A FORMER dinner lady is warm again after her windows were fixed while her neighbour shivers in a coat and scarf because the work has yet to be done.

Jill Pullen has had her window insulation improved in her Warndon flat after a workman came out to her home before Christmas, promoting praise for Platform Housing who manage the block.

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However, her neighbour, Wayne Penn, who lives in the same block of flats in Crickley Drive, Warndon, Worcester has arthritis in his knees and is still wrapped up in a coat and scarf, rubbing his hands and stamping his feet, as he waits for his windows to be fixed.

Cllr Jill Desayrah, who raised the issues with Platform Housing on behalf of both residents, said it was 'positive' the organisation had responded in the way it had and now wants other residents with similar issues to have the insulation fixed.

The workman fixed the insulation in Mrs Pullen's lounge, kitchen and bathroom in Crickley Drive, Warndon, Worcester after the Labour city councillor flagged the jobs with landlord Platform.

Worcester News: PRAISE: Cllr Jill Desayrah has praised Platform Housing for fixing the insulation at one flat in Crickley Drive PRAISE: Cllr Jill Desayrah has praised Platform Housing for fixing the insulation at one flat in Crickley Drive (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mrs Pullen, 66, who worked at Oasis Academy in Warndon for 19 years as a cleaner and dinner lady, said: "It was letting in all the cold air. The windows should have been replaced last year or the year before. I've now been told this is not happening until 2025. All the windows in the flats need upgrading."

She said the rubber insulation to the windows had all been coming out but the workman used a tool to tuck it all back in three weeks before Christmas so the property is now keeping in more heat.

"If not for Jill (Desayrah) I would still have been waiting now. I'm pleased the work has been done. That strengthening of the insulation has made an impact," she said.

Mr Penn, 52, has arthritis in both knees and understands Platform will be returning to look at the windows in his flat. He only hopes they come soon before it gets any colder.

He said: "The flat is draughty and cold and it gets damp around the window. You can see the condensation. When it was run by Fortis they said the windows were warped and the frames had not been put in right for the whole block."

Mr Penn said he had put up double-lined curtains to try and keep in the warmth. 

"It's not too bad in summer. It's winter time. It does aggravate my arthritis. I have to put the heating on. I might as well just chuck my money out of the window" he said.

Cllr Jill Desaryah, who reported the issues to Platform in November, said:  "These sealed unit, double-glazed windows were fitted throughout the block some decades ago but they fit very poorly with gaps and uneven seals. I understand that these issues have been reported by many of the residents multiple times over the years.

"Nevertheless, on November 4 I raised to request for urgent attention from Platform's Maintenance team on behalf of the entire block as every flat is affected in the same way, but giving Flats 30 and 32 as examples. 

"The good news is that within about a month of my request, Mrs Pullen at No 32 had had her windows successfully repaired and she is delighted with the results. It is very good to see how well Platform's maintenance team can perform. Not only did they respond in a reasonable timeframe, they were also efficient and effective on site. Excellent work!

"However, similar repairs to Mrs Pullen's neighbour's windows at No 30, remain outstanding. Having chased this anomaly the necessary repairs have now been scheduled and I hope they will prove to be just as successful. 

"What would be really fantastic now is if Platform Housing could plan to complete these relatively simple, quick but very effective repairs for all of the other flats in the block. This would help keep everyone there warmer through the worst of the winter without racking up unaffordable heating bills."

Marion Duffy, Chief Operations Officer at Platform Housing Group said: "We are sorry to hear of our customer's concerns; we will be visiting Mr Penn's home this week to inspect the windows."