This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
STATES OF JERSEY
LE CLOS GOSSET: UPGRADE OF HEATING SYSTEM – PETITION
Lodged au Greffe on 19th July 2010 by Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour
STATES GREFFE
2010 Price code: B P.102
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to request the Minister for Housing to abandon the proposed upgrade of the heating system at the Maisonettes at Le Clos Gosset; and work with residents in order to find a heating solution that is more acceptable to both parties.
DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR
REPORT
This petition has been presented to the States Assembly on behalf of the residents of 84 – 113 Le Clos Gosset. All 29 residents have signed the petition save for 3. Two were in Hospital and one felt that they could not sign as it may prevent them from moving to a more disabled-friendly flat as the doorway of the current flat was not wide enough for their electric wheelchair.
The residents received a letter from the Housing Department on Friday 28th May 2010 informing them that the Housing Department had decided to replace the heating system in the maisonettes to switch from the current oil system, which the entire estate currently use, to an electric system.
The residents have lodged this petition as they object to an electric system being installed in the maisonettes for the following reasons –
Lack of consultation by the Housing Department:
The residents feel very aggrieved that, in their view, the Housing Department has not consulted with the residents, removing the opportunity to discuss what changes to the heating system would be the best introduced.
Cost:
The residents are of the opinion that the choice of an electric heating system is the most expensive option. Many of the residents are elderly and are on Income Support – a section of society that the States Assembly acknowledges as having greater heating requirements during the daytime and particularly during the winter months. The evidence to support this is the extra support that the Social Security Department gives during prolonged cold periods. Therefore, elderly residents will require the use of electricity at peak times and not really be able to take advantage of Economy 7 initiatives, leaving vulnerable people in a situation whereby the heating bill will rise significantly, leading to the heating or eating' dilemma. Some of the residents have had previous experience of the suggested system and found them to be very expensive and question the overall effectiveness of the system.
Age:
Many of the residents are elderly, including one who is 101. The work that is required to happen within the maisonettes in order to upgrade the system to electricity will cause much stress and discomfort to the residents, many of whom deserve peace in their twilight years.
Health:
Many of the residents suffer from various respiratory diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and Asthma. The elderly residents and their doctors are very concerned that a change from a wet system of heating to a dry system will only worsen their conditions.
Refurbished:
Several residents have made various upgrades to their flats (new carpets, etc.). They are concerned that with the works required to put in this system, these upgrades would have been for nothing. Also, the residents are concerned that if the electric system is introduced, the new heaters will be much larger than the ones currently in place, reducing the space in already modest flats. Furthermore, the residents are concerned that if the Housing Department installs this system, that after removing the old heaters
Housing will not cover the costs of doing the necessary refurbishments, such as filling in holes and painting the vacant spaces, fitting new carpets, etc.
Alternative solutions:
The residents accept that the current system needs to change, as there are oil leaks and there is an inequity in being connected to the main estate's system whereby thrifty residents subsidise those who leave their heating on. The residents would like to point out that the individual boilers to the maisonettes are less than 2 years old, which cost thousands of pounds to the Housing Department. However, doing some research, the residents have come up with a solution that would be cheaper for residents.
In conclusion, the elderly residents of Le Clos Gosset, for the reasons stated above, hope that the States Assembly will acknowledge the implications that changing the heating system will have on their overall well-being and quality of life. The residents pray that the States Assembly will give a clear message to the Housing Department that the introduction of such a system is not acceptable and should not be implemented. Finally, that the Housing Department should work with residents in order to find a solution that is much more acceptable to both residents and the Housing Department.
Financial and manpower implications
For a new 500 gallon oil tank the estimated cost is £1,400.00. For all the maisonettes in total the estimated cost would be under £10,000.
Each group of residents would pay for their own oil as and when required.
The manpower implications would be minimal as the Housing Department is constantly ordering and organising the installation of different equipment.
APPENDIX
PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE STATES OF JERSEY | ||
Name of person(s) or body responsible for this petition – Mrs. Lisa Cantrell and the elderly residents of 84 – 113 Le Clos Gosset | ||
These are the reasons for this petition – The residents object to the replacement heating system proposed by the States of Jersey Housing Department, because most of the elderly residents suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema and/or Asthma. The lack of consultation between the residents and their Doctors with the States of Jersey Housing Department with regard to changing the existing wet central heating and hot water system, with a dry electric central heating and hot water system which is not conducive for sufferers of the above forms of Chronic Lung Disease. Also, some residents have lived here since they were built: our oldest resident is 101 years old. The stress and the mess of it all would be too much for some residents, who are well into their 80s, 90s and a 101 year-old, when there is a simple and cheaper way for the residents to retain their wet central heating and hot water system. | ||
We, the undersigned, petition the States of Jersey as follows – We wish to retain our wet central heating and hot water system by means of an individual oil tank for each boiler, the space is available to do so. | ||
Full name (please print) | Full postal address | Signature |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29 signatures