Local changes in Leeds
Find out more about how your views have influenced change at a local level...
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.
February 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. Most residents had expected the rents to increase and had no major concerns, but were grateful for the explanation and the offer of support.
Residents made a number of suggestions about how their scheme could be improved; including the installation of a lift, more attention given to grounds maintenance, and more activities in the communal lounge; given that restrictions on face-to-face contact have now been lifted. We will consider these suggestions, and any associated costs, and consult with residents more widely about introducing such services.
June 2022
You said: Residents would like more interaction with one another, the staff who deliver their services and the local community.
We did: We held a meeting on-site to hear residents' suggestions about the type of events they would like to participate in, and agree how we would facilitate them. We were keen to hear residents' ideas as to how the communal areas could be enhanced and we could encourage them to use the communal lounge. We installed a residents' suggestion box to garner their feedback about their communal areas and the services that Accent provides.
June 2022
You said: Residents complained about unkempt gardens spoiling the appearance of the estate.
We did: We visited households to explain the standards we would typically expect and where they could get help if they are struggling to maintain their outdoor spaces. We issued reminders to households who we did not manage to speak to, and agreed to return to the area at a later date to check whether standards had been improved.
November 2019
You said: Our grounds maintenance providers were not delivering the standard of service residents wanted and expected.
We did: We invited residents on this leasehold scheme to nominate their own locally-based contractor to provide the grounds maintenance service. We consulted with residents about the specification, and asked successful nominees to provide a quote based on the enhanced specification.
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.
November 2019
You said: Residents on this leasehold scheme requested a meeting to raise their concerns.
We did: The Homeownership Specialist and the House Manager on this leasehold scheme met with residents to hear their concerns. A solution was proposed to each item raised.
November 2019
You said: Our grounds maintenance providers were not delivering the standard of service residents wanted and expected.
We did: We invited residents on this leasehold scheme to nominate their own locally-based contractor to provide the grounds maintenance service. We consulted with residents about the specification, and asked successful nominees to provide a quote based on the enhanced specification.
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.
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.
June 2022
You said: Some residents were struggling with arrears and debts, exacerbated by sharp increases to the cost of living.
We did: A recent survey had revealed that many residents were unfamiliar with the Income team or had assumed that the Income team were focussed on rent collection, rather than helping customers to maximise their incomes and reduce their expenditure. We visited the scheme to introduce ourselves and explain the ways that we could support residents who are struggling. We were accompanied by Groundwork's Green Doctor; an energy efficiency expert who visits people in their homes, helping vulnerable households to save money and stay warm and well.
June 2022
You said: Residents complained about unkempt gardens spoiling the appearance of the estate.
We did: We visited households to explain the standards we would typically expect and where they could get help if they are struggling to maintain their outdoor spaces. We issued reminders to households who we did not manage to speak to, and agreed to return to the area at a later date to check whether standards had been improved.
November 2019
You said: Our grounds maintenance providers were not delivering the standard of service residents wanted and expected.
We did: We invited residents on this leasehold scheme to nominate their own locally-based contractor to provide the grounds maintenance service. We consulted with residents about the specification, and asked successful nominees to provide a quote based on the enhanced specification.
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.
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.
June 2021
You said: Residents were experiencing minor problems with repairs and would like to see them addressed.
We did: We held a Repairs Day. Accent staff were on site along with our contractor Ian Williams to blitz those minor repairs that easily go unreported. On the day, the sun shone and we were able to talk one-to-one with many residents at a social distance in the communal garden. Ian Williams brought their caged van and took bulk items to the tip free of charge as a one-off offer for that day. (The cost of removing bulky items dumped on the estate is usually charged to residents, so it's in everyone's best interest to prevent this from happening). Our Estate Services Officer attended to explain the grounds maintenance specification and consult with residents about any future works they would like to see. We'll return to:
- Repaint the communal fencing
- Carry out a deep clean of the potting shed
- Deliver some top soil for the potting shed (as a gesture of goodwill)
- Deliver and fit a memorial bench
June 2021
You said: Residents were experiencing problems with pests exacerbated by bird feeding.
We did: We politely asked residents to refrain from feeding birds as this was also inviting unwelcome pests. In the meantime, our pest control contractor, Enserve, is monitoring the problem. We spoke face-to-face with residents about their anti-social behaviour concerns and reminded them about the services provided by the police and the Environmental Health department. We are committed to keeping all residents safe and we ask that all residents respect each other to ensure everyone has peaceful enjoyment of their home.
November 2021
You said: Residents would like to discuss their ideas, suggestions and concerns with Accent staff and contractors.
We did: Residents have arranged a monthly catch-up with staff and contractors on Zoom. We meet in the evenings to fit in better with residents' work schedules. The meetings have been instrumental in delivering improvements to grounds maintenance, improvements to waste and recycling and the installation of CCTV. Via the meetings we also agreed to replace the benches in the communal areas, to replace the maps and sign at the entrance of the scheme, and how best to decorate the scheme for Christmas.
January 2022
You said: Residents expressed concerns about the security of the building and had experienced problems with fly-tipping.
We did: CCTV had been suggested as a means of identifying perpetrators of crime and anti-social behaviour, but the installation and upkeep of CCTV has an impact on residents' service charges. We consulted with customers to outline the costs and benefits to determine whether they were in favour of installing CCTV. Unfortunately, though we had used many methods for communicating with residents, the consultation did not elicit enough responses to be able to take any action. We have since begun to explore other options, such as improved security lighting.
November 2019
You said: Our grounds maintenance providers were not delivering the standard of service residents wanted and expected.
We did: We invited residents on this leasehold scheme to nominate their own locally-based contractor to provide the grounds maintenance service. We consulted with residents about the specification, and asked successful nominees to provide a quote based on the enhanced specification.
August 2020
You said: In the grip of the coronavirus crisis, some residents at this scheme for older people were at risk of loneliness and isolation.
We did: The challenging circumstances did not stop residents from celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Residents shared stories and memories of their VE experiences with their Scheme Manager and decorated their homes and gardens to mark the occasion. Residents and staff are working collectively to build community spirit at this unnerving time, all the while maintaining social distancing.
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.
