Cleaner, safer places to live

We have responded to your concerns, working with you to create a neighbourhood you are happy to be a part of.

Community Safety

Issue raised:

You advised that community safety, police presence, and residents feeling unsafe in communal areas ere ongoing concerns, and that there should be a stronger focus on improving community safety.

Action taken:

Your Neighbourhood Services Manager Kate, continues to work alongside Cheshire Police to tackle Anti-social behaviour (ASB), neighbour nuisance and criminal activity. In the last 12 months, the number of complaints of ASB cases and complaints have reduced. These cases have related to complaints of noise nuisance, subletting, and criminal activity. Many of the cases we have had over the last 12 months have been successfully resolved. This has been through tools such as mediation, ABC agreements and tenancy enforcement action.

The neighbourhood PCSO now also does a weekly drop in for residents of Longridge and Shaw Heath at the Welcome Café. This provides an opportunity for residents to report any issues happening in the local area.

Community Environment

Issue raised:

You advised that you felt the estate needed tidying up, and asked us to review the overgrown areas and large trees around St Johns Wood.

Action taken:

The Grounds Maintenance Team has delivered a programme of improvements, including:

• Flail work around the woodland and quadrant area to improve visibility and let in more natural light.
• Refreshed bark beds around Gaskell Rise and Edgerton House.
• Plans to enhance the quadrant area with meadow grass and wildflower planting.
• Reduction of around 400 metres of hedgerow near the “three triangles” to improve sightlines and accessibility.
• Ongoing seasonal grass cutting, hedge and shrub maintenance.
• Continued support for residents struggling to maintain gardens.
• Exploration of a proposal to maintain gardens and courtyards in smaller blocks, with resident consultation planned.
• Delivery of a successful “Time out in the Community” (ToiNC) day, including litter-picking and environmental improvements.

Action taken:

We continue to tackle fly-tipping across the estate. CCTV installed at hotspots such as Gaskell Rise has helped reduce dumping and the associated removal costs. Those responsible are asked to remove waste or may face enforcement action and recharges.

We are also working with residents to keep communal areas clear and comply with fire safety requirements. Regular communications have resulted in a positive response, with many residents helping to keep blocks clean. Where items continue to be left in communal areas, those responsible may be recharged for removal costs.