SEO AUSTTH
JULY 2017
Welcome to Paul Dolan Our new chief executive… On 2nd May 2017, Paul Dolan officially joined us as our new chief executive, when Gordon Perry retired. In our main feature for this issue, Paul introduces himself and talks about some of his plans for Accent, and how he sees us delivering your services in the future. In the 10 years Gordon Perry was chief executive, he made it his mission to make sure Accent was in great financial shape and running as efficiently as possible, so it could deliver great services to you, our residents. I want to build on that financial strength and security, and make the most of the new opportunities available to us, so Accent can provide more homes and even better services for residents in the future. Continued on page 2…
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From page 1…
A bit about me I have worked in housing for a number of years. I am passionate about the positive difference housing associations can make to people’s lives and the communities we work in, and I’ve always been committed to providing the best service to customers.
Some of my other roles have been as ‘nonexecutive’ director for Liverpool Housing Trust and Berneslai Homes in Barnsley. I have also spent some time outside housing, including working for chef Raymond Blanc at his 2 Michelin Star restaurant in Oxfordshire.
Before joining Accent, I was chief executive of Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust, a housing association working in the greater Manchester area delivering quality homes with expertise in independent living. I have also been chief executive of Sadeh Lok Housing. Sadeh Lok is a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) housing association based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Although I officially started in May, I have spent a number of days in and around Accent over the last few months meeting staff and residents. I am really impressed by the energy and ambition of our staff, and their commitment to our residents. My aim is to build on this commitment to deliver great homes and services for current and future residents.
Tackling the ‘Housing Crisis’ Sadly, our country is in a housing crisis with not enough quality, affordable homes to go around so many people are affected by it. We have younger generations who can’t access good quality affordable homes to rent or buy, and an ageing population who have little or no choice in the homes and services that help them to age well. In between, we have people who are also struggling to find a good, safe affordable place to call home. As a housing association, our purpose is to improve people’s lives. We are responding to the housing crisis, and doing our very best to help people by providing good quality, affordable homes along with services that promote better living. I know Accent does that, but my ambition is for us to be the best housing association in the country – and I believe we can be. As our residents, you can help us reach that goal by working with us on our committees and focus groups, or simply just by responding to our surveys and giving us your feedback. It doesn’t matter if you get involved with us a little, or a lot, your contribution can really help us to improve services for all residents, everywhere. Continued on page 4… 2
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Some of the new homes we’ve recently developed… (more on page 5)
“My ambition is for Accent to be the best housing association in the country – and I believe we can be” Paul Dolan
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STAR (Survey of Tenants and Residents) – coming soon… @ CONTACT US SEE PAGE 8
In the next couple of months, we will be sending out a survey to a random selection of residents and homeowners. I hope I have assured you that your views really do count and, if you receive a survey, you will respond.
You can see the changes your comments influenced last year and how you are helping to improve services for all residents on the ‘You Said We Did’ page on the Accent Hub, visit: www.accentgroup.org/residents
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Future Plans We currently provide homes and services to almost 22,000 households. We will add to those numbers by building or acquiring more new homes to rent and to buy. We will also invest in our existing homes to make sure you stay proud and happy to live in one – and you have somewhere to call home.
To help our 55/60+ residents access the homes and services they need, we will develop our independent living service. We will help them to live well, whether independently in their own homes, or as a resident of one of our independent living schemes. Through the expertise, professionalism and compassion I’ve seen already from our staff, we will further develop our successful tenancy sustainability service, which many residents have already benefitted from. This means we can continue to support residents who need extra help with managing their homes, their tenancies or their finances. It can make all the difference to their lives. Later this year, we will launch our new repairs and maintenance procurement service. This has been a major piece of work for Accent and we have engaged with residents to make sure they have had the opportunity to influence how these services will be delivered in the future. Our contractors will provide an improved repairs and planned programme service, which delivers efficiency, value for money and consistency across Accent. We have now announced who the contractors will be for each region. You can find details on our website www.accentgroup.org in our ‘New Contracts for Accent’ news story. In wanting to improve services for all customers, including our applicants, we will introduce a simpler lettings process. As new technology becomes ever more available, we will also add to the range
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of services available through our website and customer portal and we will use ‘Accent Connect’ to manage customer contact in a more efficient and cost effective way. (More about Accent Connect soon). We will also take advantage of new technology to provide an even wider range of facilities and services to further improve customer service. The next few months at Accent are going to be very busy! Whilst it is a privilege to lead any housing association, it is a particular privilege for me to be leading Accent at a time when we are working on such exciting new improvements which will, ultimately, deliver better services to you. In the meantime, I hope to be out and about meeting as many of you as possible to hear what you have to say about how we can make Accent continually better at what we do for you.
Paul Dolan Accent Group Chief Executive
New Homes in Bourne and Rutland Damian Roche,
Our new homes at Nene Close, Elsea Park, Bourne, were completed in April. These three, three bedroomed houses are helping to meet housing need in the area. They have been let to residents with a local connection.
Elsea Park
We have also let our new, two bedroom houses at North Brook Close to residents with local connections to the Rutland District council area. All our residents are delighted with their new homes.
North Brook Close
Illegal subletting is something we take very seriously. Residents who illegally sub-let their home are depriving families who need homes. This is serious fraud and we work closely with council fraud teams to try to crack down on it.
TENANCY FRAUD
When we find out someone may be illegally subletting their home, we investigate the claim thoroughly. If it is the case, we will take action and the local council may decide to prosecute. This could result in the loss of the tenancy. If you suspect sub-letting, please report it to us. All calls are confidential. You can also report suspected tenancy fraud to your local council.
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Benefit Changes and Universal Credit
Scheme Inspections
Whether because of Universal Credit, or the benefit cap, we are seeing more and more residents being affected by the changes in the benefit system. These changes are having a big impact on household incomes, causing residents to struggle to meet household bills and rent payments. If you have been affected and you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact us.
We have been working hard to keep our schemes tidy, but small things can go a long way to help.
Damian Roche
For more general advice on household budgeting, you can contact: The Citizen’s Advice Service T: 0844 848 7997 (landline) 0300 330 5457 (mobile www.citizensadvice.org.uk Nottingham Welfare Rights Service T: 0115 915 1355 www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/benefits
Lucky Khan
For example; by just bringing in your wheelie bins and storing them neatly at the side or rear of your home helps to improve the look of the whole estate. As does not dumping rubbish at the front of your homes and keeping your gardens neat. We are due to carry out some estate walkabouts soon If your scheme is involved, we will let you know.
Nottingham Patch Update Lucky Khan
Universal Credit Universal credit is a monthly payment that replaces the following benefits with a single, monthly payment: • • • • • •
Job Seekers Allowance Housing Benefit Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Employment & Support Allowance Income Support
If you are claiming benefits, your local Job Centre Plus or Tax Credits office will tell you when you will move to Universal Credit. It’s coming very soon.
For more details about Universal Credit visit:
ng Housi rg Accentcentgroup.o www.ac
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www.gov.uk/universal-credit
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We’ve had a busy few months in the Nottingham patch, mainly with empty homes. There have been quite a few vacancies, especially in our older persons housing. We let most of our homes through the local authority choice based letting scheme, but we are always happy to take details of anyone who wants to be registered on our own waiting list. If you have any family or friends who would like to apply for housing in the Nottingham Area, please ask them to call us. We have also been busy tackling the overgrown trees and hedges at Hooton Road and Arnold. We plan the work a year in advance so we can get quotes and set a time when we won’t damage any mature planting. The schemes look much better and we’ve had positive comments from residents.
The Benefits of Independent Living Keith Bowman
Loneliness can affect our mental, emotional and physical health. Older people in particular are most vulnerable. Charity Age Concern states that “200,000 older people have not had a conversation with friends or family for a month�. Independent living schemes can be a great way to reduce loneliness and isolation. In an independent living scheme, you have your own flat, but residents of a similar age live around you. One of our busiest independent living schemes is Sudbury Court in Whittlesey. It’s a great scheme. There’s always something going on and you are promised a warm welcome. The residents are keen to meet new people and to get involved with their local community. On 8 July, they are holding a traditional family fun day, with lots of fun and games. The whole community is invited - you don’t have to live in the scheme to be involved. We’ll let you know how it went next time.
Money Advice As the cost of living gets higher, everyone’s pockets are affected. With no, or very low pay rises, zero hours’ contracts and changes to the benefits system, (Universal Credit and the Benefit Cap for instance), more and more of us are having money worries. If you are struggling to pay your rent, please call us. We can help, and we can put you in touch with other organisations which can help too. One such organisation is ‘Making Money Count’ a service for Fenland and Peterborough. It has some great tips on stretching your budget, what to do in a money crisis and it offers help and support with employment. For help and advice visit www.makingmoneycount.org.uk @ CONTACT US SEE PAGE 8
If you are an older person who would like to make some new friends in your local community, please contact us. We will put you in touch with a scheme near you.
Peterborough Food Cycle Peterborough Food Cycle is open daily 12.30pm – 2pm Westgate Church The scheme aims to bring individuals and communities together by creating friendships over a healthy meal. It also aims to improve nutrition and reduce hunger by cooking, and changing attitudes to food by using surplus ingredients. If you’d like to volunteer, meet people or just share a hot, nutritious meal please get in touch email peterborough@foodcycle.org.uk or www.foodcycle.org.uk/location/peterborough-hub 7
Right to Buy
UPDATE
Some of you may be wondering what has happened to the Government’s plans to work with housing associations to introduce a voluntary right to buy scheme for their residents. The Government commissioned some national ‘pilot’ projects (which didn’t involve Accent) last year. They have now finished but a new extended pilot is planned for this summer. However, there is no news on when it will happen and if the opportunity to buy will be extended more widely.
This means that details of how the scheme might work, what eligibility criteria residents might need and how it will be funded, are not yet determined. We have information available on our website and some handy ‘frequently asked questions’. When we have more news, we will publish an update.
Fire Risks and Safety Like everyone, we were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in London. We have two blocks of high rise apartments managed by Accent South. We know that the fire risk assessments and associated safety checks are all up to date. Fire safety at Accent is taken very seriously and we work closely with local fire services and fire risk assessors to make sure our procedures are effective and up-to-date. Please familiarise yourself with the fire safety advice on display in your homes. If you have any concerns or worries, please contact us. In the meantime, we hope you take comfort in the knowledge that our fire safety procedures are designed to keep you safe, but that if we need to do anything to improve them, we will.
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