Your Views Count...
Here is a sample of things you said and we did .......
October 2007
Intercom Changes
A couple in Firthmoor were struggling to hear their front door intercom, which had been placed in their entrance hall. They made a request to their Housing Officer to see if anything could be done.
We have since been able to move the intercom into their front room so that they can always hear when they have callers and they are delighted with the work.
Mowden Terrace residents enjoy the sunshine
Residents in Mowden Terrace were overjoyed with the work done to the rear of their flats. The Council arranged for the backs to be paved, with new access ramps and handrails, together with brand new fencing.
The rear of the flats, which had previously been an eyesore, is now an attractive place for residents to sit outside and enjoy the Autumn sunshine.
August 2007
Who are you ? - Identify yourself
One of the Tenants Board Members was concerned when a Darlington Borough Council operative came to his home to do some work without displaying his identification.
He raised his concerns when completing his repairs satisfaction slip and got an immediate response.
Due to the increasing problems of bogus callers it is vital that all staff display their ID. The Building Services Manager arranged a series of Tool Box talks to stress the importance of staff properly identifying themselves.
If you want to make sure you get the Repairs Service that you want, then complete the survey form sent out when each job is raised and let us know how you think we are doing.
November 2006
Lingfield Green - Garage Doors
You Said - Could the garage doors at Lingfield Green be replaced rather than re-painted.
We Did - This was agreed and all garages now have new doors.
Park Place - Shrub beds - scrubbed
You Said - Residents of Park Place were unhappy with the shrub beds outside their properties. The beds are difficult to maintain, often overgrown, and become litter traps.
We Did - Claire Queen, Management Officer talked to the residents and it was agreed that the shrub beds be removed and replaced with grass which is easier to maintain and keep clean.
Shelley Road - Divided only by fencing
You Said - Residents of Shelley Road contacted their local Ward Councillors, Councillors Frank Robson and Councillor Ian Haszeldine to ask if they could have renewed fencing to the rear of their properties in order to combat increasing anti social behaviour.
We Did - New dividing fencing in the rear gardens and new metal fencing to the front gardens of properties in Shelley Road be provided.
August 2006
Heatherwood Grove - Security & Peace of Mind
You Said - Youths causing anti-social behaviour are escaping through the rear of the flats in Heatherwood Grove and onto Woodland Road.
We Did - At the residents request the Housing Service agreed to extend the existing fencing so that the whole of the rear of the complex is enclosed. In order to ensure that resident's security and peace of mind are substantially improved.
Pountneys Close - Anti Social Behaviour Stopped
You Said - Residents of Pountneys Close in Middleton St George asked what could be done to prevent their suffering anti social behaviour by youths who were agressively playing football in the street , sitting on walls, talking loudly and being threatening until the early hours of the morning.
We Did - In consultation with the residents the walls were removed and replaced with fences that the youths could not sit on and the boundaries of the residents properties were more clearly defined. Although the youths are not too pleased, the residents are delighted.
May 2006
North Road - Uncontrollable Bushes - Tamed
You Said - Residents at the North Riverside Estate off North Road complained that the bushes planted in their communal areas were overgrown and untidy and had begun to collect rubbish. They were growing so fast that the maintenance programme was unable to keep them under control, residents could not get to their own windows nor could they see over the top of them.
We Did - Working alongside the Residents Association, the Housing Service set a programme of works to deal with the problem. Bushes were removed and new fencing put up to improve the appearance of the estate and protect the residents from falling, or slipping down into the car parking areas.
February 2006
Roxby Moor Avenue/Cotherstone Moor Drive - Unsafe Areas - Made Safe
You Said - The areas to the rear of Roxby Moor Avenue and Cotherstone Moor Drive bungalows are unsafe and something needs doing to them.
We Did - We have listened to peoples comments and it has been decided to improve the rear of the bungalows on Cotherstone Moor Drive and Roxby Moor Avenue. It has been agreed that in the financial year 2006/07 the communal rear garden/drying area will be levelled and paved with planting beds, park benches and new clothes drying area installed.
Ramps are also to be fitted to the rear of all the bungalows to allow access for disabled residents. On completion of the works, the area will be DDA (Darlington Disability Association) compliant. In addition, new fences, gates and dawn to dusk lighting will be provided to ensure the area remains secure.
Ted Fletcher Court - Fencing
You Said - Can a fence be provided at the front of the building?
We Did - Following extensive consultation and in line with the wishes of the residents of Ted Fletcher Court it has been decided to install a new metal fence to the front of the sceheme extending down to the brick wall of the rectory on Salters Lane South. This will improve the overall security of the scheme and prevent unauthorised access to the grounds.
Roxby Court - Tripping Hazard - Leveled
You Said - At a coffee morning, residents of Roxby Court expressed dissatisfaction with the raised lips in internal doorways in th flats, explaining that some residents with mobility problems found them a trip hazard.
We Did - The raised lips in internal doorways are now being replaced with level carpet grips to improve the safety of residents.
Swan Street - TV - Better Reception
You Said - Residents of Swan Street complained about the quality of the television reception from the TV in the communal area.
We Did - We contacted a contractor who specialises in this work and they have agreed to resolve this matter early in the New Year.
Firthmoor - Roofing Contractors Asked to Improve Their Services
You Said - The quality of the works carried out under the roofing contract was not good enough.
We Did - We contacted the roofing contractors and challenged their senior managers about the service they were providing. As a result, the quality of service improved and, to date no further complaints have been received.
You Said - That during roofing works some residents had problems with the reception to their satellite channels.
We Did - In order to ensure that residents reception to their satellite channels was not affected by the roofing works we agreed that in cases where reception was lost, the dish would be fitted to the roofing scaffold whilst work was carried out, and refixed to the property on completion of the works.
The Sycamores - Communal Gardens - Praise for Horticultural Officers
You Said - A lady from The Sycamores wrote to ask if we could help with the communal gardens at the Sycamores.
We Did - The lady thanks the Council for the work done in her communal garden, she praised the work of the Horticultural Officer, Billy Grieve, in particular.
Firthmoor Works - Lack of Communication - Owner/Occupiers now kept informed
The Housing Division have been carrying out a programme of external improvements to all council property on the Firth Moor estate for a number of years. Work includes the provision of off street parking, the removal of boundary hedges and the provision of new boundary fencing and side gates.
You Said - Owners/Occupiers, living in the streets affected, are not as involved as they could be - there is a lack of communication
We Did - We now write to all owner occupiers who may be affected by the works to explain to them the scope of the works and we take their wishes into account whenever possible.
Copy of letter sent to owner occupiers - pdf document
Off Street Parking for both Owner/Occupiers and Tenants
You Said - Off Street parking was only offered to tenants
We Did - To help provide as much off street parking as possible, owner occupiers are now consulted and given the option of paying for a pavement crossing to their home as part of the overall Council's programme of works. A quotation is provided and payment made in full whilst the contractors are still on site and the pavement crossing is provided.
Letter to Owner Occupiers re Pavement Crossings - pdf document
Windsor Court - Bedding Plants
You Said - Tenants of Windsor Court requested front of scheme to be planted twice per year with bedding plants.
We Did - Tenants are happy and have contacted the Grounds Maintenance and Housing Teams to say thank you.
You Said - Lower the hedge at the rear of Windsor Court so that it is easier to maintain.
We Did - An order was placed for work to be carried out once the nesting birds had flown.
Lyonette Road Fencing
You Said - Request for fencing to the cuts on Lyonette Road
We Did - Fencing supplied and fitted to the cuts, tenants very happy and have contacted us to say Thank you.
Heating Controls - Controlled
You Said - The dials are difficult to read and use.
We Did - We are implementing a new version immediately which are easier for tenants to use
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Kitchens and Bathroom Improvements
You said - You should provide more space in new kitchens
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We Did - We are now amending specifications for kitchens to try and provide better use of space in corners.
You said - A better choice should be available.
We Did - New choices for the finishes of both units and tiles have been implemented.
Keeping Mess to a Minimum
You Said - When new kitchens and bathrooms are being installed too much dirt and dust are a cause for concern.
We Did - We have now changed the type of dust sheets being used to try and further reduce the impact of dust during work, and this seems to have been successful.
