**Minutes of the STRA AGM 2020 are here. **

At the Council Assembly Ordinary Meeting Wednesday 25 November 202 07.00 pm there was the following motion:

MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR HUMAIRA ALI (Seconded by Councillor Graham Neale)

End our cladding, external wall fire review formEWS1 and snagging scandal

http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/g6773/Public%20reports%20pack%20Wednesday%2025-Nov-2020%2019.00%20Council%20Assembly.pdf?T=10

See p23.

Following the meeting:

From:

The Government clarified the EWS1 Regulations on 21 November.  See the press release below.

The headline is:

"Government steps in to help homeowners caught up in 'EWS1' process

Owners of flats in buildings without cladding will no longer need an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-steps-in-to-help-homeowners-caught-up-in-ews1-process

 STRA held a meeting for Directors of Resident Management Boards regarding the EWS1 regulation.

Here are notes of what was discussed.  If you want to join the Directors Group please email info@shadthames.org with details of your block and your role.

EWS1 Meeting on Thursday 12 November at 6pm

• Directors need to be aware of this key document – “Building safety advice for building owners, including fire doors”  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-advice-for-building-owners-including-fire-doors
• And aware of this Policy paper – “Draft Building Safety Bill https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-building-safety-bill
• This is a UK wide issue, and impacts all owners of blocks of flats
• There is legislation in the system, but is not yet law
• There is guidance from the government but it’s not mandatory
• RICS, CML and other bodies all have an ‘interest’ in the process, controlling resources and setting standards
• There are various levels of EWS1 Certification – A1,2,3 and B1,2. B2 is problematic as mortgage providers wont lend on this.
• Some mortgages companies require EWS1 certificates, some don’t
• Different EWS1 assessors give different/ conflicting advice
• There are a number of different companies who have been used across Shad Thames
• There is lack of clarity of what the rules actually mean in practice
• Not all Managing Agents seem to be across the issues or taking the same approach
• Some blocks have achieved EWS1 certification with no issues
• Some blocks have achieved EWS1 certification, but have additional work to complete
• Costs / quotes vary from a few hundred pounds per flat to significant sums for certification
• EWS1 Certificates are in addition to External Fire Risk Assessments
• Councillor Humaira is working with Southwark Council to look at providing a central contact point regarding this topic, with possibilities for signposting for information and resources
• There is a UK wide campaign designed to raise awareness of the problems this legislation is causing: #EndOurCladdingScandal. More information here: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/end-our-cladding-scandal-campaign-relaunches-with-10-step-plan-to-tackle-mounting-crisis-68020
• We will all benefit from sharing information
• We will keep in contact and share any significant development

27 August 2020

BWRT have announced the results of the competition which can be found here:

 https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/competition-shortlist-reimagining-butlers-wharf/

The finalists have a deadline of 11 September to submit their final design proposals. These will then be displayed in an online exhibition on the Festival's website and residents will have the chance to vote on their favourite designs from 15-25 September.

STRA is pleased to support this effort to bring real change to the Butler's Wharf jetty, a space about which many residents have voiced concerns in recent years. The jetty's value to our community as a peaceful, open space has never been more apparent than during the months of lockdown we've all just experienced. 

STRA has supported BWRT in principle and through financial contributions since its inception. The launch of the design competition is an important step forward for this project. 

You can also follow BWRT on Twitter (@bwriverside) and on Instagram (@butlerswharfriverside) and visit their website: www.butlerswharfriverside.org 

See updates here

This event is now postponed.

Join our Facebook page, Our Shad Thames, to join in the conversation and see up to date news and comments - https://www.facebook.com/groups/shadthames/

In order for the Police to have an accurate picture of anti-social behaviour in our local area, please use the link below for reporting anything you see:

 https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/

At the STRA AGM a question was asked about what can be done about helicopter noise in the area.

Anood, our local Councillor, contacted Caroline Pidgeon at the GLA, and received the following reply.  Anood will follow up in the New Year.

You will see from the links below that this is a problem that is receiving London-wide attention.
 
"Caroline will indeed ask some Mayoral Questions in the New Year, however in the meantime I thought this information from her website might be useful.

http://www.carolinepidgeon.org/node/1019
 
Caroline also asked a couple of written Mayoral Questions back in September.   I thought they might be useful.
 
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_289305
 
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_289304
 
I also enclose a written Parliamentary Question asked by Tom Brake:
 
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-09-15/46592 "
 
Mark Morris
Office of Caroline Pidgeon AM
Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member
City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA
Tel: 020 7983 4336
Mob: 07917214788
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Follow us on twitter:    
@CarolinePidgeon