Outer West and North area walkabouts January 2008

Although the bi-monthly walkabouts were publicised, the attendance at the January round of walkabouts was quite low. The cold, wet weather in January is a possible reason for this.  Despite the bad weather all, but one, of the scheduled walkabouts went ahead in the Outer West and North area.

Some walkabouts in Newburn and West Denton were cancelled due to lack of tenant interest.  Officers from Newcastle City Council attended the majority of the walkabouts.

The walkabouts gave staff the chance to to identify environmental issues and a large number of actions for Envirocall.  Tenancy enforcement issues, possible schemes for the Area Project Fund and repairs and gounds maintenance issues were also noted.

124 issues were recorded in total and ten issues were identified for grounds maintenance. These were evenly spread across the area and actions have been agreed for all ten issues.

Blakelaw Cowgate

Despite the cold, wet January weather all eighteen estate walkabouts went ahead as scheduled. Locally based YHN staff and officers from Newcastle City Council walked the estates in Blakelaw, Cowgate and Etal Park to look at things like green areas, problems with litter and rubbish and to identify where repairs are required.

The following issues were identified:

• graffiti,
• litter,
• damage caused by cars driving over the grass,
• repairs,
• dumped rubbish,
• signs that need to be replaced.

A scheme to improve the appearance of unused land was also proposed.  An action plan has been produced to identify who is going to do what and when.

Gosforth

All fourteen estate walkabouts went ahead as scheduled in Gosforth in January 2008. Locally based YHN staff and officers from Newcastle City Council visited estates in Fawdon, Gosforth, High Heaton, Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazelrigg to look at things like green areas, problems with litter and rubbish and to identify where repairs are required.

The following issues were identified:

• the condition of communal areas,
• untidy gardens,
• repairs,
• grounds maintenance issues,
• dumped rubbish,
• litter and graffiti,
• damage by vehicles driving over grassed areas,
• signs in need of replacing,
• need for recreational facilities,

Updates on the progress of Area Project Fund schemes were also given.  All issues that were identified have been included in an action plan to identify who is going to do what and when.  Some of the issues issues, such as repairs, have already been resolved. Others, such as potential Area Project Fund Schemes, will take longer.

Newbiggin Hall

Despite the cold, wet January weather the estate walkabout went ahead as scheduled. Locally based YHN staff and officers from Newcastle City Council walked the Newbiggin Hall estates to look at things like green areas, problems with litter and rubbish and possible repairs.

The following issues were discussed:

• the progress of Area Project Fund schemes,
• illegal parking,
• repairs,
• vandalism,
• unauthorised alterations to properties,
• grounds maintenance.

Where possible immediate action has been taken. Other problems, such as anti-social behaviour and vandalism, will be discussed with other agencies, such as the police, to look for the best solutions.

North Kenton

Despite the cold, wet January weather, every effort was made to ensure that the estate walkabouts went ahead as scheduled. All but one of the eight walkabouts went ahead.

The following issues were identified:

• graffiti,
• an insecure private house,
• litter,
• grounds maintenance,
• unauthorised alterations to properties,
• repairs needed to pavements and roads.

Where possible immediate action has been taken.  For example, a ‘litter pick’ and the removal of graffiti has been organised together with the Neighbourhood Response manager.

West Denton

Despite the cold, wet January weather, all 24 estate walkabouts went ahead as scheduled.  In West Denton and Westerhope, locally based YHN staff and officers from Newcastle City Council walked the estates to look at things like green areas, problems with litter and rubbish and repairs.

The following issues were identified:

• damage by vehicles driving over grassed areas,
• missing signs,
• graffiti,
• repairs,
• litter.

An action plan has been produced to improve the cleanliness and appearance of the estates, identifying who is going to do what and when.