24 November 2016
University agrees to work more closely with councillors following Green Party approach
Local councillors and student representatives are hoping a new ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme can help build better relations between students and other residents, following discussions earlier this summer.
The UEA Students’ Union has launched the scheme, which will see students asked to sign a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement when they rent a house through the University’s HomeLet service. Students living off-campus and renting privately outside the service will also be encouraged to sign up. A sticker will be placed in the windows of houses which are part of the scheme.
Green Party councillor Denise Carlo, who wrote to the UEA Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Richardson in June and met the Vice Chancellor in September to discuss her concerns and proposals, said: “This Students’ Union scheme is excellent news, and I’m very pleased to see the Students’ Union will be promoting it”.
“Most students want to be good neighbours, and I hope this scheme can help to reassure residents of that. We are also working with UEA on better liaison between ward councillors, and the University authorities so that where problems do occur in the community, they can be reported and resolved more quickly.”
Also in her letter to the UEA Vice-Chancellor, Councillor Carlo requested that the University work with Norwich City Council to draw up a plan for accommodating an increased number of students and to publish the details so that local residents can be confident that the authorities are taking action. UEA plans to increase its student population by 3,000 in the coming years, but some residents are concerned that the city will struggle to absorb this growth.
Cllr Carlo said: “UEA makes an immense contribution to the life of the city, but if it is to grow, there must be a strategy in place. New, purpose-built affordable student accommodation is needed to avoid further pressure on the existing housing stock.”
For further information: Councillor Denise Carlo – 01603 504563
Councillor Martin Schmierer (leader of the Green group on Norwich City Council) – 07769 222249.
