Subject - HMR, Resident and Contractor liaison meeting - 16 Jan 08

Present:
Joseph Noi (JN)- HMR
Tracy McNulty (TMc)- HMR
Rob Ashcroft (RA)-Lovell

Residents:
S.Meehan (SM)
D.McCourt (DM)
T.McCourt (TM)
I.Jones (IJ)
J.Griffiths (JG)
R.Barber (RB)
J.O`Neill (JO)
P.Clancy (PC)
L.Waters (LW)

1.0 - Action Points from previous meeting on 16th November
1.1 - Item 1.4: Site visit took place on 4th December.
1.2 - Item 2.7: Residents still had major concerns regarding security on the estate. See 2.1
1.3 - Item 2.8: LW: Did not seem as if the footpaths around Myrtle St had been cleared. TMc was doing an estate walkround with VPS tomorrow and would get this prioritised. - Tmc

2.0 - Queries Raised
2.1 - SM: Felt there was still an ongoing problem with youths congregating on the area and there had also been several fires started just before Christmas (No police in attendance). She had seen no evidence of wardens patrolling within the estate and they had not called on her as requested.
* JO/LW felt that wardens were only patrolling around the perimeter of the estate.
* Councillor Swannick had done a walk round with some residents recently and had conveyed his concern to the appropriate authorities.
* Residents felt that security on the estate had not improved and in some cases were wary of venturing out after a certain time at night. TMc had met with the Neighbour Nuisance team and they were meeting on the estate on Friday evening with the local PCSO, she would request they knock on individual residents if they requested, would also raise again with the wardens. However, had seen wardens patrolling the estate, and had in fact JN/TMc seen them on patrol the way to this meeting.
* Residents felt that Group 4 were not effective over the period they had been employed on the estate, as they never seemed to get out of their van. TMc: Was unaware of this until this meeting, and would raise with them.
* SM: Was aware that boilers and pipe work were being targeted on empty properties – could these be removed as quickly as possible when properties became empty. HMR would look into.
* JG: Asked if residents could have a 24-hour emergency number that they could contact. HMR would find out what was available
* SM: Had told the PCSO about this meeting and was told that they would attend. HMR would contact PCSOs and invite to our next meeting would also ask if the Neighbour Nuisance team could send someone.
* Street lighting was still defective on the estate. TMc will chase but had previously chased this up with Amey and was informed that lighting had been fixed, was unaware that there was still a problem until informed at this meeting. - TMc
2.2 - JN: HMR team were obviously aware and were sympathetic to the fact that this was a difficult time for some residents whilst awaiting their move into new properties. However, whilst it has to be recognised that there would be inconvenience during the course of building works we will do everything we can to minimise or resolve problems. Demolition of empty blocks was being progressed and the demolition of Will Griffith Walk was due to start the first week in February; residents will be getting a letter shortly to confirm the details. The PCSOs would be invited to the next meeting and they would be made aware of the need to ensure adequate patrols in the area over the coming months. TMc: Also stressed that residents could phone in to the HMR team with issues or problems they had relative to the ongoing regeneration and didn’t need to wait for this meeting.
2.3 - DM/TM: Felt that youths were targeting the Ralphs house for
vandalism. TMc was aware of this and was consulting with the
relevant agencies to pursue action.
2.4 - JG: Felt that the process had not been properly planned and security on the estate was poor. JN: The whole development process has to be carefully coordinated working to the Neighbourhood Plan and if one stage of the process is held up for whatever reason whether it be demolition, remediation or new build then allocation of properties and original timescales can be affected. HMR were working with relevant agencies to try and resolve the security issues on the estate for those remaining residents.
2.5 - Residents asked if completion dates were still as previously given: RA: Lovell were still aiming for next handovers for this summer but this is dependant on weather conditions.
2.6 - DM/TM: Asked if they could have a look at the “D” type property. RA: The only ones finished at the moment are Manchester Methodist Housing Association properties. RA will enquire if possible and let TMc know. - RA/TMc
2.7 - IJ: Had some queries from other residents but stated that she was herself happy with her property.
* Would there be sliding patio doors – RA: Yes
* Whenwould they get fobs to electric gates – RA: Fobs would be given to Eastlands on handover.
* Would they all have a shed – RA- Yes
* Wouldthere be rails to side of front door entrance – RA will check<
* Where would meters electrics be situated – RA: Lovell provide an information pack for each property to the Housing Association with these details.
* Mr & Mrs Clewlow had been complaining about some items on their property. TMc: They had not reported any problems to HMR or Eastlands as far as we know, so can’t know if they don’t tell us.
2.8 - JG: Was disappointed in the size of the rooms in the new property and felt he hadn’t been made aware of this. JN: All residents are shown or given plans of their new house with their measurements when they are allocated a property. In addition, we have organised several site visits for residents to look examples of their new houses.
2.9 - RB: Asked if his house would have a dedicated parking spot. RA - Yes
2.10 - Perception from some residents that the Gleeson build seemed to be progressing faster than Lovell and asked if they could look at a Gleeson house. TMc: All properties had been allocated.
2.11 - RB: Felt that the showhouse was not an example of the property that had been allocated. JN: The previous showhouse did not reflect the design of this phase and new showhouses were being built.
2.12 - IJ/PC: Asked when the new showhouse would be open. RA: Due to open around Eastertime.
2.13 - TMc: Wanted the parking provision for the Holly St properties confirmed. RA: Would check.

3.0 - Next meeting
2pm Wednesday 13th February in the Lovell meeting room