Can a Council do this???

erdd2

Council removal a controlled entry system without notice or discussion and they say someone reported a fault although none of us living here did so. (4 in a block, 50/50 private/council residents)

There were two systems in place, theirs and one installed and financed in agreement with the residents, 50/50 private and council. The latter being used as it better met the residents and carers needs. The council knew of its existence as they gave details of how to use when a council tennant moved in.

It was not reported to council as faulty by any resident or their carer as the council claim, was more suitable for our needs, remains a needed and preferred choice of entry system for vulnerable residents and their carers but all we have is holes in their wall and an entry system thats no use in an emergency.

The council maintain (that's a laugh) the communal area and bill where appropriate, if this is maintenance though what would they do if they intended to damage!!

Any advise, views, pointers greatly appreciated, this equipment is needed and was not cheap!

clutton_2

""There were two systems in place" - why did you ever need two entry systems ? if one has been removed, then you still have a system in place .. i dont understand the point you are trying to make .

maybe the fault was reported by someone (a visitor ?) trying to get in

olly300

Councils have complaint processes which you can easily find on their website that you need to follow properly but you need to ensure that your complaint is based on facts that you can back up before you start arguing with them. Plus it's advisable to put all your correspondence in writing. The usually process is complain to the department then go a step higher before taking it outside of the council and going either to your MP or the local government ombudsman.

However you need to be able to have proper answers to the following and make sure your complaint is easy to understand:
1. Why where there two entry systems on the door? If someone has just contacted them and they realised there was two then they will remove the one that is not a council standard as flats only have one system for logical reasons.

2. Do you (or someone else) have written proof that the system removed was approved by the council? Lack of written approval will cause you lots of problems as a new council housing officer can just simply argue that the system wasn't their approved standard so they removed it as they can't maintain it. Remember it's the council who have to maintain it not you.

3. If you can prove that the council approved the system that was removed and it was easier for those with disabilities in the block then get some of those residents names and agreement to be contacted, before you seek to argue with the council.

They then may with pressure put a similar system to the one they removed in and remove the current one.

erdd2

clutton wrote: »

""There were two systems in place" - why did you ever need two entry systems ? if one has been removed, then you still have a system in place .. i dont understand the point you are trying to make .

maybe the fault was reported by someone (a visitor ?) trying to get in

Prior to my moving in, the tennants had installed a system that better suited their needs, that is one that had a security number that could be given to carers etc. The older one's "services" button only operates between 9am and 1pm which is ok if your emergency is during those hours....does that make sense/explain why these tennants had 2....they financed a facility to improve their situation?

The point I am trying to make is....can the council dictate to tennants whats best for them and do what I explained in op?

erdd2

olly300 wrote: »

Councils have complaint processes which you can easily find on their website that you need to follow properly but you need to ensure that your complaint is based on facts that you can back up before you start arguing with them. Plus it's advisable to put all your correspondence in writing. The usually process is complain to the department then go a step higher before taking it outside of the council and going either to your MP or the local government ombudsman.

However you need to be able to have proper answers to the following and make sure your complaint is easy to understand:
1. Why where there two entry systems on the door? If someone has just contacted them and they realised there was two then they will remove the one that is not a council standard as flats only have one system for logical reasons.

2. Do you (or someone else) have written proof that the system removed was approved by the council? Lack of written approval will cause you lots of problems as a new council housing officer can just simply argue that the system wasn't their approved standard so they removed it as they can't maintain it. Remember it's the council who have to maintain it not you.

3. If you can prove that the council approved the system that was removed and it was easier for those with disabilities in the block then get some of those residents names and agreement to be contacted, before you seek to argue with the council.

They then may with pressure put a similar system to the one they removed in and remove the current one.

I have been through the complaints procedure in writing with fact. The CEO of council has responded with a whitewash.

To answer your questions:

1. Explained in previous post/reply

2. No written proof but acceptance granted in that a council tennant moved in and was given security no to use by council and a private tennant moved in...as I said this was in place and NOONE who lived here reported any fault, THERE WAS NO FAULT, don't the people living here have more rights than visitors or whoever?
As can be seen, their system does not meet the tennants needs

3. All residents are in agreement that we challenge this and as said, council has whitewashed the matter.

We are at a loss to as to what policy/law we can refer to as it does appear ridiculous that a council can do this and get away with it.