Burngreave’s Community Estate Officers

by Rob Smith

Burngreave has many council-owned estates and properties. I often wondered what happened to the people that used to be known as caretakers. “No, no, we’re not called caretakers anymore Rob,” declared Shaun Cowan, senior officer of what’s now known as Area K team.

I met Shaun, Herman Clark and Andy Webb, a three-man team of Community Estate Officers, at the Area K cabin in Verdon Street.

This team have to cover the whole of Burngreave. “Although there’s only three of us, I feel we’ve enough staff to cover this area. When needed, we call on the Darnall team’s resources,” explained Shaun.
I was aware Herman was coming up to retirement. As the elder black gentleman grinned he explained how he began this job when the title was caretaker back in 1996.

“I was caretaker for what we call the main front-line service for two years, and six years as a Community Estate Officer,” declared Herman, also proud of being a resident of Burngreave since 1963.

Andy claims that changing from caretakers to estate officers has been a big improvement. In his view the whole of Burngreave receives a better service now. “A lot of enquiries from local tenants and the general public on the estate’s problems come through this office,” adds Shaun.

The Estate Officers deal with many issues from graffiti removal, litter picking and other maintenance, to liaising with tenants and clearing vacant properties.

I asked if they had any transport to enable them to travel around Burngreave. “No!” replied Shaun, “Although we could do with some sort of vehicle and the issue is being taken up by our department. At the moment, Rob, we rely heavily on other resources.”

“Which basically means we borrow vehicles and drivers from Darnall and other teams!” grinned Herman. “So maybe the New Deal for Communities could help us out here,” he added.

The team are based at 81–119 Verdon Street. For further enquiries about council housing services contact the Spital Hill office on 203 9343.