Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council have issued an update on the poor maintenance of Manor Road flats since their first statement on this matter in August.
The response we received from Uttlesford stated that action has been taken – the response from the Interim Director for Property confirmed that an independent surveyor’s inspection was undertaken in February 2024.
Structural degradation
The Interim Director then submitted a report to UDC in July informing members that 20 flats are affected by the structural degradation of balconies- along with a number of secondary factors creating water proofing issues.
Various remedial actions have been undertaken since 2022 – but now following the survey, a further comprehensive programme of refurbishment of the balconies and addressing the secondary water damage; including attending to roofing, drainage improvements and thermal installations are to be implemented through a phased programme – with those flats most impacted given priority.
The first phase started with 2 flats in July and the second phase will commence this month.
We have been made aware of the physical conditions inside many of the flats which are damp and mouldy and some suffering electrical problems as a result.
This information has come from one of our Ward Members who has visited some of the residents.
Complete regeneration needed
The Parish Council supports the residents’ views that this remedial action is insufficient and will not solve the problem.
We support our 4 district councillors in calling for funding to be included in UDC’s Capital Programme for 2025-26 to work towards a complete regeneration of the Manor Road flats.
In addition, at our Full Council meeting held on 2nd October, parish councillors asked the 4 Ward Members to propose a vote of no confidence in the UDC Leader, Portfolio Holder and Chief Executive.
We understand that our MP is involved in this issue and has asked the Secretary of State to intervene; we shall be asking her to forward copies of communications relating to the Manor Road situation.