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  • Pine Grove, Crowborough, TN6 1DH. 01892 653311
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Last Updated : 03.12.2009

You Said ..... We Did

This shows some of the main improvements Council residents wanted us to make and what we are planning to do.

 

Survey

What you said

What happened

Supporting Information

Feedback from a Council Disabled Facilities Grant Customer In the grant application pack notes there was no reference to the financial assessment. We have added information about the financial assessment in the grant application pack notes.

Repairs Satisfaction

Slips

Wording and layout of Repairs Satisfaction slips

We have changed the form layout and its contents.

Some of the changes that you suggested which we were able to include were:

  • Include "Date of Request"
  • Change the wording in the comments box and last sentence on form
  • Print was too small, changed maximum allowable font size
  • Contractor name to be included
  • Contractor contact number to be included
  • Colour change to cream for ease of reading text for those with a visual impairment
  • "Operative" changed to "Maintenance staff"
  • Box provided for resident to provide updated contact number

As part of the process of looking at the way we send out our repair slips we have saved £2500 every year by buying a new machine to do this.

 

You would like online access to more information about your property.

A Tenant Web Portal is currently being developed in partnership with resident representatives.

Email sent out about the Tenant Web Portal (pdf, 13kb)
 

More money was needed for new community groups

An Increase in grants to groups was agreed in the 2008/09 budget

  
 

Community groups would like access to equipment and a meeting room

Proposal for resource centre at Horam is being developed

  
 

Sheltered Tenants asked for a Sheltered Compact

We employed a consultant who has helped produce a Sheltered Housing Compact

  
Housing webpages restructure You were consulted on the ease of use and layout of the new webpages by filling out a questionnaire.

Generally you found the new pages easy to navigate.

Some of the changes that were made as a result of your comments were:

  • We reduced the use of text heavy paragraphs especially long lists of bold text.
  • We used a greater variety of font sizes .
  • We put the most used areas of the webpages nearer the top of the main housuing webpage. We found these out using web hits statistics.
  • We re-wrote the emergencies contact telephone number in bold text so it stands out.
The webpages questionnaire that was sent out to volunteer webtesters (pdf, 16kb.
Redesign of the Housing Leaflets The Disabilities Focus Group were consulted on the design of our leaflets
  • You were consulted about the best format that the new leaflets should be printed on. You said an A5 stapled booklet would be better than a 4-fold leaflet.
  • You also said that the Braille, larger print and language box should be on the first page of the leaflet and not the back which we did.
  • You recommended that we use telephone, email, website, address and minicom symbols which we used.
 
Contact monitoring of communal window cleaning

The communal window cleaning is not as good as it could be.

A fragrance tablet has been added to the water. Estate Wardens contacted when cleaners are on site and a database of good neighbours to monitor the work of contractors has been set up. The window cleaning contract is currently out for tender.

Window cleaning questionaire for residents
Under Occupation Survey You want to remain Council Tenants and want attractive financial and other incentives to move. We have developed an action plan which includes reviewing the current incentives.
New Tenant Survey (on Choice Based Lettings and Voids)

Majority of you wanted to be given a list of all the repairs that had been carried out on the property before you moved in

Elderly new tenants are finding it difficult to carry out the odd jobs required when moving into their new home.

On tenancy sign up the Housing Officer will now give the new tenant a list of all the repairs that have been carried out.


We are therefore intending to ensure that an Anchor Handyman leaflet will be in every new tenancy pack for new elderly residents to advise them of the service available for just this type of small odd job.
Homelessness Strategy The main comment from cleints was around the quaility of temporary accommodation. Although not as a direct consequence of this consultation, at the same time a Temporary Accommodation Action Plan was put together to address issues such as these.
Older Persons Housing & Support Strategy At the two consultation events held, the key messages were that older people want good quality 2 bedroom properties near good local facilities An action plan has been put together. One of the actions is to locate new developments for older people close to transport links, health, leisure and other ammenities if possible.
Housing Strategy See attached link for detailed comments and included infrastructure concerns The document was restructured to remove any repetition. New sections were added on planning, infrastructure and sustainability. Reference was also added to the Planning Improvement Working Party and the Council exploring the possibility of purchasing land for rural affordable housing
STATUS Survey You said you were generally happy with Wealden as a Landlord. However an awareness of tenant involvement compacts was low All tenants to receive a copy of the new tenant participation compact summary and also a copy is to be put in the sign up pack for new tenants
Help us to Help you Survey Tenants identifing themselves as having specific needs such as requiring information in Braille, larger print and different languages or mobility difficulties such as needing more time to answer the door or phone We have now recorded these needs on our secure housing management system and will respond accordingly.

 

Change Results from Wealden Surveys in local areas undertaken by Resident Involvement

Survey

What you said

What happened

Hailsham First Call Option Study

99% wanted reinstatement of clear up day

Clear up day was held in Nov 2007

Heathfield Residents Survey

69% supported installation of community allotment

Supported upgrade of park area

40% of young people volunteered to help with the community garden

Partnership work to set up community allotment under way with community association to convert unused land for use as community garden. WDC gave permission and are preparing a lease

Heathfield Residents Survey

99% support for clear up day

82% wanted a clear up of Ghyll

WDC funded skip hire and materials to enable residents to hold 2 clear up days in Aug 2007 and 2008

Alderbrook Residents Survey

Concern about parking

90% support for a clear up day

Scheme drawn up for Stonecross Road agreed subject to consultation

Partnership work underway to explore parking schemes and car park improvements on rest of estate

2 x clear up days organised and supported by housing

Heathfield Young Peoples Survey

57% support for youth shelter

Community Association assisted in successful Awards for All application for funds for youth shelter. Police backing and financial backing  achieved for the schemes

Options Study Survey Town Farm, Hailsham

Support for estate walkabout plus advice surgeries

Surgeries launched Apr 08

Regular walkabouts agreed from Apr 08

Buxted Residents Survey

Identified problems for disabled access

68% identified lack of transport as an issue

ESCC installed dropped kerbs Nov 07

Bus service rerouted and upgraded from Feb 08

Partnership between WDC and Parish Council on transport improvements ongoing with action group

Options Study Survey Town Farm, Hailsham

Identified support for:

Reinstatement of Youth Club

Support for 5-a-side

Support for older peoples social club

Housing assisted Residents Association to receive grant of 10k to run:

  • Older peoples club
  • 5-a-side football
  • Youth activities

Wadhurst residents survey

Identified 90% + wanting Post office bus service retained

Identified 70% + having problems with pathways

Bus service saved with ESCC, Parish Council and sec 106 funding and continued for 2009

ESCC replaced pathway in September 2007

Survey of Wealden Residents Action Group members on Community and Environmental Budget

Residents wanted the budget to fund:

  • Parking
  • Environmental improvements
  • Lighting improvements
  • Play area improvements
  • Security improvements and revenue schemes such as clear up days

Budget of £149,000 identified to be prioritises in partnership with residents. First panel to meet in Feb 2009

New Parklands Residents Association Young Peoples Survey

Identified more popular play equipment

Application for funding prepared (Awards for All)

Funding obtained from local Parish Council

Town Farm Residents Association Young Peoples Survey

 Schools and open day children prioritised play equipment

Most popular items of equipment included in the park proposal

Alderbrook Residents Association

Identified support for:

  • 5-a-side football (80%)
  • Youth Cafe (88%)
  • Play activities (70%)
  • Outings for young and old
  • Identified demand for park improvements

Residents Association are supported to get a grant to fund football, play, youth cafe and outings

Crowborough Town Council have earmarked £53,000 for parking improvements

Sheltered Tenants Survey for Sheltered Housing Review

Identified desire to retain role of Scheme Managers as resident

Scheme managers role retained but some managers to become non-resident

Theobalds Green Heathfield Representative Survey
  • Support for road safety measures
  • Concern about pavements

ESCC measure speeds

ESCC cutback pavements

Hartfield Survey

Support for new community association

80% said there is not enough for young people to do
  • Active Play Drama sessions arranged
  • Community Association launched 19/01/09

Town Farm Residents Association Survey

92% of adults living by the park supported the proposal for a new play park
  • Town Farm Residents Association were supported to raise £50,000 from The Peoples Millions Fund, £15,000 from the Town Council and £33,000 from East Sussex County Council towards the project

Buxted Residents Survey

66% said parking was a problem
  • Residents have drawn up a proposal
  • Proposals for parking improvements to be fed into Community and Environmental Budget process

Hadlow Down Survey
  • 100% supported residents plan for a community garden
  • 74% wanted a community association for the area
  • Group supported to get £10,000 grant towards the project
  • Housing agree on allocating unused land for a community garden
  • Community Association set up for School Lane Area