Good Neighbours Make Good Communities
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Residents of Mount View Court estate in Green Lanes, Haringey now know how to behave if they want to live in harmony with their neighbours.
A list of acceptable behaviour standards are laid out in Haringey's first ever Good Neighbour Agreement which was signed by estate residents at a celebratory launch on Saturday.
The Good Neighbour Agreement was drawn up in consultation with residents, Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team (ASBAT) following some problems on the estate.
Cllr John Bevan, cabinet member for housing, said:
"This is Haringey's first Good Neighbour Agreement, and we are keen to promote the idea on other estates. This launch was a great day for the community. It is a milestone. We really wanted residents to help decide for themselves what was acceptable behaviour so they can live in a strong, friendly community where people respect one another, and anti social behaviour is unacceptable.
"The whole process of devising the agreement has brought residents together and I am really pleased to hear from residents that there has already been a marked improvement on the estate. The agreement identifies specifically what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, and stresses that many issues can be resolved by neighbours simply talking to each other, rather than having to make formal complaints."
"Good Neighbour Agreements are an important tool in reducing anti-social and unacceptable behaviour. Residents contributed to this agreement so it should reflect their wishes for their estate. It provides a yardstick for everyone, clarifying times that loud music should stop and such things as where and when children should be able to play outside the home. I hope this will help the community work together to build a stronger and safer estate within a robust community."
The agreement identifies aspects of neighbourlyness such as being polite, talking to each other, not swearing, being rude, bullying or harassing anyone and it advocates listening to others and respecting different viewpoints.
It states too that neighbours should:
- tell people if they are having a party
- keep music at a reasonable level
- keep noise low after 9pm
- keep dogs on leads in communal areas
- clean up after their dog
In order to keep the estate safe residents are also asked not to allow strangers inside the blocks and to close communal doors and gates. Children may only play in the play ground until 9pm and should not play on communal landings and stairwells. Residents are also asked to help provide activities to keep the children occupied during school holidays.
For a copy of the agreement email communications@homesforharingey.org.
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