Following my post earlier in the week about issues on Hexham estate, I was alarmed when I heard from RBC that we have lost another Neighbourhood Officer for the area, only a few months into the job. This is a real worry, and begs questions about whether the areas and responsibilities these officers have to deal with are manageable.
My fears were compounded when I received an email from a resident who lives on the estate on the same day, who complained that as far as she is concerned 'no one person is looking after the estate'. She felt this way after she spoke to several different officers trying to raise a local issue, and got nowhere.
This is a crucial time on the estate, with lots of positive work going on behind the scenes into an estate improvement plan and much-needed community development/capacity building.
We have campaigned vigorously to get RBC to put time and resources into improving the estate. This follows years when the Labour councillors for the area allowed the area to become rundown and neglected.
I have urged senior officers at RBC to get a pemanent officer in post as soon as possible to give local people a local contact point and to ensure greater continuity.
In other news, officers are looking at new ways of reducing vandalism of entry doors to the flat blocks on the estate, following a long period of vandalism (pictured).
The reinforced glass that is currently in place has been targetted by vandals and so may be replaced with metal for a trial period. I am pressing the Council to bring back CCTV to catch the culprits.
We have agreed that the need to improve security will need to be balanced against the need to ensure residents can see in and out of the doors when they leave/arrive.
Do you live in any of the flat blocks on the estate? We would like to hear from you.Please email me your thoughts on what we can do to improve door security.
In other news, officers have finally agreed to meet me in September to discuss solutions to the problem of lack of on street parking for residents on the estate, after a long Lib Dem campaign.
Comments