shielding emergency

alerton123

not really sure this is in the correct category but I'm meant to be shielding at home for 12 weeks due to health issues. i live on the 9th floor (18 flights of steps).
im a council tenant and the power to all our high rise flats went off, also affecting the water supply emergency lighting and lifts. initially the estimate for repair was 12 hours but after 36 hours with no water, food or electricity they said it is going to take 10 weeks to get the power restored. the council arranged temporary accommodation for me and i managed to get down the 18 flights of steps to my car so i moved into this temporary accommodation but i could only bring what i could carry with me which was some spare underwear / socks and my medication. the temporary accommodation isn't ideal but its better than having no water / power at all. i have had to arrange for a friend to go back to my place to get my TV and computer for me which all needed carrying down the 18 flights of steps too so i was relieved he managed to do that for me but as he is still working and lives nearly 2 hours away from me i can not impose on him again to get anything else for me and anything i do bring will also need moving back eventually so i didn't want to bring too much.

my question is...... what help should the council be offering because up to now they have not done much beyond finding this temporary accommodation. i will have to dispose of all the food that got left in my freezer and fridge along with all the fresh veg / fruit etc that all got left behind and i really need some of my clothes too. fortunately i do get the 'care packages' delivered by the government and i have managed to get those re-directed but i still need other things that are all still stuck at my own place.

whilst i fully accept that the local council are not to blame for my health issues and me having to 'shield' surely they have some duty of care to the residents forced to move out due to their lack of inspection / maintenance of their electrical systems.

Mrsn

Food etc they would expect you to claim on your home insurance, I really cannot see the council compensating you for those things.

You will need to speak to the council directly about what other help they might assist you with, since you are deemed vulnerable currently I would hope they will be able to come to some sort of arrangement though it may not be financial.

alerton123

Mrsn said:

Food etc they would expect you to claim on your home insurance, I really cannot see the council compensating you for those things.

sadly i do not have insurance cover and to be fair the cost of replacing the food would only be minimal (£150 max) so if i loose that its not the end of the world but it doesn't seem right that the council can create this problem for residents and then leave them stranded without any assistance at all.

kingfisherblue

Have you actually contacted your council to see if they can offer any futher assistance? They might be able to help with getting some of your clothes. What other help do you need?

Flugelhorn

some areas have volunteer groups who take referrals from the council - they may be able to help you in the way that your friend did ie go and get thigs for you - perhaps dispose of the food before it goes off etc 

onwards&upwards

Have you asked the council if they can provide any help in bringing some of your clothes/belongings to you?

There are groups all over the country helping vulnerable people who are shielding, could you find one near you and ask for some help?

Dr_Crypto

1. What help do you need and have you asked the Council to provide it? Maybe collecting your things or helping you move back in when your own flat is back in action. 
2. Why are you so sure that the Council is responsible for the power cut? Just because a cable wears out or whatever doesn't mean it is anyone's fault or down to lack of inspection and maintenance. 

alerton123

Dr_Crypto said:

Why are you so sure that the Council is responsible for the power cut? Just because a cable wears out or whatever doesn't mean it is anyone's fault or down to lack of inspection and maintenance. 

fair point, but its the councils cable and its broken, nobody other than the council has access to it, its not been vandalized or tampered with so id say its the councils responsibility in the same way that if i didn't have my car serviced and it blew up i wouldn't be able to point my finger anywhere other than myself.

Carrot007

alerton123 said:

Dr_Crypto said:

Why are you so sure that the Council is responsible for the power cut? Just because a cable wears out or whatever doesn't mean it is anyone's fault or down to lack of inspection and maintenance. 

fair point, but its the councils cable and its broken, nobody other than the council has access to it, its not been vandalized or tampered with so id say its the councils responsibility in the same way that if i didn't have my car serviced and it blew up i wouldn't be able to point my finger anywhere other than myself.

The point being were they negligent. Nothing you have said suggest there was anything in their power to prevent this. As such they would no be held responsible. Likewise I am sure they are resolving it as fast as they can so nothing erong in that. Sometimes !!!!!! happens.

alerton123

Flugelhorn said:

some areas have volunteer groups who take referrals from the council - they may be able to help you in the way that your friend did ie go and get thigs for you - perhaps dispose of the food before it goes off etc 

id be a bit dubious about a 'stranger' going to my place but under the circumstances i don't see any alternative. even if its just to get rid of the food and empty the fridge / freezer and leave the doors open so it does not smell etc. i will ask the council after the weekend to see if they might have anyone that could do that. thanks for the suggestion 

diggingdude

your struggle may be that if your authority is anything like mine we don't have enough staff to perform statutory duties never mind risk their lives going to someone;s homes to collect their possessions.  Contact them but before you do be sure to know exactly what you are asking for and don't take the mick as that is the mostly likely way to get some help