Goodricke College Chair Dean Hickey has questioned the University’s policy of handing accommodation building contracts to external contractors after it emerged that a lack of communication played a part in prolonged water shortages in the college throughout the Spring term up until May.
Goodricke accommodation is owned by private contractor Derwent FM. Hickey has been told that “Derwent FM and the University are at each other’s throats,” and that the lack of communication between the two has left students suffering.
Hickey told Vision: “[University Head of Estates] Kevin Whelan addressed our JCRC and raised some important points, one of particular note was the apparent lack of communication which is to the detriment of students.
“I would hope that whilst the use of private contractors may be ‘cheaper’ they do not represent a ‘profits before students’ approach. Especially when Goodricke’s accommodation is amongst the most expensive on campus.”
Goodricke Campaigns Officers Hugh Oatts and Bob Clarke have put together compensation claims on behalf of the residents. “We look forward to seeing the University’s response to this issue,” Hickey added.
The problems with water shortages originally arose back in October 2012 and were at their worst during the Spring term. One first-year resident told Vision: “It was awful – it really messed up people’s routines and made living over on Hes East even more of an inconvenience.
“The fact that the problems went on for so long when we pay so much for our accommodation is unacceptable, hopefully justice will be done and we’ll be able to get some compensation.”
“Goodricke accommodation is owned by private contractor Derwent FM.”
This is completely wrong – Nouse/Vision even ran an article or two about how it is owned/managed and yet the wrong facts still crop up.
Goodricke (and Langwith) are owned equally by two property companies of which Evans and the university own. Derwent FM is the contractor for Goodricke which provides cleaning and maintenance services for Goodricke.
From what i understand the (again from your articles) is that the water shortages are cause by the sports center swimming pool using too much water. Surely this is a problem with the water supplier? Is your landlord really responsible if your telephone line goes out or if Yorkshire water have a problem?
The problem lies with the infrastructure the university have installed and that’s what need rectifying. Water shortages problems actually existed and were even more frequent back when estates had responsibility for cleaning and maintenance and when there was no swimming pool.
Poor show from Alex on getting the facts wrong, and poor show by Dean from criticizing the wrong people, and telling half a story from a single perspective, just to get his name in print.
I’m sorry but do you live in Goodricke? Probably not, so hear out someone who does. I was at the meeting and I heard what the guy from estates had to say, the current situation with Derwent FM as maintenance guys obviously isn’t working – especially when serious problems such as mains water supply having difficulties. Kevin Whelan basically slagged off Derwent FM…
Also, the University didn’t build the building a contractor did, they are the ones who screwed up the water supply! The University just inherited it!
Where Derwent FM are most culpable is the shoddy system for reporting faults and their unwillingness to admit to Estate Services where they are in over their heads and need help.
I actually agree with Dean and that as a resident I feel like the owners of the building (whoever they are) are just chasing a fast buck by having a private contractor (Derwent FM) in the place of Estate Services.