This film produced for Langbaurgh District Council, now Redcar and Cleveland Council, by Jay Productions takes a look at the work that has been done to improve the housing and living conditions of tenants within this diverse borough. Included are Interviews with several residents who have worked closely with the council to make both their properties and surrounding estates more attractive and safer. However, more resources are needed to continue the work and make lasting improvements....

This film produced for Langbaurgh District Council, now Redcar and Cleveland Council, by Jay Productions takes a look at the work that has been done to improve the housing and living conditions of tenants within this diverse borough. Included are Interviews with several residents who have worked closely with the council to make both their properties and surrounding estates more attractive and safer. However, more resources are needed to continue the work and make lasting improvements. Title: Langbaurgh on Tees Borough Council – Quest for Quality: Enabling Change A commentary over a view of a housing estate in Langbaurgh, states that in the borough’s quest for quality Langbaurgh’s territory is very varied. The film shows a map of the borough, with a view of an area in decline. Another north of the previous one and bordering on the coast is close to heavy industry, mainly steel making. The coastal corridor has a quantity of ‘non-traditional’ housing. Towards the south the borough is more rural in character. Views follow of a number of community-based centres including South Bank Business Centre, Victoria Street Area Initiative, a housing association building site, a private development by Barratts the builders and another building site. As the commentary states Langbaurgh has forged links with a diversity of partners, housing associations, private developers, tenants and industry in order embed quality into the council’s improvement programmes. A view of the map highlights the South Bank an area which adjoins Middlesbrough and an area which is in decline, with poor terraced housing stock. A view of street in South Bank is shown. The area also has high incidences of homelessness and crime. Title: Albert Hanson – South Bank Albert outlines his concerns over South Bank, although there have been some improvements on some estate houses. Title: John Healy – South Bank He suggest that residents are in more control of what they feel are priorities. Albert verifies this. John says there are fewer empty houses and fewer rent arrears with the improvements. A view follows of the neighbourhood centre in Grangetown the commentary states it was part funded by Enron, operators of the new Teesside power station, a view of the power station follows. In Grangetown unemployment is 23%. Housing is needed in the area and some of this has been achieved with housing association partnerships supported by the housing corporation and private investment. Views show house building underway. In Spencerbeck multi agency partnerships included a partnership with with Barratt the building firm, has produced the Willows, an area of new houses for low cost ownership. On adjacent land the film shows newly built private houses. A view of another set of new homes is managed by a housing co-operative. Title: Keith Atkinson – Alderwood Tenant Management Co-op Keith explains how the scheme works. The film moves on to a view of a district housing office, as an office worker takes a telephone call. A view follows of boarded up housing awaiting refurbishment. The film moves on to the coastal corridor. The non-traditional housing seen at the beginning of the film is shown in detail. Off camera a resident describes them as army barracks in appearance. She also complains that they are damp, at her home she continues her story. Title: Wendy Oyston – The Courts, Redcar She explains that the estate does not feel secure especially after dark, when she feels the risk of harm towards residents is high. Housing association partners have so far refurbished part of the estate which makes it more attractive. The film moves on to a view of the more rural sector to be serviced. At an exposed height of 700 feet above the North Sea, the commentary says that design weaknesses may manifest themselves. A view shows a terrace of houses which underwent improvements under the energy efficiency demonstration scheme with the installation of high performance windows, whole house heating and a heat recovery system. Title: Sylvia Hodgson – Westfield Estate She says that the house she lives in is now more like a home. The film also shows a resident designed play area. The commentary accompanies general views of properties built with the partnerships, showing that quality is now embedded in Langbaurgh’s remit for improvements. The commentary goes on to say that to sustain it requires extended resources. Title: Katharine Lowey – Federation of Tenants & Residents Assoc. On camera Katharine explains that there is some conflict between residents where properties have been modified and those where properties are still waiting attention. Albert and Sylvia seen earlier in the film feel that once a programme of improvements is complete it will benefit the whole of the area. Title: Langbaurgh on Tees Borough Council – Quest for Quality: Enabling Change End credit: Jay Productions © Jay productions 1992