Your GREAT Neighbourhood Charter Copley
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 Copley neighbourhood can be found in Stalybridge.Tameside; Stalybridge lies at the foot of the Pennines, eight miles east of Manchester. Copley is a ten minute bus ride away from Stalybridge town centre where the majority of facilities are based including a post office, medical centre, two major supermarkets, police station, a number of banks and both a train and bus station. The nearest New Charter Home and Community Hub is also based in the town centre and is the most convenient place for residents to discuss any neighbourhood issues. Locally, the area benefits from a doctor’s surgery a newsagent and bakery which serves much of the neighbourhood and Saint Paul’s Church which is considered a landmark of Copley.The neighbourhood is easily accessible from the main roads of Mottram Road and Huddersfield Road which form a natural boundary to the neighbourhood and also sits close to the Stalybridge to Huddersfield canal. Bus routes run through and around the area and there are a number of routes linking people in the neighbourhood to other towns nearby.
The neighbourhood itself consists of flats and traditional semi-detached family houses. There are also a number of one bedroomed bungalows and a sheltered housing scheme; Albion House. Whilst New Charter owns a large number of properties in the area, there are a significant proportion of people who own their own homes as well as a number of properties which are let by private landlords.There is one primary school; Wildbank Community School and high school; Copley, of which sponsored high school, Copley is the main sponsor. The Academy is also attached to the local recreational centre and swimming pool. The centre has provision for indoor and outdoor sports and plays host to a number of tournaments in a variety of sports, predominantly for young people.The Academy along with the recreational centre forms one of the central hubs of the neighbourhood in respect of the economic and social provision, providing employment and leisure activities alongside the obvious educational benefits. Although there are a number of green spaces in and around the neighbourhood, many of these are on a steep gradient due to the geographical nature of the local area. This undulating nature means that some of the properties are not ideally located with regards to accessibility with steps and ramps to a large number of the properties on and around Demesne Drive for example. There is currently no active residents group associated to New Charter in the area although recent events have been held in the neighbourhood and more are planned for the future with the aim of reforming an active group to engage more residents in the area. 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.
Albion Gardens
Demesne Close
Huddersfield Road
Stayley Drive
Albion House, Huddersfield Road
Demesne Crescent
Illingworth Avenue
Summers Avenue
Bower Grove
Demesne Drive
Lindsay Street
Walker Avenue
Grey Street
Mottram Road
Copley 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 cost of repairs per property is significant and indicates that many properties have issues in terms of maintenance costs and the need to regularly replace components. Property damage is also an issue within the neighbourhood.
Average time to relet a property The time it takes to relet a property is generally good across the neighbourhood indicating that properties are generally popular and people who are eligible can move into their new home relatively quickly.
Tenancy turnover This shows that on average people who move into the neighbourhood tend to stay in their homes for a reasonable length of time although the length of stay varies across the whole of the neighbourhood. It also indicates that people are not as happy living in some parts of the neighbourhood as they could be with some choosing not to stay in the long term.
05
% of live antisocial behaviour cases The neighbourhood experiences some antisocial behaviour or neighbour nuisance cases. This indicates that while the majority of New Charter residents treat each other with respect there are some incidents that do occur that have a negative impact on people’s ability to relax and feel secure in their homes.
The neighbourhood has some problems with employment levels compared with similar neighbourhoods in Tameside. This indicates that some people in the neighbourhood are having difficulty accessing the jobs market and may not be well qualified for the jobs that are available. Education and skills
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 quality of life.
There are some issues with the level of educational attainment and skills in the neighbourhood. This also indicates that it may not be easy to access the training people may need to help them gain employment or develop their existing career prospects.
Crime
Household income
People in the neighbourhood experience relatively low levels of crime and vandalism in relation to similar neighbourhoods in Tameside. Whilst not perfect, this does mean that people overall are likely to feel relatively safe and secure living in and walking around the neighbourhood.
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.
Neighbourhood satisfaction
Health The neighbourhood has some issues with peoples health and disability levels compared with similar neighbourhoods in Tameside. This could indicate that more people than usual may have mobility problems of one sort or another, need some long term medical support in their homes and perhaps feel quite isolated.
06
Employment
Access to services People in the neighbourhood have access to some shops and services near to their homes. This indicates that it can be difficult to shop for more than essentials or access a good range of advice or support, in or close to the neighbourhood itself.
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 prevent it being as good a place as it could be. 07
Local knowledge: Auditing your neighbourhood While 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 significant issue in some parts of the neighbourhood and is mainly connected with youth nuisance and groups congregating in different areas, riding motorbikes on footpaths and generally being disruptive. There have also been concerns about harassment and hate crime in relation to Polish families that have moved into the neighbourhood. Whilst this only relates to some specific areas it is nonetheless very serious. There are no problems with letting properties as the neighbourhood is in high demand. However the frequency at which people move in and out of some flats in the neighbourhood is slightly higher than usual which affects the overall turnover of lettings in the neighbourhood. Generally the appearance of the neighbourhood is good with many green areas and some stunning views.The principle issues are the condition of some garage sites and problems with the appearance of wooden fencing and gates in areas. There are a number of owner occupied properties which are in a poor state of repair and affect neighbourhood appearance. The high numbers of children in the area can cause some neighbourhood management issues in terms of noise, disturbance from games being played in the street and family disputes. These
issues are not serious but can affect resident’s quality of life. There is no formal residents association at present but the Neighbourhood team are working with residents to increase involvement and obtain feedback from across the neighbourhood. This is important to enable them to effectively manage the issues that are important to people.
The Copley Resource Centre run by Social Services provides focused support on some issues but does not function as a general community centre
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: friendly neighbours, good bus routes, good access to the town centre and shops, low crime and the area being generally clean, quiet and pleasant. The issues identified about living in the neighbourhood were: antisocial behaviour related to groups of youths, noise disruption from children playing in the street, lack of amenities for children and a lack of community spirit People raised specific issues with us about:The lack of children’s play areas and facilities A need for local cash machines Insufficient litter bins The need for a neighbourhood activity and social centre A need for a youth centre or youth club A lack of police patrols on foot A need for a park Improved and increased community consultation More broadly people saw lack of access to employment, benefits advice, adult education, skills training, childcare services and drop in clinics and services as things of direct impact to the neighbourhood, as well as access to computers locally.
10
• Some of the best features identified about living in the neighbourhood were: friendly neighbours, good bus routes, good access to the town centre and shops, low crime and the area being generally clean, quiet and pleasant. 11
What other organisations told us There are some health inequality issues in the neighbourhood compared with the rest of Tameside particularly in terms higher mortality and disability rates with particular links to coronary health. Provision of the right kind of services for young families and children is a particular area of focus. Crime is not a major issue in the neighbourhood but there are some problems with youths causing annoyance and more serious youth related nuisance and criminal damage. Lack of diversionary activities for young people is seen as a problem. It is also thought that some families may benefit from some more targeted support to help them with parenting issues. Access to employment and training and poor educational attainment are barriers for some people in the neighbourhood and have a significant effect on young adults in particular and residents in the 25 to 55 years of age bracket. Young people in the neighbourhood lack access to facilities as well as suffering from a lack of personal development opportunities. Work in this area is thought to be key in reducing nuisance levels. There is also a general lack of play facilities for younger children as well as childcare facilities more generally.
12
Household income is an issue for a number of households with agencies identifying problems with benefit dependency. 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 is 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: CleanCare carrying out regular litter picks Youth congregation on the car park on Demesne Drive which has limited lighting Parking is a problem due to narrow roads and causes congestion
Condition of communal areas around the flats is good Poor appearance of some individual gardens Grass cutting not to expected standard
Some grass verges used for parking Garage sites look unsightly and some attract fly tipping
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?
Increase the physical and CCTV surveillance in antisocial behaviour (ASB) hotspots in relation to youth nuisance and street disruption working in partnership withTameside Metropolitan Borough Council (TMBC), the Community Safety team and the Police and increase input from New Charter’sTenancy and Support Services team with a view of taking legal action against persistent offenders.
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
Continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to hate crime and harassment of minority families through increased surveillance working with the Police.
To improve the quality of life of affected families and continue to remove the perpetrators from the neighbourhood.
April 2013
Work with the Police and the Community Safety team on target hardening, surveillance of youth related nuisance and congregation in communal areas and develop a more general policing plan targeting more serious ASB disturbance from dangerous motorbike and quad bike activity.
To reduce levels of vandalism and increase feelings of security for customers who feel vulnerable to crime by developing a long term crime prevention strategy to ensure consistent policing approach.
December 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Develop a neighbourhood wide Home Watch group with support from New Charter.
To increase the level of surveillance in neighbourhood and therefore increase the feeling of security and empowerment against crime.
June 2013
Undertake a review of potential community venues and consider the feasibility of providing more space for community activities.Work with Social Services to consider the use of Copley Resource Centre in the evenings.
To ensure the neighbourhood has sufficient venues to host community activities and drop in services.
March 2014
Review current facilities and activities for young residents with TMBC in addition to the provision of general community facilities, activities and services.
Identification of a broader range of facilities is needed to improve young residents quality of life and that of the community more generally and also to ensure people can access advice and drop in services.
January 2014
Increase the involvement of New Charter’s Youth team to develop diversionary activities with young people through outreach activities and activities at an established youth base and continue to work with TMBC to increase youth provision.
To reduce the level of antisocial behaviour from youths by providing positive activities and links youths to other services.
April 2013
Work with residents on clear service standards for environmental services working with TMBC where relevant.
To improve customer satisfaction with these services and develop complementary working with TMBC.
August 2013
Undertake a review of the provision of cash points in the area working with the local Credit Union-Cash Box.
To identify ways to improve access to cash locally.
March 2014
15
16
What?
Why?
When?
Work with TMBC and the Community Safety team to position physical barriers to motorcycle riding on paths.
To increase community safety and reduce scooter and motor bike related nuisance in the neighbourhood.
July 2015
Undertake a joint review of childcare and early years provision withTMBC teams.
To improve the quality of children’s support services in the neighbourhood and increase households ability to work full or part-time.
May 2014
Work with partners to increase the signposting of residents to health advice and services. In addition work with the Local Health Board to look at the provision of additional services to older residents in their homes and education in schools regarding underage drinking.
To improve the health of residents in the neighbourhood and the support available to them.
September 2013
Consistently signpost and refer residents and their families to training and income advice services.
To increase chances of employment and maximising income.
March 2013
Work in partnership withTMBC with regards to road and grass verge maintenance issues and consider the use of green parking.
To improve neighbourhood appearance.
November 2013
Work in partnership withTMBC with regards to improving lighting in areas which make people feel insecure or encourage congregating.
To improve the feeling of security in the neighbourhood.
May 2014
What?
Why?
When?
Continue work to transform the overgrown open space area near Demesne Drive into a wild flower meadow.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and provide interesting space for families and children to explore.
April 2013
Work with residents on clear service standards for environmental services working with TMBC where relevant.
To improve customer satisfaction with these services and develop complementary working with TMBC.
June 2013
Continue to work with TMBC to provide communal bins in accessible areas.
To reduce incidents of fly tipping and littering in the neighbourhood.
January 2014
To reduce levels of vandalism and increase feelings of security for customers who feel vulnerable to crime by developing a long term crime prevention strategy to ensure consistent policing approach.
17
Tenancy What?
Why?
Apply the community contribution criteria from New Charter’s Allocation Policy to ensure a sensitive lettings approach to reduce lifestyle clashes thorough unsuitable lets.
To maintain community stability, reduce turnover of properties once let, decrease neighbour disputes and reduce lifestyle clashes thorough unsuitable lets.
April 2013
Increase the use and targeting of neighbour mediation services.
To reduce neighbour disputes and improve neighbour relations.
June 2013
Introduce a network of existing residents to meet, welcome and befriend new tenants and their families.
To help new residents to settle into the neighbourhood and create links to the community and neighbours.
September 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.
May 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.
August 2013
Continue to deliver the Keys toYour Door programme for customers less than 25 years of age, 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
Visit older and vulnerable customers annually to assess any support or adaptations needs.
To maintain the quality of life and independent living for older customers.
September 2013
Target fast track enforcement for serious ASB To remove quickly disruptive tenants and perpetrators with targeted resources from New improve quality of life for other residents Charter’sTenancy and Support Services team. protecting demand for properties. 18
When?
November 2013
What? Make targeted calls and visits to customers in rent arrears to address the arrears and signpost to advice services.
Why? To reduce arrears in the neighbourhood and therefore reduce the number of customers whose home is at risk due to debt issues.
When? April 2013
Signpost and refer customers who may benefit To reduce the number of evictions for from the help of New Charter’s Welfare non-payment of rent and provide more Benefits Advice team. help and advice on managing finances.
January 2013
Hold a regular housing surgery in the neighbourhood.
To make it quick and easy for residents to access services and ensure neighbourhood issues are dealt with.
June 2013
Provide increased support to identified vulnerable customers and link them to support and advice services.
To help identified customers successfully manage their tenancy and reduce lifestyle clashes with other residents.
April 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.
January 2013
We aim to... Improve the quality of life for the majority of residents as well as identify and reduce unacceptable conduct. 19
Home What?
20
Why?
When?
Improve the entrance to Albion Gardens.
To improve the scheme and the neighbourhood appearance and also to improve customer satisfaction.
October 2013
Undertake a review of local play facilities provision in consultation with residents with consideration of converting some green spaces into play spaces.
To ensure children have well placed safe places to play.
October 2013
Investigate the feasibility of developing enclosed outdoor football pitches working with Tameside Sports Trust.
To reduce low level nuisance from children’s games in the street and improve sports facilities for children.
March 2014
Undertake a review of fencing and boundaries, including a review of gates and doors.
To assess if existing fencing is adequate in terms of security and appearance and identify any specific work needed to clarify boundaries.
May 2013
Develop a programme of security orientated improvement works required to the lighting of car parks, other vulnerable areas and anything else identified as part of wider review with partners.
To increase feelings of security in the neighbourhood.
September 2013
Undertake a review of the condition of garage sites and identify an improvement programme.
To improve the security and appearance of garage sites, parking provision and reduce littering and fly tipping.
September 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Undertake a review of parking provision for residents in identified streets.
To identify any additional parking provision required and the potential options.
January 2014
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 ensure children have well placed safe places to play. 21
Involvement and empowerment What?
22
Why?
When?
Develop a regular tenants and residents forum working with members from the previous tenants and residents association.
To obtain detailed feedback from residents specifically on service and wider neighbourhood issues, collaborate with knowledgeable residents and work with them jointly on neighbourhood priorities.
July 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.
September 2013
Set up a neighbourhood improvement group with residents.
To ensure services are more customer and neighbourhood focused.
October 2013
Develop customer inspections on key customer identified issues.
To increase customer led monitoring of issues by getting the ‘customer eye’ view.
November 2013
Develop a community agreement with residents on what the community believes its values are, how people should treat each other and what it thinks is acceptable behaviour.
To improve community spirit in the neighbourhood, reduce inconsiderate behaviour and low level nuisance.
October 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
Work with parents,TMBC Volunteering Services and New Charter teams to develop a neighbourhood youth club, youth forum and activities group.
To improve youth provision and help parents to do something to help their children. Also to increase community spirit, improve intergenerational contact and the community’s ability to develop projects.
January 2014
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... Improve community spirit in the neighbourhood, reduce inconsiderate behaviour and low level nuisance.
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 =
347
Properties by type
Houses
233
Bungalows
25
Flats
89
Black Minority Ethnic
4.1%
Under 16
55+
26.72%
21.43%
18 - 25
15.74%
Number of residents =
756 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 residents’ 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