Viewpoint News 23

NewsMay 2009 • Issue 23

1Viewpoint News • Issue 23 • May 2009

Welcome to your latest edition of Viewpoint News.

Issue 23

This newsletter includes:

Welcome to the 23rd edition of Viewpoint News. We would like to extend a warm welcome toour new Viewpoint members and hope you find your time on the panel rewarding and enjoyable.

The ‘Frequently Asked Questions Page’ in this newsletter is all about the opening of ThornabyTown Centre.

Christmas Competition

The lucky winner of the HighStreet Vouchers was Elainefrom Thornaby. We hope youenjoyed using them Elaine.

� What the latest survey is about

� Results of the last survey

� Outcomes from previous focus groups and

surveys

In the last survey we asked you about the following topics:

The latest questionnaire is about the following topics

� Disability Grant Reform

� Markets in the Borough

� Alcohol Support Services

� Free School Meals & Clothing Grants

� Ferry Crossings - on behalf ofEnvironment Agency, British Waterways,Groundworth South Tees &Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

� The ‘Frequently Asked Questions Page’

� Recruitment information for StocktonHeritage in Partnership (SHiP)

� What’s on in June, July, August andSeptember

� Public Transport & Highway Repairs

� Landlord Accreditation Scheme

� Substance Misuse

� Viewpoint Review

� Dignity in Care – on behalf of the PCT

� Tall Ships 2010 – on behalf of Hartlepool Borough Council

Questionnaires returned 547 Response rate 44%

2 Viewpoint News • Issue 23 • May 2009

What you told us

* In this report reference is made to ‘net’ figures. This represents the percentage satisfied on a particularissue or service, less the percentage dissatisfied. For example, if results show 55% being very satisfied,20% satisfied, 10% having no opinion and 10% being dissatisfied and 5% very dissatisfied, the netsatisfaction figure will be 60%.

• 26% of respondents have never used the local bus service.

• Going to the shops was the main reason given by respondents for using their local busservice.

• Respondents used the bus on a morning (49%) more than any other time of day. The mainreason given by respondents for not using the bus was that they had their own transport.

• When respondents were asked if they thought bus fares were reasonable, there was netagreement of only 11% that they were.

• 32% of respondents were aware of the A – B timetable. Of those, 44% found it fairly or veryuseful.

• Only 2% of respondents had used the Traveline.txt mobile SMS service. Of those that hadonly 4% found it fairly or very useful.

• There was a net satisfaction of 34% with the provision of public transport information.

• Respondents said they would like to seemore information on bus services (38%)and would like more information onchanges to services. Only 6% ofrespondents would like more informationon commercial travel concessions.

• Cheaper fares were the main reasonrespondents would use buses and publictransport more.

• When major road works were being carriedout by the Council, 23% of respondentswere generally aware of the purpose of theworks through advanced publicity.

• Respondents thought that the StocktonNews (34%), the local press (34%) andHighway Scheme Boards (32%) were themost useful source of information.

• Only 4% of respondents were aware of the weekly roadworks report.

• 88% of respondents find the local press as an information source fairly or very useful.

Public Transport & Highway Repairs


What we will do

Best Value User Satisfaction Survey 06/07 demonstrated low public satisfaction with publictransport information and highway repairs and your views will help address these concerns.Any outcomes will be published in a future edition of Viewpoint.


Landlord Accreditation Scheme

• 59% of respondents thought there was a need to encourage landlords to improve propertyconditions in Stockton-on-Tees. Of those that said yes, the main reason given was thatmany houses look in need of repair.

• When respondents were asked if they thought there was a need to encourage landlords toimprove management standards, 40% said there was a need. Of those respondents thatagreed, the reasons given were that it would help improve property and make landlordsaccountable.

• 92% of respondents thought the Council should work informally with landlords first toimprove standards before taking final enforcement action.

• 95% of respondents thought that knowing that a landlord or property is accredited by theCouncil would provide tenants with more confidence when choosing somewhere to live.

• 92% agreed that the Accreditation Scheme should be applied across the whole borough.

• 90% agreed that all their properties should be inspected by the Council.

What we will do

Your views are very important as they will feed into the proposed Landlord AccreditationScheme which will encourage better standards amongst private landlords.


• 51% of respondents thought thatillegal drug use had increasednationally, 35% thought it hadincreased in Stockton on Teesand 21% thought it hadincreased in their local area inthe past year.

• 130 respondents if theywitnessed any drug relatedactivity would report it to thePolice.

• In the past year 24% ofrespondents had seen drugrelated litter, 17% had seenwhat they believed to be thesale of controlled substancestaking place. Only 2% had beenapproached by anyone sellingdrugs. 30% of respondents, whohad witnessed the above,reported it.

• 67% of respondents were awareof drugs enforcement activity by Cleveland Police in the past year.

• 74% of respondents thought that leaflets through the door, was the best way of keepingresidents informed about new services and initiatives.

• When asked if they thought drug awareness training would be a good idea, 70% ofrespondents thought it would. 110 respondents thought the training should be available toyoung people of all ages.

What we will do

The feedback from the questionnaire had been fed back to the Drug Action Team to helpprovide future planning of drug services.

Substance Misuse


• When respondents were asked if they had ever received treatment from any of thecommunity care services, 32% had never received treatment. 28% had used the dentist,10% the musculoskeletal, 9% the chiropody/podiatry, 8% community nursing and 7% theretinal screening clinic.

• 1% of respondents used the service every day.

• 39% received their treatment at a clinic, 5% in their home.

What we have done

The results of the survey have been forwarded to the PCT so that they can compare practiceand identify areas for improvement. Any outcomes will be published in a future edition of theViewpoint newsletter.

Viewpoint Review

• When respondents were asked how satisfied ordissatisfied they were with Viewpoint questionnaires,96% were fairly or very satisfied with the overall layout,97% with the readability and 91% with the variety ofquestions.

• When respondents were asked how satisfied ordissatisfied they were with Viewpoint newsletters, 95%were fairly or very satisfied with the overall layout, 94%with the readability, 93% with the content and 91%with the length.

• 33% of respondents had made a comment on the TellUs What You Think page. Of those that had made acomment after receiving acknowledgement fromViewpoint, 47% of respondents received a fullresponse from the relevant council department.

• 65% of respondents were fairly or very satisfied withthe speed of the response from the section concerned.61% were fairly or very satisfied with the content of the response.

• When asked how useful the Tell Us What You Think Page is, 78% of respondents found itfairly or very useful.

What we will do

Your comments are valuable and will enable us continuously improve and monitor satisfactionwith Viewpoint questionnaires, newsletter and focus groups.

Dignity in Care - North Tees Teaching PCT


Tall Ships 2010 - on behalf of Hartlepool Borough Council

What we have done

The results of the survey have been forwarded to Hartlepool Borough Council so they canaccess the general awareness of the event. Any outcomes will be published in a future editionof a Viewpoint newsletter.

• Before receiving thissurvey, 92% hadheard of the Tall ShipsRace.

• Before receiving thissurvey, 66% ofrespondents wereaware that Hartlepoolwould be part of theevent in 2010.

• When respondentswere asked how theyhad heard about theTall Ships’ Race beingheld in Hartlepool,38% said thetelevision and 32%the newspaper.

• 69% of respondentswere fairly or veryinterested in the TallShips Race.

• 73% of respondentswould be interested inseeing the programmeof entertainment andother attractions eventhough the event willnot be taking placeuntil 2010.

• 10% of respondentssaid they would beinterested involunteering for theevent.


OutcomesBudget focus groups - January 09

Many of you attended Budget focus groups in January and as a result of what you andothers have said the following proposals have been put in place.

� Preparations for the £150 million Government-funded transformation ofsecondary education through the Building Schools for the Future programme.

� The refurbishment of Billingham Forum, plus improvements to Splash andThornaby Pavilion.

� Development of plans for a Government-funded £30 million health andcommunity complex in Billingham.

� Opening of Romano Park in Ingleby Barwick, with improvements to Preston Hall,John Whitehead Park and other recreational areas.

� Continuation of the free concessionary travel scheme at a level better than thenational pass for elderly people.

� Continuing Youth Cafe development and a £1 million Government-fundedinvestment in play areas.

� £3.5m in primary school improvements and two brand new schools.

� Free swimming for under-16s and over-65s.

� Continuing commitment to Police Community Support Officers and Councilenforcement services Borough wide.

� Continued roll-out of kerbside recycling, whilst retaining weekly refuse collectionsto all residents.

� £1.2 million worth of environmental improvements in local neighbourhoods overthree years. Further adaptations to enable vulnerable and disabled people tocontinue to live in their own homes.

� Continuing development of the year-round festivals and events programme.


Frequently Asked Questions

Thornaby’s Grand OpeningThe 30 million regeneration of The PavilionShopping Centre in Thornaby Town Centre officiallyopened on Saturday 25th April.

Many new shops have opened in the last few weeksincluding New Look, Bonmarche, Peacocks,Grainger Games and Home Bargains, creating morethan 200 job opportunities which local peopleapplied for during a successful jobs fair held inJanuary.

The grand launch follows the opening last Novemberof a new block, home to Barclays, William Hill,Ladbrokes, Keane Tanning Centre, Jalz HairdressingSalon, TD Morton Opticians and Thornaby PostOffice.

80 per cent of new space at The Pavilion in now letto complement anchor stores Asda, Superdrug andIceland. Thornfield Properties, together withStockton Borough Council are delivering thescheme.

A striking piece of public art called ‘Unity Sphere’was installed for the opening, above the new coffee kiosk. The sphere is intended to reflect thespirit of Thornaby’s regeneration and a community gaining strength and coming together throughthe redevelopment of the town centre.

Children from four local schools have created historically themed artwork installed into the newlyclad pillars. Lighting and a new CCTV system have also been installed.

Richard Poundford, Stockton Council’s Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, said“the opening of the new look Thornaby Town Centre is a landmark occasion and this investmentis testimony that confidence still exists in the economic opportunities of our town centres acrossthe Borough.”

Andrew Sanderson, director at Thornfield, Leeds, added “the redevelopment will significantlyimprove the economy of the town. We look forward to seeing regular shoppers and new visitorswho can enjoy feeling proud of their new town centre.”

For more information visit www.thepavilionthornaby.com


Are you interested in theold buildings in Stockton?If yes then read onSTOCKTON Council is seeking volunteers with aninterest in the history and future of the town centre,and nearby area, to take part in quarterly meetings toensure Stockton's Heritage is preserved.

Volunteers are needed to take part in a regular forumas part of Stockton Heritage in Partnership (SHiP) - ascheme funded by English Heritage and StocktonCouncil.

The Council is keen for those taking part to havetheir say in what the scheme is doing and make theirviews known. They would be expected to liaise withothers from the part of the community theyrepresent.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration andTransport, said: "We are keen for members of the community to come forward and maketheir views known about Stockton's heritage and any plans for the future of the towncentre and neighbouring streets."

If you are interested in the conservation of Stockton Town Centre, a meeting is to beheld on Wednesday 27th May at 4.30pm at Stockton Town Hall. If you would like toattend the meeting then please contact the SHiP Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Marsh on01642 527824.


What’s on in May, June, July, August and September 2009?

Sunday 7th June 09 Preston Park If you are serious about the environment,The Greener Living or just curious on how you can go greenRoadshow and save money on fuel bills, then this

event is for you.

Saturday 27th June – Preston Park Historic fire engines and classic vehicles,Sunday 28th June 09 craft stalls, entertainment in the arena andFire Engine & Vintage a full range of refreshments.Car Rally

Saturday 25th July – Billingham The largest dance festival of its type inSunday 1st August 09 Town Centre the UK, featuring Companies from all over45th Billingham the world.International FolkloreFestival

Wednesday 29th July – Stockton Town Acknowledged as one of Europe’s biggestSunday 2nd August 09 Centre and best street arts festivals, with aStockton International spectacular variety of radical entertainmentRiverside Festival artists, home grown and community talent.

Wednesday 29th July – Stockton Town With some of the brightest names in UKSunday 2nd August 09 Centre rock and comedy, sharing the stage withStockton Riverside up and coming local performers.Fringe Festival

Saturday 22nd – River Tees A fantastic new edition to our Big EventsFriday 28th August 09 programme. A full week of river basedTake to the Tees Festival events and activities for all the family set

on and along the rolling banks of theRiver Tees.

Friday 28th – Preston Park A local show for all the family, with a rangeMonday 31st August 09 of arena entertainment, sideshows,Stockton Summer Show fairground, free circus and circus skills

training, show jumping, craft and food stalls.


Please contact us if…

� Your details have changed, so we can update ourrecords.

� You now have an e-mail address and would be happyto be contacted via e-mail and/or receive your surveyselectronically.

� You know of anyone who would be interested in joiningthe panel or if you have ideas about improving the waywe consult with you.

� To get more information on anything in the ViewpointNewsletter or you have an idea for what you want usto put on the Frequently Asked Questions Page.

Contact: Viewpoint

Phone: 01642 526090

E-mail:[email protected]

Post: Viewpoint, PPCStockton-on-Tees BCFREEPOST NEA5980Municipal BuildingsChurch RoadSTOCKTON-ON-TEESTS18 1BR

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Sunday 30th August 09 Tees Barrage The 3rd Stockton Triathlon incorporatesStockton Triathlon swimming, cycling, and running. Starting

and finishing at the Tees Barrage. Open toall ages and abilities, individuals and teams.

Sunday 6th September 09 Harold Wilson Great entertainment for all the family withThornaby Show Recreation Ground a wide variety of rides, shows, games,

music and a colourful garden show.

Saturday 12th – Billingham Green A local carnival with a traditional gardenSunday 13th September show combined with fairgroundBillingham Carnival entertainment and a variety of craft stalland Show and hot food.

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Viewpoint News 23