McBurney Close Tenants Association

In 1995 Bill and Pat Kenny and I were all new tenants in what was then an out of the way cul-de-sac of 3 story flats 48 in total. Over the next 3 years people complained about a number of issues, the state of the pavements, lack of security in their homes, the drab and not very well lit kitchens the usual moans, but the then landlord did nothing much to improve our living conditions.

A survey was compiled and taken to the council who advised us to form a tenants group, what and how do we do this? We were steered in the right direction and arranged a meeting for tenants to combine ideas and suggestions how the group would be run.

Many improvements have been carried out since through persistent reasoning with housing staff. Bollards have been placed at the edge of the pavements to prevent heavy vehicles breaking the flags, we have new kitchens, a door entry system, our communal areas have been painted, we have paid for and had planted nearly 700 bulbs around the perimeter of our estate, also secured a grant to make a small community garden, we now have glass and news paper recycling bins, as well as other mundane projects. Like many more tenants we are now seeing a great increase in traffic around the estate and are now waiting for a hearing in Leeds with the commissioner of traffic to try and prevent a company increasing its fleet of large wagons. The roads where we live can barely fit 2 cars abreast

People in their 40s+ are now living here much younger than when we moved in, as yet no problems with this. Like many more we have issues about the service charges.

The group has always had a good relationship with Pennine staff in particular our housing officers, police and councillors, maybe because we do not hold our meetings in the more usual venues, we always have ours on licensed premises, no wonder Pennine staff enjoy coming to our meetings!! They are always turned into a social event, more so since some of us became members of a local bowling club where our meetings are now held.

Sheila Whiteley