Insight Winter 2011 - South Essex Homes

8 | INSIGHT INFO
What a waste!
Thousands of pounds have been wasted and serious health & safety risks
posed by irresponsible and unnecessary dumping of rubbish on Southend
Borough Council estates managed by South Essex Homes over the last year.
Most of our residents dispose of rubbish, recycling and
unwanted items responsibly but not everyone follows their
example. Last year, the South Essex Homes bulk refuse team
collected and disposed of 300 tonnes of dumped rubbish, costing
nearly £65,000.
This money could have been spent so much better elsewhere.
For example, it could be used to expand the Estate Services
Team, fund extra routine refuse collections or buy cleaning
equipment.
South Essex Homes takes dumped rubbish very seriously. The
problem is not only costly, it also:
• Causes a serious fire risk
• Poses a danger to children, pets and wildlife
• Attracts vermin - another health hazard
• Looks unsightly
Please don’t turn a blind eye - report illegal dumping
confidentially to 0800 833 160 (freephone). After all, these
irresponsible actions may be putting you or your family at risk,
plus reducing services that you contribute towards.
Tackling dumped rubbish also takes a lot of staff time, which
could be put to much better use. This includes:
• Caretakers - picking up refuse sacks that are dumped on
landings outside front doors and by bin areas
• The Tenancy Services Team – sending letters to all residents
on estates and investigating who might be responsible
• Surveyors - inspecting sites where fires were set as a
Keeping you fire safe
result of dumped rubbish, and raising orders to repair
the fire damage
We will be taking action against tenancies, recharging
residents and also working with the Council via the criminal
courts to impose penalties. Illegal dumping of rubbish and fly
tipping can result in arrest, imprisonment and even a fine up to
£50,000.
So please dispose of your black sacks, recycling or old furniture
responsibly, improve the environment in which you live, think of
your safety and that of your neighbours and pets and protect
local wildlife. To find out more about how to dispose of your
waste responsibly, please call 0800 833 160 (freephone).
Recycle, recycle, recycle!
There are many ways to recycle unwanted items, which in turn
reduces landfill. Furniture, clothing and household items may be
of use to someone else – many charities are in desperate
need of donations.
Alternatively, take them to your local household waste
recycling centre on Stock Road, Southend-on-Sea, or
Leigh Marshes, Leigh-on-Sea. Cory Environmental also
provides a low cost bulk collection service - contact 01702 617766.
South Essex Homes also has a Facebook page – why not post
your items on there to see if they could be of use to
someone else?
South Essex Homes has pledged to carry out door-knocking visits to all of its 14 tower
blocks and meet with every tenant face to face to discuss fire safety in high-rise buildings.
This follows a successful initiative at Longbow Flats in July
following an arson attack. During the visit, staff helped reassure
residents about the safety of their homes and handed out fire
safety leaflets.
By following these simple fire safety guidelines, residents have
an important part to play in preventing fires of any kind:
• Remove rubbish from communal areas
• Ensure that their smoke alarms are working
• Keep fire exits unobstructed
• Not removing internal doors to help prevent fire from
spreading
• To immediately report anyone suspected of or planning arson
South Essex Homes has published specific fire safety advice for
tenants living in tower blocks which can be viewed on the
South Essex Homes website: www.southessexhomes.co.uk
Information on fire safety is also made available to every
tenant when they move into their property as part of their
tenant handbook. If you require more details about fire safety
or our door-knocking exercises, please call 0800 833 160.