3 minute read
An interview with a Member - Mary Durcan
AN INTERVIEW WITH A MEMBER - MARY DURCAN
Can you tell our readers what the role of an Allocated Member involves and what allocated members do to champion our estates?
There are 12 City of London housing estates, and 10 of those are outside the Square Mile, all of varying size. We have 10 Common Councillors as members of the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee, so with a bit of doubling up we can cover them all.
I am the allocated member for Holloway and York Way estates, both in Islington. In pre-COVID times, I had visited the estate and talked to the manager and other staff discussing issues, walking around the estate, finding out if I could help by raising matters with officers or the committee and talking to any residents who were about. I also joined in the summer fair arranged by residents with help from the staff and, as it was a gloriously sunny day, sat chatting to residents enjoying a cool lemonade.
How do you become an allocated member?
We try to accommodate members preferences and interests and it is all done amicably with everyone’s agreement
What committees do you serve on and what are the responsibilities?
My membership of committees has grown some what over the four years since I was elected as a member of Cripplegate Ward.
I am now on the Community and Children’s Services Committee and a member of the following sub committees:
• Housing Management and Almshouses (Chairman)
• Homelessness and Rough Sleeping (monitoring and reviewing efforts to prevent rough sleeping in the City of London)
• Safeguarding (care of children in care and vulnerable adults)
I am also a member of several other committees.
You are the allocated member for York Way and Holloway Estates, what do you see as the top priorities for these two estates?
Definitely window replacement, which is long overdue. This will help with heating costs for residents, condensation and noise issues, plus it will contribute to our Climate Action Strategy of reducing fuel usage. In addition we hope to provide some additional housing at York way which will help those on our waiting list and help those currently resident on York way to move into more appropriate housing. We are also looking to provide more community facilities for residents and for children such as play areas.
More about the Climate Action Strategy on page 14 Interested in joining or setting up a Residents Association? Email your Estate Manager, or the Community Engagment team
How has your role as an Allocated member been affected by the pandemic and resulting lockdown?
I have not been able to visit Holloway or York Way Estates due to the pandemic, and many staff have been working from home. I look forward to resuming estate visits once the lockdown is over.
Would you encourage residents to set up Tenants and Residents Associations? And what support/ advice would you be able to give them?
I would encourage residents to set up tenants and residents Associations. They can be a great opportunity for residents to work together on social events and discuss improvements or issues affecting their Estates. I would welcome an opportunity to join them at social events and occasionally at meetings if they thought I could contribute and act as a conduit between the residents and the Corporation.
To find out more about the Governance of the City of London and the role of Common Councillors, visit:
https://democracy.cityoflondon. gov.uk
Interested in joining or setting up a Residents Association?
Email your Estate Manager, or the Community Engagment team
