London fire

I'd wondered whether the area would be built on once the tower is demolished. The idea of some kind of memorial gardens. Would it be appropriate for it to be open and include sensory and play areas, or is that a bad idea?

inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/firefighters-dont-want-thanked-theresa-may-want-tools-job-properly/

This sounds like very good news. In my view the outcry when it was suggested that it might prove difficult to find adequate housing locally signalled to those in authority that they would be in even more trouble reputationally if they did not come up with a fair solution.

Let's hope that decent local places will soon be found for those who are still waiting. I don't suppose such a terrible experience can ever be erased from the memory but at least they won't have to worry about their housing situation.

I really felt for the firefighters Jen. It was obvious from the interview with one of them and the T shirt message on the wall that they felt some guilt for not being able to do more and anger and not being equipped to do it.

I couldn't get them out of my mind so I went on MoonPig and sent them a card - you can put you own words in. I just couldn't think of anything else I could do but I did want them to know that other people thought they had done all that was humanly possible.

I do hope they get the proper equipment now.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/21/grenfell-tower-16-council-inspections-failed-to-stop-use-of-flammable-cladding

Some interesting thoughts on the flats to be moved into.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/21/rehousing-of-grenfell-tower-families-in-luxury-block-meets-mixed-response

According to Google, the bedroom issue is -,one bedroom for each child over the age of 16, a separate bedroom for brothers and sisters over the age of ten.

In my dreams, tenants of social housing keep their family home unless they want to downsize. Just like homeowners.

Without having to pay extra for the extra rooms, Iam.

Anyone who criticises David Lammy needs to watch this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=90beTDNyPUw&t=25s&list=PLTYmWuFco1_089houzfDL0CzYdmlP1Wq9&index=1

Fantastic news! Apparently the Corporation of London has bought the flats which were going to be "affordable" anyway. The neighbours don't seem too happy!

I lived for two years in one of the neighbouring roads in a bedsit above a bookmaker's. I doubt if any flats were worth more than a £1 million when I lived there.

GG2 that's a lovely gesture and I might copy it, if you don't mind.

You can understand the firefighters point of view having lost 10000 firefighters since 2010. I read that the firefighting team who put out the original fridge fire said they went against protocol to start the rescue when the outside of the building was on fire. . Then we've all heard that firefighters worked on the fire for 12 hours instead of the normal 4 hours.

The police are making loud noises too.

The government is coming up against the wall when it comes to the reality of the cuts to the public service.

From what I understand, they weren't intended as "social housing" but "affordable", which is a condition of most new developments. "Affordable" is a sick joke, because £1 million pound flats aren't affordable to most people even wit a 20% discount.

It seems that the City of London Corporation, which has a strange constitutional status and is awash with cash, will be the new landlord.

I wonder if their new rents will be the same as they were at Grenfell.

gg a brilliant idea!! I haven't yet spoken to my firefighting neighbour. But saw him walking along the road with his terrier and he did look sort of bowed down and limping. Difficult to describe. He is a big chap and just looked smaller.

That's the point I made earlier dd. And I have looked it up now too -

Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80% of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable).

That said, I don't believe the council can charge that kind of rent.

I understand that all of the flats for private ownership have been sold. I have some sympathy with the owners because they did not buy knowing their neighbours would be social housing tenants. I do think those people complaining right now are a foolish.

Was just thinking... I suspect the rent even at 80% will be above the housing benefit cap.

Sorry I missed it Wilma. This is the first time I've looked at GN today.

I read somewhere that the social housing tenants will be in separate blocks and won't have access to the spa, swimming pool, etc.

That area isn't all gentrified, so the people who bought flats would have known that they would be surrounded by bedsits, etc.

I hope the rents aren't exorbitant too. I suspect the media will keep a close eye on what's happening, so hopefully they will be kept at a reasonable level. According to Google. the City of London Corporation has over a £ billion in its "cash" account and I guess it's an opportunity for it to portray itself as not always a "bad guy".

I bet there were some frantic conversations between the "powers that be" going on to come up with this solution.

Yes, it would be over the housing benefit cap, but I'm not sure that they'd dare charge it. I'm wondering how it will work. K & C council have a statutory duty to rehouse the Grenfell Tower residents, so I wonder if they will be responsible for paying the City of London Corporation and then charging tenants. I'm not sure how it works.

I'm sorry but the mention of poor doors has really got my goat. Stop sniping ? Really? Mazie You should read some of the VERY personal attacks I have had in the last week . Apparently I am inhuman, have a turbo charged broomstick and think I am "head girl" .
not in the slightest bit childish eh ?

I am so glad you thought it was a good idea WKf and whitewave. I just couldn't think of anything tangible - flowers would have seemed wrong. The address is easy to find, just Google London Fire Brigade. They just looked as if they had had the stuffing knocked out of them.

You have both explained the two different rates I was referring to earlier too. Thank you.

.... and guess who brought up the "poor door"
In the first place ? It's okay I won't say the name. would hate to " get personal"

Well done gilly

Round of applause for Gilly I feel.

Part of me would like the tower to be kept exactly as it is. A reminder if what happens when people are ignored and regulations flouted, when financial considerations are put above human need. But I realise that this would be unfair for other local residents
Pity

For not getting personal I mean

Exactly.