Elderly residents in Colchester upset over council services

Nancy Smith Close is located off Mersea Road in Colchester and is one of Colchester Council’s sheltered housing schemes in the city, for those aged over 60. 

The scheme includes maintenance services for the properties and communal areas, which are run by Colchester Borough Homes. 

Residents asked their local councillors to get help with overgrowing lime trees, but it became clear that it was more than just overgrown trees. 

Litter - The residents, who are aged 60 and over, have described the littering as an increasing issue (Image: Martyn Warnes)

Jackie Burt, 78, said: “The council used to maintain the shrub beds and residents could help where able, but for the last 18 months they have not done them.

"Residents are getting older, and the council should not rely upon them to do what they should be doing anyway, and we are paying them to do.” 

Fellow resident Marie Grant has been unable to use the outdoor space of her accommodation all year after it became overgrown. 

She said: “The unchecked tree growth cuts out my mobile phone signal, my broadband and satellite TV signal.

"The sap from the leaves is all sticky and I’ve not been able to hang out my washing this year.

"I must put a light on early evening in the home as the height of the trees cuts out the daylight.” 

Weeds - Overgrown weeds at Jackie Burts' accommodation have not been tackles (Image: Martyn Warnes)

Councillor Martyn Warnes has tried to address concerns raised with the council, but without success. 

He said: “Officers are responding to concerns within policy guidelines, but residents feel that their circumstances, age, and inability to do things for themselves, that once they would have just got on and done to save chasing the landlord, are not being properly weighted and considered.  

“To them, it feels like the computer is simply saying no. In my view the council must take age and ability to help oneself into consideration when dealing with housing schemes for older people."

A spokesman at Colchester Council said: "We acknowledge the concerns raised by residents of Nancy Smith Close, as well as the representations made by Councillor Martyn Warnes on their behalf.

"We take the wellbeing and comfort of our residents, particularly those in housing schemes for older people, very seriously.

"Our team works hard to ensure that all communal areas meet appropriate standards, and we have clear specifications in place to maintain these areas.

"Where issues arise, we are committed to addressing them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"With regard to the specific concerns about trees, weeds and the overall standards of maintenance at Nancy Smith Close, our staff have already been liaising with residents and work has been undertaken to resolve the issues with hard surface weeds. 

"We understand that older residents may face unique challenges in managing issues they might have previously handled themselves, and we strive to ensure that our services reflect this."