Our neighbourhood inspections take place during spring and summer and they are an opportunity for tenants to meet with staff and contractor representatives to share any concerns and help us identify problems in their area.
As part of the inspection, tenants help check the condition of their neighbourhoods, buildings and communal areas. They can also feedback on issues such as caretaking, rubbish and fly-tipping, as well as reporting any repairs they feel are needed in their neighbourhood.
The issues identified are separated into two categories by the neighbourhood officers:
- Immediate - minor or day to day repairs or other issues that can be solved quickly.
- Long term - landscaping issues, planned repairs, external decoration, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviours, quality of cleaning or other services.
The team then actions the issues identified, including referring to other council teams.
Here are just some examples of the issues raised previously and how they were actioned/referred:
- Five abandoned vehicles – removal notices issued.
- Litter - collected during the inspection.
- Weeds along footpaths – to be cleared by caretaking team.
- Blocked gullies – to be cleared by Mears.
- Fly-tipping – clearance ordered.
- Vegetation above sheds - request to cut back sent to grounds maintenance and caretakers.
- A larger scale litter pick needed – caretakers to arrange.
- Loose kerb and hole outside homes – passed to Kent Highways to action.
- Broken air vents – Mears representative suggested new hooded vents as replacement and confirmed Mears will attend.
- Roof tile replacement and work – Mears to attend.
- Bin store doors damaged and could not be secured – noted for action by Assets and Development team.
- Untidy and overgrown gardens – notes delivered to properties. Neighbourhood Officers to follow up if no improvements made.
- Aerials to be removed from the external walls of building as no longer in use.
If you would like further information please email: tenant.involvement@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.