This article is from page 22 of the 2012-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
THE Ennis Town Council unit charged with preventing misbehaviour in local authority housing has seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour among its clients in the last year.
The Estate Management Unit has, however, seen a marked increase in the number of less serious complaints classed as breach of tenancy, an increase from 47 cases in 2010 to 75 in 2011.
There were no cases of drug-related complaints in 2011, however, with anti-social behaviour issues not related to drugs decreasing from 11 in 2010 to seven 2011.
A spokesperson for the Estate Management Unit told last evening’s meeting of Ennis Town Council that all but one of the anti-social behaviour complaints were alcohol-related.
The less serious issues were made up of complaints about noise, children playing and “rows”.
The majority of cases investigated by the Estate Management Officer relate to breech of tenancy agreements rather than anti-social behaviour.
Among the typical problems he encounters are parking issues, refuse storage and disposal, and noise.
“It is the council’s policy to investigate breaches of the tenancy agreement promptly and thoroughly and to follow up with advice and warnings where necessary.
In most cases this brings the issue to a satisfactory conclusion, In cases where warning letters are issued, follow-up calls are made to ensure the conditions of that warning are adhered to,” the town council meeting was told.
There were seven warning letters issued in 2011, an increase of four on the previous year.
There were no evictions, excluding orders or Notices to Quit served by the unit last year.
“The primary focus of the Estate Management Unit is on the prevention of tenant misbehaviour and building good relationships with communities,” the council heard.
Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) praised the unit for meeting its objectives.
“You know how well estates are being managed by the number of calls we get, and I have gotten very few in the last year,” he said.
He raised concerns that there were not enough local authority houses in the county town however. He said the council should apply to the Government for extra housing.
“We should seek funding for a scheme of houses here in Ennis,” he said.
“There are some people on the housing list for 10 to 12 years.”
Town Manager Ger Dollard told the councillor that national policy does not encourage the building of new houses but has a policy of renting.
He added that the people on the list are not homeless but are on it for various reasons.