City estate secures funding for 'real-world fixes'

A housing estate in Lincoln has secured a slice of government funding.

The Ermine estate was one of 20 projects across the country to be given cash from the new Social Housing Innovation Fund, City of Lincoln Council said.

The 12-month programme will involve working with primary schools and creating a new digital hub at Ermine library.

Donald Nannestad, an executive member of the council, said: "We want tenants to feel empowered to share their views and know that what they say will help influence future decision-making."

The funding bid was submitted by the council on behalf of the Ermine Community Partnership. In total, 20 projects are sharing £2m, with the Ermine grant just over £100,000.

The council said it would help tackle long-term deprivation and digital exclusion in the area.

The fund is designed to provide "real-world fixes to issues tenants are most concerned about – ignored repairs, poor updates, slow responses and being bounced between services", according to the government.

Photography training will also be offered as part of the Inside Out project, which was previously run in the Sincil Bank area.

The project will capture and display 300 portraits across the neighbourhood.

The digital hub at the library, to be created in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, will help residents create a newsletter, a website and social media channels.

Nannestad said: "As a council landlord, it's incredibly important that our tenants feel listened to and know they have a real voice in shaping their homes, neighbourhoods and services.

"This funding gives us a fantastic opportunity to work much more closely with residents on the Ermine estate, hear directly about their experiences and understand the changes they want to see in their community."

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