east area neighbourhood news summer 2010

The plans have been in place for six months and in this newsletter we want to share the initial outcomes and progress with you for the east of the Borough. The plans bring together wider issues that affect a neighbourhood and have an impact on residents’ quality of life, future investment and management decisions. Each plan is based on a Housing Officers’ ‘patch’. They include not only housing issues, but also the local environment, community safety, employment, and the provision of play spaces for children and young people.

The NAPs contain an overview of the ‘patch’ and also an action plan detailing who is going to do what over the next two years and what benefits it will bring. Bringing together in a single plan all

East Area Housing OfficeNeighbourhood NewsAction Plan Review

of the issues that affect a neighbourhood helps Stockport Homes to plan effectively and efficiently the future management and maintenance of services for customers. In this newsletter we provide you with some key progress in delivering each of the plans for the east of the Borough. We will provide you with further updates on the plans in future newsletters. If you would like more information, please see page 11 for details.

Brian BillinghamEast Area Housing Manager

Welcome to the summer issue of Neighbourhood News. During 2009, Neighbourhood Housing Officers consulted with customers, staff, Ward

Councillors and partners (for example, the police) to develop Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAPs).

Summer 2010: Issue 4

2 East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Summer 2010

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

Hazel Grove, Marple and Marple Bridge

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5-6

Page 9-10

Page 11

Page 6-7

Page 8

Neighbourhood issues and action taken

3East Area Housing Office Neighbourhood News Summer 2010

Woodley, Bredbury and Romiley

Cherry Tree Opening

You Said We’ve DoneThere are environmental issues relating to graffiti, litter and fly-tipping

Regular estate inspections and walkabouts continue to be carried out by Neighbourhood Housing Officers.A programme of mini clean-ups and community skips have been arranged to cover areas including Barrack Hill Close, Bredbury; Underhill, Romiley; Oldham Drive, Cherry Tree Estate; Gotherage Close and Greenway Romiley.

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

The Cherry Tree fun day took place with the grand opening of the mosaic feature at the entrance of the estate which was designed by local children and residents. The Playbuilder scheme to provide a new play area at Riversdale View in Woodley will commence this financial year (April 2010-March 2011) with funding support from Stockport Homes.

Improve the security and appearance of the estate

The replacement steel security fencing project has been completed on the Mill Lane Estate, Woodley.The replacement of the ornate steel security gates is in progress on the Oldham Drive Estate.Replanting and upgrading of rose beds on Oldham Drive Estate including extra rose beds being provided.New garage doors are to be provided on the Copage Drive garage site to improve appearance of the garages.Overgrown, large conifer trees have been removed at the rear of Parrymead to create more light and improve security of the area.

There is limited awareness of the Credit Union

The Neighbourhood Housing Officers have promoted the Credit Union when visiting new and current tenants and distributed leaflets.

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 Springwood Crescent, Romiley and Riversdale View, Woodley Mill Lane.

Improvements are required as part of the Capital Programme

Extensive re-roofing is in progress to the flats on Underhill in Romiley.

Neighbourhood Housing Officers:Jackie Heapy and Kevin Lewis


Stockport Town Centre

Mottram Street Piazza

You Said We’ve Done

There are problems with dogs in some multi-storey blocks

Helped to develop a protocol to deal with residents who own dogs in the multi-storeys, successfully tackling properties where this is a problem.

Improve the physical appearance of neighbourhoods

Various works have been completed including: painting Mottram Towers, providing new railings around all the low rise multi-storeys, new benches at Bosden Close and painting in Chesworth Close internal communal areas.


Neighbourhood Housing Officer has promoted Credit Union when visiting new and current tenants and distributed leaflets.

There are environmental issues relating to graffiti and fly-tipping

Regular estate and block inspections around the estate providing skips and mini estate clean-ups on Shawcross Street, Hillgate.

Bins have been fitted to the outside entrance of all multi-storey blocks to reduce the number of discarded cigarettes.

Improve the security of the estate

The improved CCTV system and closer working with the Concierge Service has led to an injunction being obtained against a perpetrator of neighbour nuisance on the Mottram Street Estate.

Improvements are required as part of the Capital Programme

Works have been approved to create additional car parking for residents on the former Carecall car park, due to be completed Summer 2010.

You need more advice to be provided

Advice is now available at the Stockport Tenants’ Federation Customer Resource Centre at Flat 3, Ratcliffe Towers on Tuesdays 10.00am to 12.00pm and Thursdays 4.00pm to 6.00pm by appointment, Tel : 0161 477 3590 or email: [email protected]

Neighbourhood Housing Officer:Nicola Payne


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

Peak Street Play Area opening event


You would like improvements to the Peak Street Play Area

Working with Stockport Play Partnership, a new play area was officially opened on 11 May 2010 following consultation with children at Vernon Park school and residents.

You would like recycling facilities at Victoria Park

Following consultation with the tenants of Victoria Park, recycling was approved and commenced Monday 21 May 2010.

There are issues with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) at Victoria Park

Legal action has been taken against three tenants for ASB. Two introductory tenants and one secure tenant were evicted.

Teenagers are accessing the communal areas

Improved security above the main communal door to prevent teenagers climbing onto the communal balconies and accessing the complex has been completed. This work was carried out via the Community Safety Budget.

You would like a Good Neighbour Agreement

Following a review of the Good Neighbourhood Agreement the majority of residents who responded wished to retain the agreement for a further year. Two satisfactory professional references will continue to be required from all prospective tenants prior to an offer of accommodation being made.

You would like the Concierge Service to be installed to improve security on the blocks

Initial consultation has been completed with positive feedback and customers requested associated costs before they make any decision. Further consultation is planned once service charges are clear.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer:Pam Pollitt

Continued



There are environmental issues relating to graffiti and fly-tipping

Garages on Woodcroft are to be demolished mid-June 2010 and the area landscaped.

Improve play opportunities New play area was completed May 2010 at St. Thomas Recreation Ground, through funding secured from the Playbuilder programme and Stockport’s Play Partnership.

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

Offerton Estate

Stansbury Place Play Area


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

Regular estate inspections and walkabouts by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer.

A programme of clean-ups and community skips has been arranged.

In March residents were encouraged to take pictures of the good, the bad and the ugly on the estate with a view to implementing improvements while at the same time raising awareness of all three services. This has led to further customer consultation and potential improvements to areas including Ashway Clough and Blazemoss Bank.

Continued



Improve play opportunities for children on the Offerton Estate

Stansbury Place green space improvement area was completed in May 2010, providing informal play for young children along with environmental improvements, funded through the Big Lottery and Stockport Homes.

Regular play sessions have been held on the estate for children by Stockport’s Play Development Team.

Provide good quality housing and housing services

A programme of kitchens and bathrooms is coming to an end now with the majority of homes being completed. The mop-up programme will continue throughout 2010-2012.

Nine new properties are being built at the Marlhill Court site. They are due for completion in December 2010.

The Neighbourhood Housing Officer holds a drop-in housing surgery every Monday at the Parish Centre, Hexham Close which is well attended providing on-site advice and information for residents.


Stockport Homes has joined forces with the Credit Union and Manchester and District Housing to promote services of all three on the estate.

You would like more funding to be available for community projects

Stockport Homes has taken part with Neighbourhood Renewal and Neighbourhood Policing Team in a Participatory Budget event held at Dial Park Primary school. 15 different community groups benefited including the Offerton Scout Group, Offerton Park Dance group, St Phillips Church and Stockport Spartans Basketball group.

There is a lack of engagement of customers

Stockport Homes is organising a community gardening day on 24 June 2010 on the estate. This is in partnership with Manchester and District Housing, the Credit Union and Youth Services. Stockport Homes is providing £500, which has bought enough materials to provide approximately 100 planted hanging baskets for the estate residents, a barbeque and a selection of games for children.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer:Sara Maw

Offerton Estate (Continued)

Continued


Hazel Grove, Marple and Marple Bridge

Vale Close



Regular estate inspections and walkabouts have been carried out by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer with referrals being made to the Dog Warden Service, the Neighbourhood Rangers and Streetscene. Grounds maintenance issues were also identified and reported to Glendale.

A programme of clean-ups and community skips have been arranged for sites including Farndon Avenue, Bosden Hall Road, Catherine Street in Hazel Grove and Edwards Way in Marple.

Recycling bins have been provided to various low rise flats in Hazel Grove.

Provide good quality housing and housing services

A programme of kitchen and bathroom replacements is coming to an end now with the majority of homes being completed. The mop-up programme will continue throughout 2010-2012.


Promoted to Stockport Homes’ customers through Area Forums and new and current tenant visits.

You would like more funding to be available for community projects

Promoted at Area Forums and a number of applications for Community Fund projects have been received.

There is a lack of engagement of customers

An Area Forum in Marple raised issues to improve areas, such as Park Bungalows and Cotefield Close which has led to additional estate walkabouts being arranged.

Improve the appearance of some garage sites

A review of garage sites has been completed with the Catherine Street site to be upgraded this financial year (April 2010 - March 2010).

Improved security has been installed on the Bosden Hall and Bosden Fold sites with barriers / bollards.

Neighbourhood Housing Officer:Jen Burnside


Brinnington

Moat Walk Play Area Opening



Regular estate inspections and walkabouts have been arranged by the Neighbourhood Housing Officer.

A programme of clean-ups and community skips have been arranged to cover areas in Brinnington including Romney Way, Penshurst Road, Dartmouth Crescent, Cornwall Crescent, Dawlish Avenue, Westmorland Drive, Matley Green, Rainham Way, Mayorlowe Avenue, Surrey Way, Dartford Avenue, Lapwing Lane, Dorset Avenue, Foliage Crescent, Keston Crescent, Clough Walk, Shropshire Avenue and Nottingham Close.

There is a lack of recycling facilities

Implemented the North West Liveability Action Plan in Partnership with Keep Britain Tidy and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to address a range of cleaner, greener and safer issues in the area. Some of the outcomes from the first year; 30 estate clean-ups were completed, 48 community skips were provided, new recycling areas were identified at Brecon, Conway and Ludlow Towers and the play area on Moat Walk was improved.

Improve play opportunities for children on the Brinnington Estate

A new play area is now in place at Moat Walk supported by funding from Stockport Council (as part of Play Builder programme), Procure Plus (formerly GM Procure) and Stockport Homes.

A new play area is to be developed at Brindale Road in 2010/2011 as part of the Playbuilder programme.

Improve CCTV to external and internal areas

Selective cameras have been replaced around the multi-storey blocks to improve surveillance and picture quality for evidential purposes.

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

Continued



Improve external areas to improve safety of the area

A review of external and internal areas to improve lighting and safety of areas has been completed. In consultation with customers new schemes have been designed to improve the grounds around the Brecon, Conway and Ludlow Towers. Work will be completed within the current financial year (April 2010 - March 2011).

There are incidents of motorbikes / quad bikes

At Monton House / The Mount a restrictor barrier has been installed.At Lincoln Green fencing to the green area has been erected.

Improve the play activities available for children during school holidays

As part of the ‘Bring it on Brinnington’ project 15 local young people were involved in a estate clean-up, bulb planting within the grounds of a local school and painting of a local park hut. This was a successful event involving partners and the local community. Further events are planned for Summer 2010.

Regular play sessions led by Stockport’s Play Development Team have taken place.

There are high levels of unemployment

Referrals to Stockport Homes’ Employment Support Officer picked up on current tenant visits. Successful events were held within three multi-storey blocks by the Employment Support Officer which led to 14 unemployed customers being provided with additional support and advice.

Improve the quality of life for older people

After extensive consultation with customers in Dartmouth Crescent, security fencing and gates with fob access are being provided. Work is in progress and is due to be completed by the end of September 2010.

There is a high demand for social housing

17 new build properties have been completed at Lantern Close. All the new tenants having settled into their new homes.

Improve tenant involvement The Block Contact in place at Monton House / The Mount has achieved lots of positive outcomes: improving the communal areas, reducing Anti-Social Behaviour with a restrictor gate being erected to prevent unauthorised access to the low rise development. A gardening club has also been started by the Block Contact and is attracting a lot of interest from the young children within the flats.

As a result of regular block inspections being completed by the Block Contact work is now in progress to improve the decoration and floor coverings.

Provide good quality housing and services

Work is underway to replace kitchen and bathrooms in Ludlow, Brecon and Conway Towers.

Brinnington (Continued)


Contact us

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

To view the Neighbourhood Action Plans (NAPs) in full 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: [email protected]: www.stockporthomes.org

East Area Office

Brinnington Road

Northumberland Road

Hereford Road

Exeter Road

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: [email protected], text: 07624 808 315 or fax: 0161 474 2869.

www.stockporthomes.org

east area neighbourhood news summer 2010

Documents

neighbourhood issues

neighbourhood housing

housing issues

housing officers patch

oldham drive estate

single plan

new play area

children of cherry tree