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Contents Welcome Neighbourhood Profile A great place to live... Local knowledge What next? Our commitment Neighbourhood plan What can you do? Getting Involved Your Money

Welcome to your new neighbourhood plan At Jigsaw Homes Group we take pride in how we can work with our local partners to our neighbourhoods and want to work with make improvements. residents to achieve our mission of ‘Creating homes. Building lives.’ As a result of the findings, we will target resources to areas in need through a range This plan takes on board feedback from of activities to make you feel happier with employees and residents looking at key your neighbourhood. issues like health and employment, crime and antisocial behaviour, money We’ve been using neighbourhood plans for management and neighbourhood desirability. six years in now and they have helped us to target resources and carry out This information helps us to identify the work in areas most in need. This plan will be main challenges in your neighbourhood and in place for three years.

Neighbourhood profile information Properties by type Here are some facts and figures about the people and properties that make up your Bungalows Houses Flats neighbourhood which we thought you may bedsits & find interesting. 20 195 maisonettes Tenant by age 208

Under 25 years - 5% 36 - 54 years - 30% Number of Jigsaw Homes properties 423 25 - 35 years - 22% 55+ years - 43% Average length of tenancy 5.05 years A great place to live...

Gee Cross is a suburb and village within Tameside Metropolitan Borough. It lies within the town of Hyde and borders Woodley in the Metropolitan Borough of and Godley.

Gee Cross is built on the side of a hill called Werneth Low. Werneth Low is mostly a protected country park that was first created as a war memorial by the people of Hyde. It has a visitor’s center and ranger service.

The Gee Cross neighbourhood is located to the east of Hyde which covers 423 properties that are managed by New Charter Homes.

The neighbourhood comprises of a mixture of property types, predominantly houses but with a few low rise flats, maisonettes and bungalows; the majority of the property health care facility, post office, train station primary schools, Gee Cross Holy Trinity and within the neighbourhood is owned by New and a police station. Dowson Primary School and the nearest high Charter Homes. school is Alder Community High School. There are also a number of garage sites The neighbourhood benefits from a local throughout the neighbourhood with Jigsaw has plans to build around 2,400 more convenience store and a regular bus service garages available for residents to rent. Al- homes by 2022 through a mix of tenures to Hyde, Ashton and . There are though there are a number of open spaces in including affordable rent, shared ownership also a few local shops in the Lilly Street area the Cheetham Fold neighbourhood, there are and market sale. We plan to build over 300 of situated on Lumn Road and Lilly Street itself. no designated play areas for children. these new homes in Tameside, some of which Hyde town centre has a range of amenities are already complete or in progress and including two major supermarkets, a primary Within the neighbourhood there are two we’re sourcing potential sites for others.

How well is your neighbourhood performing? Community insight

We have identified a range of both internal and external indicators that Overall the neighbourhood is a popular place to live offering tell us how great your neighbourhood is overall. people a good quality of life. The neighbourhood performs well when compared with other areas locally in relation to socio economic indicators. The indicators range from the condition of the properties in the Performance in terms of health, employment, skills and training figures neighbourhood to levels of employment and poverty. You can see and poverty are all given consideration in this section. them all below with an explanation of what the ratings mean for your neighbourhood. Household money management Neighbourhood experience £ When looking at the way in which people pay their rent, levels of rent On average, people who move into the neighbourhood tend to stay arrears and the number of evictions, the neighbourhood performs to a in their homes for a reasonable length of time. The neighbourhood satisfactorily level. However, this means some households may still be experiences some antisocial behaviour or neighbour nuisance experiencing money management issues, could be at risk of losing their cases. This indicates that while the majority of residents treat each homes, and may need additional support. other with respect, there are some incidents that do occur that have a negative impact on people’s ability to relax and feel secure in their homes. Satisfaction with the neighbourhood is relatively high although Demand there is room for improvement.

The time it takes to re-let a property is generally good across the neighbourhood indicating that properties are generally popular with a low number of repairs required and people who are eligible can move Overall summary into their new home relatively quickly. Overall the neighbourhood is a good place to live but it does experience some problems that occasionally Property condition affect people’s quality of life. The main aim for this neighbourhood is to identify the right activities, Generally, the homes in the neighbourhood are in a good condition, services and initiatives that will help address the are energy efficient and there are no common issues with repairs and specific issues that currently hold the area back. maintenance costs. Local knowledge: What you told us about your area. Neighbours are nice and there is a close to fly tipping in some hotspots across the community feel. neighbourhood.

The area is conveniently close to the A number of areas have been identified as amenities. likely to benefit to improvements in lighting, particularly around Kensington Gardens the Local schools and transport links stairwell areas in some of the flats on the are excellent. neighbourhoods.

There is an issue with contaminated bins and a lack of recycling facilities which is leading

How will we progress the plan? As these plans are an update of the former Neighbourhood plans, work has already begun in your area, as well as in the other 28 New Charter Homes neighbourhoods.

We will continue to review our performance data frequently over the next three years and we will keep you updated on the progress through our website, social media and newsletter. You will also have the opportunity to be involved so please watch out for advertised activities or requests for feedback. Our commitment We will monitor how residents are managing look to establish any trends in this data. We We will carry out an annual neighbourhood to pay their rent and continue to offer advice will establish patterns in the number and audit focusing on environmental issues and and guidance to those that are struggling costs of repairs and introduce a responsive grounds maintenance to highlight where financially. plan to address areas of concern to sit improvements are required, liaising with alongside our targeted investment and residents in relation to the concerns raised. We will work closely with residents to ensure planned replacement programmes. Customer Insight that the community knows where to access help and advice on money management Work closely in partnership with Greater Alongside partner agencies, we will look issues. Manchester Police & Tameside Council at a at the health of our residents and deliver local level in tackling antisocial behaviour, targeted initiatives to those areas where We will target any properties that are more nuisance and crime. residents are in need of additional support, difficult to let within the neighbourhood advice and guidance. and work to resolve any related appearance Assess lighting levels to passageways issues that may affect their popularity. We on the neighbourhood in conjunction with We will look at the levels of unemployment will also take action on any other issues Tameside Council to investigate the need in the area and guide people to our affecting the desirability of the area, to for energy efficient lighting into areas existing job clubs, where advice, assistance ensure a better customer experience. which are poorly lit. and support can be given to help people into training, volunteering and paid employment. We will regularly monitor the property Address poorly maintained/fly-tipped condition, area appearance and management gardens through joint working with To work in close partnership with Active issues related to any properties that become Tameside Council. Make referrals through Tameside, promoting all of the activities empty. We will identify any challenges early Tameside Council re-cycling team where where residents, young and old can get and make sure any properties that become larger/extra bins are required and tackle involved. empty are ready to let as quickly as possible. hot spot areas of fly-tipping in the neighbourhood. Distribute further Work with Green Charter and the We will identify where customers are not information on re-cycling and Cleancare team to identify and tackle happy with the repairs service provided and fly-tipping to residents. community area cleanliness. What can you do?

Familiarise yourself with the money advice address any issues in your area and give you services that we and our other agencies the best service. provide and tell your neighbours, friends and family about them if you think they may be Get in touch if you experience anti-social in financial difficulty. Get in touch with us behaviour or, if you feel you are seeing a rise as soon as possible if you feel you are getting in crime in the area, so we can assist and behind on your rent and bills. You can also give practical advice. Tell us if you believe look on our website for advice on a range of properties are being use for illegal purposes. money matters and links to other sources of Take pride in your community and regularly help and support. maintain your own garden or clean the space outside your flat etc. We can offer low cost Link here support if you need help with this. Be a great neighbour – top tips Be observant around your neighbourhood and ● Introduce yourself to your neighbours and let us know when things do not look great. consider your neighbours’ lifestyles It may be that the standard of communal ● Be aware of the noise you create in your spaces can improve, the environment could own home, particularly in buildings with be improved or when you see something that communal entrances. you don’t think is safe. Let us know if you ● Be mindful of where you park and be think a property has been abandoned as soon considerate of others as possible so that we can take action to re- ● Let your neighbours know if you are having let the property and avoid possible damage. a celebration Report repair issues quickly and keep an eye ● Maintain your garden and keep your com- on any recurrent problems you notice in your munal areas free of items home, or those of others in your community, ● Put your bins out on the right night and and let us know. Always fill in the repairs bring them in again once collected feedback surveys, this will really help us ● Keep an eye on your neighbour’s property

Getting involved We encourage residents to get involved in so you can do as much or little as you like. wherever possible so please get in touch if improving and shaping our performance and Activities include feedback surveys, photo you have any ideas on how to improve your the standard of our services. We understand tasks, mystery shopping and the opportunity neighbourhood. that not everyone wants the same level of to volunteer for our scrutiny panel. involvement, so we offer a range of ways to In addition to Jigsaw Rewards you can also get involved. have informal involvement by attending community events or following us on social media, our websites and through our news- letters. Jigsaw Foundation If you want to be more involved you can be April 2019 sees the launch of Jigsaw part of a focus group to discuss different Foundation offering funds for local projects Jigsaw Rewards services and attend events and training. You which make a difference to the lives of our Jigsaw Rewards is an opportunity for you to can even become a tenant director on our residents and their communities. The fund give your feedback by completing surveys Board, join/set up a residents’ association or is open to charities, resident and community on our services, mainly from the comfort of local group in your area. groups, voluntary organisations, social enter- your own home. In return you will receive We also recognise that everyone has skills, prises and local partner agencies. £500,000 points which can be exchanged for gift capability and drive to improve their neigh- will be available annually to share between vouchers or credits on your rent account. It bourhoods and this is happening with great projects within our neighbourhoods. For is simple and quick to register for Jigsaw success in a number of places. We’re keen more information and an application form, Rewards. Just visit rewards.jigsawhomes. to promote this and whether it’s a small pro- visit www.jigsawhomesgroup.org.uk. Grants org.uk/ and enter your surname, payment ject near to your home or something more under £25,000 will be voted on by tenants reference and tell us which areas of the ambitious, we want to hear your ideas and through Jigsaw Rewards. Anything above business you are interested in. We will only help you to make this happen. Our neigh- this will be voted on by Jigsaw’s executive share with you the activities you have chosen, bourhood team will support you to do this team. Your money Welfare benefits Recurring card payment – you can set a recur- You can join Cash Box if you live or work in ring card payment and can cancel or amend Tameside. If you need to make a claim for welfare this with us at any time. If you did not have benefits, you need to do it as soon as pos- the funds when we attempt to take a pay- Cash Box offers secure savings and sible. Don’t delay as you could miss out on ment you would not incur any bank charges. affordable loans at low rates of interest. money you are entitled to. We have a bene- fits calculator and budgeting tool available to Allpay payment card - Look for the PayPoint More information is available on the Cash all tenants in the Jigsaw Homes Group. or e-pay sign and pay your rent with your Box website www.cashbox.org.uk or by allpay card at the till. telephoning 0161 342 3266.

Through our website- You can pay on our We have a number of website with your debit card and allpay swipe card using our online services. This service is as well as a household budget available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cash Box Credit Union is authorised by The tool – why not try them out. Prudential Regulation Authority and Standing order - Payments can be made regulated by The Financial Conduct directly from your Bank or Building Society on Authority and The Prudential Regulation Please visit a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. To use Authority. FRN 213528 this payment method please contact us and www.newcharter.entitledto.co.uk we will send you a Standing Order form for If you are concerned about debts or would you to complete and return to us. Smarterbuys Store like advice on benefits, contact us on: Over the telephone - You can pay your rent The Smarterbuys Store is supported by 0161 331 2000 or over the phone using our 24 hour automated New Charter Homes. If you’re looking [email protected] service. Please phone connect on 0300 111 for new electrical or household goods, 1133 and select Option 3. If you are calling don’t be tempted by expensive furniture Getting ahead with your rent outside our normal working hours which are stores or high interest weekly payment between 6:00pm – 8:00am, you will need to stores. The Smarterbuys Store offers select option 2 instead. Please note that you It may not come as a surprise to you that a high-quality goods at competitive prices. will need your allpay card along with a valid high level of the UK households have little debit or credit card to use this service. or no savings. When there is a financial If you pay your rent on a monthly basis please issue at home, this can have a real impact. be aware that your rent is charged on a By paying a little extra with your rent each weekly basis and that you must meet all your week, you can build a buffer which will help weekly rental obligations within that current when money is a bit tight. This can also financial year (1 April to 31st March). There- help if you are moving on to Universal Credit For more information, please call into any fore we expect you to have one week credit and you are waiting for your first payment. of our Hubs, log on to: balance on 31st March of each year. This is If you need extra cash, do not be tempted to https://gm.sbstore.org/home to reflect the 1st week in advance payment use a loan shark – they are not your friend. you will have been asked to make when you Telephone 0300 500 0975. signed your tenancy. Loan sharks Smarterbuys Store is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, reference If you are affected by a loan shark, don’t Home contents insurance number FRN 713 746 suffer in silence. The Illegal Money Lending We offer a scheme to protect your home Team can help. You can contact the team contents that you can pay weekly with your anonymously on 0300 555 2222. rent? Find out more on 0161 331 2000. Water bill reduction schemes

Need help saving and You may qualify for one of United Utilities Payment facilities managing your money? water bill reduction schemes.

Direct debit – these can be set up weekly, Cashbox Credit Union is a community savings Simply call them on 0800 072 6765 fortnightly, 4 weekly or monthly and can be and loan co-operative, where members pool Last year tenants taking part each saved on any date in the month their savings to lend to one another. on average £164.59.

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