The GSA Way Isn’t Working.
Feeling safe within the walls of our residences is not merely a luxury; it's a fundamental human need, ingrained within our very marrow since our ancestors sought comfort and security within caves. Yet, regrettably, this sense of security is not always guaranteed, and its absence can have profound implications.
When residents feel secure within their dwellings, they experience a sense of sanctuary, a space where they can unwind, recharge, and nurture their families. Conversely, the failure to provide such safety measures not only erodes this sanctuary but also inflicts a heavy toll on individuals' well-being.
The repercussions of inadequate security extend far beyond our individual homes. They reverberate throughout the community, manifesting in heightened levels of stress and anxiety among residents.
The absence of secure homes serves as a catalyst for the proliferation of crime in the local area. Communities plagued by insecurity become fertile ground for criminal activities, as opportunistic individuals exploit vulnerabilities and sow discord. The resulting uptick in crime not only jeopardises residents' safety but also undermines the fabric of the community, eroding trust and cohesion.
So in the prevailing four years since this email above was written have things improved?
To a certain extent, yes.
After much fuss and bother, GreenSquareAccord took unprecedented action following multiple break-ins, thefts, assaults, and police call-outs. Under significant external pressure, GreenSquareAccord finally installed doors that were strong enough to withstand a strong wind and remain shut.
It did take multiple emails and pressure from entities such as Thames Valley Police and our MP, Anneliese Dodds. I don’t have to detail it here as you can read it for yourself here. It took 31 months, but they did replace the doors.
Of course that wouldn’t be the end of woes.
As well as the issue with inadequate doors, another service we pay for is CCTV, as do thousands of residents who rely on GreenSquareAccord for this added security. For those of you who are new here, you can read about it in another historic post.
Of course, one would expect that this provision, which I'm sure Ruth Cooke and her team (being professional housing providers) handle on a daily basis, shouldn't have caused any issues. However, as is often the case, it did.
When GreenSquareAccord finally upgraded our CCTV system to allow for remote access, eliminating the need to physically retrieve footage within a limited timeframe, they overlooked a crucial detail, the new system required an internet connection. Consequently, despite the installation of the updated system, they failed to acknowledge the necessity of establishing connectivity to the World Wide Web before its effective use.
As a picture speaks a thousand words, here are eight photos to highlight the seriousness of the issue.
But these "GSA Isn’t Working" posts aren’t solely focused on historic issues; they are being written to assess whether there have been improvements in service since Ruth Cooke took over the reins. Additionally, we need to determine if this is still an ongoing issue affecting other residents.
Although crimes have reduced since the doors were replaced, we are still troubled by intruders who break into vehicles, CCTV failures, and use our communal areas to abuse drugs and pass out.
But to prove that this is a systemic failure and not just an isolated experience, we need to find other examples. To do this, we don’t need to look too far.
While GreenSquareAccord promptly states that “The health and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority,” this will do little to quell the nerves of other GreenSquareAccord residents who have to share their abode with trespassers. In another example of communal areas being accessible to non-residents, a communal loft space at a block of flats in Cranesbill Road, Melksham, has become home to yet another intruder.
Photos show used coffee cups, staining, and cigarette butts scattered around the communal space, and the discovery has sparked fears that people may be able to access the loft through the space. Residents have reported hearing movement above their heads, making some too afraid to leave their flat in case someone can enter it from above.
Residents at this property have also reported drops in their electricity supply, which has left them often unable to use basic appliances like their kettle and washing machines.
So despite promises and efforts made by GreenSquareAccord, it is evident that the issue of ensuring the safety and security of their paying residents remains a systemic failure. While some improvements have been made, such as the replacement of doors significant challenges persist.
Instances of CCTV failures, intruders accessing communal areas for illicit activities, and reports of drops in electricity supply highlight ongoing concerns. These issues not only undermine residents' sense of security but also point to broader deficiencies in GreenSquareAccord's management of security measures.
Other Security Concerns
To a lesser degree but still a persistent and ongoing concern, which has also been an issue for over five years, is GreenSquareAccord’s inability to provide yet another core service, lockable and secure bin stores.
Again, we can link to historic webpages to bring you, dear reader, up-to-date on this issue that shows such a level of ineptitude that if we weren’t paying their wages, we could have a good laugh about it.
The first time I posted this issue online was back here. The story continued here and is still unresolved as of today. The only action from GreenSquareAccord has been to threaten us residents that we will have to pay to dispose of the rubbish being left by fly-tippers.
The response from GreenSquareAccord at the time provided a worrying insight into their recruitment process. After a disastrous resident meeting in which their then temporary Leasehold and Service Charge Manager told residents it was ‘just our opinion’ as summarised here in the much-read blog ‘GreenSquareAccord, their Messiah Complex, and the Missionary Position’, as well as the knee-jerk response blog written in anger and disbelief titled ‘Seasoned Housing Association Wage Wasters!’.
Yet still, the issue lingers on, as does the GreenSquareAccord representative who, on several occasions now, has failed to embody the GSA customer-centric approach, casting further doubts on the ability of Ruth Cooke to make the much-needed course correction.
So does GreenSquareAccord provide homes that are safe and secure?
Nope.