It appears that although no caretaker staff reductions are currently planned and in fact around 19 additional caretakers are being engaged there is a proposed change being introduced for ground levels daily 'spot checks' rather than daily cleaning.
Clearly residents are concerned that the definition of what is clean may become an issue of interpretation and the random and sudden change of state from clean to dirty, such as an kitchen oil spill, or other substance which presents an immediate Health and Safety risk can and do occur at any time.
More fundamentally however, is the concern the proposed change away from a weekly clean to all communal areas to a twice a month only clean will make. Naturally, this has created quite a stink with residents!
Although, this is currently being rolled out in Camden, it appears the main perceived reductions to onsite caretaker service is focusing on any estates that are considered too clean! Hence the reported reason for moving some of the caretaker resource over to neighbouring estates within in each of the two districts of the Borough. If there is any good news about this proposal is that blocks with previously less caretakers in Camden may now receive needed extra resources.
It was explained to me in my telephone interview with the Camden officer responsible that this is planned proposal is to be implemented across ALL estates in two districts of the Borough.
I will continue to question this proposal to verify that a more uniform and fair level of estate cleaning and caretaker services is provided throughout all of Camden estates.
It should also be noted that a vital and often forgotten function of the caretaker is the social care that they can provide by keeping a watchfull eye on some of the older and more vulnerable residents, when I challenged the responsible officer for this proposal he conceded to me that the change to 'spot checks' would reduce on site caretakers ability to provide this level of duty of care to those residents.
UPDATE: Saturday 14th April
I have had a very useful and detailed conversation with Cllr Julian Fulbrook Camden Housing Cabinet member late this afternoon on the above concerns. Although Cllr Fulbrook has just returned from travels, he was very surprised of the proposals and stated that he knew nothing of such a proposal or change, but if it were an operational decision that could well be the case. But as the above aforementioned caretaker situation sounded more like a strategic plan and proposal that he should have been informed.
He has assured me that he will contact the responsible Camden officer first thing on Monday to establish the full facts.
Councillor Fulbrook shares with me a complete surprise that an estate can ever be too clean!
He also supported my observation that the current duty of care by caretakers keeping a watchful eye on the elderly and vulnerable would clearly not be there if the on-duty daily caretaker is being removed from an estate because it was determined to be too clean.
Footnote: This article has changed from its original form to more generic non specific form at the request of TRA representatives of the estate now entering sensitive discussions together with the ward councillors and Camden council senior officers. Naturally, on the request of my fellow TRA colleagues I have been more than happy to make the required blog changes to keep the basis of the caretaker reduction article intact.
Photo of Clarence Way Estate located in Hawley Road, CTPH.
