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Permalink Reply by nathan on November 25, 2013 at 10:28

At the open day for the cladding and double glazing of Great Arthur House, I was given an answer by someone who was there and works for the corp, he wouldn't tell me what his job title was only that he was in attendance on be half of the corp. What he told me is not what you want to hear, and is quite depressing, and what Christine says about being dead or as I would say "Hell freezes over", before any physical work is done is along the right lines.

Also the bureau of investigative journalism are  doing a piece investigating what the corps plans are for the "millions they are sitting on", as they have spent so little on new housing, or up grading existing stock over recent years.

I spoke to the journalist involved and I was surprised he  said the corp are sitting on millions in the housing department. As the Mantra is "we are skint".

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Permalink Reply by Lee Studley on November 25, 2013 at 13:41

just found a piece about it and the £1.3bn bank account

http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/12/20/city-of-london-corp...

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Permalink Reply by nathan on November 25, 2013 at 14:11

This is fascinating, the investigation I spoke to the journalist about was specifically dealing with the housing departments accounts.

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Permalink Reply by SARAH BATTY-SMITH on January 2, 2014 at 23:05

Just seen this post and couldn't agree more. I am wondering if the letter I received today, 02.02.14, from Amy Carter in the CoL has something to do with it. The letter doesn't say much and I really wonder what the engagement of the consultants will achieve. I will write to Ms Carter to ask for more info.

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Permalink Reply by nathan on January 2, 2014 at 23:40

The letter only asks for gas usage, what if people use electricity, or can't afford to heat the property properly or can't afford to heat it at all, seems like a very in accurate survey, or maybe it is intended that way to produce data favourable to their proposals.

It does not take into consideration if the property is low occupancy, the flat below me only has someone there for one or two nights a month, and the flat next door the same.

Communal heating  being re-installed, makes me  think the energy usage would soar on the estate, and the cost. 

I understood the reason for decommissioning the original heating system was down to the cost of the energy and the maintenance of a badly designed heating system, I know they have constant problems at Petticoat square in Middlesex Street were the communal heating sometimes doesn't work at all, or the water is not heated.

I don't understand how heating a property with individual or an expensive communal heating system when the property has no double glazing and no insulation is going to be a long term solution.

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Permalink Reply by SARAH BATTY-SMITH on January 3, 2014 at 0:11

It does. I supplement my heating with an electric fan heater, so there will not be an accurate picture of my usage there. Insulation and windows (although I don't want the window expense just yet), is the way to go first and I fear the engagement of these consultants will prolong the process. I am no builder or insulation expert but I can't see why insulation has not been given priority by injecting some cavity wall insulation (if possible) or attach insulation panels to the outside of Crescent House (I live on the first floor with nothing underneath). If engagement of consultants is needed then engage them for insulation to see the best way for a listed building.

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