A successful estate walkabout was recently held in the Leyfields giving residents the chance to have their say on key issues and concerns they may have about the area where they live. Residents on the estate joined local Housing Officers, Caretakers, local Councillors, Police and other key agencies to give their feedback and an action plan will now be drawn up as a result of the resident’s comments. The Councils Housing Officers will be leading regular Estate Walkabouts to give residents a chance to have their say about where they live and work together to improve the estate.

The walkabout included a briefing session, a tour of the estate and a log of all of the issues identified which will help formulate an action plan. Residents will be invited to listen to the planned improvements and suggested actions so that they can decide how best to solve any problems or issues identified together to improve the estate.

“The Estate Walkabouts have been very successful with residents attending giving back valuable and constructive feedback” said Councillor Mary Oates, portfolio holder for Quality of Life. “While our Housing Officers carry out regular estate inspections this is not the same as actually living in an area. We cannot be on site 24 hours a day, and the information we get from residents, positive and negative, is extremely important. Especially as if we do not know about an issue we cannot do anything to try and help solve it, and that goes for our partners as well. I would like to thank everyone who attended on the day; especially the residents and I look forward to putting forward the action plan and hopefully resolving some of the issues raised on the day.”

The next Estate Walkabouts taking place are below:

Bolehall Walkabout

Date: Friday 28 August 2009 at 2.00pm

Meeting Point: Ankermoor Court, Rene Road,

Bolehall, Tamworth, B77 3NN

Amington Walkabout

Date: Thursday 24 September 2009 at 2.00pm

Meeting Point: Magnolia Communal Room,

Magnolia Sheltered Scheme,

Amington, Tamworth, B77 4EH

If you would like further details about the Walkabouts contact the Estate Management Team on 01827 709 491 or email estatemanagementteam@tamworth.gov.uk