Your GREAT Neighbourhood Charter Carrbrook and Millbrook
Your GREAT Neighbourhood Charter
At New Charter we would like all our neighbourhoods to be great places to live. We would like them to look great, have great services, feel safe and be a place for both work and recreation.
for 3 years and will be reviewed annually with residents to assess our progress.
It identifies the main issues that affect your neighbourhood and what needs to be done both by us and our partner organisations to To create great communities we address them. We want to focus all would like everyone to work our efforts on making sure you have together to decide how their local neighbourhood should develop and a great place to live so we will be working just as hard with a range of grow in the future and to improve other organisations on some of the on the services they don’t like and wider issues such as employment maintain those that they do. and crime. To make sure this happens we Remember, you are the experts in have produced a neighbourhood what it’s like to live in your plan for each of New Charter’s 32 newly defined neighbourhoods and neighbourhood and you will be our most important partner of all. this one is yours. The plan will run 02
You are the experts in what it’s like to live in your neighbourhood and you will be our most important partner of all.
GREAT place to live... The Carrbrook and Millbrook neighbourhood incorporates Crowswood, Carrbrook and Millbrook; located off the main Huddersfield Road leading from Stalybridge to Mossley, nine miles east of Manchester city centre. The neighbourhood is a semi-rural village community with a mixture of two, three and four bedroomed traditional semi-detached and terraced properties. Within the neighbourhood there are also a number of one and two bedroomed flats. Whilst New Charter Homes own a large proportion of properties within the neighbourhood, there are a significant number of owner occupiers and private landlords within the area and Mosscare Housing also own a small proportion of social housing managed by a tenant led Co-operative.
The local amenities include a convenience store with the benefit of a post office; beauty salons, a restaurant, take away food outlets and public houses which are all accessible from the villages.The neighbourhood also has the benefit of doctors, dentists and a pharmacy all within a short distance. There are three primary schools and two high schools within a short bus or car journey. The neighbourhood is part of a local conservation area with large green areas and local reservoirs connecting the two villages. Recreational activities include a number of country walks and historical places of interest, a village cricket club, leisure centre and a golf course. The neighbourhood currently has a local Neighbourhood Home and Community Hub which holds drop-in surgeries twice a week and theYouth Service also attend the Hub weekly offering craft and activity sessions for children aged 7 – 18 years.The Crowswood Residents Group have entered the North West “in Bloom” competition since 2008, their hard work being rewarded each year for the previous 3 years winning a merit award in the medium neighbourhood category.The Millbrook Residents Association was created in 2010 and meets monthly to discuss neighbourhood issues and has organised a number of community events including a clean-up day, a Halloween fun day and a consultation event regarding the use of a park area. The neighbourhood has good regular transport links providing access to Mossley, Stalybridge and Ashton. The nearest train stations can be found in both Mossley and Stalybridge town centre; both accessible using the local bus service. 03
Down your street Here is a map and a list of streets included in your neighbourhood to give you an idea of exactly where your plan covers.
Carrbrook and Millbrook
Brushes
Copley
Does your neighbourhood have star quality? We have identified a range of indicators that tell us overall how great your neighbourhood is. These indicators are designed to tell us how much support we need to give a neighbourhood and what specific areas seem to be causing the most problems so that we can target services and resources to improve them. 04
We are using a simple rating of 5, 4 or 3 stars; 5 stars being the best rating, so you can see easily how individual sections within your neighbourhood are performing. Each individual indicator we have used has its own star rating which when combined together produce an overall star rating for your neighbourhood.
The indicators range from the time taken to relet houses to employment and education. You can see them all below with an explanation of what the ratings mean for your neighbourhood.
Bank Road
East Road
Huddersfield Road
Shelley Grove
Besom Lane
First Avenue
Laycock Avenue
The Green
Buckton Drive
Fitzroy Street
Milton Avenue
Third Avenue
Buckton Vale Road
Fourth Avenue
Moorland Road
Tipperary Street
Cheshire Square
Friezland Close
Ravenhead Square
Vale Road
Claudia Square
Gwladys Street
Second Avenue
Woodside Street
Crowhill
Heyrod Street
Shakespeare Avenue
% of current rent arrears
Average number of repairs
The neighbourhood has some areas where rent arrears are a problem which means some households may be experiencing money management issues and could be at risk of losing their homes. It also indicates some households may need additional support.
The average number of repairs per property is quite high and indicates that properties do have some issues in terms of maintenance costs and the need to regularly replace components. Property damage is also an issue in some homes.
Average time to relet a property The time it takes to relet a property across the neighbourhood is generally satisfactory but there is room for improvement. Some properties take longer to let, indicating that some properties are not as popular as others and it can also take some time for people to be able to move into their new homes.
Tenancy turnover This shows that on average a significant number of people who move into the neighbourhood may only stay in their homes for a relatively short period of time. Although this varies across the neighbourhood it does indicate that many people are not as happy living in the neighbourhood as they could be and a significant number choose not to stay in the long term.
05
% of live antisocial behaviour cases The neighbourhood experiences a significant number of antisocial behaviour or neighbour nuisance cases.This indicates that while residents treat each other with respect there are a number of incidents that do occur that have a negative impact on people’s ability to relax and feel secure. Neighbourhood satisfaction People’s general satisfaction with the neighbourhood as a place to live could be better and there are some significant factors that are spoiling their experience and their quality of life. Crime People in the neighbourhood experience significant levels of crime and vandalism in relation to other neighbourhoods in Tameside.Whilst levels of crime could not be described as high, people do not feel as safe and secure as they should living in and walking around some parts of the neighbourhood. Health The neighbourhood has significant health and disability levels compared with similar neighbourhoods in Tameside.This indicates that a number of people may have mobility problems of one sort or another, need some long term medical support in their homes and feel quite isolated.
06
Employment The neighbourhood has relatively good employment levels compared with similar neighbourhoods in Tameside. Education and skills The neighbourhood has relatively good levels of educational attainment and skills.This also indicates that people can access the training they may need to help them gain employment or develop their existing career prospects. Household income The neighbourhood has some problems with family income levels compared with similar neighbourhoods in Tameside.This indicates that some families may suffer the effects of deprivation and have difficulty in making ends meet. Access to services People in the neighbourhood have relatively good access to a range of shops and services from a variety of organisations which are near to their homes.This indicates that it is relatively easy to go shopping for a range of goods as well as access advice and support on a range of issues in the neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood overall star rating Overall the neighbourhood is a good place to live but it does experience some problems that affect people’s quality of life on a day to day basis.The main aim for this neighbourhood is to identify the right activities, services and initiatives that will help address the specific issues that stop it being as good a place as it could be. 07
Local knowledge: Auditing your neighbourhood Whilst the indicators show us useful trends and point us in the right direction we need more local knowledge to identify some of the specific issues we need to address. To gather this information we have conducted a neighbourhood audit asking the people who live and work here to identify what they think the issues were.
08
What our Neighbourhood team told us Antisocial behaviour is a big issue in some parts of the neighbourhood; there are significant issues with youths congregating around the shops and flats and other hotspot areas causing nuisance. There is also a problem with neighbourhood disputes and inconsiderate behaviour which seem to occur in particular parts of the area.These often involve noise disputes or issues connected to children playing in the streets. Demand for traditional family housing is good with properties being let quickly and people remaining in them for a long time.Turnover is much higher within the flats in the neighbourhood as people seek larger accommodation. There are environmental issues that affect neighbourhood appearance in respect of the persistent fly tipping in some parts of the neighbourhood, the poor condition of some garage sites and a number of roads which are in a considerable state of disrepair with large potholes. The Neighbourhood team work really well with both established residents groups in the neighbourhood.
The Carrbrook Neighbourhood Hub provides an invaluable neighbourhood resource and acts as a focal point for a wide range of activities which adds to service access and community cohesion.
09
What you told us On average the people we spoke to rate the neighbourhood 7 out of 10 as a place to live. So while people are still being relatively positive about the area there are still quality of life issues that need to be addressed. Some of the best features identified about living in the neighbourhood were: its village setting and access to the countryside; community spirit, friendly neighbours, clean appearance and peace and quiet. The concerns identified about living in the neighbourhood were: the condition of the roads, youths congregating in some areas and nothing for children to do. People raised specific issues with us about: The lack of children’s play areas and facilities L:ack of a mum and toddlers group The need for a youth club or cafe Activities for children in school holidays None charging cash machines Access to computers A lack of regular police patrols The need for more frequent refuse collection The need for CCTV in areas experiencing nuisance Reopening the community shop More broadly people saw lack of access to employment, benefits advice, adult education, childcare provision, and drop in clinics as things that had a direct impact on the neighbourhood and also identified a lack of places to socialise as an issue. 10
• Some of the best features identified about living in the neighbourhood were: its village setting and access to the countryside; community spirit, friendly neighbours, clean appearance and peace and quiet. 11
What other organisations told us There are some health inequalities issues in the neighbourhood compared with the rest of Tameside particularly in terms of higher mortality and disability rates with particular links to coronary health. Issues around sedentary lifestyles and underage drinking were also highlighted. Provision of the right kind of services for young families and children is a particular area of focus. Levels of teenage pregnancy are relatively high in some parts of the neighbourhood. Crime is not a major issue in the neighbourhood but there are some problems with youths causing annoyance, more serious youth related nuisance and criminal damage. Increasing the level of diversionary activities for young people is seen as a potential solution here. It is also thought that some families may benefit from some more targeted support to help them with parenting issues. Employment levels are not a problem generally but access to employment opportunities and training are barriers for young adults.Young people in the neighbourhood also suffer from a lack of personal development opportunities. Continuing the work in this area is thought to be key in reducing nuisance and improving employment levels. There is a general lack of play facilities for younger children as well as childcare facilities generally.
12
There are isolated young families with children who need additional help due to the lack of extended family support. Household income is an issue for a number of households with agencies identifying problems with benefit dependency for some families. Agencies thought there could also be problems for residents in terms of loss of income as part of the Government’s welfare reform and an increase in debt issues. Access to services generally is seen as good in the neighbourhood although as indicated above, there are problems with more focused services particularly in terms of signposting and advice services linked to employment and more tailored support services.
What we saw together: Youth congregation around the Millbrook shops
Dog fouling across the neighbourhood
Fly tipping on all garage sites which also have disrepair issues and impact badly on neighbourhood appearance
Some external brick work and retaining walls in need of repair
Communal area to the rear of Friezland Close is overgrown and some other areas also missed by ground maintenance Some gardens are untidy because they are on a slope and are difficult maintain
Damaged fencing in some parts Metal fencing detracts from neighbourhood feel Churned up grass verges because of people parking or driving over them
13
What do we need to do to make this a greater place? The aim of this section is to identify the activities needed to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood based on what we have established and what you have told us. It’s effectively an action plan which shows what needs to be done in more detail.
Neighbourhood and community management
14
What?
Why?
When?
Maintain physical and CCTV surveillance in antisocial behaviour (ASB) hotspots working in partnership with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (TMBC), the Community Safety team and the Police and consider extending CCTV to shops working in partnership with owners.
To reduce visible ASB in the neighbourhood by development of a long term strategy to reduce ASB and improve quality of life for residents.
December 2013
Work with the Police and the Community Safety team on target hardening, crime prevention and develop a more general policing plan targeting antisocial behaviour, underage drinking and criminal damage.
To reduce levels of vandalism and increase feelings of security for residents who feel vulnerable to crime by developing a long term crime prevention strategy to ensure a consistent policing approach.
January 2014
Extend Home Watch activities across the neighbourhood.
To increase the level of surveillance in neighbourhood and therefore increase the feeling of security and empowerment against crime.
June 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Review current facilities and activities for young residents with TMBC in addition to the provision of general community facilities, activities and services. Increase the range of advice and drop in services at the Hub.
Identification of a broader range of facilities is needed to improve their quality of their life and that of the community more generally and make sure people can access advice and drop in services.
April 2014
Increase the use of New Charter’sYouth team to develop diversionary activities with young people at an established youth base and continue to work withTMBC to increase youth provision.
To reduce the level of antisocial behaviour from youths by providing positive activities and linking youths to other services.
August 2013
Develop a green spaces maintenance plan with service standards working with TMBC where appropriate.
To improve the appearance of unused green spaces in the neighbourhood and develop complementary working with TMBC.
October 2013
Undertake a joint review of childcare and early years provision with TMBC teams.
To improve the quality of children’s support services in the neighbourhood and increase households ability to work full or part-time.
March 2014
CleanCare to increase targeting of fly tipping and litter in identified area including use of CCTV and continue to provide recycling bins near local office to reduce littering.
To improve the appearance of specific areas experiencing litter issues.
July 2013
15
16
What?
Why?
When?
Work with partners to increase the signposting of residents to health advice and services. In addition work with the Primary Care Trust to look at the provision of Health Visitor Services to young families and education in schools regarding underage drinking and teenage pregnancy.
To improve the health of residents in the neighbourhood and the support available to them.
October 2013
Consistently signpost and refer residents and their families to training, employment and income advice services and work with partners to develop young people’s employment readiness.
To increase chances of employment and maximising income.
April 2013
Link with existing TMBC and MiNT (Money Information Network Tameside) services to provide financial advice and refer identified customers who may find this helpful.
To increase residents access to banking services, affordable credit and insurance.
June 2013
Work withTMBC on maintenance issues around roads and grass verges as well as the condition of roads themselves.
Improve neighbourhood appearance and experience of driving around the neighbourhood.
May 2014
Work with a number of organisations and stakeholders on initiatives identified in their plans that will help improve the neighbourhood and develop joint solutions at partnership meetings.
To improve services and maximise input into the neighbourhood from other service providers.
January 2014
What?
Why?
When?
Work in partnership with TMBC to improve the activities of the environmental patrollers targeting dog fouling.
To reduce the level of dog fouling in the neighbourhood.
September 2013
Review the quality of the refuse service with TMBC and residents.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and quality of life for residents.
December 2013
Identification of a broader range of facilities is needed to improve their quality of their life and that of the community more generally and make sure people can access advice and drop in services.
17
Tenancy
18
What?
Why?
When?
Continue with the community lettings approach to reduce lifestyle clashes through unsuitable lets and streamline the lettings process and criteria for difficult to let properties where this does not impact on community lettings guidelines.
To maintain community stability with sensitive lettings, decrease neighbour disputes and to reduce length of time properties remain empty and turnover of properties.
April 2013
Continue to deliver the Keys toYour Door programme for customers under 25 in terms of ensuring their readiness for tenancy and to identify any support required.
To reduce the potential for lifestyle clashes and unsuccessful conduct of tenancies.
March 2013
Increase tenancy and neighbourhood enforcement on activities that affect quality of life e.g. Nuisance, upkeep of gardens, noise and pet ownership.
To improve the quality of life for the majority of residents as well as identify and reduce unacceptable conduct.
July 2013
Visit young customers with tenancies annually to assess if any extra assistance, advice or links to other services are needed.
To help younger residents successfully maintain tenancies and access any extra support.
April 2013
Set up gardening tool hire service and a gardening club for all residents in the neighbourhood.
To increase access to advice and equipment to maintain gardens.
June 2013
Make targeted calls and visits to customers in rent arrears to address the arrears and signpost to advice services.
To reduce arrears in the neighbourhood and therefore reduce the number of tenancies at risk due to debt issues.
April 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Signpost and refer customers who may benefit from the help of New Charter’s Welfare Benefits Advice team.
To reduce the number of evictions for non-payment of rent and provide more help and advice on managing finances.
April 2013
Hold a regular housing and advice surgery in the neighbourhood, other agencies to be invited.
To make it quick and easy for residents to access services and for neighbourhood issues to be dealt with.
March 2013
Provide increased support to identified families and residents and link them to support and advice services.
To help identified customers successfully manage their tenancy and reduce lifestyle clashes with other residents.
March 2013
Neighbourhood team to carry out quarterly neighbourhood inspections (open to residents).
To provide regular monitoring of street level appearance and visible issues.
March 2013
Target residents who may be affected by welfare reform and provide advice and support.
To increase awareness of potential issues and help reduce debt and/or financial problems caused by welfare reform.
January2013
We aim to... Reduce arrears in the neighbourhood and therefore reduce the number of tenancies at risk due to debt issues. 19
Home
20
What?
Why?
When?
Green Charter to implement their plans to use the necessary equipment to make identified sloping gardens easier to maintain.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and quality of life for residents.
May 2013
Improve the internal layout and appeal of identified properties that are difficult to let.
To improve demand for properties in the neighbourhood and reduce turnover of properties in identified areas.
January 2015
Undertake a review of local play facilities provision in consultation with residents.
To ensure children have well placed safe places to play.
October 2013
Develop a comprehensive improvement programme for all garage sites.
To improve the security and appearance of neighbourhood; significantly reduce fly tipping and improve parking provision.
September 2013
Undertake a review of fencing and boundaries, including a review of fencing to communal areas.
To assess if existing fencing is adequate in terms of security and the appearance of properties and identify any specific work need to clarify fencing boundaries of some properties.
August 2013
Landscape identified overgrown patch of land and turn into a community garden, providing a number of chicken sheds as requested by community groups.
Improve the neighbourhood appearance and support different community uses for open land.
May 2013
Continue with the rewiring programme for identified homes.
To improve homes in the neighbourhood and quality of life.
December 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Undertake a review of refuse bin storage provision for houses.
To identify what can be done to reduce bin storage issue and effect on neighbourhood appearance.
July 2013
Review the number of repairs issues in the neighbourhood.
To identify if there are any underlying issues in term of buildings, components, design or usage that need to be addressed.
April 2013
To improve homes in the neighbourhood and quality of life. 21
Involvement and empowerment
22
What?
Why?
When?
Increase support for the existing residents groups.
To increase the help and support to experienced resident representatives as they work on community and neighbourhood issues.
March 2013
Raise further support for the community garden group to increase work on the new community garden site and aim to develop a community growing and food cooperative initiative with interested residents. Also continue to support the ‘In Bloom entry’.
To improve the appearance of the area and resident input into garden improvement and usage.
April 2013
Ask interested residents to be street representatives whose role will be to report any issues they or other residents are concerned about in their street or the wider neighbourhood.The Neighbourhood team will also contact the street representatives once a quarter to check progress and provide support.
This will provide a way for customers to report any issues to staff and to have them addressed promptly. This will also help improve the day to day service.
May 2013
Set up a regular neighbourhood focus group with residents.
To ensure services are more customer and neighbourhood focused.
May 2013
Set up a group for young parents to deliver mums and toddlers sessions working with New Charter’s Regeneration team and in partnership with TMBC.
To improve childcare provision and networking amongst young families.
October 2013
Hold regular youth focus groups and forums.
To help identify and develop better youth services and support.
March 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Set up a neighbourhood facebook page.
To encourage a different type of dialogue between residents with each other and with staff.This will help with regards to reporting, supporting and discussion.
May 2013
Set up a feasibility study with residents to develop community growing and a food cooperative initiative with interested residents: using community gardens and chicken sheds as a starting point, linked in with the bee keeping project.
To provide local produce from a local shop in the neighbourhood, improve community spirit, develop a community business and develop the community’s ability to work together on projects.
September 2013
Support and widen the partnership work with TMBC on park development, linking with the DreamScheme project.
To increase community activities and facilities in the neighbourhood, improve community spirit, networking and promote intergenerational contact and relationships.
January 2013
Hold weekend community information events or fun days 4 times a year and hold seasonal activities at Easter and Halloween.
To improve the neighbourhood appearance and increase community spirit, building positive relationships with neighbours and increasing the community’s knowledge of what services and opportunities are available.
April 2013
We aim to... Help identify and develop better youth services and support. 23
What next? Great progress we hope!! Work has already begun in your neighbourhood on the various actions outlined in Your Great Neighbourhood Charter as well as in our other 31 New Charter neighbourhoods. We would like the Great Neighbourhood Charters to mark the start of a new phase of activity aimed at ensuring that all our neighbourhoods are the great places that we all want and know they can be. We will be reviewing the Charter frequently this year and we will keep you updated on the progress, you will have the opportunity to be involved in this so please watch out for advertised activities or requests for feedback. However there is no need to wait until then‌ if after reading this you have any questions comments or suggestions or if you would like to get more involved in helping us identify what we could achieve in your neighbourhood please contact us and give us your thoughts. You can do this by ringing 0161 331 2000 or contacting us via your preferred method, we can also arrange for someone to call and visit you in your home if you would prefer, we would really like to hear from you.
24
Neighbourhood Fact File Here are some facts and figures about the people and properties that make up your neighbourhood which we thought you may find interesting.
Number of properties owned by New Charter =
418
Properties by type
Houses
314
Flats
104
Black Minority Ethnic
5.61%
Under 16
55+
23.79%
16.84%
18 - 25
Number of residents =
891
16.84%
25
Final Thoughts We hope that over the next three years through the actions outlined in your Great Neighbourhood Charter we will really make a visible difference to your neighbourhood, making it more attractive for those living or thinking of living in it and improve resident’s quality of life. We think the key to success will be to continue to work together with you to achieve this.
26
Contact us Main switchboard: 0161 331 2000 Emergency housing & repairs calls: 0800 027 0828 If you need an emergency repair during the following times: - Before 8am and after 6pm Monday to Friday - During weekends and Bank Holidays Antisocial behaviour helpline: 0800 027 0522 (24 hours a day)
@ contact@newcharter.co.uk www.newcharter.co.uk newchartergroup
Home and Community Hubs 2 Henrietta Street, Ashton 9 Albert Street, Denton 12 Clarendon Street, Hyde 63 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge
Head office:
New Charter, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7AT
@newchartergroup
27
Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111