Transcript Document

How SEAL is making a
difference
Introduction
• The main talking point for today’s presentation will be a report from
our Secretary, Judith Codarin, on the fantastic success of SEAL’s first
Street Blitz.
• This will be followed by a brief few words from myself on why it is
vital for you to become a SEAL Member and join with us in promoting
what we are doing.
Street Blitz Update
• Selected streets were Whitegate, Quebec, Baltic, Portland, York
Avenue, Heygate, Chancellor and Herbert Grove.
• Calling cards announced the survey and clean-up Sunday. The cards
(and banners for the Clean-up) used designs by local children.
• 25 people carried out the survey in the 7 streets.
• Before and After photos were taken by Turning Tides and participants.
• 40 adults, plus residents, and at least 30 young people took part in
the clean-up. Landlords, Agents and many Councillors helped.
• Data is about to be published, as well as an analysis of what residents
are concerned about, and what they would like in each street.
The Street Blitz calling card, showing designs by local children, SEAL
donated a prize for each design used.
Street Blitz Findings
• SEAL has caught the imagination of businesses, agents and multi-agencies
and attracted funding and sponsorship. GBN Skips and the Echo were
amazing in their generosity, as well as certain agents.
• The work to achieve this initiative has moved SEAL forward, through
research into funding and volunteering, and most of all, in team building.
• The residents like living in these streets.
• These streets are gateways into, and out of the town, for workers, families
and visitors to the centre and the nightspots, as well as residential streets.
Surely they deserve different consideration to streets that do not serve so
many purposes and expectations.
• Each street has a hero landlord, manager or agent, some lucky streets have
more than one hero. One even pays to clear another landlords rubbish!
Photos of before rubbish in street
Rubbish, Rubbish , Rubbish
• Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish - what to do with it?
• Nowhere to put it because there was nothing like the rubbish of
today when the property was built, and then later split into several
households, so it is left in the gardens and the streets.
• Where there are several flats under different ownership and no
rubbish storage has been put in place by the freeholder.
• HMO’s with no rubbish storage or rubbish management without the
regard to legal requirement.
• Sofas and mattresses dumped or left in front gardens for a long time.
Front Gardens and Paths – Derelict
• Entrance paths in dangerous disrepair, likely to trip any user.
• Old walls and fences collapsed giving the street, and the property, a
neglected and run down appearance.
• Landscaping cracked and broken, with years of weed roots left to
make surfaces uneven and dangerous.
Anti – Social Behaviour, Alleys and Parking
• Complaints about tenants living in HMO’s not being managed.
• Complaints about specific residents.
• Requests for more policing of the streets.
• A couple of alleys needing firmer management despite gates.
• Parking issues with Job Centre Staff and other workers.
Aftershots
What would Residents Like to Happen
• Somewhere to put rubbish for each property so the bags cannot be ripped
open and contents strewn all over.
• Proper collection points in the street which can be cleared daily as Cory
already collects more often than once a week.
• Firm management and maintenance by landlords and agents, with a
particular landlord named for allowing distressing amounts of rubbish to
accumulate.
• Gardens to have regular care.
• Trees for York Avenue, and flower baskets for others.
• Ramps for youths.
• Each street has residents interested in forming Residents Groups to
improve the street and sustain the improvement.
Next Steps of Blitz Plan
• Develop the idea of the umbrella Community Network (and Website) for
residents, to inform and support residents and Community Groups with
ready guidance and funding, as no one knows who to go to for help yet.
• Develop the Residents Groups in each street that SEAL has helped to clear,
so that the Residents know what to do about each issue.
• Encourage the forming or strengthening through our support, of Residents
Groups whose streets SEAL has not yet visited.
• Work through the reduction of ASB and Policing through the NAP network.
• Support the residents in their lobbying regarding parking and alleys.
• Continue the Blitz by working alongside another Multi-Agency initiative
headed by the Job Centre, who will survey then visit selected streets in
order to help the residents. SEAL can then organise a Blitz with the
Residents Group.
What can you do?
• Landlords please ensure you have sufficient strong storage for rubbish to last
between collections, bottom line at least one wheelie bin per unit, in either the
front or back gardens. A brick storage area would be the ultimate investment and
would give your property better presentation to strengthen your business.
• Agents please inform your landlords that the above is a requirement to avoid the
involvement of Environmental Health, and that other improvements are being made
in the area. They need to shape up or the bad condition will attract unwanted
attention.
• Please refurbish your front gardens so that they look well maintained, again to
avoid the interest of the authorities.
• Managers of HMO’s please ensure you are complying with the Management of
HMO Regulations 2006 to avoid the attention of the authorities. SEAL understands
your issues and will try to support you through Multi-Agency contacts.
• Help us to raise the property values in the area through a little joint investment,
which will help you to avoid a lot of hassle, stress and wasted time and voids.
What will SEAL do about these issues?
• Discuss and action improved methods for rubbish collection with the
Council.
• Initially talk to colleagues about improving their presentation and
management of their property, but to eventually inform the Council
of any dangerous derelict property needing upgrading.
• Negotiate with the Council for the provision of trees for York Avenue.
• Discuss ways to inform users of the ‘Gateway into Town’. Could it be
high level flower baskets, or other treatments.
• Discuss some form of play/ramp area with the experts.
• Continue to apply for Community Funding to assist each street group.
Thank you for listening
• The whole process of organising and carrying out the Street Blitz has
raised public awareness of what SEAL is all about: reducing ASB,
raising the standards of rented property, improving the street scene,
and sustaining the improvements.
• As we have previously stated, being a SEAL Member demonstrates to
potential and existing tenants, and to the local Council, that you are
striving to achieve a high standard.
• We have found that, after the initial adjustment period, working out
how to fulfil the SEAL Code of Conduct, plus the support we have
provided to each other, membership of SEAL has made each of us
more professional, and improved our businesses considerably.
Conclusion
• Being a Member of SEAL will never stop complaints being made by
your tenants. But by clearly advising your tenants what your
membership is all about, any complaint arising will be made to us at
SEAL first, and if you comply with the SEAL requirements you are less
likely to have Private Sector Housing inspecting your property, and
fining you for every point they pick you up on.
• With the assistance and tools provided by SEAL, such as the property
inspection process, you are providing protection for yourself, the
Landlord, and Agents are protecting your landlord customers,
because you will be able to prove to the Council that you have already
met all the requirements, and the tenant has signed the inspection
form to further confirm these facts.
You will all have had an application form placed on your seat
and if you are not already a member,
could you please fill this in and give it to
Tina Shepherd
Compliance and Monitoring Officer
of
SEAL