east area neighbourhood news winter 2010 - 11

We are putting additional resources into managing multi-storey blocks in Stockport, since this is where we have the biggest concentration of tenants and the highest turnover of tenancies. We are setting up specialist teams to specifically manage the blocks at:

• Brinnington – Conway Towers, Ludlow Towers, Brecon Towers, Dunton Towers, Lincoln Towers, Hollowend Towers and Romney Towers;

• Lincoln, Millbrook, Mottram and Ratcliffe Towers, Mottram Street;

• Beaver and Voewood House, Offerton;• Lancashire Hill;• Hollywood Towers and York Street; and• Heaton and Norris Towers.

Our new teams will intensively manage these areas aiming to further improve the services and environment for residents.

This initiative will free up time for other Housing Officers to spend more time on the remaining properties that we manage.

A key feature of the initiative is to provide a framework to work together with other teams and partners e.g. with a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Officer for the blocks.

East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood NewsAction Plan Review

Some of the key things that we want to achieve from this initiative are:

• An action plan for each block developed with customers and partners

• Reduce the number of reports of Anti-Social Behaviour

• Reduce the number of vacant properties• Reduce rent and water rate arrears• Where there is no concierge service consult

with residents about providing the service to increase security on the blocks

• Improve the environment in and around the blocks

• Create more positive publicity in relation to the blocks

Brian BillinghamEast Area Housing Manager

Welcome to the winter edition of Stockport Homes’ Neighbourhood News. In this addition we give an update on Neighbourhood Plans and explain how

we aim to improve how we manage blocks of properties.

Winter 2010/11: Issue 6

Continued on page 2

2 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Action Plan Review

Contents

Woodley, Bredbury and Romiley

Stockport Town Centre

Victoria Park, Spring Gardens, Tamworth Green, Offerton North and High Lane

Brinnington

Contact Us

Offerton Estate

Page 3

Page 5

Page 6

Page 9

Page 11

Page 7

Page 8

Neighbourhood issues and action taken

The initiative will start at the beginning of November 2010 and to facilitate this, it may mean that some customers will have a new Housing Officer from that date. Please see page 11 of this newsletter for the areas which Neighbourhood Housing Officers will manage from November 2010.

Neighbourhood Action Plans have been developed by each Neighbourhood Housing Officer in consultation with partners and customers. They include not only housing issues, but also the local environment, community safety, employment, access to funding and the availability of safe

play areas. Bringing together in a single plan all of the issues that affect a neighbourhood helps Stockport Homes to plan effectively and efficiently the future management and maintenance of services for customers. We hope that you find the information interesting and informative.

More information about the Neighbourhood Action Plans can be found on our website www.stockporthomes.org under ‘Our services / Sustainable Neighbourhood / Neighbourhood regeneration’ or contact your Area Housing Office (see page 11 for contact details).

Hazel Grove, Marple and Marple Bridge

3East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Woodley, Bredbury and Romiley

Cherry Tree fun day

You Said We’ve Done

There are environmental issues relating to graffiti, litter and fly-tipping.

• Neighbourhood Housing Officers have continued to carry out regular estate inspections and walkabouts to identify environmental issues. One issue recently identified was illegal fly-tipping on a garage site on Goyt Valley estate. Following it’s discovery, the Neighbourhood Housing Officer arranged for the area to be cleared and is now monitoring the site closely.

• On-going programme of mini estate clean-ups and community skips across the area including Barrack Hill Close, Bredbury; Underhill, Romiley; Oldham Drive, Woodley; Cherry Tree Estate, Gotherage Close and Greenway, Romiley.

• Stockport Homes also participates and supports the monthly estate clean-up programme organised by Friends of Cherry Tree for the Cherry Tree Estate in Romiley.

Improve play opportunities for children of Cherry Tree, Romiley and Woodley Mill Lane Estate.

• The Cherry Tree fun day took place at Tangshutt Park after a month of activities in August. Children from the Cherry Tree Estate received free sports coaching.

• The Playbuilder scheme to provide a new play area at Riversdale View in Woodley is to go ahead following consultation with the local community. Work will be completed before the end of March 2011.

Improve the security and appearance of the estate.

• The replacement steel security fencing project was completed earlier this year on the Mill Lane Estate, Woodley.

• Phase one of the replacement of higher wooden gates with ornate steel security gates on Oldham Drive has now been completed. The contract is currently out for re-tendering before phase two begins in 2011/12 financial year. The replacements mean better security for tenants, particularly with darker nights.

There is limited awareness of the Credit Union.

• The Neighbourhood Housing Officers continue to promote the Credit Union when visiting new and current tenants and also distribute leaflets.

Continued

4 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Woodley, Bredbury and Romiley (continued)

You Said We’ve Done

Improve the security and appearance of the estate.

• Existing rose beds on Oldham Drive were replanted and upgraded earlier this year. Additional rose beds were also created.

• Overgrown, large conifer trees have been removed at the rear of Parrymead to create more light and improve security of the area. Tenants in the area are to be consulted shortly about external improvements to make the area a more attractive amenity. Work will take place in 2011/12 financial year.

• Extensive re-roofing was completed in Summer 2010 to the flats on Underhill in Romiley. The work has resulted in a real visual improvement to the estate.

Improve the appearance of some garage sites.

• A review of garage sites has been completed and funding has been secured for a programme of works for 2010/11 including sites at Springwood Crescent, Romiley; Riversdale View, Mill Lane and Copage Drive, Woodley.

Traffic on Oldham Drive was going too fast.

• We consulted with Traffic Management who carried out a survey of the area and are now proposing to reduce the speed limit to 20 miles an hour. Officers attended the Oldham Drive Tenants’ and Residents’ Association meeting in November 2010 and if residents approve the plan, the speed limit will be reduced before the end of 2011.

Extra security lighting to Oldham Drive Estate at the rear of the blocks of flats.

• On-going programme of security light installation organised by Planned Maintenance. Phase one completed, phase two to continue during 2011/12 financial year.

You wanted improved security measures on the Oldham Drive Estate.

• On-going meetings held to link all agencies involved in providing better security for the estate including Police, Housing, Age Concern, Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team (ASBAT) and Victim Support. Two days of action were organised for 21 and 22 October 2010 during which representatives from all agencies conducted a door knocking exercise. Tenants were offered advice, literature and No Cold Calling stickers. Vulnerable tenants who were identified on these days are to receive home visits.

You wanted better provision of recycling containers on specific sites along Oldham Drive.

• The Council are currently looking at several sites on Oldham Drive for the installation of dedicated recycling bins. We will provide residents with a further update once installation dates are known.

Neighbourhood Housing Officers: Jackie Heapy and Kevin Lewis

5East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Stockport Town Centre

You Said We’ve Done

You wanted overgrown trees at Ratcliffe Towers to be cut back.

• This work was ordered by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer and carried out by Stockport Council’s Parks and Recreation Team.

You reported missing coving to ceilings within several blocks around Mottram Street.

• The repairs were reported to the Repairs Contact Centre and the work has now been completed.

You asked for a railing to be fitted at Shawcross Street.

• This work has now been completed after funding was received from Stockport Homes’ Estate Improvement Budget.

You wanted improved Notice boards across Mottram Street.

• All notice boards have now been replaced.

Recycling requested at the blocks. • The Neighbourhood Housing Officer and Caretaking Team are currently liaising with the Council regarding suitable locations for recycling bins close to all four multi-storey blocks. Anticipated completion date for this is March 2011.

You wanted improved CCTV in and outside the blocks.

• New cameras have now been fitted inside and outside the blocks. The improved camera quality has enabled the Neighbourhood Housing Officer and the Police to identify those tenants or visitors who have caused Anti-Social Behaviour in the vicinity.

You requested community skips at Shawcross Street.

• Shawcross Street receives regular community skips and has also had a mini estate clean-up carried out which enabled residents to dispose of unwanted bulky rubbish.

You said that people were parking inconsiderately outside Lincoln Towers and were blocking access as a result.

• Working with Traffic Management the area has been line marked to ensure access at all times.

You wanted extra disabled bays at Mottram Street car park.

• Four additional disabled parking bays have now been provided.

There is limited awareness of the Credit Union.

• The Neighbourhood Housing Officer continues to promote the Credit Union when visiting new and current tenants and distributes leaflets.

You were concerned about dogs in the multi-storey blocks.

• Using the new CCTV cameras inside the blocks, the Neighbourhood Housing Officer has been able to identify individuals who have been bringing dogs into the communal areas. Tenants have received warnings where appropriate.

You wanted somewhere to put cigarette waste.

• Cigarette bins have been wall mounted outside each multi-story block.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer: Nicola PayneShawcross Street handrail

6 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Neighbourhood Housing Officer: Pam Pollitt

Victoria Park, Spring Gardens, Tamworth Green, Offerton North and High Lane

Victoria Close

You Said We’ve Done

You wanted recycling facilities on Victoria Park Estate.

• Working with the Victoria Park Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and the Council, paper recycling bins have now been located next to both Beaver House and Voewood House and are being widely used by tenants in all blocks.

The lifts in Beaver and Voewood House need replacing.

• The lifts have now been surveyed and customers will be consulted prior to the commencement of the work. Work is anticipated to start before March 2011.

You requested additional community skips.

• Additional skips have already been provided for Deacons Close, Spring Gardens. On Stephen Street, customers requested their skip during the school summer holidays as the children wanted to be involved. When the skip was provided the children provided great help to the adults present and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

You had problems with youths gaining access onto the walkways on Victoria Park.

• We arranged for additional security railings to be installed above the main communal door via the Community Safety Budget. As a result the issues with youths gaining access have now ceased.

You wanted to improve communal areas.

• Working with the Local Manager, customers in block 22 to 29 Victoria Park successfully secured funding of £500 from the Community Fund to improve their rear communal garden.

Problems with large trees on Nangreave Road shrouding the street lights and making the road very dark.

• These have been referred to Streetscene at the Council by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer. The trees are due to be inspected at the end of October 2010.

7East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Offerton Estate

Work in progress at Ashway Clough, Offerton

You Said We’ve Done

Ashway Clough has become a trap for litter and debris (you told us this during a consultation with residents in which you were asked to classify areas as good, bad or ugly). You classed this area as ugly.

• This area had been a park, but the equipment had been removed 30 years ago. Following consultation the area was landscaped with grass banking and trees and now provides an attractive walkthrough.

An area at Blaze Moss Bank which was covered with concrete was collecting litter and broken glass.

• Following consultation, the area was landscaped with grass banking and trees and now provides an attractive walkthrough.

There are broken flag stones on Kelbrook Court round the greened area.

• These were replaced as a matter of urgency.

There’s a large amount of fly-tipping at the rear of Candleford Place on education land.

• Working with the Area Conditions Team we had the fly-tipping removed leaving the area tidy. The Neighbourhood Housing Officer will continue to monitor the area.

There’s a shrub bed on Candleford Place which attracts litter and fly-tipping.

• Working with the Greenspace Manager we arranged for the replacement of oversized shrubs with turf and low level shrub species.

More activities for residents are required.

• Supported Make a Difference day on 30 October 2010. 150 people attended enjoying face painting, treasure hunts, football coaching, home and garden handy tips and a summer sports day.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer: Sara Maw

8 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Hazel Grove, Marple and Marple Bridge

Consultation plan for Catherine Street

You Said We’ve Done

There are environmental issues relating to graffiti, litter and fly-tipping.

• The Neighbourhood Housing Officer organises and undertakes monthly estate walkabouts, mini estate clean-ups and community skips. Examples of items identified on inspections included damaged and faded street signage on Leigh Avenue, Marple, this has now been replaced. The Neighbourhood Housing Officer also reported graffiti on fencing between Catherine Street and Werneth Close, Hazel Grove. This was reported to Streetscene and removed.

We would like better recycling facilities on Catherine Street, Hazel Grove.

• The Neighbourhood Housing Officer has carried out a consultation with customers in the area and working with the Sustainability Manager and Recycling Team has jointly drawn up a plan of action which includes the provision of additional refuse and recycling bins. Work is anticipated to start before March 2011.

Better facilities for children and young people.

• The Playbuilder scheme to provide a new play area at Bean Leach Road, Hazel Grove is to go ahead following consultation with the local community. Work will be completed before the end of March 2011.

Can we have long-term sustainability of garage sites.

• Catherine Street garage site will benefit from new doors and improved guttering and roofing to be completed by March 2011.

Can you improve the physical appearance of the neighbourhood.

• We have removed a disused greenhouse from allotment land behind Park Bungalows, Marple and also litter picked the area.

• We have removed dead and diseased trees in Hazel Grove and Marple, most notably on Newbourne Close and Edwards Way.

Can the decent homes improvements programme continue.

• Improvements to kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems have been on-going in Hazel Grove and Marple. The anticipated completion date for this work is September 2011.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer: Jen Burnside

9East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

You Said We’ve Done

Can the security in and around the multi-storey blocks be improved.

• Following the installation of improved CCTV cameras, Neighbourhood Housing Officers are working closely with Concierge staff to identify perpetrators of Anti-Social Behaviour. Visitors and tenants entering the blocks with dogs are being advised that this is not permitted and enforcement action is being taken in repeat cases.

Can you improve external areas to design out crime.

• Security fencing and gates have been erected around the perimeter of Falmouth Crescent flats and bungalows to improve security and privacy for residents.

• Moat Walk Play Area has been refurbished and has had additional play equipment installed. It now provides a pleasant environment for local children and their parents.

You wanted less fly-tipping, graffiti and litter.

• Neighbourhood Housing Officers have continued to carry out regular estate inspections and walkabouts to identify environmental issues. They work closely with Area Conditions Officers and all fly-tipping and graffiti is dealt with as a matter of urgency.

• On-going programme of mini estate clean-ups and community skips across the estate.

You wanted improved play opportunities for children.

• The Playbuilder scheme to provide a new play area on Brindale Road, is to go ahead following consultation with the local community. Work will be completed before the end of March 2011.

Brinnington

Continued

Bring it on Brinnington

10 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

You Said We’ve Done

You wanted diversionary activities for children during the holidays.

• Neighbourhood Housing Officers worked with other agencies to provide young people with a variety of activities over three separate dates during the Summer holidays. Activities included litter picking and planting tubs for elderly residents. The young people who took part were rewarded with a day trip to Chester Zoo.

• In Partnership with Parks and Recreation we held several free craft days at the Lapwing Centre and at the Reddish Vale Visitors Centre, giving local children the opportunity to learn new crafts and help shape the Nature Walk between Lapwing Lane and Moat Walk.

You wanted some long-term investment in garage sites.

• Ludlow Towers garage site has been completely resurfaced and the garage doors have also been replaced. We are currently in the process of drawing up additional security measures to further improve this site.

You wanted the Decent Homes programme to continue.

• All the high-rise blocks in Brinnington are currently undergoing kitchen and bathroom replacement. This programme is due to be completed by March 2011.

You wanted improved safety measures and facilities for residents and children at Monton House and the Mount.

• Plans have been drawn up for the installation of perimeter fencing to the front of both schemes. In addition ramps will be provided at both main communal doors in-line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements. New Bamford doors will replace the current entrance doors. Customers have been consulted and the work is expected to start before March 2011.

You wanted the internal areas refurbishing and additional lighting to be provided at Monton House and The Mount.

• All the internal communal areas have been re-plastered, re-decorated and have had passive infrared sensor lights fitted. The flooring has also been steam cleaned and external community lighting has been replaced.

Brinnington (Continued)

Neighbourhood Housing Officers:Dee Ellis, Rob Mitchell, Claire Rourke and Jackie Heapy

11East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Winter 2010/11

Contact us

For more information about what is happening in your area, please contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer using the contact details below.

Information on wards is provided through Stockport Profilingwww.interactive.stockport.gov.uk/profile

To view the Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAPs) please go to our website www.stockporthomes.org under ‘Our Services / Sustainable Neighbourhoods / Neighbourhood Regeneration’.

East Area Housing Office1 Berwick ParadeNorthumberland RoadBrinningtonStockportSK5 8LQ

Tel: 0161 474 4372Fax: 0161 406 8377Text: 07624 808314Email: east.area.housing@stockporthomes.orgWebsite: www.stockporthomes.org

Specialist teams have been set-up to specifically manage blocks. This may mean that your Neighbourhood Housing Officer has changed. Please see below to find out who your Neighbourhood Housing Officer is.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer

Area Covered

Claire Rourke Brecon Towers, Conway Towers, Dunton Towers, Ludlow TowersJen Burnside Hollow End Towers, Lenham Towers, Romney Towers, Voewood House,

Beaver HouseNicola Payne Lincoln Towers, Millbrook Towers, Mottram Towers, Ratcliffe TowersJackie Heapy Bredbury, Woodley and BrinningtonSarah Herod BrinningtonDee Ellis BrinningtonRob Mitchell BrinningtonSara Maw OffertonPam Pollitt Offerton, Tannock Road Estate, Hazel Grove, High Lane, Mottram Street

low rise flats and Spring GardensPeter Hornsby Hazel Grove, Marple and Marple Bridge

Accessing Our Services

This newsletter gives you information about the work of the East Area Housing Office. If you would like a copy of this document in large print, Braille, on audio tape or CD, or in another language, please contact the Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2860,email: inclusion@stockporthomes.org, text: 07624 808 315 or fax: 0161 474 2869.

www.stockporthomes.org