Estate Walkabout Report January 2016 Loanhead In ......Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and Claire noting the following issues: Mr Horsburgh reported a fridge on the pavement

Estate Walkabout Report

January 2016

Loanhead

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Tenants and residents: Mr Horsburgh

The walkabout was advertised on the Council’s website, social networking sites and posters had

been displayed in the local area.

The group met in the Loanhead Leisure Centre car park at 2:15pm on Wednesday 20 January. Mr

Horsburgh reported a number of issues at the beginning of the walkabout, most of which were not

housing matters but he was advised that they would be reported to the relevant department(s). Mr

Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and Claire noting the following issues:

Mr Horsburgh reported a fridge on the pavement outside the Top Of The Toon snooker club. Fridges

are a chargeable bulky uplift item and it’s not obvious who owns this.

Update: Removed

Mr Horsburgh believes that the garage is burning toxic waste at night time. It wasn’t clear whether

he has reported this to Environmental Health.

Action: Environmental Health to investigate.

Update: Reported to Midlothian Council contact centre

Mr Horsburgh reported a large amount of litter coming from the McDonald’s restaurant at Straiton.

Lesley advised that McDonald’s used to participate in area litter picks but she was unaware if this is

still done.


Mr Horsburgh reported that the shrubs near the public toilets are too high and full of litter. On

inspection the shrubs seemed under control with a small amount of litter trapped among them.

There was however, an abandoned trolley which needs to be collected.


Trolleys dumped outside public toilets.


Messy back garden in Academy Court

Action: Claire Harrison to investigate

Update: Tenants contacted, clean up in progress, Housing Officer monitoring

Waste materials dumped behind the ex servicemen’s club/the new children’s nursery. If this is

private property Environmental Health may still be able to investigate.

Action: Report to Environmental Health.


Mr Horsburgh reported a blocked drain in Academy Lane which has caused water to flow over the

path which had frozen over during the cold weather. There was no sign of the blocked drain so no

further action can be taken.

Mr Horsburgh wanted information on the Community Payback Scheme which neither Lesley nor

Claire was able to provide.

Action: Lesley to contact Criminal Justice and request that they phone Mr Horsburgh

Update: Completed on 20 January 2016.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 24 February in Dalkeith.


February 2016

Dalkeith

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Alan Rice, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Residents: Anon tenant, Mr Matthew, Mrs Matthew, Lillias Reid



The group met in the Lidl car park at 2:15pm on Wednesday 24 February and the following estate

problems were brought to the department’s attention:

Graffiti tags are all over Dalkeith and the style of them suggests they are by the same group/person.

The tags include the following – ‘C3PO’, ‘Jelly’, ‘ZYK’ and ‘K*nt’. A walkabout attendee suspects his

neighbours and has passed the details on to a member of staff. This information will be passed to

the Community Safety Team to investigate.

Update: Reported to the antisocial behaviour team.

The road outside the doctor’s surgery floods.

The group wished to know why the street cleaning stops at the doctor’s surgery and does not

continue all the way along St Andrew Street. Leaves and litter tend to end up scattered outside ** St

Andrew’s Street due to the layout and steps in the pavement.

Update: Complaint passed to street cleansing team with request to contact Mr and Mrs Matthew to

discuss the matter.

The group was asked to inspect the gardens at ** St Andrew’s Street where there were abandoned

belongings including toys, a mattress and a washing machine.

Action:- Posters have been put up in the stair to advise tenants to have the toys removed by the 5th

April 2016 if not done Midlothian Council will remove and destroy.

The residents think that the trees along St Andrew’s Street are too big and the roots are damaging

the pavement. There was also evidence of dog fouling along the street.

The group inspected the vennel which runs along the side of the doctor’s surgery. There was broken

bottles, used dog bags and litter scattered around.

Update: Recently revisited and street cleaning request passed to Waste Management.

Van parked on grassy area in Gibraltar Gardens.

The group crossed over to Elmfield Road where it was noted that work had been carried out to

replace the pavement slabs but broken glass still collects between them.

Update: Recently cleaned by waste management team.

There is a lot of dog fouling on the grassy area between Gibraltar Road and Allan Terrace. The area

was also littered with rubbish and glass. It was suggested that at the very least, the area requires ‘no

dog fouling’ stickers and reminders that dog bags are free from council buildings.

Update: Area has recently been looked into and cleaned by waste management team who cleaned

all the drying greens as well. Contact made with Dog Warden regarding posters/signs for the area

too.

Rubbish lying in the front and back gardens of ** Gibraltar Road.

Update: Line passed to Waste Management to have this uplifted.

Broken stair window at ** Gibraltar Road and graffiti on stair door.

Update: Broken window has been fixed.

There was a brown and white spaniel without a collar or lead on running about the area. The dog

didn’t appear to be a stray as it was in good condition but nervous of people. This was reported to

the contact centre.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 16 March in Penicuik.


March 2016

Penicuik

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Debbie Ratley, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Melville Housing Association: Housing Officer Caroline Langton (shadowing)

Residents: 6 anonymous residents



The group met outside the Ladywood Leisure Centre at 2:15pm on Wednesday 16 March and the

following estate problems were brought to the department’s attention:

Bins left outside ** Vorlich Crescent and the lane at the side.

Housing Officers have spoken to tenants whom have stated it is difficult to return the bin to the

front and rear of the house owing to steps - Referred the matter to waste management to ascertain

if there is another solution for bin storage as residents report difficulty returning bins at front or rear

of property owing to steps.

Rubbish dumped in bin store in Wyvis Park – reported to Waste Management.

Pot holes and uneven road surface along Windsor Drive – reported to Road Services.

Unstable and loose concrete grid paving stone opposite ** Windsor Drive – reported to Road

Services.

Lane between Strathesk Grove and Windsor Road – broken fencing, dog fouling, messy garden to left

of lane (unsure of number but is immediately to the left after leaving lane in Windsor Road) – on

recent visit the dog fouling had significantly reduced, the issue with the broken boundary fences

(behind * to ** Windsor Road) has been referred to the Clerk of Works for the area and the garden

has been tidied.

Possible abandonment at * Pentland Way – fully resolved.

Complaints about caravan being used as a work space and used to store work materials –

investigation completed and issue resolved at present.

Complaints that motorists are driving their cars along the path between Pentland Way and Windsor

Road. Tyre marks visible. This problem was also reported to Simon Bain last year, see below:

Issue has been passed to Police Scotland.

Two lamp posts in Eastfield Park Road not working – L092 (opposite no.22) and L093 (opposite

no.16) – referred to Clarence and Road Services.

A resident from ** Eastfield Park Road complained that the school sign post outside his house faces

the wrong way to the school. He and his neighbour are also unhappy about the ‘lane to nowhere’

which was blocked off during the construction of Pentland Way. Groups now congregate at the end

of the path and youths use the shed roofs to jump over the fence. The sheds have been painted with

anti-vandal paint which the youths deliberately spread around the area

Dog waste bags dumped in the grit bin at the end of Eastfield Park Road (there is a dog bin metres

away) – recent check dog fouling has been removed.

The crossing guard at the Windsor Terrace and Windsor Drive junction complained that motorists

park on the grassy verges (see above). She suggested that ‘grass crete’ paving could be extended (it

is used quite extensively further up Windsor Drive) – reported to roads.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 20 April in Bonnyrigg.


June 2016

Woodburn

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Alan Rice, Housing Officer Kayleigh Gautschi, Community

Safety Officer Elaine Wilson, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Police Scotland: PC Trevor Newton Jones, PC Louis Hodgkinson

Residents: None

It was agreed that the walkabout would take place in the Thornybank area of Woodburn which is the

site of 105 council homes which were completed in 2012. There have been instances of antisocial

behaviour in the area, mostly centred around the bike sheds some of which are now in the process

of being demolished in order to help rectify the problem. It was noted by the police that most of the

callouts they have attended in the area were related to youth disorder.

Picture 1: Entrance to Thornybank site

There was a car in Thornybank Grove which looked like it had been set on fire. A passing neighbour

told the group that the car was an eyesore and had been left in the parking bay for months and had

been set on fire last week. Alan Rice and Kayleigh Gautschi were aware of the car and knew that it

was fully taxed and insured. The police will investigate further and report their findings to Alan and

Kayleigh.

Action: PC Newton Jones and PC Louis Hodgkinson

Update: PC Newton Jones is progressing this complaint

Update: Car removed.

Picture 2: Vandalised bike shed in the process of being removed. Three sheds in Thornybank

Square are going to be removed with a fourth already destroyed by fire.

The group walked around Thornybank Square where Kayleigh and Alan noted that there are a couple

of voids but new tenant sign ups are underway and the houses will soon be occupied. Any other

housing related issues in the area are also in the process of being dealt with including dumped white

goods in the remaining bike sheds.

Picture 3 &4: Estate walkabout poster and broken fence

It was noted that the broken fence was erected to stop youths tapping on the tenant’s window. The

fence hasn’t lasted well though and requires some maintenance.

Action: Alan Rice to investigate options.

Update: Alan Rice is consulting with the Clerk of works about the fences.

Photo 5: Housing Officer Alan Rice and PC’s Newton Jones and Hodgkinson inspecting the area

Overall there were few estate management issues in the area that the group was not already in the

process of handling. Alan and Kayleigh will continue to visit the area regularly in order to provide an

obvious housing presence for the tenants and residents.

Regarding the rubbish, housing is aware of the removal of this rubbish. This will tie in with the bike

sheds being removed.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 20 July in Loanhead


July 2016

Loanhead

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Communities Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant

Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Residents: Anne

On the advice of Housing Officer Claire Harrison, the walkabout concentrated on the Kennington

area of Loanhead. The walkabout had been rescheduled due to extreme weather on 20 July and

instead took part on 27 July 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on posters, in the library and

leisure centre and on the council’s website.

The group met outside Loanhead Bowling Club and the following issues were noted.

Pictures 1 &2: Area surrounding hairdressers

An anonymous caller had reported the grassy areas surrounding a local hairdresser. He complained

that the grass needed cut, black bags were dumped and people were urinating in the area. The caller

was advised that these issues would be inspected and then passed to the relevant

department/agency. There were a couple of black bags and some of the grass was overgrown but as

these issues were in a privately owned garden and did not constitute a health risk, they were not

taken any further. Any further incidents of public urination should be reported to the police.

Action: None.

Picture 3: Beautiful garden in Kennington Avenue

Nominations for the council’s annual garden competition are currently being taken so the group

wished to nominate this one.

Action: Lesley Connell to contact tenant and ask whether he/she wants to take part in the

competition

Update: The tenant is taking part in the competition.

Pictures 4, 5 and 6

Messy gardens in Kennington Avenue

Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenants

Update: on investigation all of the gardens pictured above are not Midlothian Council properties

Shrubbed area at corner of Kennington Avenue and Terrace needs cut back (no photo).

Action: Reported to contact centre for litter pick and cut back.

Update: Ongoing.

Picture 7: An improved garden

Claire pointed out a vastly improved garden which had previously been issued with a warning.

Pictures 8 & 9: Overgrown hedge

Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenants

Update: On a follow up visit the hedge and front garden had been brought to a good standard

The group noticed another nice garden at ** McKinlay Terrace and decided to nominate it for the

garden competition.

Update: This is not a Midlothian Council tenancy and is therefore exempt from taking part.

Pictures 11 & 12: Improved shared drying green

Claire inspected a shared drying green which has improved following contact with the tenants.

The group noted another overgrown hedge on the corner of McKinlay Terrace and Dryden Terrace.

Action: Claire Harrison to contact tenant to ask them to cut it back.

Update: The properties responsible for the hedge are not Midlothian Council properties

The group decided to inspect McNeill Terrace and the completed improvement works. It was noted

by all attendees that the road was vastly improved and that the majority of people were looking

after their newly divided garden areas.

Picture 13: Overgrown verge in McNeill Terrace

Action: Claire Harrison to investigate who is responsible for maintaining the verges.

Update: Email to landscaping to query this. Awaiting response.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 24 August in Poltonhall


August 2016

Poltonhall

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Communities Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant

Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Residents: Lillias Reid (Tenant Panel)

The walkabout took place on Wednesday 24 August. The walkabout had been advertised on the

council’s website and on posters which were displayed in the area on lampposts, bus stops etc.

No issues had been reported prior to the walkabout and no local residents were in attendance.

The group met outside the Poltonhall Sports Complex at 2:15pm and following the advice of Housing

Officer Claire Harrison, inspected the Cockpen area. The following issues were noted.

Picture 1: Poltonhall playing fields Picture 2: Cockpen View

Picture 3 : Messy garden at ** Cockpen View

Update: This is a Midlothian Council tenancy – Housing Officer will speak with tenants regarding

this

Pictures 4 &5: Photos of Cockpen Crescent

Picture 6: Messy garden at ** Cockpen Crescent

Update: This is a Midlothian Council tenancy – Housing Officer will speak to tenants regarding this

The group left Cockpen and walked along Rosewell Road. A number of pretty gardens were noted

which, if council tenancies, should be nominated to take part in next year’s garden competition.

Picture 7: Beautiful garden in Rosewell Road

Further along the road the group noted a messy garden which was in complete contrast to the well

kept one next door.

Pictures 8&9: Messy garden in Rosewell Road

Update: This is not a Midlothian Council property and no action can be taken.

The group turned along Dalhousie Road West where Lesley pointed out one of the nominees for this

year’s garden competition.

Picture 10: Garden competition nominee

The group turned back onto Polton Avenue Road and concluded that Poltonhall was, by and large,

well kept and in good order.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 21 September in Mayfield


October 2016

Auchendinny

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Debbie Ratley, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Residents: Michael, Helen Ann Black

This walkabout was held at the request of an Auchendinny resident as the village is not on the

regular estate walkabout schedule.

The walkabout took place on Wednesday 12 October 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on

the council’s website and on posters which were displayed in the area on lampposts, bus stops etc.

Invitations were sent out to all Midlothian Council tenants in Auchendinny and the event was

advertised on Black Diamond FM.

The group met outside the Glencorse Centre at 11am. Attendees were reminded that non housing

related queries would be passed onto the relevant departments/authorities for action.

Picture 1: Glencorse Centre Picture 2: Glencorse Community Garden

The group began by walking to the entrance of Firth Crescent. The metal fence was reported as

unstable following the walkabout in June 2015. Temporary metal fencing was erected but locals

remain concerned that the area is not safe.

Picture 3 : Fence (June 2015) Pictures 4, 5 and 6 : Fence (October 2016)

Action: This was reported to the Clerk of Works in June 2015.

Update: The matter was referred to Midlothian Council Road Services who advised that the owner

of the relevant property will make arrangements to have the railing repaired as this is the

responsibility of the relevant private owner/occupier.

The group continued down The Brae where speeding was evident. There is a sign which flashes

when motorists are over 30mph but it doesn’t state what speed the motorists are travelling at. As

with last year’s walkabout, the group was advised that speeding is a police matter and should be

reported to them by phoning 101.

Picture 7, 8 & 9: The Brae

Issue: The matter of overhanging bushes on pavement at ** The Brae (private address) was referred

to Environment Health. Housing Services was informed that this is on private ground and that

Midlothian Council do not maintain that side road

Issue: One resident complained about the gardens at ** and ** The Brae. She believes they are

attracting vermin.

Action: Tenancy action is been taken regarding the two addresses in relation to the garden issue.

Issue: Overgrown verge outside ** The Brae.

Action: Referred to Landscaping Services who have advised that the verge should be cut once or

twice a year but this is not always possible as motorists park their cars along the verge. If the local

residents agree a day that the parking area will be kept clear Midlothian Landscaping Services will

cut the area.

Issue: Bushes are growing over the give way sign at the B7036.

Action: Referred to Landscaping Services who will inspect and may serve a notice on the landowner.

Issue: The drain outside ** The Brae is blocked with soil and leaves.

Action: Road Services advised that they will send the gully motor to have a closer look. The matter

may be due to dirty water from a gully, sometimes called sewage. No problems to report by Road

Services regarding this.

Issue: Manholes and sewage outside the communal path of ** and ** The Brae.

Action: Complainants to contact the Scottish Water call centre on 0845 6008808.

The group inspected the rest of The Brae before walking along the footpath which leads to the back

of Firth Crescent. The group noted that the step which was reported last year has been fixed.

Picture 10: Broken steps (June 2015) Picture 11: Repaired steps (October 2016)

The residents voiced their disapproval that the green area beside the footpath isn’t fully cut and

some dog owners are not clearing up after their pets (despite someone creating a makeshift dog

waste bin).

Action: Landscaping Services have inspected the area and advised that the grass requires a cut and

there are a couple of ‘tree suckers’ on the Midlothian Council side of the fence that need to be cut.

The group turned along Firth Crescent where a messy garden was noted at number *.

Action: The relevant rubbish has since been removed by Waste Management. The tenant was also

given advice regarding the security implications of writing personal messages on a blackboard

outside the property.

Picture 12: Firth Crescent (June 2015) Picture 13: Firth Crescent (October 2016)

The group returned to the entrance of Firth Crescent and the driveway to the Glencorse Centre.

Following the 2015 walkabout, road and pavement work was undertaken which is evident in the

photos above.

The Auchendinny residents on the walkabout had a number of issues they wished to discuss. Many

of these topics were not best served by housing department members of staff (e.g. hanging baskets,

dangers arising from the nearby golf course) so the residents were advised to contact either their

local councillors or community council. Details of both were sent in the post following the

walkabout. Debbie Ratley, Housing Officer did however contact Landscaping Services and was

informed that owing to cut backs, hanging baskets will be reduced again by half for the year 2017.

Debbie also contacted Road Services in relation to the golf courses’ overgrown hedge and was

informed that the issue will have to be addressed by the local residents themselves as the hedge has

not overgrown the road. Road Services therefore cannot intervene (which would have involved

serving a notice to enforce the Golf Club to undertake this work).

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 26 October in Penicuik


December 2016

Bonnyrigg

In attendance:

Midlothian Council: Housing Officer Claire Harrison, Housing Officer Gail Paterson, Communities

Officer Catherine Duns, Tenant Participation Officer Lesley Connell

Residents: None

The walkabout took place on Wednesday 14 December 2016. The walkabout had been advertised on

the council’s website and social networking pages. Posters were displayed in the local area on

lampposts, bus stops etc. and the event was advertised on the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Resident’s

Forum facebook page (5264 members).

The group met at the entrance to Hazel Drive at 10am. A couple of issues had been reported in

advance of the walkabout via the phone and facebook. Queries included council jurisdiction over

non council tenancies and parking on pavements.

The group visited the ‘fruit and nut’ area in Bonnyrigg which includes Hazel Drive, Cherry Road and

Chestnut Grove. The area was clean and tidy with very few problems noted. The group was aware of

some local complaints and noted the following:

Issue: Collapsed dividing fences in Moorfoot View

Comment: Dividing fences are not Midlothian Council’s responsibility,

neighbours must find a suitable solution between themselves.

Issue: Parking on the kerbs

Comment: Locals should phone Police Scotland on 101 to report this however

previous guidance from Police Scotland advised that enforcement can only be

taken if all four wheels are on the kerb. A bill to change the law on this was

introduced in the Scottish Parliament in 2015 but proved unsuccessful.

Issue: Unruly hedge in Rowan Gardens

Comment: This is not a Midlothian Council tenancy so no action can be taken by

the housing department. The Environmental Health Team would only be able to

investigate if the garden posed a health risk therefore no further action can be

taken by the council.

Issue : Three piece suite on pavement

Issue: Chickens in garden

Comment : Housing Officer will monitor to ensure that the tenant has the suite

uplifted and will speak with her regarding the chickens - it should be noted

though that no one has complained about the chickens.

The next walkabout will take place on Wednesday 25 January in Loanhead

Documents

Estate Walkabout Report January 2016 Loanhead In ......Horsburgh left at this point with Lesley and Claire noting the following issues: Mr Horsburgh reported a fridge on the pavement