Magna wins court injunction against anti-social tenant

ANTI-social behaviour by a housing association tenant in Williton has ended with a court injunction granted to his landlords, Magna West Somerset Housing Association.
The injunction against Paul Stevens, of 30 Northcroft, comes on the back of a catalogue of complaints made by Williton residents to Magna and to local police.
It will remain in place until February 19 next year and carries a power of arrest if Mr Stevens enters certain parts of Williton.
Magna tenant services manager Christine Boland said: “This was another big win for us.
“We take any form of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, we work closely with the police to tackle these issues.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”
She said in a majority of cases Magna used other tools to resolve problems of anti-social behaviour, including mediation and acceptable behaviour contracts, as well as working closely with the local police.
However, Mrs Boland said: “In this case we had received complaints against Paul Stevens over a number of months concerning noise nuisance, nuisance relating to drug and alcohol abuse, shouting, fighting, and even threats to kill.
“Our residents have a right to live peacefully and securely in their own homes and so we had no other option than to apply for an injunction.”
The injunction means that any assault, threat to assault, intimidation, abuse, nuisance, or annoyance to any person who resides at Egremont Court, Northcroft, or Brook Road, in Williton, would result in Mr Stevens being arrested.

Housing association tenants support Exmoor village hall

A FUND-raising appeal for improvements to and Exmoor village hall has been boosted by a £1,500 cheque from tenants of Magna West Somerset Housing Association.
The money was handed over by the association’s tenants panel to the hall committee in Brompton Regis, where it is hoped to make the hall’s running costs more sustainable and therefore cheaper.
Tenants’ Panel chairman Bernard Ryder said: “The hall committee approached us for help with making improvements to the facilities. “The hall already provides a base for many activities in the area and plays an important role in the community.
“As a panel, we were only too pleased to be able to help with a donation of £1,000 from our environmental improvements budget, with Magna supplementing this with a further £500 sponsorship.”
Village hall secretary Jennifer Stringer said: “The hall is a registered charity and provides a vital social focus for all the local residents.
“It is well used by groups including a cinema club, luncheon club, and short mat bowls.
“The planned improvements would ensure the hall is compliant with all necessary regulations and also to make it more sustainable by reducing running costs.
“We were delighted to receive this donation which will help us to achieve our goal.”
Mrs Stringer said the committee was continuing to plan fund-raising events as more donations were still needed.
The hall committee has so far raised about £20,000 in the past two years toward its target of £150,000 for the improvements which are needed.
Anybody who would like to help the hall committee should contact Mrs Stringer on 01398 371224.
Photo submitted.