woman
found dead at her home [in Oak Tower].
Ian West, 32, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to theft
of a handbag and trying to obtain money by deception using a
pension book and bus pass belonging to Annie Sanderson, 80.
Myself and other tenants had practically predicted the death of
an elderly or vulnerable tenant. We tried to get the Council then KHT
to listen but no-one did, not properly, and not with any real concern.
We failed this time. The next time is not an option. Come what may -
the scum who would prey on our elderly here in Kirkby MUST be tackled.
