Southwark News - March 16th 2023

Page 17

Southwark News, Thursday March 16 2023

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 17

Housing repair issues have got so bad, children are now getting involved

T

his week, this paper covered the school girls who challenged the council after finding out most of their class had dealt with severe repair issues in their homes.

Students from Notre Dame RC Girls School in Elephant and Castle joined community leaders and residents at the Southwark Council offices to raise the alarm about mould, damp and repairs issues. We know that council tenants in Southwark are no strangers to these problems. But judging by these young advocates, the issue seems to have reached new heights. The students’ arrival at the Tooley Street offices has created a storm on social media with the well-known housing activist and journalist Kwajo urging students to “keep returning until they listen”. It’s reassuring that news of children living in unacceptable conditions provokes such a strong emotional reaction. Especially since the landmark ruling that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from prolonged exposure to the mould in his family’s Rochdale flat. We receive a huge volume of calls every week from people wanting to highlight these issues, but sadly we can’t report on them all. However, in a bid to get answers for the people of Southwark, we looked into what might be behind the council’s seemingly slow response to repair issues. A Freedom of Information Request revealed that there are just 78 Resident Services Officers responsible for 48,164 council homes, an average of 617 each. This would suggest that maybe the girls had a point in calling for each home to have a ‘caretaker’ to ensure repairs are done more efficiently. Another meeting has been organised in Peckham Square where school kids will join community leaders and, once again, share accounts of their housing problems. Southwark Council Leader Kieron Williams and Housing lead Darren Merrill couldn’t attend last Thursday’s meeting, but hopefully they will be at this next one. It is nothing short of depressing that children have to come out of school to address these problems they are dealing with daily. Perhaps this can set an example to all young people in Southwark that getting involved in local democracy does have the power to ignite some much-needed action - but in the words of Cllr Jasmine Ali: it’s a shame they had 22:35 to meet like this. Flyer_A5.pdf 1 12/10/2021

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across 1 The reliability of what can be eaten on credit? (11) 9 That is including a century in a cold state (3) 10 At no future time, according to the raven (9) 11 To tease us in return is sweet (5) 13 Those who are willing to reveal all? (7) 14 One who dines after noon initially is tidier (6) 16 One way I can change my mood (6) 18 Guess that the likeness will take in (7) 19 It’s more genuine to be faithful to what is right (5) 20 How a Latin son could join the citizens (9) 21 Be critical of the god (3) 22 Making a fresh judgement about how the fools sing? (11)

Clues Down 2 There’s grass in every English county (3) 3 One who gives a way in round the new head (5) 4 Stolid six in part of the skeleton (6) 5 Almost entice without effort in a sensational way (7) 6 The outfit of the philosopher after a theoretical start? (9) 7 Quarrels about putting different sons in sides (11) 8 Bring the dismissals to a halt and stop fighting (5,6) 12 Give a pledge beforehand and argue out the surroundings (9) 15 Men who periodically have a policy (7) 17 Argue if it will be back in time (6) 19 In short it inquires for jobs (5) 21 A church following could turn this use of words into a blow (3)­

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Clues Across 1 Considered (11) 9 Freeze (3) 10 Carry (9) 11 Sea bottom (5) 13 Adolescent (7) 14 Spurn (6) 16 Inquiring (6) 18 Town in Cyprus (7) 19 Blood sucker (5) 20 Obviously (9) 21 Moral lapse (3) 22 Place for personal advertisements (5,6)

Clues Down 2 Look at (3) 3 Bury (5) 4 Extorts (6) 5 Replies (7) 6 Recalling memories (9) 7 Dissimilarities (11) 8 Makes firmer (11) 12 Disapproving (9) 15 Water tank (7) 17 Milky (6) 19 Faithful (5) 21 Total (3)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic PUZZLE 4 Stable 8 Trigger 9 Sponge 10 Actresses 11 Flag 13 Lunge 14 Relieve 16 Weather 18 Merit 19 Edge 21 Yesterday -- Greater 23 Rejoice 24 Deters Down: Fractured 2 Aggregate 3 Leash 5 Tips 6 Bungle 7 Emerge 9 Sever 11 Fireproof 12 Avoidance 15 Lever 16 Wedged 17 Aghast 20 Utter 21 Year Apologies to all Crossword enthusiasts for no quick puzzle in last week’s paper. The person responsible has been flogged.


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Articles inside

at the Den

3min
page 31

last dance at The Den

2min
page 30

Gary Rowett explains key reason behind c harlie c resswell’s improved performances

1min
page 30

lions loanee has ‘burning desire to be the best’

1min
page 30

long delighted by lions’ shut-out Goalkeeper praises teammates after facing no shots on target at Reading

4min
page 29

dockers day at the den for Huddersfield clash lions’ legends return to SE16 to celebrate former glory

1min
page 28

millwall deliver one-punch knockout to reading

2min
page 28

h amlet find p ort in storm

6min
pages 27-28

MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGES

20min
pages 20-21, 23-27

guernsey, greenwich, garfunkel’s and ghosts

4min
pages 19-20

what’s on in Southwark director of b erlusconi tells all

1min
page 19

BUNNY HOP EGGSTRAVAGANZA

1min
page 18

Housing repair issues have got so bad, children are now getting involved

2min
page 17

Still no arrests after brutal attack outside Bermondsey school

1min
page 16

broken heating leaves camberwell e state residents shivering as teMPeRatuRes dROP tO -1

1min
page 16

New cancer ward at Guy’s

1min
page 15

From emergency care to fundraising half marathon

3min
page 15

Met Police officer jailed for 16 months for shoving a woman over in Honor Oak

1min
page 13

WHat’s gOing On at 567 Old kent ROad?

1min
page 13

Your business, creating your website & market presence

3min
pages 12-13

four men are charged by murder detectives investigating february shooting of bermondsey man kai number’s up! Bingo club set to close

2min
page 12

Young maestros call checkmate at Southwark’s first-ever inter-school chess tournament

2min
page 11

rally organised against pub’s non-existent kids’ drag queen event in se22

3min
pages 10-11

remembering the towering figure of the lion-hearted youth club ‘miracle man’ John motton

4min
page 9

Will film put Peckham on the map?

4min
page 8

‘mould is making us sick’ schoolgirls demand a stop to insufferable living conditions

1min
page 8

is hospitalised in bike hangar collision that ‘council

1min
page 7

Man wounded after reports of shooting in Nunhead

1min
page 7

Treat your mental wellbeing in the same way as you would treat your physical health

3min
pages 5-6

Paying the wrong service charge?

2min
page 4

‘schoolboy plunged to his death after viewing suicide posts online’

3min
page 4

Disabled Millwall fan visits all 272 tube stops to raise ataxia awareness

3min
page 3

e ast s treet m arket traders protest against above-inflation fee increases

3min
page 2
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Southwark News - March 16th 2023 by Community Matters Media Ltd - Issuu