On 13th June I attended the local housing forum where we were given an update on current modernisation schemes. We were told that the Knottingley, Ferrybridge, Nevison scheme which covers 170 properties including Richmond Avenue and the area around Pinewood place has now had 68 properties completed and handed back, there are 19 properties currently being worked on.

Some schemes had been held up due to initial problems with contractors and how long it was taking to work on properties, the situation is now back in control and WDH are releasing 5 properties a week now to start on.

WDH learning from the early schemes have now introduced WDH Partnership Managers to the schemes to ensure that work is carried out correctly, they now have a scheme checklist which has to be completed before work can start, this contains information on whether tenants exhibition has been held, respite facilities for residents to be in place and everyone to know where they are, vulnerable tenants have to be identified prior to work starting and more work is to be done in preparing tenants for the amount of disruption that they can expect during time work is being carried out.

All Tenants will be visited during first week of contract to make sure tenants are OK and happy with work being done, further visits will follow.

An issues register has also been introduced so that any issue raised will be responded to within three days and there will be a 10% check on customer service carried out following work.

The next scheme to commence in our area is Pinders, which will cover Fishergate Flats and maisonettes above shops, Pinders Crescent and Garth, Broughtons Yard, Doncaster Road, Doncaster Square, Tenters, Argyle Road, The Square, and Clayfield Bungalows, this will start on 26th June 2006 with a completion date of 27th April 2007.

I have asked for the wooden cladding boards on Fishergate Flats which are rotten to be replaced, I am told that they will look to do this whilst they have the scaffolding in place to replace the window frames.