Heath Town News March 2023

12 March 2023

Check out the latest news from across Heath Town, brought to you by Wolverhampton Homes (WH), City of Wolverhampton Council, and our construction partners.

In this edition:

your Tenancy Officer, Amie, shares support available at WH, including money guidance and tackling condensation, damp and mould
we update you on the building works overseen by us at Wolverhampton Homes and United Living
the council give updates on each of the sites across Hobgate Road and Tithe Croft - with the first council homes almost complete!
check out the opportunity to join your Heath Town Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) with much more in community news

Do you have something to share with your fellow residents? If so, get in touch with Evelyn Brown, Community Development Officer.

Amie Koner, Tenancy Officer at Wolverhampton Homes

“Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well. Firstly, I wanted to highlight the support available as many of us have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The Money Smart team can help with getting the best deals, applying for benefits, budgeting and much more. It’s best to get support on any money matters sooner rather than later.

“We have lots of support available, especially during the colder weather to help you tackle condensation, damp, and mould, and the Energy Wise team can give energy advice and guidance, suited to your individual needs. We are here for you if you need us.

“As always, it’s great to see you when I’m out and about, and I hope I’m able to deal with any tenancy issues you may have. Please can I remind residents, that communal areas are for all to use, so please clean up after yourselves and respect your neighbours.

"You’re welcome to contact me through our website, or if you see me please stop me and say hello.”

System.Web.HttpCompileException (0x80004005): E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\Views\Partials\Grid\Editors\DoctypeGridEditor\gridModule_video.cshtml(3): error CS7069: Reference to type 'OEmbedItem' claims it is defined in 'Dawoe.OEmbedPickerPropertyEditor', but it could not be found
   at System.Web.Compilation.AssemblyBuilder.Compile()
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildProvidersCompiler.PerformBuild()
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.CompileWebFile(VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultWithNoAssert(HttpContext context, VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVirtualPathObjectFactory(VirtualPath virtualPath, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean throwIfNotFound)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetCompiledType(VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Mvc.BuildManagerCompiledView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer)
   at Umbraco.Web.Mvc.ProfilingView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer) in D:\a\1\s\src\Umbraco.Web\Mvc\ProfilingView.cs:line 25
   at System.Web.Mvc.Html.PartialExtensions.Partial(HtmlHelper htmlHelper, String partialViewName, Object model, ViewDataDictionary viewData)
   at Our.Umbraco.DocTypeGridEditor.Web.Extensions.HtmlHelperExtensions.RenderDocTypeGridEditorItem(HtmlHelper helper, IPublishedElement content, String editorAlias, String viewPath, String previewViewPath, Boolean isPreview)
   at ASP._Page_app_plugins_doctypegrideditor_render_DocTypeGridEditor_cshtml.Execute() in E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\app_plugins\doctypegrideditor\render\DocTypeGridEditor.cshtml:line 28
   at System.Web.WebPages.WebPageBase.ExecutePageHierarchy()
   at System.Web.Mvc.WebViewPage.ExecutePageHierarchy()
   at System.Web.WebPages.WebPageBase.ExecutePageHierarchy(WebPageContext pageContext, TextWriter writer, WebPageRenderingBase startPage)
   at Umbraco.Web.Mvc.ProfilingView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer) in D:\a\1\s\src\Umbraco.Web\Mvc\ProfilingView.cs:line 25
   at System.Web.Mvc.Html.PartialExtensions.Partial(HtmlHelper htmlHelper, String partialViewName, Object model, ViewDataDictionary viewData)
   at ASP._Page_Views_Partials_grid_editors_Base_cshtml.Execute() in E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\Views\Partials\grid\editors\Base.cshtml:line 20

A message from us at Wolverhampton Homes and United Living

Working together, Wolverhampton Homes and United Living are looking after the building work to upgrade your estate. A joint update can be seen below, just click on the name of the block to learn more.

Your Customer Liaison Officers are from United Living, and are committed to supporting you through the refurbishment work. 😊

Campion House
- As you will have noticed, the scaffolding has stopped two floors from the top of the block, this is due to the phone masts being on top of the block. Once the roof at Brockfield House is finished, our specialist team will move the masts over and we will continue with the scaffolding.
- Natalie, your Customer Liaison Officer, will be contacting residents over the coming weeks to book works to replace the header panels in your home. Your header panels are located above your front door and in the hallway. They need to be replaced in line with the new pipework for the sprinkler systems and electrical upgrades to your home, helping to keep you safe and well.
- We take our pest investigation works very seriously and continue to look into the situation. If your home requires treatment or a survey, we will be in contact. We really appreciate your cooperation on this to help keep your estate clean and tidy.
- Coffee mornings are being held on the last Wednesday of each month in the tenants meeting room located on the ground floor, from 10am until 12 noon. The next date is Wednesday 22 March. Why not pop along and have a chat with Natalie, Customer Liaison Officer, over a hot drink. It is your opportunity to catch up on the building works whilst raising any feedback and concerns. We value your feedback and will do everything we can to keep the building upgrades as smooth as possible. Posters will be displayed with the dates for future coffee mornings. ☕
Brockfield House
- Works to the roof are nearly done and the next stage is to transfer the phone masts from Campion House onto Brockfield House.
- We are working on some electrical upgrades such as fitting new fuse boards and adding extra smoke detectors, helping to keep your home extra safe.
- We will soon start to take out the internal glass header boards over the internal doors ready for the sprinkler system pipework and pressure testing.
- The next phase of works will be the replacement of all external windows and balcony doors, which will help to uplift your home as well as create better energy efficiency. Jane, your Customer Liaison Officer, will be contacting you shortly to give you the opportunity to discuss the works and plan a start date.
- Coffee mornings are being held on the last Tuesday of each month, in the tenants meeting room on the second floor between 10am and 12 noon. The next date is Tuesday 28 March. It has been great seeing you at the coffee mornings so far, and we have really appreciated your feedback. Jane, Customer Liaison Officer, is looking forward to seeing you there again soon. Posters will be displayed with the dates for future coffee mornings. ☕
Longfield House
The new carpark at the back of Longfield House has been completed which means you now have:
1. a better layout
2. better street lighting
3. more CCTV
4. and a new footpath
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to improve Heath Town.
Tremont House and Lincoln House
- The scaffolding has been put up around Tremont House and is coming along nicely around Lincoln House. You may experience some disruption during the installation, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
- We have upgraded your electric boxes outside of your front door and the next step is to upgrade your electric fuse boards. We will also be fitting extra smoke detectors, helping to keep you safe and well at home.
- You will be getting new windows, so over the coming weeks, Stella, Customer Liaison Officer, will be contacting you to discuss this. Giving you the opportunity to chat about the work, help to prepare you, and discuss a start date - working together to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.

Longfield New Car Park Area — The new and improved car park at Longfield House

Helping you to reduce condensation at home

We are currently replacing the bathroom and toilet fans to all deck access homes across the estate. The fans are in either the kitchen, bathroom and or toilet areas of your home and help to remove moisture and humidity.

The new, upgraded fans, are designed to improve ventilation, and remove moisture from your homes quicker, helping to reduce condensation build-up.

The new fans in Lincoln Street and Wednesfield Road have been installed, we are now working on Tithe Croft and Long Ley. Katrina, Customer Liaison Officer, will soon be contacting you if you live on Clover Ley, to discuss the work and make sure by working together, it all goes well.

Best neighbourhood transformation ✨

We are thrilled to announce the redevelopment project in Heath Town won the UK Housing Award for best neighbourhood transformation! This wouldn't have been possible without the support and ongoing feedback provided by residents over the past few years. Thank you and well done! 🙌

Updates from the City of Wolverhampton Council

The first new council homes are almost finished. Check out the snaps below and read the full story in the news section.

Overall, a mixture of 40, two-bedroom and four-bedroom council homes are being built across the sites and the first 18 homes on Hobgate Road are due to be completed at the end of this month!

They will mark the first phase of a total of more than 200 new homes to be built on the estate over the coming years. All of the new homes will have their own car parking space and the majority will come with gardens. 🌼

In partnership with Equans, the building contractor for the new builds, we are slowly developing the estate and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Ht 1 1.3 — The first homes to be complete on Hobgate Road - ready by the end of March! 👏

IMGP1597 — Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal snapped in one of the new homes 📸

IMGP1574 — A snippet of the inside of the home, almost complete for new tenants!

There has been some real progress on all of the sites, here's a quick update on each:

Site One: Hobgate Road

Since our last update, there has been significant progress made on this site where we are building 18 new council homes. Equans is dedicated and working hard to get these homes finished by the end of the month.

You will be able to see they are now working on the front landscaping and adding the finishing touches to the first new homes.
Site Two: Hobgate Road

Equans has made significant progress on this site and hope to get them completed by the end of spring 2023. Watch this space!
Site Three: Hobgate Road

More great news for the third site on Hobgate Road, as they are proposed to be finished by late spring to early summer of 2023. Not long now!
Site Six: Tithe Croft

On this site, you will see there's also been a lot of progress, with the homes set to be complete by the end of April 2023.

Local Lettings plan is live 🏠

The Housing Strategy team has been working closely with the Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) to form a Local Lettings plan that suits the needs of the area. The Local Lettings plan has now been agreed with the TRA and has been approved through governance procedures, it can be seen on Homes in the City. This is set to be used by Wolverhampton Homes when they are allocating the new available properties. Residents can apply at any time through Homes in the City where you can find further information.

Overall, we are hoping to have Phase One of the Heath Town redevelopment scheme completed by early summer 2023, with all the homes across the four sites complete and handed over to new residents.

Community news

Join your Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) 🙌

Victoria, your Tenant and Resident Association Chair, would love to invite you to their next meeting. She said:

"Your Heath Town TRA hold monthly meetings to give you the opportunity to find out what is going on in your community, and how it is developing.

“You can voice your concerns, put forward any ideas, and help to bring the community together by providing activities for all age groups.

“Last year we celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration with a fun day for the children. Future plans range from friendship groups, day trips, bingo sessions and providing support for vulnerable tenants.

“All are welcome to attend and if you feel you have any skills or qualities that our community could benefit from, you are welcome to volunteer your services too."

The TRA meetings are held at Tremont House Community Room, at 5:30 until 7pm on the following dates:

Monday 17 April
Monday 15 May
Monday 19 June
Monday 17 July

For more information, please contact Victoria: Heathtowntra@gmail.com

Help to make a positive difference in your community 👇

Nicola Tomkinson is your new Neighbourhood Safety Coordinator, employed by the City of Wolverhampton Council. Nicola said:

“There are lots of different parts to my role, but my main objective is that I will endeavour to do my best to help residents and improve the area in which they live. One of the ways I do this is by organising Partners and Communities Together, or PACT meetings.

“Meetings alternate between daytime and evening to try and reach as many people as possible. I am keen to get to know you all and hopefully make a positive difference in the process. I am looking forward to facilitating these meetings and give people the chance to make where they live a better place.”

The PACT meetings are an opportunity for you to:

Meet the local police team Sergeant and raise any concerns about crime happening in the area. Also, to learn about what the police have been working on.
Speak to officers from the council to find out about the latest scams and get advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.
Chat to representatives from Wolverhampton Anti-Social Behaviour team about any issues.
Meet with your local Councillors and elected members.
Most importantly, residents can meet and get to know each other which hopefully promotes community spirit.

Upcoming Heath Town PACT meetings will be held on:

Tuesday 16 May, 1:00-3:00pm, Hope Centre
Tuesday 4 July, 6:30-8:30pm, Stratton Street Community Centre
Monday 11 September, 1:00-3:00pm, Hope Centre
Tuesday 7 November, 6:30-8:30pm, Stratton Street Community Centre

Please feel free to drop Nicola an email if you want to get involved or to find out more: Nicola.tomkinson2@wolverhampton.gov.uk

The Hope Centre have a jam packed timetable, check it out below and view their website for more.

Cost of living support 🧡

The cost of living crisis is impacting many of us, please see useful links, tips and pointers on where and how to find cost of living support across the city.
What goes in which bin? 🧹

Find out what can and can't be put in your bins to stop contamination.

Council's bin safety guidance
What is Better Health: Rewards? 🏆

The Better Health: Rewards app is now available in Wolverhampton. Download today to get free help for a healthier you.

Better yet, there are thousands of rewards available to be unlocked in the app, including supermarket vouchers, cinema tickets, gym passes and many more.

System.Web.HttpCompileException (0x80004005): E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\Views\Partials\Grid\Editors\DoctypeGridEditor\gridModule_video.cshtml(3): error CS7069: Reference to type 'OEmbedItem' claims it is defined in 'Dawoe.OEmbedPickerPropertyEditor', but it could not be found
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.PostProcessFoundBuildResult(BuildResult result, Boolean keyFromVPP, VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetBuildResultFromCacheInternal(String cacheKey, Boolean keyFromVPP, VirtualPath virtualPath, Int64 hashCode, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultFromCacheInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultInternal(VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVPathBuildResultWithNoAssert(HttpContext context, VirtualPath virtualPath, Boolean noBuild, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean allowBuildInPrecompile, Boolean throwIfNotFound, Boolean ensureIsUpToDate)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetVirtualPathObjectFactory(VirtualPath virtualPath, HttpContext context, Boolean allowCrossApp, Boolean throwIfNotFound)
   at System.Web.Compilation.BuildManager.GetCompiledType(VirtualPath virtualPath)
   at System.Web.Mvc.BuildManagerCompiledView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer)
   at Umbraco.Web.Mvc.ProfilingView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer) in D:\a\1\s\src\Umbraco.Web\Mvc\ProfilingView.cs:line 25
   at System.Web.Mvc.Html.PartialExtensions.Partial(HtmlHelper htmlHelper, String partialViewName, Object model, ViewDataDictionary viewData)
   at Our.Umbraco.DocTypeGridEditor.Web.Extensions.HtmlHelperExtensions.RenderDocTypeGridEditorItem(HtmlHelper helper, IPublishedElement content, String editorAlias, String viewPath, String previewViewPath, Boolean isPreview)
   at ASP._Page_app_plugins_doctypegrideditor_render_DocTypeGridEditor_cshtml.Execute() in E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\app_plugins\doctypegrideditor\render\DocTypeGridEditor.cshtml:line 28
   at System.Web.WebPages.WebPageBase.ExecutePageHierarchy()
   at System.Web.Mvc.WebViewPage.ExecutePageHierarchy()
   at System.Web.WebPages.WebPageBase.ExecutePageHierarchy(WebPageContext pageContext, TextWriter writer, WebPageRenderingBase startPage)
   at Umbraco.Web.Mvc.ProfilingView.Render(ViewContext viewContext, TextWriter writer) in D:\a\1\s\src\Umbraco.Web\Mvc\ProfilingView.cs:line 25
   at System.Web.Mvc.Html.PartialExtensions.Partial(HtmlHelper htmlHelper, String partialViewName, Object model, ViewDataDictionary viewData)
   at ASP._Page_Views_Partials_grid_editors_Base_cshtml.Execute() in E:\Websites\wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk\httpdocs\Views\Partials\grid\editors\Base.cshtml:line 20

Your concierge service 📞

The Wolverhampton Homes Concierge team help to keep your community safe and secure, they do this by:

monitoring any CCTV
monitoring your door entry systems, including your phone intercoms
carrying out daily fire safety checks
collecting any litter
cleaning communal areas
removing or reporting any fly-tipping and graffiti
clearing blocked chutes
carrying out any general estate maintenance
supporting customers out of hours

They undertake a range of jobs and do everything they can to help keep you safe and well at home. The team are asking residents to support the community, by being respectful of your neighbours in communal areas, and keep bin areas as tidy as possible. Thank you.