Your GREATNeighbourhoodPromiseDaybrook, Bonington,St. Mary’s,Bestwood Village

2014-17

At Gedling Homes we want all ourneighbourhoods to be great placesto live. We want them to look great,have great services, feel safe and bea place for both work andrecreation.

We believe that both GedlingHomes and our tenants have animportant role to play in shapinghow our neighbourhoods grow anddevelop. Through reviewing andimproving the services we provideto our tenants, we feel we can havea positive effect on our

neighbourhoods. We haveproduced a neighbourhood promisefor each of Gedling Homes’neighbourhood areas and this one isyours. It details the issues raised byyou and a commitment fromGedling Homes to review anddevelop our services to contributeto improving your neighbourhood

The promise will run for 3 years andwill be reviewed annually withtenants, to assess our progressagainst the actions.

Daybrook, Bonington, St. Mary’s,Bestwood Village

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Queensbower Park

Gedling Homes’ Properties in Daybrook, Bonington,St Mary’s and Bestwood Village

Occupied properties

Occupied: 774

Empty: 16

General needsaccommodation

Bedsit: 4

Bungalow: 7

Flat: 240

House: 395

Ethnicity

White British: 677

BME: 30

Unknown: 67

Gender

Female: 472

Male: 302

Shelteredaccommodation

Bedsit: 24

Flat: 120

Tenant age

18-29: 86

30-39: 88

40-49: 113

50-59: 125

60+: 316

Unknown: 46

Totalaccommodation

Bedsit: 28

Bungalow: 7

Flat: 360

House: 395

Number ofproperties:

790

3*Data accurate as of November 2013

Daybrook, Bonington, St. Mary’s and BestwoodVillage are four Gedling Borough Council wards in, orclose to the Arnold area. Arnold is located 4.5 miles tothe North East of Nottingham City with a population ofaround 40,000 residents. Bestwood Village is apicturesque former colliery village north of Daybrook.

Arnold benefits from a range of shops, banks,restaurants, bars, other businesses and serviceproviders along the High Street and is serviced by twolarge supermarkets. Arnold hosts a market onTuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The council run Arnold leisure centre, which is hometo the newly refurbished Bonington Theatre presents avaried programme of high quality arts events, bothamateur and professional.

There are a number of green spaces and parks in thisarea: Arnot Hill Park that is the Head Office of GedlingBorough Council. There is King George V Playing fieldin the centre of Arnold and Bestwood Country Parkand Mill Lakes in Bestwood Village.

Gedling Homes properties in this neighbourhoodcomprise of 1 and 2 bedroomed flats; 2 and 3bedroomed family houses; and 3 sheltered housingschemes.

Your GREAT Neighbourhood

● Abbots Close● Acton Road● Albion Rise● Allens Walk● Bagnall Avenue● Bailey Close● Bestwood Close● Bestwood Lodge

Drive● Bond Street● Browning Close● Byron Street● Calverton Road● Church Crescent● Church Drive● Church Lane● Church Street● Coleridge

Crescent● Coppice Road● Cornwall Road● Cross Street● Danes Close● Deerleap Drive● Derby Street● Elder Close● Ernehale Court● Furlong Street● Gladehill Road● Goodwood

Avenue● Hanworth

Gardens● Heddington

Gardens● High Street● High Street

Avenue● Home Close● Homefield

Avenue● Leivers Avenue● Maidens Dale● Mansfield Road● Mellors Road

● Moyra Drive● Moyra House● Nelson Road● Norbett Court● Nottingham Road● Orchard Grove● Oxborough Road● Oxclose Lane● Oxengate● Patricia Drive● Queens Bower

Road● Ravenswood

Road● Redhill Road● Rookery Gardens● Roundwood Road● Runswick Drive● Seagrave Court● Sherbrook Road● Sloethorne

Gardens● Smithy Crescent● St. Albans Road● St. Marys Close● Stanhope

Crescent● The Spinney● Warren Hill Close● Washington

Court● West Street● Wordsworth

Road● Worrall Avenue

Gedling Homes has properties in:

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Mill Lakes, Bestwood Country Park

Rating Your Neighbourhood

Working with our tenants we have identified a numberof areas that tell us how well we are performing in yourneighbourhood These are called neighbourhoodindicators and will be used alongside the feedback wehave collected from tenants and residents. Theinformation will tell us what we need to focus on tohelp improve your neighbourhood.

We have also identified some external indicators whichwere identified as having an impact on the widercommunity.

Our tenants have told us to use a simple star rating,from 1-5, with 5 being the best. We will give a starrating to a range of indicators to identify a final,overall score for your neighbourhood.

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Heddington Gardens Garages

Indicator Brief Summary STARRating

GedlingHomes’Indicators

Percentage of tenancies in rentarrears

There are relatively few tenants in this area that haverent arrears

HHHHH

Percentage of customer satisfactionwith their neighbourhood as a placeto live (STAR survey)

Tenants in these areas have a high satisfaction level withtheir neighbourhood as a place to live

HHHHH

Turnover of stock Tenants stay in this area for a longer than averageamount of time

HHHHH

Average number of days to relet aproperty (excluding properties wherea major repair has taken place)

Across these areas the average time it takes to let aproperty is satisfactory

HHHH

Percentage of opened anti-socialbehaviour (ASB) cases per areaagainst organisation average

The neighbourhood experiences very few ASB cases HHHHH

Percentage of evictions per area Evictions in this area are high compared to otherneighbourhoods. This may indicate that tenants living inthis area are suffering financial difficulty

HHH

ExternalIndicators

Employment - Percentage of peopleeconomically active

There is a good level of economic activity in these areas(employed, part-time, self-employed, seeking work)

HHHHH

Education- Percentage of pupilsachieving 5 GCSE’s grade A-Cincluding English and Maths

Educational attainment is good for pupils aged 16 inthese areas

HHHHH

Level of good health in theneighbourhood

Residents’ perception of their health is lower than inother areas

HHH

Barriers to housing and services /accessibility to services

People in these areas have good access to a range ofshops and services from a variety of organisations closeto their home

HHHHH

Crime & Safety - Offences andincidents

People experience an average level of crime whencompared against other areas within Gedling borough

HHHH

Summary STARRating

Gedling Homes have devised a detailed action plan which highlights many of the above areas. Work in theseareas will be undertaken in the next 3 year period to improve Gedling Homes properties.

HHHH

Your GREAT Neighbourhood Rating

The above information has been sourced from Gedling Homes’ own performance figures, the 2011 Census, GedlingBorough Council and the South Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership. The external data information relates toward data and is not necessarily representative purely of Gedling Homes’ tenants.

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The indicators we use to rate your neighbourhood helpto point us in the right direction, but to further identifywhat needs doing we need local knowledge, to addressspecific issues and problems.

We have spoken to local people who live and work inyour neighbourhood. This is what we have been told:

Our Neighbourhood Team told us:● Litter is not a wide spread problem, but is

limited to some small areas, such as the garagesites around Daybrook. Most of the blocks offlats have dedicated bin stores so bin storage isnot an issue except at Oxengate where bins tendto be left on the path

● There are some issues with dog fouling aroundGedling Homes blocks of flats in Daybrook.

● Gedling Homes sites around Hanworth Gardensand Danes Close have high levels of fly tipping,with incidents being reported very frequently;there is a significant problem with residentsdumping supermarket trollies here

● Goodwood Avenue and Stanhope Crescenttends to attract young people gathering aroundalleyways, on footpaths and grassed areas todrink and play ball games

● This neighbourhood has good quality localservices and good public transportation. There isa mixture of private owner occupied properties,leasehold or private rented properties andregistered social landlord properties

Local Knowledge - Auditing Your Neighbourhood

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Tesco, Daybrook

You told us:On average the people we spoke to rate theneighbourhood 8 out of 10 as a place to live.Despite some concerns, the majority werepositive about the area.

● Some of the best features identified were:

● The local facilities and amenities

● Having friendly neighbours

● Access to public transport

● Some of the worst features identified were:

● Crime and ASB

● Heavy and noisy traffic

● Concerns expressed included:

● Dog fouling seems to be an issue aroundGedling Homes properties in Daybrook

● Garage sites in the area are in poor conditionand some garages are in serious disrepair

● The footpath around Hanworth Gardensgrassed area is in a poor state of repair

● Fly tipping is an issue around the Danes Closeand Hanworth Gardens area

● Misuse of the drying areas in flats at DanesClose, Hanworth Gardens and HeddingtonGardens

● Desired improvements included:

● Improved signage around the blocks of flatsin Daybrook

● More dog fouling bins in affected areas

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Hanworth Gardens

Other organisations told us:● Gedling Borough Council’s Neighbourhood

Wardens have told us that there are currentlyproblems with dog fouling on the green areasaround Danes Close and Sloethorne Gardens

● Gedling Borough Council have reported thatabandoned shopping trollies are a constantproblem in Daybrook

● The police have employed sporadic measuressuch as vehicle checks, speed guns andmobile patrols to reduce speeding trafficaround schools and in highly concentratedpedestrian areas

Together, we saw:● Pockets of land that could be better utilised

by the surrounding neighbourhood andcommunity

● There are multiple local community groupssuch as the Arnold Area Forum, which area great platform to listen to the concerns ofthe community

● Evidence of fly tipping in a small number ofareas

● Frequent low level ASB complaints due to asmall number of inconsiderate tenants

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Danes Close

What? Why? When?

Target low level nuisance by an increased staffpresence and joint working with the Police inthe specific area identified. Where appropriatemanage low level noise and other inconsideratebehaviour generally in the neighbourhood

To reduce the incidence of ASB in theneighbourhood and improve tenants andresidents quality of life

March2015

Introduce a restorative justice scheme withpartner agencies and utilising volunteers fromthe community to help reduce levels of ASB andto produce long lasting solutions to it

To engage communities in helping to solvethe ASB and the offending that affects them.This will increase community engagementand provide a voice for victims of crime andASB and those who have been harmed eitherdirectly or indirectly.

August2015

Increase the signposting of tenants to healthadvice and other support services

To improve the health of tenants in theneighbourhood and make them aware of thesupport that is available

September2015

Consistently signpost and refer tenants and theirfamilies to training and income advice services,working with partners to develop people’semployment readiness

To improve services and maximise input intothe neighbourhood from other serviceproviders

September2015

Improve and focus our Caretaking service in theareas identified by our tenants

To ensure that tenants get the best possibleservice from our Caretaking team and tomaximise their impact on the neighbourhood

March2015

Work with partners and other agencies tosupport initiatives to help improve theneighbourhood

To improve services and maximise input intothe neighbourhood from other serviceproviders

December2015

Neighbourhood Team to increase targeting of flytipping and litter hotspots within Gedling Homesareas including the use of surveillance cameras

To improve the neighbourhood appearanceand quality of life for residents

March2015

Work in partnership with local supermarkets totarget the issue of fly tipped shopping trolleys inDaybook

To improve neighbourhood appearance andquality of life for residents

March 2015

Your GREAT Neighbourhood Promise -What needs to happen?

Neighbourhood and community

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What? Why? When?

Work in partnership with Gedling BoroughCouncil’s (GBC) Neighbourhood Wardens withregards to dog fouling

To reduce incidents of dog fouling in theneighbourhood and raise awareness of theissue in the community

March 2015

In consultation with GBC provide more dog binsin identified Gedling Homes problem areas

To improve neighbourhood appearance andquality of life for residents

September2015

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Arnold Town Centre

What? Why? When?

Work towards publishing a plan of internalimprovement of communal areas in ourapartment blocks

To improve the appeal of properties and thequality of life of existing tenants

March 2015

Review the use of the internal drying rooms inflats

To reduce instances of ASB and fly tipping andto improve the appearance of the flats fortenants who live in them

August 2015

Improve and introduce where possible scooterstorage in our schemes

To improve tenants quality of life April 2016

Implement an external painting programme To improve the appearance of Gedling Homesproperties in the neighbourhood

March 2016

Undertake a review of the condition of all garagesites owned by Gedling Homes and produce aprogramme for future improvements

To improve the management, security andappearance of garage sites and improveparking provision

December2015

Undertake a review of any additional parking wecan provide to complement the work carried outby partners

To improve parking provision in theneighbourhood, reduce congestion onselected roads and increase quality of life fortenants and residents

March 2016

Review the refuse storage provision for GedlingHomes flats and the recycling options available

To improve the appearance of theneighbourhood and quality of life of tenantsand residents

March 2015

Consider all options available to improve theappearance of Gedling Homes’ properties

To improve the appearance of theneighbourhood and quality of life of tenants

March 2015

Improve the green spaces in our IndependentLiving Schemes

To improve the scheme and area appearance March 2015

Home

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What? Why? When?

Continue to provide support to sustain tenanciesand wherever possible prevent evictions

To help more tenants successfully sustain theirtenancies

June 2015

Continue to make targeted calls and visits tocustomers in rent arrears. Provide advice andassistance to enable the customer to pay the rentdue and come to a sustainable agreement torepay any arrears owed

To reduce arrears in the neighbourhood andthe number of customers whose home is atrisk due to debt issues

March 2015

Continue to signpost and refer customers whomay benefit from the help of our Money Wiseteam

To reduce the number of evictions for non-payment of rent and provide more help andadvice on managing finances

June 2015

Provide increased support to identified familiesand tenants and link them to our support andadvice services

To help identified customers successfullymanage their tenancy and reduce lifestyleclashes with other residents

June 2015

Continue to signpost support services to tenantswho may be experiencing drug and alcoholrelated problems

To reduce levels of neighbour nuisance anddisputes and help identified tenants accesshealth support and services

September2015

Work with tenants to create a sense ofcommunity and reduce isolation throughbefriending

To help new tenants settle into theneighbourhood and create links to thecommunity and neighbours

March 2015

Review the need to develop a regular housingsurgery

To make it quick and easy for residents toaccess services and for neighbourhood issuesto be dealt with in the locality

March 2015

Neighbourhoods team to continue with regularestate inspections (open to all tenants)

To provide regular monitoring of street levelappearance and visible issues

June 2015

Increase the use and targeting of mediationservices in neighbour disputes

To reduce neighbour disputes and improveneighbour relations

June 2015

Target fast track enforcement for serious ASBperpetrators with targeted resources from ourTenancy Services team

To remove disruptive tenants quickly andimprove the quality of life for other residents,protecting demand for properties

December2014

Tenancy

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What? Why? When?

Set up a regular neighbourhood improvementgroup with tenants

To ensure services are more customer andneighbourhood focussed

March 2016

Continue to work with tenant and residentgroups and provide any support they requireto develop their activities

To obtain detailed feedback from tenantsand residents specifically on services andwider neighbourhood issues, and workwith them jointly on neighbourhoodpriorities

September2015

Extend and improve activities for older tenantsvia Sheltered Scheme events

To improve community links betweenolder tenants in different parts of theneighbourhood and improve communityspirit and quality of life

September2015

Promote ‘grow your own’ schemes for ourtenants

Promote health and wellbeing March 2015

Extend our links with furniture recyclingcommunity enterprises to help new andexisting tenants furnish their properties

To improve community access toaffordable furniture, build communitynetworks and develop a community’sability to work on projects together

March 2016

Develop a Time Bank scheme where tenantscan provide skills and support to each other

To build community cooperationnetworks, increase community spirit,self-help, improve inter-generational linksand build respect

March 2015

Involvement and empowerment

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Work has already begun in your neighbourhood on thevarious actions outlined in Your GREATNeighbourhood Promise.

We will be reviewing the plan frequently and will keepyou updated on the progress with an annual report.You will have the opportunity to be involved in this soplease watch out for advertised activities or requestsfor feedback.

However, if you have something to say, don’t wait forus to call you! If after reading this you have anyquestions, comments or suggestions, or if you wouldlike to get involved in fulfilling the plan, please contactus:

Phone: 0115 905 1515

Email: enquiries@gedlinghomes.co.uk

Twitter: @Gedling_Homes

Facebook: facebook.com/gedlinghomes

We can also arrange for someone to call and visityou in your own home.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

We hope that over the next three years, through theactions outlined in Your GREAT NeighbourhoodPromise, we will really make a visible difference to yourneighbourhood.

We believe that the key to achieving the goals set out inthis plan is to continue working together, with you, ourtenants and leaseholders.

Final Thoughts

What happens next?

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Phone: 0115 905 1515

Email: enquiries@gedlinghomes.co.uk

Website: www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.co.uk/gedlinghomes

Twitter: @Gedling_Homes

Write: Gedling Homes, Gedling House,Wood Lane, Gedling, NG4 4AD

Contact Us

St. Mary’s Church, Arnold

In person:

Customer Contact Centre,The Civic Centre,Arnot Hill Park, Arnold,Nottingham, NG5 6LU.

Opening times are9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday,9am to 4.30pm Friday