The bane of many residents’ lives in Thamesmead has not reared its ugly head as soon as in recent years: The Thamesmead Estate charges bills have not yet gone out.
In an interesting move, despite giving me an indication that they would probably arrive around June, the bills have not landed, but a resident’s survey on the subject has. All residents should have received a letter from Peabody canvassing their views, and responses can be sent in on paper or via an online questionnaire. Questions asked include multiple choice ones clearly designed to see how realistic peoples’ views of what they are paying for are and more general questions regarding how things could be improved. Whether this will placate some of the more vocal complainants who believe that the charges are outrageous and the work they pay for isn’t completed to an adequate standard remains to be seen.
Peabody has a not insignificant amount of money at its fingertips, and it is a charitable organisation with a lot of experience of regenerating failing estates. They are by no means perfect, and with the amount of land and stock that they will be covering in the Thamesmead region should some of the ambitious building plans go ahead, they stand to make a reasonable profit. I wonder whether they are looking to adjust the bills downwards to improve public opinion in the area, and will be intrigued to see what my bill says when it finally appears.
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