Middlesbrough

July 2021

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.

We did: As part of National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, we held an event in partnership with Crimestoppers and Redcar & Cleveland Council aimed at raising awareness of the different types of anti-social behaviour and how to report incidents of anti-social behaviour.

February 2022

You said: Residents were unhappy about the general appearance of the estate.

We did: We fitted new communal doors to make the entrance to the block more inviting. Our cleaning contractors used special cleaning products to tackle the smell of cannabis smoke. We hope that this will encourage residents to take more pride in their estate and promote a safer and more attractive living environment for everyone.

June 2022

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of anti-social behaviour.

We did: Accent is working in partnership with the local authority and the police to improve residents' confidence in reporting anti-social behaviour. We reminded customers about the ways in which they could report anti-social behaviour through the website, using MyAccount or anonymously through Crimestoppers. 

December 2019

You said: Residents would like to support the homeless in the local community.

We did: Residents worked together with their Scheme Manager to collect (and knit) scarves, socks, hats and other essential winter items. In total, they filled over 30 shoeboxes. The items were distributed to local homeless people in time for Christmas.

July 2020

You said: Residents would like to be able to safely store and charge their mobility scooters.

We did: Mobility scooters obstructing fire exits are a major health and safety issue. For this reason, we erected individual storage units for residents all with electricity points for charging.

August 2020

You said: In 2020, we took the decision to close communal lounges in all schemes across the country. The aim was to minimise contact between residents and to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. As the country began to emerge from lockdown, some residents wanted the communal lounges to reopen.

We did: We consulted with residents to determine whether they would be in favour of reopening the communal lounge and what safety measures they would like to see in place if the communal lounge were to reopen.

June 2021

You said: Residents at this Independent Living scheme were concerned about the increasing cost of gritting and snow clearance, which is covered by their service charges.

We did: We explained the current specification to residents and consulted with them about proposals to help lower the costs. We asked whether they would be in favour of reducing visits from the contractor to days on which the weather was forecast to drop below 0 degrees rather than 1 degree, and whether the whole scheme needed to be gritted or just particular areas. We invited residents for other suggestions about how the specification could be tailored to help ensure that the scheme is a safe and attractive place to live, whilst keeping service charges affordable. 

March 2021

You said: Residents and local homeowners were unhappy with the appearance of the hedge marking the boundary between the two estates.

We did: We replaced the hedge with a low-maintenance, smart, new fence.

December 2020

You said: Due to the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, we were unable to hold the usual AGM and pre-budget meetings face-to-face with residents on this leasehold scheme.

We did: Instead of cancelling or postponing the meeting, we held it online. In advance of the meeting, the local Homeownership Specialist recorded a presentation of the annual accounts, explaining any variations in charges. A recording of the meeting was posted online for the benefit of residents who had not been able to attend.

February 2020

You said: Residents complained about trees blocking access to light and roots causing trip hazards on footpaths. Residents were afraid to use the car park in case a branch fell from the tree.

We did: Accent does not usually prune or fell trees unless they are a health and safety risk, but in this instance the conifer concerned had grown so big - it was impossible to manage. Cutting back the tree has allowed much more light into the properties and reduced the risk of roots damaging footpaths and the foundations of buildings. Residents feel much more confident using the car park.

November 2021

You said: Residents were apprehensive about using the communal areas to socialise, following the relaxation of COVID restrictions.

We did: We held an Open Day in Hemlington Community Centre in conjunction with mental health charity, MIND, to encourage residents to start using the centre again. MIND are working with some residents who have been a little fearful of coming back out into the community since lockdowns have eased. It was a great success and we are confident that this will promote attendance at the regular coffee mornings, where residents have the opportunity to discuss ideas, suggestions and concerns with the local Customer Partner face-to-face. The event also served as an opportunity to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

February 2020

You said: Residents complained about trees blocking access to light and roots causing trip hazards on footpaths. Residents were afraid to use the car park in case a branch fell from the tree.

We did: Accent does not usually prune or fell trees unless they are a health and safety risk, but in this instance the conifer concerned had grown so big - it was impossible to manage. Cutting back the tree has allowed much more light into the properties and reduced the risk of roots damaging footpaths and the foundations of buildings. Residents feel much more confident using the car park.

November 2021

You said: Residents were apprehensive about using the communal areas to socialise, following the relaxation of COVID restrictions.

We did: We held an Open Day in Hemlington Community Centre in conjunction with mental health charity, MIND, to encourage residents to start using the centre again. MIND are working with some residents who have been a little fearful of coming back out into the community since lockdowns have eased. It was a great success and we are confident that this will promote attendance at the regular coffee mornings, where residents have the opportunity to discuss ideas, suggestions and concerns with the local Customer Partner face-to-face. The event also served as an opportunity to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

February 2020

You said: Residents complained about trees blocking access to light and roots causing trip hazards on footpaths. Residents were afraid to use the car park in case a branch fell from the tree.

We did: Accent does not usually prune or fell trees unless they are a health and safety risk, but in this instance the conifer concerned had grown so big - it was impossible to manage. Cutting back the tree has allowed much more light into the properties and reduced the risk of roots damaging footpaths and the foundations of buildings. Residents feel much more confident using the car park.

November 2021

You said: Residents were apprehensive about using the communal areas to socialise, following the relaxation of COVID restrictions.

We did: We held an Open Day in Hemlington Community Centre in conjunction with mental health charity, MIND, to encourage residents to start using the centre again. MIND are working with some residents who have been a little fearful of coming back out into the community since lockdowns have eased. It was a great success and we are confident that this will promote attendance at the regular coffee mornings, where residents have the opportunity to discuss ideas, suggestions and concerns with the local Customer Partner face-to-face. The event also served as an opportunity to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

February 2020

You said: Residents complained about trees blocking access to light and roots causing trip hazards on footpaths. Residents were afraid to use the car park in case a branch fell from the tree.

We did: Accent does not usually prune or fell trees unless they are a health and safety risk, but in this instance the conifer concerned had grown so big - it was impossible to manage. Cutting back the tree has allowed much more light into the properties and reduced the risk of roots damaging footpaths and the foundations of buildings. Residents feel much more confident using the car park.

November 2021

You said: Residents were apprehensive about using the communal areas to socialise, following the relaxation of COVID restrictions.

We did: We held an Open Day in Hemlington Community Centre in conjunction with mental health charity, MIND, to encourage residents to start using the centre again. MIND are working with some residents who have been a little fearful of coming back out into the community since lockdowns have eased. It was a great success and we are confident that this will promote attendance at the regular coffee mornings, where residents have the opportunity to discuss ideas, suggestions and concerns with the local Customer Partner face-to-face. The event also served as an opportunity to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

December 2019

You said: Residents would like to support the homeless in the local community.

We did: Residents worked together with their Scheme Manager to collect (and knit) scarves, socks, hats and other essential winter items. In total, they filled over 30 shoeboxes. The items were distributed to local homeless people in time for Christmas.

June 2020

You said: In the grip of the coronavirus crisis, some residents at this Independent Living scheme were at risk of loneliness and isolation.

We did: Residents received parcels made up of cupcakes and and comforting messages, made up by local families, organised by the South Bank Baptist Church.

August 2020

You said: In 2020, we took the decision to close communal lounges in all schemes across the country. The aim was to minimise contact between residents and to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. As the country began to emerge from lockdown, some residents wanted the communal lounges to reopen.

We did: We consulted with residents to determine whether they would be in favour of reopening the communal lounge and what safety measures they would like to see in place if the communal lounge were to reopen.

June 2021

You said: Residents at this Independent Living scheme were concerned about the increasing cost of gritting and snow clearance, which is covered by their service charges.

We did: We explained the current specification to residents and consulted with them about proposals to help lower the costs. We asked whether they would be in favour of reducing visits from the contractor to days on which the weather was forecast to drop below 0 degrees rather than 1 degree, and whether the whole scheme needed to be gritted or just particular areas. We invited residents for other suggestions about how the specification could be tailored to help ensure that the scheme is a safe and attractive place to live, whilst keeping service charges affordable.

March 2022

You said: Residents were concerned about the impact of the rising cost of living.

We did: With shortages of labour and materials driving up the costs of repairs and maintenance, rents and some service charges were set to increase in April. We held a residents' meeting to hear residents' concerns and offer them any assistance we could.

The Scheme Manager has since arranged events aimed at maximising income and optimising energy usage. We promoted the 'Journey 2 Success' programme aimed at helping customers to find work and training opportunities. For those struggling with the cost of food, we were able to point them in the direction of local food banks and community services which could help. While increases to service charges are never welcome, we were able to assure customers that we are there to support them through any hardship they may experience.

October 2019

You said: Residents had experienced problems with litter and fly-tipping.

We did: We held a community clean-up day. Staff, residents and our colleagues from Esh were busy tidying the area up, removing six van loads of rubbish; a total of three and a half tonnes.

July 2021

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: As part of National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, we held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances.

June 2022

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: We held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances and reminded customers about how to dispose of their refuse responsibly. 

July 2021

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: As part of National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, we held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances.

June 2022

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: We held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances and reminded customers about how to dispose of their refuse responsibly. 

October 2019

You said: Residents had experienced problems with litter and fly-tipping.

We did: We held a community clean-up day. Staff, residents and our colleagues from Esh were busy tidying the area up, removing six van loads of rubbish; a total of three and a half tonnes.

July 2021

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: As part of National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, we held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances.

July 2021

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: As part of National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, we held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances.

June 2022

You said: Residents were concerned about rising levels of litter and fly-tipping.

We did: We held a community clean-up day. We provided a skip for residents to dispose of their bulky, unwanted household items including broken furniture, non-recyclable plastics and electrical appliances and reminded customers about how to dispose of their refuse responsibly. 

December 2020

You said: The The disused garages are not the best use of the communal space.

We did: We asked residents for their views on the way this area should be landscaped.