North East Area - Associations

How and why we formed: -

Forming a Tenants' & Residents' Association is really a painless process...?

The Tenants & Residents' of Darlington Grove, Moorends,
November 1993

"I think we have just about had enough"

"Following a meeting of local residents at the Moorends Hotel, Moorends, in November 1993, it was decided to investigate the amount of crime in the Darlington Grove area of Moorends. Concern had been expressed by many residents, (and in particular the old aged pensioners warden service), that people were becoming prisoners in their own home because of the amount of crime and disorder on the estate."
(A report into crime and related matters in the Darlington Grove area Moorends.
South Yorkshire Police Jan.1994)

Darlington Grove is a small estate of around 211 dwellings made up of mainly "Council Houses" which are of the 1960's open plan design of poured concrete. No vehicular access is available to the rear of these houses but there are garage sites around the estate. There are also a number of 'Senior Citizens' bungalows around the edge of the estate and on the corners of the main housing area. Privately built dwellings are to be found at one end of the estate the majority of which have their own garages and off street parking on private drives.

A physical survey of the estate was carried out during the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th January 1994 by personal visit to the houses by officers of the Special Constabulary, Community Police Officers and members of the Crime and Community Services department of South Yorkshire Police. In total 144 questionnaires were completed, giving a percentage total of 69%. No arrangements were made to re-visit those houses "missed" because sufficient questionnaires were completed to give meaningful information.

The first impressions the members of the survey team had of the estate showed that in both the private and council parts of the various streets, there was in the majority a pride within the tenants, being obvious in the general condition of the houses. The estate did not have the look of being run down or neglected. Many of the houses had fencing erected by the tenants to replace the small chain link fencing which had been originally fitted around the rear gardens. The variety and nature of these fences gave the estate a slightly "odd" look because there was no uniformity and many fences had been built with salvaged materials rather than purpose bought lap-wood fencing etc. All these fences however did look to be substantial and in a good state of repair. They found no obvious signs of vandalism. At other houses additional vertical posts had been added to the chain link fencing to remove the sagging that was apparent. As is now, the roads on the estate had two forms of prohibition notices posted one for dogs fouling footpaths and the second banning vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

During the two days of the police visit, no vehicles exceeding this weight were observed on the estate. Residents confirmed that it was not a problem and the absence of vehicles of this size was not due to the increased police presence. Dog fouling, however, did appear to be a problem as the estate has open land immediately to its rear, this was and indeed still is the favourite area for owners to exercise their animals. This open land is the children's playground although, on most occasions, none of the swings can be used because they are 'wound around' the top pole. That goes to say that this area is also the haunt of older juveniles who, even now, have no thought for other users of the equipment remaining in 'the park'. The park has no form of lighting, has no fencing, is next to the railway lines and is isolated from a surveillance point of view. Therefore parents would have to stay and supervise their children.

Fourteen houses back onto the park and these had the original fencing provided and erected by the Council. The fencing now is, in some cases, a mix and match as previously described. Some houses have security lighting, which is 'sufficient for all', and at the time of the survey there had been no burglaries in this area.

One, of the two, entrances to the estate has terraced dwellings, which have unlit footpaths to the rear. These footpaths proved to be a nuisance with the residents because of the frequency of their use and immediate access to the rear of their homes. The same situation is repeated around the estate. The houses against the park have paths at the rear, which are used as shortcuts. These too are unlit but for the security lighting erected by tenants.

In the middle of the estate are 'walks', open plan pedestrian cross streets. The front of these walks being badly churned by vehicles some being parked in front of the houses causing concern to tenants. The streets on the estate are narrow and there is no off road parking, all the garages are taken. The results of the survey showed that up to three garages were rented by one tenant who used them as a storage shed and left their vehicle outside their home, much to the consternation of others. At that time in 1994 there was little if any graffiti around the estate but it was the garage doors that got the most.

There are no shops or public houses on the estate and it is, in a sense, a cul-de-sac anyone who is seen on it either lives there or is visiting, strangers would be noticed! There was at that time no evidence of gangs of young people wandering the estate and no evidence of litter but quite a few houses and outbuildings were being burgled regularly and mostly at night!

"The main criticism of the Police was the failure to communicate properly and a lack of police cover in general on the estate. We have recommended a publicity campaign and information leaflets to be made available to explain exactly what happens and where to send your messages and what you should be aware of to enjoy a better level of communication. As far as Police patrols are concerned we have recommended that all new Police officers to the area be given a time in your area to get to know it and you. One point is however, bearing in mind that all or most crime happens after dark you may not see a lot of extra Police activity as we will try and ensure it is given at the correct time.

As far as you, the residents are concerned then our main recommendation is that you form a 'residents and tenants' association. Many of the problems on the estate are to do with inadequate lighting, poor vehicle parking, open plan areas etc. We, as a police service cannot help in these matters."
(South Yorkshire Police, Summary of survey Moorends 29/30 January 1994)

Unfortunately I was recovering from a major operation and was unable to attend an open meeting held in May 1994, which was attended by representatives of the Council. I understand that due to poor publicity about the meeting it was poorly attended and no one showed an interest.

Volunteers take up the fight!

Copies of the police report were few and far between but many of those who did read it disagreed with it in various ways. This spurred the volunteer 'doorknockers' into action. A member of the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council's Tenant Liaison Team suggested that the next move for our little estate was to start a TARA (Tenants' & Residents' Association). Everyone's door was knocked on and the occupants who were in at the time where asked if they would like to have a meeting with a view to forming a TARA

A meeting was held to see if people felt there was a need for a TARA and there obviously was. There then followed another meeting shortly afterwards to elect officials, members of the committee and agree a constitution. Then on the 10th of October 1994 the inaugural meeting of The Darlington Grove Tenants & Residents' Association took place. It was fairly well attended by tenants, residents and local elected members of the Council. Along with the formation of a new TARA comes affiliation to the 'Doncaster Federation of Tenants' & Residents Associations' and with it the benefits associated with such an organisation.

It seems that the report from the survey done by the local police and the points raised by those who did not agree with its content was a catalyst in the formation of my association. Much has been achieved since then inc: -

Security lights fitted to each of the Senior Citizens bungalows. This was obtained through a successful 'Community Initiatives Programme' bid (CIP) made to the South Yorkshire Police. Along with perimeter fencing being erected around the estate, provided by the local Councillors Ward Allocation, this made the tenants feel safer in their homes. Problems with repairs and some other 'everyday' matters are now sorted quickly and easily through being in the Federation. Regular area forum meetings also highlight people's problems to the Council and other bodies.

The associations meetings were held every month, which were also used as a social occasion where neighbours could have a chat over refreshments. Coach trips were run throughout the year to various locations. We asked and got answers to our questions our Community 'Bobby' regularly attended our meetings along with Councillors, Council Officers and representatives from other bodies and had not been refused a visit from anyone who had been asked to attend our meetings. It was felt that the estate was a better place than it was in 1993 and there was a feeling of well-being among its residents. There was still more to be done but the people on this estate could say they have done something and they were better off for forming a Tenants and Residents Association.

It is always said, by those who want you to start a TARA that forming one would be of benefit to the estate that you live on. With hindsight, I have to say that at no time did anyone take the time to mention the history of the country wide tenant's movements. Why they don't I will have to ask at a later date but the fact that having started a TARA and being somewhat successful in our aims so far had proved that they are essential.

It is sad that for reasons, known only to those who stopped attending, the association folded. Perhaps when people get older and look out accross the estate they will see why those who cared 'then' tried to do things for them.