Richard Stevens

Stafford and Rural Homes have done a magnificent job on the Priory Estate over the last couple of years and Julie, the kingpin of the whole scheme, willl shortly be moving on to her next project in Stafford. However before she leaves, she arranged a walkabout yesterday so that any outstanding issues could be logged and action authorised.

A handful of councillors (yes - unbeknown to one of my colleagues - part of the estate is in my ward!) and a couple of residents followed Julie around the estate looking for ’snags’ to list on her clipboard. The fact that she was unable to complete one full side of paper must be testament to the brilliant job she’s been doing. A bit of graffiti here, a broken fence panel there, a couple of small painting jobs requiring completion - but nothing very serious. Apart from the ongoing issue of the fence alongside the Cricket Club. Apparantly there is a longstanding dispute as to who is liable for repairs - and whilst the argument goes on, the fence remains an eyesore and, in my mind, a potential danger. Julie has undertaken to try and get the Borough’s legal department on the job as soon as possible.

The whole estate is really looking good now. Stafford and Rural have spent a great deal on refurbishment of the housing stock and the improvement is so obvious. New roofs and windows must surely be making for a more comfortable life for the residents. And new garden fences and tarmac parking spaces certainly improve the outward appearance of the estate as well. Well done S&R and Julie, in particular.