Victoria Road Task & Finish Group A Presentation on behalf of the Group By Ron Weetman

The Aim Was simple, “To Improve the Liveability of the Victoria Road Estate”

How did we Change things

The Start of the Project We set up a regular meeting We set up a regular meeting We formed a core group We formed a core group We invited people that could help We invited people that could help We took advice We took advice We took direct action We took direct action We found partners We listened to people We got results

How We Set About It We walked the estate We walked the estate We talked to residents We talked to residents We recognised the problems We recognised the problems We looked at it realistically We looked at it realistically

Walkability One of the issues was the layout of the estate One of the issues was the layout of the estate Residents were concerned that the Police and other emergency services could not get around the estate Residents were concerned that the Police and other emergency services could not get around the estate The Police were concerned about getting around the estate The Police were concerned about getting around the estate Pizza delivery was a nightmare Pizza delivery was a nightmare

Walkability We learnt from the Environment Summit We learnt from the Environment Summit Residents carried out a Walkability test Residents carried out a Walkability test It highlighted a number of problems It highlighted a number of problems These were added to the action plan These were added to the action plan

Some of The Problems Litter and Rubbish Overgrown Shrubs Graffiti Poor Tenants Vandalism Uncoordinated Inspections No Plan

We got on with it!

Some Partners Took Direct Action

With A Direct Hit This fence was a real pain to local residents This fence was a real pain to local residents It allowed kids to congregate next to elderly residents bungalows It allowed kids to congregate next to elderly residents bungalows

Until Our partners at Home Housing stepped in, organised by Community Safety they agreed to joint fund a metal security fence. Our partners at Home Housing stepped in, organised by Community Safety they agreed to joint fund a metal security fence.

We needed more money WIT helped us get it WIT helped us get it

We Set About Pruning Overgrown Shrubs

We Cleared Gardens of Rubbish In the period this group worked 15 tonnes of prunings were re-cycled. In the period this group worked 15 tonnes of prunings were re-cycled.

Housing Issues were high on the list Poor neighbours Poor neighbours Anti-Social behaviour Anti-Social behaviour Untidy Gardens Untidy Gardens Property Difficulties Property Difficulties No facilities for Residents Association No facilities for Residents Association No play areas for kids No play areas for kids Poor Street Signs Traffic Management Problems

What did we do? The Community Beat Officers attended every meeting, even on their time off! The Community Beat Officers attended every meeting, even on their time off! They helped up make joint Housing Visits to problem tenants They helped up make joint Housing Visits to problem tenants

Community Beat Officers They helped the group be taken seriously They helped the group be taken seriously They are assisting in Tenancy Issues They are assisting in Tenancy Issues

Housing Issues Our Housing Managers set up regular patrols of the estate. Our Housing Managers set up regular patrols of the estate. Our Tenancy Enforcement Officer made Victoria Road high priority. Our Tenancy Enforcement Officer made Victoria Road high priority. Our Housing Mangers took care of the repairs. Our Councillors took care of the Housing Managers.

Continued…… Further support was provided by the Community Wardens Further support was provided by the Community Wardens Reporting such things as litter and graffiti Reporting such things as litter and graffiti Helping to remind tenants of their responsibility Helping to remind tenants of their responsibility Apart from regular time on Victoria Road Estate, Community Wardens have committed additional time for the future.

Kids Play Area Derby Terrace Play Area needed repair Derby Terrace Play Area needed repair The Residents Association made a Living Spaces Funding Application for its renewal to the tune of £100,000 The Residents Association made a Living Spaces Funding Application for its renewal to the tune of £100,000

Direct Results Have Been A “Patch Manager” was appointed to the estate. A “Patch Manager” was appointed to the estate. A communications link between her and the Ward Members A communications link between her and the Ward Members Three evictions in three months Three evictions in three months Complaints dropping off to almost nil Only six notices for “Breach of Tenancy” since 1 st October A letter drop to all homes on the estate An Estate Agreement is being formulated

The Residents Association Trish Robson has worked hard for the group, never missing a meeting Trish Robson has worked hard for the group, never missing a meeting She has helped when ever asked She has helped when ever asked She has made funding bids on behalf of the residents She has made funding bids on behalf of the residents Trish's role is voluntary Trish's role is voluntary

A Big Result! The Residents Association Need a meeting place The Residents Association Need a meeting place The Community Beat Officers need a drop- in The Community Beat Officers need a drop- in The Community Wardens need a contact The Community Wardens need a contact In steps Steve Rawson, Head of Housing and Construction Related Services! In steps Steve Rawson, Head of Housing and Construction Related Services!

He Gave Them A House!

Derby Street Baths A plaque from the old Baths was found A plaque from the old Baths was found We returned it to the original site We returned it to the original site A bit of local history returned A bit of local history returned

What else have we achieved 5000 Daffodil Bulbs Planted 5000 Daffodil Bulbs Planted 2000 Roses planted 2000 Roses planted Westoe Bridges site landscaped Westoe Bridges site landscaped The Elephant and the Panda started The Elephant and the Panda started New Estate direction notices being designed New Estate direction notices being designed Traffic calming measures introduced Better street cleansing Co-coordinated Estate Inspections A stronger Residents Association

Success! Thanks to all involved for their enthusiasm, commitment and drive that helped make this project work