|
|
|
|
Residents' action plans to make neighbourhoods Better Places
|
| Friday 6th May 2011 |
On 10th May Somer Community Housing Trust launches its 15 new Neighbourhood Plans which residents from across the Trust's 10,000 homes have helped to create to tackle the issues that matter to them locally.
The Neighbourhood Plans are part of the Trust's Better Places approach which has worked closely with residents to find out what their priorities are for their neighbourhood, and to take action. There is a separate plan for each of the Trust's 15 neighbourhoods which cover Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Top priorities raised by residents include tackling litter and rubbish and anti-social behaviour, with 81% of residents saying that they are satisfied with their neighbourhood.
Chris Boyes, the Trust's Sustainable Communities Manager, said:
"Over the last year we have been working with residents to identify the things residents would like to change in their neighbourhoods. This led to over 300 suggestions. We reviewed the suggestions and those we could get on and do, we did. So far we have delivered over 130 of these suggestions, with actions on a further 99 well underway. Where we can deliver on the remaining suggestions they have been prioritised over the next few years and are shown in the plans."
The requests delivered so far have included re-tarmacing garage forecourts, holding fun days and street parties to enable people to get to know each other better, through to providing better recycling facilities and improving parks - like the Kingsmead Court play area in central Bath which the Trust has transformed in response to requests from local residents.
We all want our neighbourhoods to be places where we enjoy living now and in the future. These plans are all about making sure that residents can work with the Trust to make their neighbourhoods better places for everyone. To turn these plans into reality, it is important that residents get involved and the Trust would love to hear from any residents who have ideas for working together to tackle a problem or make an improvement in their neighbourhood.
Lisa Niewald, a local resident from Watermead Close in Kingsmead, said:
"I feel that Better Places gives residents a positive feeling about where they live. For the Trust to be putting in the effort to make our neighbourhoods better gives me a great feeling and in general gives the whole neighbourhood a better vibe.
"As regards the improvements to my particular neighbourhood here at Watermead Close, the communal gardens are now such a wonderful place for our children to play. The new fencing has increased my peace of mind and makes our local neighbourhood feel safer. There is much more of a community feel now and I'm really impressed with the new recycling area."
Che Niewald, aged five, is also very pleased with the Kingsmead Court play area improvements:
"I love the new play area I really like the Play House the best. I pretend it's a pirate ship and turn the steering wheel round and round."
All Trust residents have been sent copies of their Neighbourhood Plans which are being published on the Trust's website, www.somer.org.uk, along with contact details for each neighbourhood's dedicated Neighbourhood Services Officer. |
| Posted by 0 for Somer Community Housing Trust |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
