Letter of Questions to Barnet Council regarding the re-cladding of homes
11 March 2024 · 8 min read
Dear Barnet Council,
Since I first tried to make contact with you on Monday 4th of March I have had no response to my initial questions. I have since had time to research further into your plan, your FAQs and the new article which you published on the Barnet Council website on the 5th of March.
I have copied our local MP Sara Conway to this email, as you must be held accountable for reasonable communication with residents, which is something you have promised to do and Sara needs to know from day 1 that you are not helping residents.
I have prepared the below questions, with the intention of sending them to you and you having the adequate time to produce answers for the "drop in" session arranged for the 16th of March 2024, however upon calling the council today and speaking to Angela she has informed us that this drop in session is only for tenants and not freeholders (despite it being mentioned in the freeholder letter we received). And there are no formal or otherwise discussions planned with the council for freeholders.
In one letter you have blindsided us with this work, you have instantly made our homes unsellable, uninsurable and caused incredible financial distress to residents in one of the worst cost of living crisis that we have lived through, and you have made no effort for any further contact or acknowledgement to residents.
I have separated the questions into 3 categories:
- Questions relating to the original notification issued to residents
- Questions relating to the FAQs document that came with the letter
- Questions relating to the article published on the Barnet Council Website 5th March 2024
Questions relating to the original notification (1st March 2024)
1. "Recent external surveys on similar properties to yours have shown that your property type appears to have the same cladding" — Please provide a copy of the survey and investigations carried out and on which properties that has resulted in this notification being delivered to 580 homeowners. Have the homes been declared defective by the survey?
2. You've quoted the Housing Act 2004 only in the context to intimidate residents into believing this is their only choice and must comply, but you have not given any further information in regards to the housing act and what your further responsibilities are.
3. "If you choose to appoint the Council to carry out these essential works, costs are estimated at between £14,000 to £23,000 per property." — What exactly are we getting for this money? What is the exact process? What will it look like? What is it made from? How is it being installed? Are you simply removing the black wood cladding and replacing it with another material, or do you plan to also address the issue of cavities behind the cladding?
4. "Your home insurance may be impacted by this" — Once works are completed, what proof will be given to residents? A certificate of repairs?
5. "A dedicated team will deal with your enquiries" — I first sent an email on the 4th of March and have had no reply. Please immediately provide the name and contact details of the project manager.
6. A drop-in session is also being arranged — Why have you failed to put the date, time and location of the meeting on the letter?
Questions relating to the FAQs (1st March 2024)
1. "When were the homes built? Between the 1930s and 1960s." — This is incorrect. Our homes on the Watling Estate were built from 1927 to about 1933.
2. "When was the cladding installed? Late 1980s." — This is incorrect. According to Barnet Council's own history, these homes were intentionally designed and constructed with timber and have remained like this for almost 100 years.
3. Regarding the "advantages" of using the council contractor — these homes were originally built by the council, so they should have already been through robust procurement. If the "rules" change again in the future, will the council again hold residents responsible?
4. "If private homeowners do not allow changes, Barnet Council will need to take appropriate enforcement action" — Please explain in no uncertain terms what action will be taken, as this is received as a threat.
5. "Unfortunately government payments are only available for high and medium-rise buildings." — It is your responsibility to go to government and secure the same funding for us.
Questions relating to the Council News Article (5th March 2024)
1. You state it constituted a "Category 1 hazard" online but not in the letter to residents. With this determination comes a procedure under section 5 of the Housing Act 2004. Which course of action has been taken?
2. "Barnet Council has briefed London Fire Brigade" — Please provide the LFB's response and whether a proper consultation took place.
3. The council, as the developer of these properties and protector of the Watling Estate Conservation Area for almost 100 years, bears responsibility. In the same way the government had to take blame for Grenfell, it is the council's responsibility to cover these costs.
4. Regarding the proposed loan — Why are we not waiting for Cabinet approval before asking residents to pay? What happens to residents who cannot afford a loan? Is it interest free?
Additional Questions
1. Do we have the right to appeal the letter and go to a tribunal?
2. Barnet Council has alerted the government and the Mayor of London. Please provide the details and when these were passed on.