Last ditch bid to save one-bedroomed bungalows

Bungalows on the perimeter of the Closes Estate at Redcar have been boarded up but Ward Councillor Chris Abbott has called on Coast and Country Housing to reconsider the decision to demolish them, which was taken before the removal of the spare bedroom subsidy.

Chris Abbott raised the issue at a meeting on Redcar and Cleveland Council on 30th May and has since written to Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast and Country Housing

Cllr Abbott said:

“If Coast and Country Housing is finding it so difficult to assist people to downsize as a result of the removal of the spare bedroom subsidy, why are they not changing the property specification for the new homes planned on the Closes estate?

“Why not abandon the plan to demolish the popular one-bed bungalows on the perimeter of the Closes and re-let these popular properties?

“To me it does not make sense replacing them with two-bed flats when these were made more secure and were fully renovated during the first phase of modernisation on the estate, which cost £40,000 per property.”

There are still 28 bungalows left, of which around 20 are due to be demolished.

The Closes redevelopment update

Coast and Country Housing have issued the following update on the Closes redevelopment:

October 2012

Dear Resident

We would like to update you on our progress to redevelop The Closes estate.

We have been working hard to ensure that the empty properties are stripped internally, utilities are disconnected and gardens are cleared. Your safety, the cleanliness of the estate and the welfare of the residents waiting to be relocated is our priority In Spring we strengthened the site based regeneration team and we are already seeing a positive impact from the additional caretakers on the estate.

Also we have listened and acted upon feedback from local ward councillors, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland Police, and other stakeholders to ensure that any concerns are being addressed.

We will be working with a contractor to start the demolition of Phase 1 over the next few months. Phase 1 includes the following addresses:

• Kent Close (1-16, 52-67)
• Mersey Road (133-191 odds)
• Roseberry Road (84 – 106 evens)
• The Meadows (1-32)

Who do I contact if I have an enquiry?

 If you are a Coast and Country Tenant:
 Gail Atkinson 01642 837226 gail_atkinson@cchousing.org.uk
Steph Pew /Angela Blake 01642 771336 steph_pew@cchousing.org.uk or angela_blake@cchousing.org.uk.  

If you are an owner occupier, private landlord or private tenant: Ben Briggs 01642 771377 ben_briggs@cchousing.org.uk

Ian Swales MP joins youngsters fishing in Locke Park

Posted by Chris:

Redcar's Lib Dem MP Ian Swales is pictured with Glynis watching fishing tackle being set up for the free fishing day at Locke Park lake organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council's Neighbourhood Management team and sponsored by Coast and Country Housing. Local youngsters from the Closes and Roseberry Road area, who helped with the recent litter picking days, were invited to attend and provided with some basic fishing tackle and bait. The lake was freshly stocked by Glynis and I earlier this year, with carp bream and ide, using £3000 of our annual £4000 from the Redcar Area Committee Environment Improvements Budget. In response Middlesbrough Angling Club, who lease the fishing rights from Redcar and Cleveland Council, agreed to allow 12 free fishing days per year for local youngsters.

It was nice to see so many youngsters enjoying themselves - see pictures below. They were very quiet as you would expect when fishing. Since we stocked the lake there has been a noticeable increase in young people fishing the venue. Day tickets can be obtained from local tackle shops.

Newcomen Ward Community Forum: First Ever Community Gala Day

Newcomen Ward Community Forum are holding their first ever Community Gala Day, for local residents and the wider area of West Redcar.

The first ever Newcomen Ward Community Gala Day is being held in Locke Park, Corporation Road, Redcar on Saturday 21st August 2010 between 11am - 4pm.

A number of Attractions have been booked for the day, including, Bouncy Castle and Slide, Fairground Ride, Climbing Wall, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling, Walk-a-bout Magician, Miniature Railway, Urban Kaos Street Dance Workshops and numerous other activities. A number of Craft Stalls will be in attendance, along with representatives from Redcar and Cleveland College, Pertemps, Routes-2-Employment, Coast and County Housing and Sure Start and other organisations.

Free Car Parking for the event has been arranged at Redcar and Cleveland College, Corporation Road.

Newcomen Ward Community Forum has been established for over 10 years, and is an independent Community led organisation run by volunteers, It's main aim is to put forward the views of local residents who live and work in the area, to the Local Authority, and other Statutory and Community Groups.

Are the Police taking the Mickey?

Posted by Chris:

People who claim that the Police fail to respond when they report minor crimes will be interested to learn about this bizarre Police initiative.

Cleveland Police and Redcar & Cleveland Council work together to help reduce crime and there are Government induced Public Service Agreements in place that set targets for crime reduction.

On criminal damage the annual target for reduction in Redcar & Cleveland is, I think, 17.5% and I understand that we are missing the target by about 50%.

A report to today's meeting of Main Scrutiny from R & C's Safer, Stronger Communities Partnership stated:

"Findings from the strategic problem profile on criminal damage has resulted in changes to the approach taken on recording by Cleveland Police."

What has actually happened is that the Police are seeking to eliminate some of the incidents so that the figures can be reduced. They now send a police officer to "challenge and visit every reported incident of criminal damage in order. Findings suggest that approximately 10% of reported incidents should not be categorised a criminal damage."

One of the problems they have found is that Registered Social Landlord, Coast & Country Housing, that has a significant number of properties in the Borough, have been insisting that tenants report damage to their properties and obtain a crime number before the landlord will repair the damage. The Police, who clearly do not investigate these crimes, have simply handed out crime numbers on request, regardless of whether the damage was done by the tenant themselves, or it was only accidental damage done by a youngster playing football, for example. In other cases people seek crime numbers to claim on insurance.

In order to deal with this problem the police have started to investigate each and every one of these incidents, about 480 last month, not to catch the culprit but simply to delete from the list those that are not categorised as criminal damage. Obviously I do not condone false reports of criminal damage to the police to avoid paying for it or to claim on the insurance, they are , in fact crimes in themselves, but surely they should be concentrating on other things?

We posted recently about a garden fence, fronting on to West Dyke Road car park, that was damaged by a car, whose driver, failed to stop. When Glynis visited the householder she advised her to report it to the Police. I had the lady to my surgery last week and she told me that the Police had simply said that she should take it up with the Council as it was "the Council's car park." The Council, of course, says it is "not responsible for criminal damage caused by an individual."

The lady is not happy and is faced with paying for the damage herself. Reports in this blog, or in our newsletter Focus, have prompted one resident to telephone to say that he witnessed the incident. It was caused, he said, by a female driver, in her fifties, driving a red car but that was all the information he could provide.

570 People sign Post Office Petition

Glynis and Ian with some of the petition forms

A petition, containing 570 signatures, pressing Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to ensure that a post office is included in the new Roseberry Shopping Centre in Redcar has been collected.
Redcar Liberal Democrats started the petition when the post office failed to appear when the new development opened in July.

Newcomen Ward Councillor, Glynis Abbott, said:

“We were led to understand that the post office, which had been a vital service in the old Roseberry Square shopping centre, had been moved into the former Coast and Country Housing Office as a temporary measure before moving into the new Sainsbury’s Local Store. Even the staff were expecting this to happen as late as the end of June.

The queues at the main post office in Redcar town centre are long enough and many elderly people cannot stand for long in these queues.”

Ian Swales, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar said:

We have had an absolutely tremendous response to the petition in a very short time. People in the area want to see a post office re-opened as soon as possible. We don’t want this to be a casualty of the Government’s post office closure programme.

“We want to ensure that the Council do not let things lie and we need their help to ensure that the Post Office does everything it can to find someone willing to take it on.”

Redcar & Cleveland Lib Dems Election Campaign gets off to a flying start

Posted by Chris:

Redcar and Cleveland Council has received 160 nominations from 85 men and 75 women for the Borough's 59 seats in 22 wards at the Thursday, 3rd May poll.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party in the Redcar Parliamentary constituency with a full slate of candidates in all the constituency wards.

The Lib Dem campaign has got off to a flying start with the launch of our excellent manifesto "No Turning Back" on Friday with a visit to Redcar and Brotton from Greg Mulholland MP. Greg gave our Candidates a real boost and everybody is well motivated for the campaign. Our manifesto can be viewed in full on the local party website http://www.redcarlibdems.org.uk/.

Yesterday we got the excellent news that the Planning Committee approved by nine votes to two our flagship Coatham Links Development, that will bring 200 jobs to Redcar and top quality leisure facilities and housing. We are getting our swimming pool back after ten years of being about the largest town in the land without a pool. In fact, we are getting two pools, a swimming pool and a leisure pool. I can't wait for the work to get started it will revitalise an area that is run down and I am absolutely convinced it will help to kick start Redcar's economy.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that two of the Labour Councillors voted for the scheme, in spite of the fact that the local MP has threatened to call in the decision. If she does the swimming pool will be set back yet another year. There are no genuine grounds to turn it down, I am convinced of that and calling it in in could put grant funding at risk.

Today we had a visit from the lovely Fiona Hall MEP. Fiona visited the Coatham Links site, where work is about to start on the improvements to the boating lake area (see picture above with Glynis and I). This did not require planning permission and would have gone ahead regardless of yesterday's decision. Fiona spent a lot of time with candidates in a number of wards including the solar energy scheme that Coast & Country Housing have installed on flats around the Closes Estate in our ward, the flood defence work recently carried out in Skinningrove.

We look forward to a packed month of intensive campaigning that may well surprise our opponents.

Promoted by C. Abbott 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, of 39 Essex Close, Redcar, Yorkshire, TS10 4BY.

Warden Carolyn scores a winner

Community safety warden Carolyn Bircham has scored a personal triumph for her work in setting up football with matches for young people and giving them the chance to help design a new play area.

Carolyn's extra commitment to her role as Redcar and Cleveland Council's warden supervisor for South Bank, Grangetown and Teesville was 'highly commended' by the annual North East Regional Wardens awards, organised by the Middlesbrough-based North East Regional Resource Centre.

The Council's warden service was also applauded by the Centre, funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, for achieving a distinction for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund's nationally-recognised quality standard. Centre manager Sian Bunn said: "Redcar and Cleveland did extremely well - not only did they achieve the national standard, but achieved it with a distinction."

Carolyn was quick to praise her team after collecting the award in the 'excellence in working for young people' category - Lesley Fell, Louise Dobson and Dave Grimwood, along with Police Community Support Officer Paul Walker. "To be recognised for the work we've done was fantastic - as far as I'm concerned, it was a team award."

She was also delighted to report more sporting progress - with the creation of a football league next month and a hoped-for start by Coast & Country Housing to create a recreation area on wasteland at the junction of Steel Crescent and Strauss Road, South Bank in the spring.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety Councillor Joyce Benbow had special praise for Carolyn and the warden service.

"I think it's absolutely excellent, thoroughly well deserved. She's done a lot of work with young people and the more work that's done like this to keep them out of trouble, the better for everybody.

"I think our service continues to improve and with the recruitment of a dozen new wardens next month, it will improve further and make the lives of residents much happier."

Solving problems with new Joint Action Groups

A multi-agency task force is being in created in Redcar and Cleveland, aimed at focusing on troublespots across the Borough.

The Council has joined forces with senior officers from Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Youth and Children's Services, Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust and Coast & Country Housing to establish Joint Action Groups.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety Councillor Joyce Benbow explained: "These groups will be building on our existing partnerships at ground level, bringing together a wealth of expertise and experience to try and solve all sorts of problems.

"The issue might be off-road motorcylces, antisocial behaviour, even uncollected wheelie bins - issues which affect a number of partners for different reasons.

"It's all about our drive to ensure ongoing environmental improvements, making the Borough a greener, cleaner and safer place to live and work."

Redcar and Cleveland Police's District Commander Superintendent Ian Richards believes the new JAGs can only build better inter-agency work.

He explained: "This problem solving group will further cement the excellent multi agency working which exists within Redcar and Cleveland and can only be of benefit to the local community through the delivery of better all round services."

The six JAGs, which will be chaired by a senior Cleveland Police officer, will dovetail in between the schedule of meetings already scheduled for the Council's existing six Area Environment Committees, which meet on a six-week cycle. The first meetings are planned to start in May.

Children put the focus on long lasting homes

Residents, who have lived for decades in prefabricated bungalows, originally built to last ten years, have been the focus for budding photographers in a fascinating exhibition that traces the homes' history.

The 30 photographs and a collage to celebrate the longevity of the 36 bungalows in East Meadows, Marske, which were built in 1947, will be unveiled at Marske Library on Wednesday, December 6.

Coast & Country Housing, working in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Council's Library Service, created the project which involved young people from the library's Reading Group and nearby Errington Primary School.

Photographer Tony Griffiths hosted two workshops with the young photographers, while professional artists Kathryn Wren and Margaret Hayden worked with another group to produce the collage, thanks to £2,000 funding from the Museums Libraries and Archives Council North East.

The Council's museums curator Alan Pearce, who will present certificates to all the children involved, will accept a DVD of a permanent photographic record of the East Meadow homes to be stored at Kirkleatham Museum.

Coast & Country Housing's Director of Regeneration and Development Anna Gibson said: “The bungalows have served a close-knit community of residents for several decades longer than intended since they were erected to provide emergency housing after the Second World War.

"However, they can no longer be brought up to modern-day standards economically and the residents have worked very closely with us to design a replacement development that we are sure will become as cherished and popular as the prefabs.

“I congratulate the children and artists involved in the collage and photographic exhibition, ensuring that this important era of social housing has been recorded so creatively for the reference of generations to come.”

Resident Mrs Thelma Peacock said: "The children have worked very hard and we were thrilled to talk to them and show them round our bungalow. It’s exciting for us to be part of the history being recorded and we are looking forward to viewing the exhibition.

"At first I was concerned about the proposals but Coast & Country Housing have consulted with us and have kept us involved in the process. I realise that the new homes will be much better than at present and I am looking forward to moving."

The Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "The young people have done a terrific job and I'm sure they've also learnt a great deal about the homes."

Busy bulky waste service

Redcar and Cleveland Council is carrying out an average of almost 300 bulky waste collections a week - and expects the busy service to continue in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

The Council is urging residents to get rid of unwanted rubbish using the service, which charges £5 for standard jobs and £10 for an 'express' service, which promises collection within seven days.

Latest statistics show that between October last year to September this week, a total of 13,739 jobs were completed - 9,233 standard and 4,506 express, an average of almost 300 per week.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Improvement Councillor Bob Stanway said: "All residents have to do is call our Call Centre on 08456 126 126 to arrange a collection. This is just one of the ways we are working with residents to provide a cleaner, safer, greener borough.

"We're also delighted to note that the number of flytips has reduced, compared to the number we had received at this point during 2005/06."

Figures show from April 1 to the end of August, there were 1,750 flytipping reports, down by just over 800 for the same period last year.

"We will be working closely with the Fire Brigade and Coast & Country Housing in the run-up to Bonfire Night to reduce the potential for deliberate fires."

At last progress towards improving the unmodernised part of the Closes estate

Coast & Country Housing have issued the following notice to residents of the Closes Estate:

Consultation Event – Thursday 28th and Friday 29th September at Newcomen School Redcar – 10am to 4pm

Coast & Country Housing are committed to improving both the homes and the environment of the Closes estate.

We value your ideas and are keen to find out you views about the area.

Please come along to the above event and be involved in shaping the future of your estate.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, parts of the estate were modernised and improvements made to the layout and the environment of the estate.

The properties improved during this period are currently undergoing Investment work to bring them up to Decent Homes Standard.

We now want to concentrate our efforts on the older unmodernised part of the estate and bring about lasting improvements to the area.

A number of partners are on board to help us work with residents to deliver these improvements.

· DKS Architects
· Groundwork South Tees
· Tees Forest

Your views are essential to this process!

We look forward to seeing you on the 28th and 29th September at Newcomen School

Every Household from The Closes who attends the event will be entered into a prize draw for £50.00 Marks & Spencer Vouchers

We need your views on how we can improve the Estate!

Asbestos fear following vandalism of bungalows

Stuart Marshall a Council Emergency Planning Officer has issued the following warning:

"Bungalows due for demolition on the Lakes Estate were broken into and vandalised over the weekend. The buildings contain asbestos which was exposed during the incident, it is believed that those present in the building during the vandalism would have been exposed to asbestos fibres.

"The health impact is believed to be limited, however following advice from health organisations, Coast and Country Housing intend to publish a press statement asking for those responsible to come forward.

"This will allow Coast and Country to:

- Dispose of clothing containing asbestos in a safe manner
- Give guidance to those exposed to the asbestos

"Coast and Country may make the offer of air monitoring in those residents houses who are directly affected as a means of providing reassurance. There are believed to be no health issues to third parties such as relatives.

"Given that the estate contains a number of houses of similar construction, Coast and Country intend issuing information on asbestos to all residents, this may give rise to some concerns. All queries should be directed towards the Coast and Country 01642 471300."

Eyesore site to get a facelift

Posted by Glynis

THE area of neglected land, at the rear of Norfolk Close and Troutbeck Road, Redcar, is to get a facelift and pupils from Sacred Heart RC School will be involved in the work.

Acting on a suggestion from Ray Hall. Secretary of the Newcomen Ward Community Forum, I met with Coast & Country Housing, to discuss including the site in the Aspire Project, a scheme for companies to engage with school leavers.

Residents are currently being consulted and if all goes well, work will be organised by Sacred Heart pupils during the summer holidays.

Various suggestions for improvements are being considered such as improving the land, metal or stone planters, painting and possibly a few small pieces of play equipment for young children will be included.

Money has been allocated in the Council’s budget to allow one metre to be removed from the grass verge in Newlands Grove, Redcar to improve access to Brotherswater Court.