News
Concierge cuts 'will fuel crime'
Friday, 24 October 2008
Concierge services are being reduced on the Ethelred Estate
DRASTIC cuts to concierge services on a borough’s estates could increase crime, tenants claim.
Lambeth Living Limited – the council-owned firm that manages the borough’s social housing stocks – plans to axe staff to reduce costs.
But the move has been slammed by council tenants and leaseholders across Lambeth, who fear the loss of concierges could lead to increased crime and in the worst circumstances put lives in danger.
On the Ethelred Estate in Kennington, concierge services, which operate from 7am until 10.30pm daily, are to be slashed.
It means that the number of staff will be cut from six to three and those remaining will only be on duty for around six hours a day.
This means the 270-flat, three-block estate will be without any concierge cover at all other times.
The Ethelred has been blighted by arson attacks in the past month and was also the scene of an attempted rape.
Ethelred Tenants’ and Residents’ Association chairwoman Olive Watts said: “We have not been properly consulted about the cuts and we don’t want it to happen.
“It will lead to more vandalism and there will be times when there is no one here to make sure the place is clean and secure and report incidents.
“As a leaseholder I pay £12 per week for the concierge service and I will have to pay the same amount even when the shifts are cut.”
Lambeth council claims Lambeth Living is still consulting with tenants and leaseholders over the plan but the South London Press has seen emails from Lambeth Living telling residents the cuts will go ahead from November 1.
A spokeswoman for Lambeth Living said: “”We are consulting closely with tenants on an estate-by-estate basis before making any decisions on changes to concierge services, and we hope in some cases to offer the same shift cover.
“This means that specific concerns, such as those raised by people living on the Ethelred estate, will be taken into account before a final decision is made.”
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Email: greg.truscott@slp.co.uk
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