Working together in Wear Valley

Residents, community groups, housing managers and the police have come together to tackle anti-social behaviour on a Wear Valley housing estate.
People on the Watergate estate in Crook have signed up to the new Watergate Estate Neighbourhood Agreement which details how many organisations will work together to improve quality of life on the estate.
Copies of the agreement will be given to every household on the estate, both Dale & Valley Homes’ tenants and owner-occupiers.
Pat Wanless, director of housing services for Dale & Valley Homes, said: “We have worked very closely with the local residents and with other agencies to address issues that are of genuine concern to people.
“By working with all sectors of the community we can improve quality of life for everyone and improve levels of respect on the estate: respect for other people, respect for property and respect for the environment.”
Some of the issues identified by residents include youth nuisance, dog fouling, vehicle nuisance, litter and fly tipping.
Projects that will follow from the signing of the agreement include a neighbourhood assessment with Dale & Valley Homes to establish areas of concern; environmental projects with Goundwork and a quarterly newsletter to update residents on progress.
Joanne Crumplin for Groundwork said: “Groundwork will be working closely with Watergate Action Group to identify and develop environmental improvement projects within the estate, that will contribute to the overall aims of the neighbourhood agreement”
There are also a number of projects already operating on the estate which will come under the umbrella of the agreement.
Organisations involved with the agreement include Dale & Valley Homes; the police; street wardens; Watergate Action Group (the residents’ association); the county council; Groundwork West Durham and Darlington and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.
Acting Insp Chris Thompson of Durham police said: “The new agreement is an excellent initiative. We look forward to working with our partners to address nuisance, disorder and issues of concern to improve the quality of life for local people.”