Clean up at Chelmsford Close and St Albans Terrace
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
08/09/2008
Chelmsford Close and St Albans Terrace in Fulham became a hive of activity recently (Thursday 28 August) when over 40 H and F Homes staff descended on the area to give it an autumn spruce up.
During the day, workmen including bricklayers, electricians, painters, pavers and locksmiths gave the estate an extra bit of care and attention by carrying out over 50 estate repairs.
The action day is just one of many initiatives that will be taking place over the coming months as part of H&F Homes’ ‘The Real Difference Campaign’ – the organisation’s proactive commitment to deliver decent homes, crack down on anti-social behaviour and improve services for residents.
Cllr Lucy Ivimy, cabinet member for housing, said: “H&F Homes is changing to ensure that it is a modern 21st century organisation that puts quality, value for money and responsive services at the heart of everything it does. Over the coming months, tenants will see this exciting plan put into action with many initiatives like this.”
As part of the Chelmsford Close and St Albans Terrace clean-up, gardeners also replanted flower beds, weeded and cut back over-hanging bushes and trees and cleaners gave the estate a thorough jet-cleaning, sweep and clean-up.
Before the big day, H&F Homes and its contractors, Inspace, inspected the estate and visited residents for their input. This resulted in a list of over 60 jobs ranging from providing a new bench to steam cleaning all entrances. With contractors on site, any further repairs identified on the day were also tackled.
Cllr Ivimy added: “This clean-up was an excellent idea and H&F Homes deserves credit for getting out and about and proactively helping the residents Chelmsford Close and St Albans Terrace. I am sure that tenants will have been pleased to see the officers carrying out improvements and I hope that we can introduce this scheme to other parts of the borough in the coming months.”
Chair of the Field Road Tenants & Resident's Association Ruby Belshaw said: “The workmen did a really good job and were really helpful, picking up extra jobs residents brought to their attention on the day."
‘The Real Difference’ will make a massive improvement to the lives of all H&F Homes tenants in the borough. This is what residents can expect to see.
Cracking down on anti-social behaviour
A raft of improvements will be made to deal with nuisance neighbours. These include:
• New systems for handling cases, keeping residents up-to-date and supporting victims
• Regular estate inspections and newsletters reporting on local antisocial behaviour initiatives
• Joint working with the Police and the Council’s antisocial behaviour team.
Delivering Decent Homes
Changes are being made to the delivery of the £229m programme to bring homes up to modern standards. Improvements include:
• Better consultation and involvement of residents in work to their homes
• Changes to the way work is managed on site
• A DVD for all residents to show them in advance how work will be carried out.
A new deal for leaseholders
H&F Homes wants to boost satisfaction from leaseholders and give them more chance to get involved in decisions that affect them. Improvements include:
• A new service charge system with clearer information and advice on payments
• Building on the success of new leaseholders’ forums to listen to their concerns and ensure their views are taken into account.
• Access to a competitively priced gas servicing check through H&F Homes’ contractors.
Upgrading services
H&F Homes is committed to raising standards across their services. Improvements include:
• A fresh look at all service standards to improve H&F Homes offers to residents
• An upgrade to the website www.hfhomes.org.uk so residents can report repairs or view their rent accounts online
• An improved Insider Magazine to keep residents informed.
Giving Value for Money
H&F Homes wants to make sure the money residents spend on their rent and service charges is well spent. Improvements to achieve value for money include:
• Modernising the caretaking and sheltered housing service to provide high quality at lower costs
• Partnering with contractors to get better value for money on repairs
• Reviewing agreements with the council for the services they provide.
