• AREA housing panel meetings? What a total joke. At the latest one I have been told not to speak too much as it is becoming “Martin’s meeting”.

Perhaps it’s because I am the only one there from the Popham and Cumming estates, so am speaking for a lot of people, but I listen to the many people attending from other estates, so I’m one voice for several estates rather than one each from the others.

To be told that a major development, such as Windsor Street, cannot be tabled, despite the fact that it involves hundreds of residents, and not accepting the facts given by me in writing, only what other council departments tell them incorrectly, is despicable.

This development is something that could happen anywhere at any time, so knowledge gained now is a lesson to be learned later. Even the fact that they call it the Windsor Road development for 11- to 17-year-olds, says it all really.

“Don’t worry about the fox den, Martin, or people losing their garages, this will be discussed and sorted in time.” No, I wanted answers please.

To be told that – where a council officer says something about estate works that is not acceptable, and being something that the area housing manager should be involved in – I should make an official complaint against that officer (and not the area housing manager taking up the complaint) shows how much we, as rent or service-charge residents, are ignored if they cannot be bothered to take up our case.

I am told that they receive hundreds of emails and can’t be expected to reply to every one. Sorry, am I missing the point of someone being in a particular job who is supposed to help you?

Islington’s housing office system needs a major shake-up, as they are representative of all estates, not just the chosen few.

I stormed out of the meeting (okay, I admit that my medication does affect my mood swings), vowing never to go back. Unless there is something drastic that I need to attend to, I won’t. Then the area housing manager won’t have to worry about those of us he obviously feels don’t concern him.

MARTIN RUTHERFORD
Popham Street estate, N1