Please find an update about your area from your Neighbourhood Officer.
Your Neighbourhood Officers are your first point of contact for anything related to your tenancy or neighbourhood (you might know them as a Housing Officer!) They host regular community drop-ins and carry out a programme of Neighbourhood Inspections each year to pick up any tenancy or neighbourhood issues.
Ardwick, Fallowfield, Rusholme, Old Trafford, Stretford and Chorlton
I recently completed a series of estate audits across the areas I cover. Please read on for uodates about your neighbourhood.
Dog fouling
I have received a significant number of reports regarding dog fouling across several estates. Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but also a health hazard. I would like to remind residents that under Section 11 (Pets) of your tenancy agreement, owners are responsible for ensuring their pets do not cause a nuisance. Failing to clean up after your dog is considered a breach of tenancy and action may be taken where necessary.
Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping continues to be a concern. I wanted to remind everyone that leaving large items in communal areas is not permitted and may result in enforcement action. Residents in Manchester are entitled to three free bulky waste collections per year. Find out more here: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/bins-rubbish-and-recycling/get-rid-of-a-large-unwanted-item
Residents in Trafford can arrange and pay for bulky waste collections directly with the council. Find out more: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling/household-collections/bulky-item-collection
Abandoned vehicles
We have received reports of abandoned vehicles on some estates. Vehicles without valid tax or MOT may be treated as abandoned and investigated accordingly. Following recent reports, we have successfully arranged for one vehicle to be removed due to having no valid tax or MOT status. If you have concerns about a vehicle, please continue to report it to us.
Transfers
We are also receiving an increasing number of requests for transfers due to overcrowding. In the first instance, residents should register with Trafford Housing Options or Manchester Move and actively bid for suitable properties. We also encourage residents to explore mutual exchange opportunities via the House Exchange website. An internal transfer application can be submitted; however, please be aware that waiting times for internal moves are currently extensive.
And finally...
I wanted to let you know I will soon be moving to a new team within the organisation. A new Neighbourhood Officer will be joining the company in March, and residents will be formally notified once they are in post.
In the meantime, please be assured that we are still here for you if you need us.
If you need to report any neighbourhood or tenancy issues then please contact our customer service team and they will arrange for a member of the neighbourhoods team to follow up with you - email contact@irwellvalley.co.uk or call on 0300 561 1111.
It has been a pleasure supporting you, and I will be happy to redirect or signpost any of your queries once I have moved into my new role as Community Safety Officer.
An action plan for the future
We recently spoke to customers about the improvements you’d like to see in your building and local area. Below is what you told us and what we’re doing about it.
📢The issue: Fly-tipping, rubbish and dog fouling
✅Our actions: We’ll deter fly-tipping by working to identify those responsible and charging back the costs of clearing the rubbish to them. We’ll also share information and advice about how to recycle and get rid of waste responsibly. You can read the local waste and recycling guide for your area here. We’ll also communicate the importance of being a considerate pet owner and issue tenancy warnings to anyone who doesn’t respect this.
📢The issue: The grass cutting and grounds maintenance service can be missed or not completed to the right standard.
✅Our actions: We will work closely with our contractor to monitor their performance and the service they are delivering. We also invite customers to fill out our grounds maintenance feedback survey. Feedback from this will be shared with our contractor and actioned.
📢The issue: The standard of the communal cleaning service is poor, they don’t visit often enough or visits are missed.
✅Our actions: We have started the tender process for the cleaning contract and are currently gathering your feedback on what you think the frequency and specification should be. Share your views in our survey here. We will also include customers on the tender panel later this year.
📢The issue: Following new rules from Trafford Council that permits are needed for green bin collections, some bins are full and are not being emptied.
✅Our actions: Affected bins will be reported to Trafford Council for collection. We will also continue to share information with customers about green bin collections. Please be advised that customers can apply for a free green caddy here. Permits for large green bins from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 service period will open shortly. There is more information on Trafford Council’s website here.
📢The issue: Anti-social behaviour
✅Our actions: We will work in partnership with local police to tackle this. We will also run monthly drop-ins where you can raise concerns with our Community Safety officers, starting from May. You can report any concerns you have about ASB here.
Join us as a Community Connector
We have an exciting new opportunity for you to get involved in making your community a great place to live. Our Community Connectors will help us to drive the improvements which matter most where you are. It’s all part of our latest Communities Strategy, which we launched last year, with three goals:
• Promoting safe and peaceful neighbourhoods.
• Maintaining clean and green spaces.
• Working with customers and our partners to make a difference.
Community Connectors will be our eyes and ears on the ground ensuring our Neighbourhood Officers and Customer Engagement Lead respond to what’s needed.
Whether that’s working with our partners to tackle hotspot areas of anti-social behaviour or putting forward ideas for community projects which could benefit from grant funding from our Irwell Valley Foundation
For more information or to register your interest, email involveme@irwellvalley.co.uk or give us a call on 0300 561 1111.
Would you or someone you know benefit from moving into Independent Living?
Our Independent Living homes offer:
Safety - Residents enjoy their own self-contained home, within a safe and friendly community
Support - There is a dedicated scheme manager for each building and a secure door entry system.
Social - There are great communal facilities - where there is always something going on for those who want to get involved!
For more information, get in touch at contact@irwellvalley.co.uk or by calling 0300 561 1111
Or you can view available Independent Living properties on our website by clicking here.
Meet your Heart of the Community award winners!
We received nominations from across Greater Manchester highlighting the amazing work that goes on in our neighbourhoods across the region.
From good neighbours looking out for those living next door, to community groups and eco-champions doing wonderful things to make their area a great place to live, the entries we received were truly awe-inspiring.
Here are your amazing winners:
The Good Neighbour Award - Jason Smethurst
The Green Fingers Award - Wendy Dudley-Evans
The Community Champion - Jeannie Ashton
Community Group of the Year - G-Force Cafe
Find out about the incredible things they have been doing in their neighbourhoods here.
We're here to support you
Remember, we’re here to support you.
If you need help or have any concerns, please do get in touch with us at contact@irwellvalley.co.uk or by calling 0300 561 1111.