Estate Walkabout Report January 2016 Loanhead In ......Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and...
Transcript of Estate Walkabout Report January 2016 Loanhead In ......Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and...
Estate Walkabout Report
January 2016
Loanhead
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Tenants and residents: Mr Horsburgh
The walkabout was advertised on the Council’s website, social networking sites and posters had
been displayed in the local area.
The group met in the Loanhead Leisure Centre car park at 2:15pm on Wednesday 20 January. Mr
Horsburgh reported a number of issues at the beginning of the walkabout, most of which were not
housing matters but he was advised that they would be reported to the relevant department(s). Mr
Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and Claire noting the following issues:
Mr Horsburgh reported a fridge on the pavement outside the Top Of The Toon snooker club. Fridges
are a chargeable bulky uplift item and it’s not obvious who owns this.
Update: Removed
Mr Horsburgh believes that the garage is burning toxic waste at night time. It wasn’t clear whether
he has reported this to Environmental Health.
Action: Environmental Health to investigate.
Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre
Mr Horsburgh reported a large amount of litter coming from the McDonald’s restaurant at Straiton.
Lesley advised that McDonald’s used to participate in area litter picks but she was unaware if this is
still done.
Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre
Mr Horsburgh reported that the shrubs near the public toilets are too high and full of litter. On
inspection the shrubs seemed under control with a small amount of litter trapped among them.
There was however, an abandoned trolley which needs to be collected.
Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre
Trolleys dumped outside public toilets.
Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre
Messy back garden in Academy Court
Action: Claire Harrison to investigate
Update: Tenants contacted, clean up in progress, Housing Officer monitoring
Waste materials dumped behind the ex servicemen’s club/the new children’s nursery. If this is
private property Environmental Health may still be able to investigate.
Action: Report to Environmental Health.
Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre
Mr Horsburgh reported a blocked drain in Academy Lane which has caused water to flow over the
path which had frozen over during the cold weather. There was no sign of the blocked drain so no
further action can be taken.
Mr Horsburgh wanted information on the Community Payback Scheme which neither Lesley nor
Claire was able to provide.
Action: Lesley to contact Criminal Justice and request that they phone Mr Horsburgh
Update: Completed on 20 January 2016.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 24 February in Dalkeith.
Estate Walkabout Report
February 2016
Dalkeith
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Alan Rice, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Residents: Anon tenant, Mr Matthew, Mrs Matthew, Lillias Reid
The walkabout was advertised on the Council’s website, social networking sites and posters had
been displayed in the local area.
The group met in the Lidl car park at 2:15pm on Wednesday 24 February and the following estate
problems were brought to the department’s attention:
Graffiti tags are all over Dalkeith and the style of them suggests they are by the same group/person.
The tags include the following – ‘C3PO’, ‘Jelly’, ‘ZYK’ and ‘K*nt’. A walkabout attendee suspects his
neighbours and has passed the details on to a member of staff. This information will be passed to
the Community Safety Team to investigate.
Update: Reported to the antisocial behaviour team.
The road outside the doctor’s surgery floods.
The group wished to know why the street cleaning stops at the doctor’s surgery and does not
continue all the way along St Andrew Street. Leaves and litter tend to end up scattered outside ** St
Andrew’s Street due to the layout and steps in the pavement.
Update: Complaint passed to street cleansing team with request to contact Mr and Mrs Matthew to
discuss the matter.
The group was asked to inspect the gardens at ** St Andrew’s Street where there were abandoned
belongings including toys, a mattress and a washing machine.
Action:- Posters have been put up in the stair to advise tenants to have the toys removed by the 5th
April 2016 if not done Midlothian Council will remove and destroy.
The residents think that the trees along St Andrew’s Street are too big and the roots are damaging
the pavement. There was also evidence of dog fouling along the street.
The group inspected the vennel which runs along the side of the doctor’s surgery. There was broken
bottles, used dog bags and litter scattered around.
Update: Recently revisited and street cleaning request passed to Waste Management.
Van parked on grassy area in Gibraltar Gardens.
The group crossed over to Elmfield Road where it was noted that work had been carried out to
replace the pavement slabs but broken glass still collects between them.
Update: Recently cleaned by waste management team.
There is a lot of dog fouling on the grassy area between Gibraltar Road and Allan Terrace. The area
was also littered with rubbish and glass. It was suggested that at the very least, the area requires ‘no
dog fouling’ stickers and reminders that dog bags are free from council buildings.
Update: Area has recently been looked into and cleaned by waste management team who cleaned
all the drying greens as well. Contact made with Dog Warden regarding posters/signs for the area
too.
Rubbish lying in the front and back gardens of ** Gibraltar Road.
Update: Line passed to Waste Management to have this uplifted.
Broken stair window at ** Gibraltar Road and graffiti on stair door.
Update: Broken window has been fixed.
There was a brown and white spaniel without a collar or lead on running about the area. The dog
didn’t appear to be a stray as it was in good condition but nervous of people. This was reported to
the contact centre.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 16 March in Penicuik.
Estate Walkabout Report
March 2016
Penicuik
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Debbie Ratley, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Melville Housing Association: Housing Officer Caroline Langton (shadowing)
Residents: 6 anonymous residents
The walkabout was advertised on the Council’s website, social networking sites and posters had
been displayed in the local area.
The group met outside the Ladywood Leisure Centre at 2:15pm on Wednesday 16 March and the
following estate problems were brought to the department’s attention:
Bins left outside ** Vorlich Crescent and the lane at the side.
Housing Officers have spoken to tenants whom have stated it is difficult to return the bin to the
front and rear of the house owing to steps - Referred the matter to waste management to ascertain
if there is another solution for bin storage as residents report difficulty returning bins at front or rear
of property owing to steps.
Rubbish dumped in bin store in Wyvis Park – reported to Waste Management.
Pot holes and uneven road surface along Windsor Drive – reported to Road Services.
Unstable and loose concrete grid paving stone opposite ** Windsor Drive – reported to Road
Services.
Lane between Strathesk Grove and Windsor Road – broken fencing, dog fouling, messy garden to left
of lane (unsure of number but is immediately to the left after leaving lane in Windsor Road) – on
recent visit the dog fouling had significantly reduced, the issue with the broken boundary fences
(behind * to ** Windsor Road) has been referred to the Clerk of Works for the area and the garden
has been tidied.
Possible abandonment at * Pentland Way – fully resolved.
Complaints about caravan being used as a work space and used to store work materials –
investigation completed and issue resolved at present.
Complaints that motorists are driving their cars along the path between Pentland Way and Windsor
Road. Tyre marks visible. This problem was also reported to Simon Bain last year, see below:
Issue has been passed to Police Scotland.
Two lamp posts in Eastfield Park Road not working – L092 (opposite no.22) and L093 (opposite
no.16) – referred to Clarence and Road Services.
A resident from ** Eastfield Park Road complained that the school sign post outside his house faces
the wrong way to the school. He and his neighbour are also unhappy about the ‘lane to nowhere’
which was blocked off during the construction of Pentland Way. Groups now congregate at the end
of the path and youths use the shed roofs to jump over the fence. The sheds have been painted with
anti-vandal paint which the youths deliberately spread around the area
Dog waste bags dumped in the grit bin at the end of Eastfield Park Road (there is a dog bin metres
away) – recent check dog fouling has been removed.
The crossing guard at the Windsor Terrace and Windsor Drive junction complained that motorists
park on the grassy verges (see above). She suggested that ‘grass crete’ paving could be extended (it
is used quite extensively further up Windsor Drive) – reported to roads.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 20 April in Bonnyrigg.
Estate Walkabout Report
June 2016
Woodburn
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Alan Rice, Housing Officer Kayleigh Gautschi, Community
Safety Officer Elaine Wilson, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Police Scotland: PC Trevor Newton Jones, PC Louis Hodgkinson
Residents: None
It was agreed that the walkabout would take place in the Thornybank area of Woodburn which is the
site of 105 council homes which were completed in 2012. There have been instances of antisocial
behaviour in the area, mostly centred around the bike sheds some of which are now in the process
of being demolished in order to help rectify the problem. It was noted by the police that most of the
callouts they have attended in the area were related to youth disorder.
Picture 1: Entrance to Thornybank site
There was a car in Thornybank Grove which looked like it had been set on fire. A passing neighbour
told the group that the car was an eyesore and had been left in the parking bay for months and had
been set on fire last week. Alan Rice and Kayleigh Gautschi were aware of the car and knew that it
was fully taxed and insured. The police will investigate further and report their findings to Alan and
Kayleigh.
Action: PC Newton Jones and PC Louis Hodgkinson
Update: PC Newton Jones is progressing this complaint
Update: Car removed.
Picture 2: Vandalised bike shed in the process of being removed. Three sheds in Thornybank
Square are going to be removed with a fourth already destroyed by fire.
The group walked around Thornybank Square where Kayleigh and Alan noted that there are a couple
of voids but new tenant sign ups are underway and the houses will soon be occupied. Any other
housing related issues in the area are also in the process of being dealt with including dumped white
goods in the remaining bike sheds.
Picture 3 &4: Estate walkabout poster and broken fence
It was noted that the broken fence was erected to stop youths tapping on the tenant’s window. The
fence hasn’t lasted well though and requires some maintenance.
Action: Alan Rice to investigate options.
Update: Alan Rice is consulting with the Clerk of works about the fences.
Photo 5: Housing Officer Alan Rice and PC’s Newton Jones and Hodgkinson inspecting the area
Overall there were few estate management issues in the area that the group was not already in the
process of handling. Alan and Kayleigh will continue to visit the area regularly in order to provide an
obvious housing presence for the tenants and residents.
Regarding the rubbish, housing is aware of the removal of this rubbish. This will tie in with the bike
sheds being removed.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 20 July in Loanhead
Estate Walkabout Report
July 2016
Loanhead
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Communities Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant
Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Residents: Anne
On the advice of Housing Officer Claire Harrison, the walkabout concentrated on the Kennington
area of Loanhead. The walkabout had been rescheduled due to extreme weather on 20 July and
instead took part on 27 July 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on posters, in the library and
leisure centre and on the council’s website.
The group met outside Loanhead Bowling Club and the following issues were noted.
Pictures 1 &2: Area surrounding hairdressers
An anonymous caller had reported the grassy areas surrounding a local hairdresser. He complained
that the grass needed cut, black bags were dumped and people were urinating in the area. The caller
was advised that these issues would be inspected and then passed to the relevant
department/agency. There were a couple of black bags and some of the grass was overgrown but as
these issues were in a privately owned garden and did not constitute a health risk, they were not
taken any further. Any further incidents of public urination should be reported to the police.
Action: None.
Picture 3: Beautiful garden in Kennington Avenue
Nominations for the council’s annual garden competition are currently being taken so the group
wished to nominate this one.
Action: Lesley Connell to contact tenant and ask whether he/she wants to take part in the
competition
Update: The tenant is taking part in the competition.
Pictures 4, 5 and 6
Messy gardens in Kennington Avenue
Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenants
Update: on investigation all of the gardens pictured above are not Midlothian Council properties
Shrubbed area at corner of Kennington Avenue and Terrace needs cut back (no photo).
Action: Reported to contact centre for litter pick and cut back.
Update: Ongoing.
Picture 7: An improved garden
Claire pointed out a vastly improved garden which had previously been issued with a warning.
Pictures 8 & 9: Overgrown hedge
Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenants
Update: On a follow up visit the hedge and front garden had been brought to a good standard
The group noticed another nice garden at ** McKinlay Terrace and decided to nominate it for the
garden competition.
Update: This is not a Midlothian Council tenancy and is therefore exempt from taking part.
Pictures 11 & 12: Improved shared drying green
Claire inspected a shared drying green which has improved following contact with the tenants.
The group noted another overgrown hedge on the corner of McKinlay Terrace and Dryden Terrace.
Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenant to ask them to cut it back.
Update: The properties responsible for the hedge are not Midlothian Council properties
The group decided to inspect McNeill Terrace and the completed improvement works. It was noted
by all attendees that the road was vastly improved and that the majority of people were looking
after their newly divided garden areas.
Picture 13: Overgrown verge in McNeill Terrace
Action: Claire Harrison to investigate who is responsible for maintaining the verges.
Update: Email to landscaping to query this. Awaiting response.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 24 August in Poltonhall
Estate Walkabout Report
August 2016
Poltonhall
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Communities Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant
Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Residents: Lillias Reid (Tenant Panel)
The walkabout took place on Wednesday 24 August. The walkabout had been advertised on the
council’s website and on posters which were displayed in the area on lampposts, bus stops etc.
No issues had been reported prior to the walkabout and no local residents were in attendance.
The group met outside the Poltonhall Sports Complex at 2:15pm and following the advice of Housing
Officer Claire Harrison, inspected the Cockpen area. The following issues were noted.
Picture 1: Poltonhall playing fields Picture 2: Cockpen View
Picture 3 : Messy garden at ** Cockpen View
Update: This is a Midlothian Council tenancy – Housing Officer will speak with tenants regarding
this
Pictures 4 &5: Photos of Cockpen Crescent
Picture 6: Messy garden at ** Cockpen Crescent
Update: This is a Midlothian Council tenancy – Housing Officer will speak to tenants regarding this
The group left Cockpen and walked along Rosewell Road. A number of pretty gardens were noted
which, if council tenancies, should be nominated to take part in next year’s garden competition.
Picture 7: Beautiful garden in Rosewell Road
Further along the road the group noted a messy garden which was in complete contrast to the well
kept one next door.
Pictures 8&9: Messy garden in Rosewell Road
Update: This is not a Midlothian Council property and no action can be taken.
The group turned along Dalhousie Road West where Lesley pointed out one of the nominees for this
year’s garden competition.
Picture 10: Garden competition nominee
The group turned back onto Polton Avenue Road and concluded that Poltonhall was, by and large,
well kept and in good order.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 21 September in Mayfield
Estate Walkabout Report
October 2016
Auchendinny
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Debbie Ratley, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Residents: Michael, Helen Ann Black
This walkabout was held at the request of an Auchendinny resident as the village is not on the
regular estate walkabout schedule.
The walkabout took place on Wednesday 12 October 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on
the council’s website and on posters which were displayed in the area on lampposts, bus stops etc.
Invitations were sent out to all Midlothian Council tenants in Auchendinny and the event was
advertised on Black Diamond FM.
The group met outside the Glencorse Centre at 11am. Attendees were reminded that non housing
related queries would be passed onto the relevant departments/authorities for action.
Picture 1: Glencorse Centre Picture 2: Glencorse Community Garden
The group began by walking to the entrance of Firth Crescent. The metal fence was reported as
unstable following the walkabout in June 2015. Temporary metal fencing was erected but locals
remain concerned that the area is not safe.
Picture 3 : Fence (June 2015) Pictures 4, 5 and 6 : Fence (October 2016)
Action: This was reported to the Clerk of Works in June 2015.
Update: The matter was referred to Midlothian Council Road Services who advised that the owner
of the relevant property will make arrangements to have the railing repaired as this is the
responsibility of the relevant private owner/occupier.
The group continued down The Brae where speeding was evident. There is a sign which flashes
when motorists are over 30mph but it doesn’t state what speed the motorists are travelling at. As
with last year’s walkabout, the group was advised that speeding is a police matter and should be
reported to them by phoning 101.
Picture 7, 8 & 9: The Brae
Issue: The matter of overhanging bushes on pavement at ** The Brae (private address) was referred
to Environment Health. Housing Services was informed that this is on private ground and that
Midlothian Council do not maintain that side road
Issue: One resident complained about the gardens at ** and ** The Brae. She believes they are
attracting vermin.
Action: Tenancy action is been taken regarding the two addresses in relation to the garden issue.
Issue: Overgrown verge outside ** The Brae.
Action: Referred to Landscaping Services who have advised that the verge should be cut once or
twice a year but this is not always possible as motorists park their cars along the verge. If the local
residents agree a day that the parking area will be kept clear Midlothian Landscaping Services will
cut the area.
Issue: Bushes are growing over the give way sign at the B7036.
Action: Referred to Landscaping Services who will inspect and may serve a notice on the landowner.
Issue: The drain outside ** The Brae is blocked with soil and leaves.
Action: Road Services advised that they will send the gully motor to have a closer look. The matter
may be due to dirty water from a gully, sometimes called sewage. No problems to report by Road
Services regarding this.
Issue: Manholes and sewage outside the communal path of ** and ** The Brae.
Action: Complainants to contact the Scottish Water call centre on 0845 6008808.
The group inspected the rest of The Brae before walking along the footpath which leads to the back
of Firth Crescent. The group noted that the step which was reported last year has been fixed.
Picture 10: Broken steps (June 2015) Picture 11: Repaired steps (October 2016)
The residents voiced their disapproval that the green area beside the footpath isn’t fully cut and
some dog owners are not clearing up after their pets (despite someone creating a makeshift dog
waste bin).
Action: Landscaping Services have inspected the area and advised that the grass requires a cut and
there are a couple of ‘tree suckers’ on the Midlothian Council side of the fence that need to be cut.
The group turned along Firth Crescent where a messy garden was noted at number *.
Action: The relevant rubbish has since been removed by Waste Management. The tenant was also
given advice regarding the security implications of writing personal messages on a blackboard
outside the property.
Picture 12: Firth Crescent (June 2015) Picture 13: Firth Crescent (October 2016)
The group returned to the entrance of Firth Crescent and the driveway to the Glencorse Centre.
Following the 2015 walkabout, road and pavement work was undertaken which is evident in the
photos above.
The Auchendinny residents on the walkabout had a number of issues they wished to discuss. Many
of these topics were not best served by housing department members of staff (e.g. hanging baskets,
dangers arising from the nearby golf course) so the residents were advised to contact either their
local councillors or community council. Details of both were sent in the post following the
walkabout. Debbie Ratley, Housing Officer did however contact Landscaping Services and was
informed that owing to cut backs, hanging baskets will be reduced again by half for the year 2017.
Debbie also contacted Road Services in relation to the golf courses’ overgrown hedge and was
informed that the issue will have to be addressed by the local residents themselves as the hedge has
not overgrown the road. Road Services therefore cannot intervene (which would have involved
serving a notice to enforce the Golf Club to undertake this work).
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 26 October in Penicuik
Estate Walkabout Report
December 2016
Bonnyrigg
In attendance:
Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Housing Officer Gail Paterson, Communities
Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell
Residents: None
The walkabout took place on Wednesday 14 December 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on
the council’s website and social networking pages. Posters were displayed in the local area on
lampposts, bus stops etc. and the event was advertised on the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Resident’s
Forum facebook page (5264 members).
The group met at the entrance to Hazel Drive at 10am. A couple of issues had been reported in
advance of the walkabout via the phone and facebook. Queries included council jurisdiction over
non council tenancies and parking on pavements.
The group visited the ‘fruit and nut’ area in Bonnyrigg which includes Hazel Drive, Cherry Road and
Chestnut Grove. The area was clean and tidy with very few problems noted. The group was aware of
some local complaints and noted the following:
Issue: Collapsed dividing fences in Moorfoot View
Comment: Dividing fences are not Midlothian Council’s responsibility,
neighbours must find a suitable solution between themselves.
Issue: Parking on the kerbs
Comment: Locals should phone Police Scotland on 101 to report this however
previous guidance from Police Scotland advised that enforcement can only be
taken if all four wheels are on the kerb. A bill to change the law on this was
introduced in the Scottish Parliament in 2015 but proved unsuccessful.
Issue: Unruly hedge in Rowan Gardens
Comment: This is not a Midlothian Council tenancy so no action can be taken by
the housing department. The Environmental Health Team would only be able to
investigate if the garden posed a health risk therefore no further action can be
taken by the council.
Issue : Three piece suite on pavement
Issue: Chickens in garden
Comment : Housing Officer will monitor to ensure that the tenant has the suite
uplifted and will speak with her regarding the chickens - it should be noted
though that no one has complained about the chickens.
The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 25 January in Loanhead