Hotline for residents in student areas

A special hotline has been launched for residents who want to report concerns about students.

Manchester City Council along the University of  Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University has launched the new  24-hour neighbourhood helpline as part of a drive to improve relations  between students and the city's communities.

Residents are invited to call the number with  concerns about issues such as noise, waste and parking, in areas with  large numbers of students such as Fallowfield, Withington and  Rusholme.

They will be able to call the number and leave  voicemail messages that will then be dealt with by both universities and  the City Council.

Meanwhile, both universities have also appointed  the first off-campus student affairs manager, who will work closely with  the City Council to deal with these issues and act as a direct link  between residents, students and the universities.

Beverley Craig, who will be based in  Fallowfield, will act as a contact for residents and students, providing  advice and mediating between both groups to resolve conflicts.

Both moves are the latest steps in a close  partnership between the City Council and the universities, following the  signing of last year's Manchester Student Strategy.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council's  Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Manchester's student  population is growing all the time, and while these students are  incredibly important for the city, we need to make sure they live  comfortably alongside our permanent residents.

"The vast majority of students are just as keen  to be good neighbours as everyone else living in our communities, but  there are occasions when tensions can arise. I'd urge residents with any  concerns to take advantage of these new services, as it's in everyone's  interest to resolve these tensions as quickly as possible."

Beverley Craig, the off-campus student affairs  manager, said: "In my experience many students have skills and expertise  that can benefit local communities, and they want to be part of their  local community. Often they too are affected by the same issues caused by  a minority of students."

Mary Heaney, Director of Services at MMU said:  "We are delighted to add Beverley's energy and insights to the efforts of  our two universities to enable our relationship with the communities that  surround us to deliver real mutual benefit and resolution of  difficulties."
 

The 24-hour hotline number is 0161 275 1863.

Residents with any questions can the off-campus  student affairs manager on 0161 275 0750 or beverley.craig@manchester.ac.uk