3:1: A lot of the tenants maintain a feeling that they are being treated as second class citizens because of the problems mentioned in this report.

3:2: Despite the problems outlined there is a strong community base on the Fordyce Estate.

3:3: This has been demonstrated, and is still being demonstrated, by the commitment of the tenants who have, and who still are, taking positive steps to improve the quality of life for all the residents on the estate.

3:4: The length of time this community base has maintained itself with all the difficulties pointed out in this and other reports demonstrates the strength of the commitment and the depth of their resolve.

3:5: The area is still liked by a high percentage of tenants who are concerned for the well being of the estate and its community.

3:6:1: There is some concern that the estate may decline to become a major problem area that would require substantial amounts of funding to restore an adequate level of housing and community.

3:6:2: Any such decline is likely to have far reaching political as well as financial implications.

3:7: We request the funding to invest in the future and improve the quality of housing so that the tenants on Fordyce Estate can be given a chance to develop the community further and so that their quality of life is improved to a standard they deserve.

3:8:1: More tenants need tangible proof that they have a stake in the community.

3:8:2: Tenant control of the minor works budget, at the time of writing, has gone some way to solving this.

3:8:3: Funding is now needed to provide more substantial proof to those tenants who have a low level of morale.

3:9: Section 16 funding has been applied for and if allowed the tenants have decided to allow Banks of the Wear Community Housing Association to help them decide on the best form of tenant participation.

3:10: The question of whether or not the Government expect the tenants to believe them when they say they want real Tenant Participation if they are not prepared to allow funding to correct the poor housing and restore confidence in the system should be explored.

3:11: Any such funding would help restore pride while encouraging and developing the area.

3:12: It is believed that the "powers that be" should now allow the funding to improve our estate and invest in their future.

3:13:1: Because of its geographical situation the Fordyce estate will not qualify for funding from City Challenge, the Urban Programme Fund, etc.

3:13:2: The realistic option for the funding required to make a significant improvement under the present circumstances is therefore Estate Action.

3:13:3: Due to the level of concern for their estate it is believed that the tenants will accept the Departments of Environment criteria for any Estate Action bid.

3:14:1:1: Due to the considerable heat loss, energy use, of the properties the Fordyce Estate should easily reach the required criteria for any energy efficiency schemes in operation.

3:14:1:2: The present approximate National Homes Energy Rating, (N.H.E.R.), for some of the properties is 3.7 with carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 9.8 tonnes per annum.

3:14:1:3: This N.H.E.R. could be improved to eight with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to approximately 4.2 tonnes per annum for some of the properties.

3:14:1:4: An energy survey has been carried out with the improvements required to obtain the above rates being carried out by computer modelling. See appendix 3:1 to 3:6.

3:14:2:1: The Safe Neighbourhood Units programme may also be useful in helping to improve security.

3:14:2:2: A crime prevention survey has been carried out. See appendix 7:3 and 7:4, also see 7:1 to 7:2.

3:15: Other funds such as those raised through rent increases will be considered.

3:16:1: Without Estate Action Funding or the Energy Efficiency Programme some limited improvements could be undertaken by the tenants, and the Council, via the local Forum using the minor works budget and by the Council using other budgets.

3:16:2: Any such improvements would, due to limited resources, be carried out using a piecemeal process.

3:16:3:1: It is also envisaged that such and operation would:-

3:16:3:2: Lead to additional expense in the long run.

3:16:3:3: Not really solve all the problems on the Fordyce Estate mentioned in this, and other reports.

3:16:3:4: Have to be done as a rolling programme, when all the houses have been fitted with decent doors, for example, they would start carrying out other improvements such as fitting double glazing.

3:16:3:5: This would undoubtedly take an extremely long time and cause additional problems to the residents on the estate.

3:16:4: It is envisaged that the number of; rent arrears, void properties and requests for transfers would increase and the quality of life for the residents would decrease without improved housing.
3:16:5: Tenants will in general feel even more forgotten and the community will decline.

3:16:6: This will cause great expense in human suffering and resources.

3:17: The use of the minor works budget or other Council budgets in improving the security of the doors, for example, is therefore not likely to be cost effective in the long run.

3:18:1:1: There are a number of links some of which are not mentioned in this report because of the lack of time, space and finances. For example:-

3:18:1:2: The letter box flap knocking in the wind not only causes irritation but also increases heat loss and lets the rain in. See appendix 12:1 and 15:6, regarding heat loss.

3:18:2: The Radburn layout of properties not only makes it difficult to find addresses but also increases the fear that criminal elements are hiding round the corners or in the alleyways. See appendix 9:1 to 9:3, regarding difficulty in finding addresses. See appendix 16:4:B, regarding alleyways.

3:18:3:1: Condensation leads to black mould which releases fungus spores which can result in problems of Asthma, Eczema, Hay Fever and other allergic reactions. See appendix 16:2:A to 16:4:A.

3:18:3:2: It takes extra heat to evaporate the condensation which result in higher fuel bills.

3:18:3:3: The hidden costs of washing curtains, redecorating and energy used by tenants trying to cope with these problems should be considered.

3:18:4:1: High fuel bills and a high perceived level of crime lead to stress which can cause illness and result in an inability to perform everyday tasks efficiently. See appendix 16:4:C, 16:4:D and 16:5:A.

3:18:4:2: This inefficiency results in a greater consumption of energy for the tenant, the health and other services.

3:18:5: Most energy sources cause ecological problems which in turn need energy to correct.

3:18:6: Unseen costs evolve from these links, (e.g. health expenditures related to perceived crime levels), which are hard to calculate. See appendix 16:1:B, 16:4:B, 16:4:C, 16:4:D and 16:5:A.

3:19: The high number of problems and dangers outlined in this report would indicate that it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs e.g. a child is seriously injured on the poorly maintained road.

3:20: See The Hemlington Survey and the appendix for information regarding some of these problems.