Your GREAT Neighbourhood Charter Hague
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 Hague neighbourhood can be found in the Stalybridge area of Greater Manchester; located nine miles east of Manchester and six miles northwest of Glossop.The neighbourhood is suburban and the majority of the properties are traditional semi-detached and terraced one and two bedroomed houses, with only a small number of one bedroom flats and bungalows. Whilst New Charter owns a large number of properties in the area there are a significant proportion of owner occupiers.The neighbourhood has a limited number of green and open spaces and this means the multi-use games area located at the top of Ridge Hill Lane, is used regularly by the young people of the neighbourhood. There are two local primary schools in the neighbourhood: Silver Springs Academy and Arlies Primary School; the nearest high schools are West Hill School for Boys approximately half a mile away and Copley Academy; a mixed school which a high number of pupils from the
neighbourhood attend. Funding has recently been awarded to the Academy through the national Priority School Building Programme to ensure the relevant renovation works which have been identified can be carried out to the school.The neighbourhood also benefits from a children’s centre and has an active residents group who are involved in organising a number of community events throughout the year and also have a history of charitable work. The Hague neighbourhood falls within the wider geographical area of Ridge Hill which has recently been awarded a £1million funding grant from the Big Lottery. Work is currently underway in the neighbourhood in respect of the Big Local Scheme and local residents and stakeholders will soon form the Ridge Hill Big Local Partnership with the ultimate goal of ensuring the £1million is invested in the community, by the community, with the aim of improving the neighbourhood and the lives of those people who live there.This is an extremely exciting time for the neighbourhood and will create a number of opportunities for local residents to get involved in events and decision making which will impact on the future of the area. The neighbourhood is close to both the bus station and local train station and also benefits from a number of shops and a post office; the local hospital is less than one mile away and the primary care facility and other amenities expected to be found in a town centre are located in Stalybridge.
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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.
Springs
Hague
Stalybridge Central
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.
Ash Grove
Derwent Terrace
Hamilton Street
Matterdale Terrace
Stonecliffe Avenue
Astley Road
East Avenue
Harrison Street
North Avenue
Thirlmere Close
Bond Street
Elizabeth Avenue
Hartshead Avenue
Patterdale Close
Ullswater Terrace
Borrowdale Terrace
Ennerdale Terrace
Holland Avenue
Regina Avenue
Wasdale Terrace
Buttermere Terrace
Eskdale Terrace
Lancaster Avenue
Ridge Hill Lane
West Avenue
Cambridge Street
Gledhall Street
Langdale Terrace
St. Georges Street
West Street
Church Walk
Grasmere Close
Loweswater Terrace
Stamford Grove
Darnton Road
Hague Place
Mardale Close
Staveley Avenue
% of current rent arrears
Average number of repairs
The neighbourhood has a relatively high level of rent arrears which means a number of households may be experiencing money management issues and be at risk of losing their homes. It is likely that a number of households may benefit from 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
Tenancy turnover
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.
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.
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% 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 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 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.
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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 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 This neighbourhood has the potential to be a great place to live but is currently experiencing a number of issues that affect people’s overall quality of life and enjoyment.The main aim for this neighbourhood is to identify a range of activities, service and initiatives that will significantly improve people’s day to day living experience. 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.
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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 on disused garage sites and open areas of land. In addition to the above, there is also a problem with neighbourhood disputes and inconsiderate behaviour which seem to occur in particular areas. Of some concern has been some ‘gang’ related disruption involving disturbance and criminal damage and some incidents of harassment, although recent police intervention has had a positive impact here. Demand for properties is variable in the neighbourhood with some areas being easy to let and others which are near to areas of high nuisance activity being more difficult.This means turnover of properties is low in some parts of the neighbourhood and high in others; people new to the area tend to have more problems settling in, in some parts of the neighbourhood. There are environmental issues that affect neighbourhood appearance in respect of the poor condition of the majority of garage sites which are unused and two large areas of open land which are used for fly tipping.There are also problems with broken fencing, some littering near the flats and potholing in access roads.Taken together these issues significantly affect the overall neighbourhood appearance.
There are also problems with opportunistic theft in the area from outbuildings or other more vulnerable properties.There is also a significant problem with stolen cars being abandoned and burnt out in the nearby quarry. The Neighbourhood team work really well with a variety of residents associations and groups but would like to see more resident feedback opportunities for people regarding service delivery issues.
The Keyhole Centre and the New Charter supported Academy are felt to be providing a useful base for many activities, meetings and links to agency services.
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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 important quality of life issues that need to be addressed. Some of the best features identified about living in the neighbourhood were: being close to shops, good bus links, friendly people, helpful neighbours, generally clean and quiet and the activities at Silver Springs Academy. The issues identified about living in the neighbourhood were: antisocial behaviour, problem families, noise from some households, groups of youths, drug dealing and nothing for children or young people to do. People raised specific issues with us about: A lack of children’s play areas and facilities A lack of youth facilities and youth club The need for a family orientated community centre Computer access for school children of all ages A more visible Police presence A more visible presence from New Charter The need for a better variety of shops More access to postal services locally Better use of dog wardens Poor and irregular refuse collection service The need of a reliable window cleaning business A lack of provision for children under 7years
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More broadly people saw lack of access to employment opportunities, adult education, childcare and benefits and employment advice as issues which had direct impact on the neighbourhood. Lack of drop in services and clinics particularly for older residents was seen as a particular issue, as was the lack of fitness facilities.
• Some of the best features identified about living in the neighbourhood were: being close to shops, good bus links, friendly people, helpful neighbours, generally clean and quiet and the activities at Silver Springs Academy. 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 seen as a significant issue in some areas with various forms of antisocial behaviour being the principle concern, alongside car crime and opportunistic burglary.There is also seen to be a lack of crime prevention measures in place raising levels of vulnerability to crime. Employment levels are not a problem generally but access to employment and training are barriers for young adults.Young people in the neighbourhood also suffer from a lack of personal development opportunities. A variety of agencies thought that young people in the neighbourhood also suffered more generally in terms of access to a range of facilities and support services. It was also felt that more work in these areas would have a positive effect on youth related antisocial behaviour.
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There is an on going need for early years provision which has been greatly helped by the Academy provision that is now in place in the neighbourhood. There are a number of isolated young families with children who need additional help due to lack of extended family support. Access to mainstream services and amenities can be variable due to the location of the neighbourhood.
What we saw together: Fly tipping on Glendale Street Fly tipping on open areas of land Poor condition of garage sites and rear boundary fencing Shared area for flats are in good condition Level of litter in streets generally is low
Many roads in poor condition and need resurfacing External steps in Lakelands are damaged and in disrepair A number of lampposts covered in graffiti A number of overgrown gardens
Dog fouling on open spaces
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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
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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 the shops working in partnership with owners.
To reduce visible ASB in the neighbourhood by development of a long term strategy improve the quality of life for residents.
December 2013
Work with the Police and the Community Safety team on increased police visibility, target hardening and a develop a more general policing plan targeting ASB disturbance criminal damage, youth congregation and opportunistic theft.
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 a consistent policing approach.
December 2013
Working with residents aim to extend all Home Watch groups to provide neighbourhood wide coverage.
To increase the level of surveillance in the neighbourhood and 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.
Identification of a broader range of facilities is needed to improve their quality of life and that of the community more generally and to ensure residents can access advice and drop in services.
September 2013
Increase use of New Charter’sYouth team to develop diversionary activities with young people at an established youth base and continue to work with TMBC to increase youth provision.
To reduce the level of ASB from youths by providing positive activities and linking youths to other services.
April 2013
Develop an improvement plan for overgrown green spaces working with TMBC and other stakeholders where needed.
To improve the appearance of unsightly green and open spaces in the neighbourhood and develop complementary working with TMBC.
June 2014
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.
June 2014
CleanCare to increase targeting of fly tipping, litter and graffiti in identified areas.
To improve the neighbourhood appearance and quality of life of residents.
April 2013
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What?
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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.
June 2014
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.
March 2013
Work with TMBC education services to review school age children’s access to computers and IT equipment.
To support children’s educational attainment and skill development.
March 2014
Work with a number of organisations and stakeholders on initiatives identified in their plans that will help improve the neighbourhood.
To improve services and maximise input into the neighbourhood from other service providers.
January 2014
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.
June 2013
What?
Why?
When?
Review the quality of the refuse service with TMBC and residents.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and quality of life for residents.
December 2013
Undertake a review of the shopping provision in the area following the outcomes from the in house review.
To identify ways to improve access to shopping provision locally and give the community the opportunity to shape the future of their neighbourhood.
June 2013
Work in partnership with TMBC Sports Trust on the provision of increased keep fit activities and facilities.
To improve the health of residents in the neighbourhood.
September 2013
Work in partnership with stakeholders on initiatives identified in their plans that will help improve the neighbourhood; with particular reference to the development of the Ridge Hill Big Local Journey and the overall Ridge Hill regeneration plan.
To improve services and maximise input into the neighbourhood from other service providers.
June 2013
We aim to... Improve the health of residents in the neighbourhood.
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Tenancy What?
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Why?
When?
Continue with the community lettings approach to reduce lifestyle clashes thorough 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 both the length of time properties remain empty and the turnover of properties.
April 2013
Continue to deliver the Key toYour Door programme for customers under 35 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.
April 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
Target fast track enforcement for serious ASB perpetrators with targeted resources from New Charter’s Tenancy and Support Services team.
To remove quickly disruptive tenants, improve quality of life for other residents and protect demand for properties.
April 2013
Visit young customers annually to assess if any extra assistance, advice or links to other services are needed.
To help younger customers 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
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 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 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... Increase access to advice and equipment to maintain gardens. 19
Home What?
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Why?
When?
Target streets and properties with poor appearance or reputation and produce options to improve visual appearance and attractiveness to potential customers.
To reduce the number of difficult to let properties and increase quality of life for residents.
April 2013
Repair the external steps in Lakelands and potholing in access roads.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and safety.
March 2015
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 local play facilities provision in consultation with residents.
To ensure children have well placed safe places to play.
October 2013
Continue with the fencing programme and review for further work required in the neighbourhood.
To improve neighbourhood appearance and assess if fencing is adequate in terms of security.
July 2013
Consider fencing off areas which suffer from fly tipping and provision of communal bins in others.
To reduce casual fly tipping in the neighbourhood.
December 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 ensure children have well placed safe places to play. 21
Involvement and empowerment What?
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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
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.
March 2013
Set up a regular neighbourhood focus group with residents linked to the Residents Association.
To ensure services are more customer and neighbourhood focused.
June 2013
Hold regular youth focus groups and forums.
To help identify and develop better youth services and support.
March 2013
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
What?
Why?
When?
Build on previous groundwork on an open space usage project involving residents from across the neighbourhood. Consider the feasibility of a communal garden as suggested by local residents.
To improve neighbourhood appearance, community networking and experience of working on projects.
June 2013
Work with residents groups on the feasibility and desirability of developing a social enterprise around window cleaning, garden clearance for older residents and odd jobs.
To improve the range of services to residents and small business skills increasing wealth creation in the community.
March 2014
Support and widen the partnership work with TMBC on park development, linking with New Charter’sYouth team and the DreamScheme project.
To increase community activities and facilities in the neighbourhood, improve community spirit, intergenerational contact and relationships.
November 2013
Hold weekend community information events or fun days 4 times a year and hold seasonal activities at Easter and Halloween Work closely with the local school on these events in terms of venues and timings.
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... Ensure services are more customer and neighbourhood focused. 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.
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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 =
481
Properties by type Houses
137
Bungalows
14
Flats
30
Black Minority Ethnic
5.72%
55+
13.97%
Under 16
29.80
18 - 25
16.58%
Number of residents =
1188 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.
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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
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Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111