Local Lib Dems have always said that the Southwark Labour standard of major works for estates was not in line with what residents actually need and deserve. Their ‘dry’ standard doesn’t seem to deal with damp and their ‘safe’ standard doesn’t actually mean security doors. They did a consultation to ask residents what they wanted, residents said kitchens, but they decided not to do kitchens.

The excuse which Labour has given for failing to do the basic things residents want is that there is not enough money. But it’s positive that, thanks to our campaigns over the past 3 years, they have started to recognise they need to do better – by doing some kitchens and some door entry schemes. However, as always, much of it is more about the spin than the substance.

Last year local Liberal Democrat councillors contacted the council, with the support of police and residents, to explain that residents on 4 blocks of the Dickens Estate were having major problems with crime and vandalism. We were told that the blocks would go onto a ‘wish list’ for door entry scheme. However, when some blocks were named this year none of the Dickens blocks were mentioned. So we wrote to ask why not and were told that it was all the fault of ward councillors for not asking for them. So we wrote back with proof we had raised the issues – one more than one occasion.

Then we were told it was because there had not been enough crime reports. So we asked to see how many crime reports there had been. And would you believe it – there had been more crime reports in these blocks than others which were getting door entry. So now the excuse is back to square one and they can’t be done because there isn’t enough money – even though they just found some money to do door entry!

If this all sounds complicated and convoluted it’s because it is. And yet all residents want is for the council to be on their side. To stop rough sleeping and vandalism on the stairs to their homes. And the silly thing is that door entry in these blocks would actually save the council money in the long run.

We’ve had over 100 residents sign our petition now and have formally asked the council how much the work will actually cost. We will keep battling on the side of residents until they feel safe in their own homes.