Issue 38 | Au tumn
g Tenants
The essential magazine for A1 Housin
Inside this issue: P4 Smith Square Launch | P8 Tenants in Full Bloom | P15 Restoring the Peace
Welcome... ...to this new look edition of In Touch. A lot has changed since our last issue and not just in the pages of this magazine. Since the retirement of former Managing Director Bernard Coleman, I have taken over the reins at A1 Housing and we’ve also had a bit of a management restructure. Joice Rennie is now Director of Housing and Customer Services, while Rachel Burton has been made Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods and Andrew Davenport is Head of Property and Development. Stuart Morris is Company Secretary along with retaining his role as Head of Finance. I wish all of them well in their new roles. A1 Housing recently held its Annual General Meeting and as well as the usual formalities of this meeting, we also highlighted the fantastic work of two of our colleagues with our annual Managing Director’s awards. The awards went to Ezel Reshad for his tireless work and dedication to our new build project in Harworth and Aden Bastow who has gone above and beyond his role as a newly qualified plumber on many occasions. Previously we have handed out our Tenant Awards at the AGM, but in a break from tradition these will be presented at our Tenant Conference in March 2016. More information on how you can nominate will be available in your January Rent Statements.
Put your feet up Welcome to our new and improved ‘In Touch’ and I hope, like me, you’ll enjoy reading it as you put your feet up on the sofa. Talking of putting your feet up, as the nights draw in, I find myself coming home from the pub that little bit earlier to settle down in the warmth. Keeping warm can be an expensive business, but there is help out there if you are struggling with your electric bill. There are details about the Government’s ‘Warm Home Discount Scheme’ on page 13 that may prove to be handy. There’s some other great stuff in this issue such as the fantastic new homes on Smith Square (not named after me, by the way) which have given some tenants in Harworth a warm, safe and energy efficient home after living in draughty ‘Airey houses’ for quite a while. Similarly the ex-community centres that have been modified for Harworth resident Martin Smith (no relation - there’s a lot of Smiths in this issue!) and Peter Lale in Langold, provide excellent housing for their needs and show the good work that A1 Housing are doing to improve social housing in our district. See you next time,
Best wishes,
Cafés Connect Jacqui For pensioner Jacqueline Smith, trying to keep up with what her 21 grandchildren were doing kept her busy at the best of times. But since attending A1 Housing’s Internet Cafés, she’s now connecting with her large family, who are spread out around the world, at the click of a button. Jacqueline, was a self-confessed technophobe and never even considered going online a couple of months ago. However, after some encouragement from one of her grandsons, and with the help of A1 Housing’s ‘T’internet Buddies’ she decided to learn how to use Facebook.
A lot of people at my age don’t realise that you can learn a lot through going online Jacqueline Smith
Don Spittlehouse
David Smith
A1 Housing Managing Director
In Touch Tenant Editor
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“At first I thought ‘oh-no, I’m a bit old - I don’t want to be going on things like that’,” said Jacqueline, “But then when I realised all the different things you can do, it was fantastic!”
Now, after a couple of months learning at Tuxford Community Centre with the ‘T’internet Buddies’ - A1 Housing tenants who teach each other to use the internet - she’s regularly logging in to see what her family are up to, even those living as far away as Istanbul, Turkey. Jacqueline added: “It’s great; I just go on and see them all straight away. They leave me messages and I can see all the photos they put on of new babies or where they’ve been on holiday.” “There are things they don’t tell me as well - like when one of the boys had a big tattoo done. He would have never told me that!” The great-grandmother still has lots more to learn, and added: “A lot of people at my age don’t realise that you can learn a lot through going online. People shouldn’t be frightened to come along to the Internet Café’s because there are people who will talk to you and help you. You’re not alone.” For more information about Internet Cafés in your area, please contact Tenant Engagement Officer Nicola Perkins on 01909 533 203.
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Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing, said: “From the tender stage to the completion of the first phase, this has been a really exciting project with major contributions from a number of different partners. “It’s fantastic that housing has been the catalyst for real innovation and not only are we providing our tenants with new, energy efficient and comfortable places to live, we have also been able to support employment and educational initiatives along the way.” Glenn Slater, Business Development Director at Woodhead, said: “This three year project has enabled us to deliver high quality social housing in Harworth and provide added social value for the local community. “During this first year on site we have hosted 21 work experience placements, engaged with 300 students and created two full-time employment opportunities for people living within a few hundred yards of the site.”
New Era of Housing The first scheme of Council housing to be built in Bassetlaw in more than 24 years was officially unveiled in August.
that they were knocking down the old Airey Houses and we were going to be given brand new properties, we didn’t believe it.
A1 Housing, Bassetlaw District Council and building contractors Woodhead officially launched the first phase of the three-year project, which has seen 19 properties built on a former recreation field at Smith Square in Harworth.
“It’d been talked about for years and we thought it would never happen. So to think that we will have a new, cosy, safe home - it’s like being in a bit of dream.
To think that we will have a new, cosy, safe home - it’s like being in a bit of dream Sarah Cartlidge, Smith Square Tenant
In total, 71 new homes will replace the outdated ‘Airey’ homes - a pre-fabricated house built after WWII - with a mix of two, three and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached houses, two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and flats. Sarah Cartlidge, one of the first A1 Housing tenants to move onto the new street said: “When we were told
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“It’s going to make a real difference to all our lives with features like solar panels and insulation that will be cheaper to keep the house warm, be better for people’s health and improve our standard of living.”
The project will be completed over three phases with an initial budget of £5.7M, including £1.02M worth of government funding, for the first two phases and £686k to be confirmed for Phase Three of the project.
Staying Fire Safe Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer John Buckley joined A1 Housing as they unveiled 19 new properties at Smith Square in Harworth. All of the 71 properties in this new development will be fitted with a sprinkler system, which will dramatically increase fire safety. CFO Buckley said: “A key part of our strategy is reducing risk and preventing fires that could potentially hurt people and damage property. Installing sprinklers is a great way to do that. “When you look at how long these homes will be around for, you can see that this project is a great investment that will also save A1 Housing money too - by hopefully minimising any damage caused to the properties by fire.”
All the new homes exceed the current basic building regulations and energy efficiency standards, featuring energy saving measures such as solar panels to lower tenents’ energy bills, and smoke alarms and a sprinkler system to provide enhanced fire safety. Work has already begun on Phase Two, which will see the remaining eight ‘Airey’ houses on Smith Square demolished to make way for 24 new properties. Once complete, the remaining residents of Common Lane and Styrrup Road will move into the new properties. Phase Three will see the remaining ‘Airey’ houses on Thompson Avenue demolished and a further 28 new properties developed on the site.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has donated £22,000 towards the project and according to the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, systems such as these have helped to contain 99% of fires in buildings fully protected by sprinklers and 60% of fires were controlled by the spray from no more than four sprinklers. Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director, said: “A1 Housing will work with partners in any way when it comes to the safety of our tenants. This is a fantastic donation and we were delighted that CFO Buckley could join us to celebrate the official opening.”
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It’s a ‘Sure’ Thing with New Group A1 Housing tenants now have a ‘Sure’ thing when it comes to the servicing and repair of their gas heating and appliances thanks to a new contract with Sure Group. Over the next four years, Sure Group will work with A1 Housing across the 5,900 properties which have gas central heating or gas appliances.
Vital Funds for Aurora Bassetlaw cancer charity Aurora Wellbeing is the latest organisation to benefit from A1 Housing’s ‘First Visit Scheme’, which has raised £21,000 for good causes over the last seven years. The ‘First Visit’ scheme sees A1 Housing and its gas contractor pledge a pound for every property they are able to access first time to carry out an annual gas safety check and service tenants’ appliances. For the seventh year running the £3,000 target has been hit and this year’s recipient, Aurora Wellbeing, has been supporting cancer patients and their families in Bassetlaw and Doncaster over the last 10 years. Debra Fores, General Manager of Aurora in Worksop, said: “We’d like to thank A1 Housing for this generous donation as it’s essential funds like this that keep us afloat. Our Worksop base officially opened in 2014 and as well as helping cancer patients and their families, the public can access all of our health and beauty services, which are very reasonably priced.” Joice Rennie, Director for Housing and Customer Services at A1 Housing, added: “We have seen firsthand the essential service that Aurora provides and we are extremely proud to support them this year.”
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Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing, said: “Sure Group was selected as part of a rigorous tender process and we are confident that A1 Housing tenants will receive the best possible service.” The contract will see Sure Group’s awardwinning engineers carry out high quality servicing, repair and maintenance works to gas central heating systems. They will also provide safety checks on all other fitted gas appliances, smoke alarms and Magnaclean system filters, while providing emergency provisions and CO testing. Darren Cunningham, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and we look forward to collaborating with A1 Housing to deliver high quality servicing, repairs and maintenance.” Tenants should now report all gas enquiries direct to Sure Group on 0800 083 3743.
Rewards for Gas Safety Dedication A1 Housing has again been celebrated for its dedication to gas safety by picking up two prestigious awards at the Association of Gas Safety Managers’ (ASGM) Gas Safety Awards. Following last year’s success, A1 Housing picked up one of the top awards of the night - the President’s Award for Regional Organisation of the Year - North; in addition to an individual award for Heating, Mechanical and Electrical Manager, Andrew Steen (pictured above), who was honoured by the association with a ‘Commitment to Gas Safety’ award. These awards add to A1 Housing’s 2014 success when the organisation picked up the President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the work of the Association of Gas Safety Management. The event celebrated the achievements of some of the leading ALMOs, Housing Associations, Local Authorities and private contractors from across the country during 2014/15, by recognising initiatives, personal successes and outstanding professional contributions to gas safety management.
Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director, said: “To be recognised on the national stage for the extremely high level of Gas Safety that A1 Housing provides for its tenants is an outstanding achievement, not just for the organisation but for the individual members of staff who work hard to make this happen.”
It’s fantastic we have surpassed last year’s achievements, I would like to extend congratulations to Andrew Steen & his team Don Spittlehouse, A1 Housing Managing Director
Chris Bielby, President of the AGSM, (pictured above, right) said: “A1 Housing has made a significant contribution to gas safety. The AGSM is the leadership organisation for Gas Safety Managers; our members work together to promote best practice, raise standards and improve the profile of the industry. A1 Housing has demonstrated all of these attributes and we were pleased to present them with these awards.”
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Sharing Green Flag Success Branching Out’s Forest Nursery has contributed to the success of Bassetlaw District Council’s award-winning parks. Both Kings’ Park in Retford and The Canch in Worksop received the prestigious Green Flag Award from ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ this year, which recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country.
Tenants in Full Bloom The 2015 winners of A1 Housing’s Annual Garden Competition were crowned during a packed Awards Ceremony at Retford Town Hall back in July.
Over the last two years Forest Nursery has been supplying the Council with colourful bedding plants that adorn the district’s parks and open spaces, including roundabouts and hanging baskets.
Branching Out has teamed up with Age UK’s ‘Men in Sheds’ project by offering them use of its horticulture facilities at Carlton Forest.
the year and it is our chance to say thank you to those tenants who take great care of their gardens and are proud to show them off.”
Men in Sheds is an innovative project that supports older men who want to get together to share and learn new wood-working skills and form friendships.
Prizes were awarded to tenants from across Bassetlaw in five different age categories along with the Community Garden prize and two special judge’s awards.
However, a new gardening element is being provided by Branching Out to help men aged 60 and over to:
Pictured above is the winning entry from Wharncliffe Road Community Garden in Retford, while all our winners are pictured right.
• Help grow flowers and bedding plants for the Council and Men in Sheds
Joice Rennie, Director of Housing and Customer Services at A1 Housing, said: “Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who took the time and effort to enter. This is one of the highlights of
Under 40’s Category: Winner: Lara Kirkham Runner Up: Dorna Lynch
61 - 70 Category: Winner: Margaret Dobson Runner Up: David Graham
Over 80’s Category: Winner: Eileen White Runner Up: Dot & Sid Mellor
40 - 60 Category: Winner: Mark Fox Runner Up: Clive & Sharon Turner
71 - 80 Category: Winner: Phillip & Dorothy Raw Runner Up: Barry Moore
Community Garden Category: Winner: Wharncliffe Road Runner Up: Nostell Mews
Judges Special Awards: • Keven & Bridget Fitzpatrick • John Harvey
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A Fruitful Partnership
A Green Flag is a sign to the public that an open space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
• Help grow vegetables for use by various community projects
Don Spittlehouse, A1 Housing’s Managing Director said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Council and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to this success.”
Nicky Wheddon, Project Manager of Men in Sheds at Age UK Notts, said: “We are delighted to be working with A1 Housing to provide this opportunity for men to put their gardening skills and knowledge to good use or to learn something new.”
Councillor Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council said: “Both towns are immensely proud of their parks and this status is testament to the hard work and dedication of our Parks and Open Spaces team and our partners.”
Don Spittlehouse, A1 Housing Managing Director, said: “Branching Out has prided itself on working with a variety of community groups and we are thrilled that Men in Sheds are now able to use our facilities.”
• Work together to improve and share their skills
For further information, please contact Age UK Notts Shed Co-ordinator, Pat Lacey on 07872 839 629.
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Taking on the Edie Big Guns Homes Give Families a New Lease of Life Tackling fuel poverty, helping tenants to save money on their energy bills and making sure that homes are well insulated are some of A1 Housing’s biggest priorities. These ambitions have led us to be shortlisted for one of the energy industry’s top awards - The Edie Sustainability Leaders Awards. A1 Housing last won a prestigious Edie Award back in 2011 when we beat off some high profile competition in the Renewable Energy Category of their Environmental Excellence Awards. We’ll be going up against national and international companies again such as Sainsbury’s, EDF Energy, Costa Coffee and Heathrow Airport in a bid to win the ‘Energy Management’ award. In addition to installing modern gas heating systems in your homes, A1 Housing has invested in renewable energy and so far we have installed 155 properties with ground source heating, 405 properties with air source heating and 600 properties with Solar Panels. This is on top of the 179 homes to have been fitted with external wall insulation and extensive upgrades to window and doors across the housing stock. The winners will be announced on 19th November and we’ll let you know how we got on in the next issue of In Touch.
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Let’s go Solar You may have seen that A1 Housing has been installing Solar Panels to properties in partnership with Lambert Electricals. Since the project started in January 2015 we’ve installed solar panels to around 600 properties and hope to have installed 250 more by the end of November 2015. The main objective for this project was to help tenants to save money on their energy bills. Under the current deal, A1 Housing receives a nominal fee for the rental of the roof space and the funder of the project, Norse Energy, receive the feed-in-tariff. However, since the Government is proposing to cut the feed-in-tariff from its current rate of 12.92p per kWh to around 1.63p per kWh in 2016, unfortunately the project may not be financially viable to continue beyond 2015. If you have been contacted by Lambert Electrical about installing solar panels at your home, you must complete your paperwork as soon as possible so that final installation dates can be planned for the end of November.
Two of A1 Housing’s under-used Community Centres in Harworth and Langold have been given a new lease of life as converted adapted flats. The three bedroomed ground-floor flats have been fitted with a level access shower, ramps and wider wheelchair access doors. However, both homes are also helping to create new memories for their tenants, especially for Harworth resident Martin Smith and his family (pictured above). Martin still has memory loss after being involved in a motorbike accident when he was 16, along with living with a damaged spinal cord from another car accident six years ago. Martin’s health conditions meant that the family found it difficult to live in a two-story home, but the move has given all of them hope for a brighter future.
This is a familiar story for Langold resident Peter Lale, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and moved into the former Laburnum Road Community Centre with his wife and son.
Finding a flat like this has been a real bonus for both me and my family Peter Lale
The family had found it difficult to find a privately rented property in Worksop that met their needs. Peter said: “Finding a flat like this has been a real bonus for both me and my family. This suits both me and my family’s needs and will dramatically make my life a lot easier.”
Moving back to Harworth from Bridlington has allowed Martin to reconnect with his forgotten past. He said: “I have some happy memories from when I went to school around here. Old friends have stopped me in the street and I haven’t had a clue who they were.” Since moving, Martin’s quality of life has improved dramatically, and he added: “The flat has definitely made things a lot easier for us. It’s lovely and quiet the kids love it here.”
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Any Day DD’s Paying your rent by Direct Debit has just got even easier as A1 Housing can now offer ‘Any Day Direct Debits’, which means you can pick a date that suits you! More than 50% of our tenants currently pay their rent by Direct Debit. It’s a simple and easy way to keep track of your rent payments and only takes a few minutes to set up. Direct Debit is also the safest and easiest method to pay your bills as all your payments are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.
CISWO Offer Support A1 Housing has started to work with The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) in order to help and support tenants who have worked in the mining industry. CISWO operate a generic social work service within Coalfield Communities, as well as having specialist expertise in working with people with disabilities and challenges facing older people.
I don’t know where I’d be without the help of A1 Housing and CISWO A1 Housing Tenant
This new partnership between CISWO and our Money Advisors has already helped a number of tenants as CISWO are also able to provide grants for ex-miners who are in financial hardship and need support.
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Recently, one of our Money Advisors, Adam Mills started working with an A1 Housing tenant and former miner at Manton Colliery who was finding it difficult to cope financially. In addition to the usual ways of helping, Adam referred him to CISWO. Having arranged a confidential home visit, CISWO were able to provide a thorough Welfare Benefit Service which included advice on benefits, particularly in relation to industrial injuries, maximising income, assistance to complete and return application forms and ongoing support through the application process. Following this visit, CISWO helped him to pay off a loan from a well-known doorstep lender, which saved our tenant £300 in interest charges, helped him to paid his TV Licence fee for the year, as well as offering him two weeks convalescence break on the East Coast. If you would like to know if CISWO can help you, call them on 01977 703 384 or talk to one of A1 Housing’s Money Advisors on 0800 590 542.
As an added bonus, if you sign up for Any Day Direct Debits you will get a £10 Love2Shop Voucher. Call us on 0800 590 542.
Timely Reward Every other month, A1 Housing likes to say thank you to those people who have paid their rent on time by entering them into a prize draw. Each time, two lucky winners can claim £150 or £175 if they pay it into a 2Shires account. We even had a £300 ‘Super Draw’ in March. The winners are... March’s £300 Super Prize Draw Winners • John & Linda Nelson, Retford • Janet McNicoll, Retford May Winners • Anon, Retford • Peter Bush, Worksop July Winners • Brian & Shirley Madden, Carlton in Lindrick • Edith Walker, Worksop
Warm Home this Winter If you get certain means-tested benefits you could get £140 off your winter electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. If you get benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance Income-Related, Jobseekers Allowance Income-Based, Income Support or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit; you will qualify for the discount if all of the following criteria applied on 12th July 2015: • your electricity supplier was part of the scheme • your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill • you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit) If you qualify, this will be confirmed by letter to say that you’ll get the discount automatically or that you’ll need to apply by 29th January 2016. The discount is used as a one-off payment on your electricity bill and won’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment. If you don’t receive a letter but believe you qualify, please contact the Warm Home Discount Team on 0345 603 9439, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. You may also be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier.
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New Laws for Dog Owners New dog control legislation has come into force across Bassetlaw, which means that fines of up to £1,000 can be issued for offences such as failing to pick up after a dog or walking a dog without a lead in designated public spaces. The new Public Space Protection Order follows a two month consultation with the public earlier this year and Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “After much discussion with the general public and lots of constructive feedback I am happy to see that new dog control orders have been put into practice. “The legislation will ensure that responsible dog owners aren’t penalised and are protected from the actions of the irresponsible minority.” The legislation comes after central government passed the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act in 2014, giving local authorities new
powers. Dog owners can now face fines of up to £1,000 or a fixed penalty notice of £100 for failing to clean up after their dog anywhere in Bassetlaw. They will also be required to keep their dogs on a lead in all church yards and burial grounds. Dogs are also excluded from all fenced children’s play areas where very small children may be intimidated. The legislation does not apply to dogs that assist the disabled such as the blind or deaf. For more information on the new dog control order, please visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/dogcontrol
Online Account
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A1 Housing and Bassetlaw District Council have evicted a persistent nuisance neighbour after tenants had complained of drug fuelled parties. Scott Wright, formerly of 10 Greenacre Road, Worksop was served with a Possession Notice in June after repeated reports of loud parties that would last for up to 12 hours at a time. Notts Police and Community Support Officers were called to the flats five times between 12th April and 13th June 2015 due to excessive noise, drug taking and inappropriate behaviour in communal areas.
Having been served with the Possession Notice, Mr Wright was unsuccessful with his appeal and at Mansfield County Court on 8th September 2015, the Council and A1 Housing were granted possession. Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “All A1 Housing tenants and Bassetlaw residents have the right to live in their homes without constant disturbance and nuisance of this nature. This action shows that if A1 Housing tenants fail to abide by the conditions set out in their tenancy agreement, we will apply to the courts to recover possession of the property.”
Nightmare Neighbour Evicted
A1 Housing tenants who would like to access their rent and repairs information online can now do so as part of Bassetlaw Council’s ‘MyAccount’ service. A1 Housing tenants who previously used ‘SeeMyData’ to access this information will need to create a ‘MyAccount’. Once you have created a ‘MyAccount’ you will also be able to access a number of other Council services such as applying for and tracking benefits, accessing your Council Tax information and a host of other online services.
Restoring the Peace
A1 Housing and Bassetlaw District Council secured possession of a flat at Morven House Manton, on 19th June after Robert Johnstone had subjected his neighbours to disturbing episodes of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).
To sign up for a MyAccount, please visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk or scan the QR code.
Mansfield County Court heard how Mr Johnstone and visitors to the property had engaged in frequent drug abuse, damaged property and created excessive noise.
They also subjected neighbours to verbal abuse, threats of violence and put the safety of other residents at risk with their behaviour. Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing, said: “Mr Johnstone subjected his neighbours to an unacceptable and traumatic spell of ASB and I’m delighted that the Court saw fit to rid the community of this individual as quickly as possible.”
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New Recruits As two apprentices have taken a step up in their careers with A1 Housing, we have welcomed three new recruits who joined us in September. Apprentice Gas Fitter Christopher Batty, Apprentice Electrician Callum Beard and Trainee Housing Advisor Aimee Sykes (pictured below) have been getting stuck into their new careers, in addition to spending one day at college.
Graduation Day for Young Apprentices A pair of young tradesmen have come of age and successfully completed their apprenticeship with A1 Housing. Solomon Harland and Elliott Wallhead have spent the last three years doing ‘on the job’ training with our Building and Repair Service, in addition to spending one day a week at West Notts College.
I’m learning new skills every day and tackling loads of different things Solomon Harland
Earlier this summer the apprentices passed their NVQ Level 3 qualifications and both have since been successful in securing full-time jobs with A1 Housing. Bricklayer Solomon (pictured right) said: “I’ve always wanted to work in construction and this apprenticeship has really helped me. I’m learning new skills every day and tackling loads of different things.”
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We take on new apprentices every three years and it is testament to the standard of training at A1 Housing Don Spittlehouse, A1 Housing Managing Director
As part of their training, the apprentices had the opportunity to work with partners and external contractors such as Woodhead on the Smith Square development and local building contractor Brogan. Joiner Elliott (pictured above) added: “Working for A1 Housing has been a great opportunity and I’ve learned loads since I started back in 2012. It was great to be part of a big project like Smith Square and get even more experience.”
Wipe Out Mould This is the time of year when condensation and mould can be at its worst - here are some top tips on how to tackle both.
Ventilate to prevent mould We know it’s cold outside at this time of year, but the best way to prevent the build-up of condensation is to open a window, door or use an extractor fan. If you do this while you are cooking, taking a shower, or drying your clothes, it will help to prevent the build-up of mould. If you suffer from condensation on windows, wipe them down with a dry cloth and treat once a week with mould and mildew spray around the frames to reduce mould growth.
How can I spot mould? Mould can be a range of colours, including black, green, white, orange, grey or brown and can appear as a stain, smudge mark or discoloration. It can also look like a fuzzy growth. If you are living with musty smells or damp, clammy air, you may have mould.
How can I get rid of it? Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing, said: “As a local employer we feel it is important to provide apprenticeships and traineeships to young people in Bassetlaw. “We take on new apprentices every three years and it is testament to the standard of training at A1 Housing, and the company as a whole, that many former apprentices are still with us today. This also goes for our former Trainee Housing Advisor who has secured a full-time position with us.”
Some mould is easy to tackle and you can remove small areas with cleaning. We recommend you use a mould and mildew product which helps to stop the mould coming back, instead of some cleaning products that simply bleach the mould. Use a damp cloth and throw it away once used. Do not dry brush mouldy areas since the brush can flick mould spores into the air (this does not pose a health risk but can help mould to spread). If the problem doesn’t ease, call our Contact Centre on 0800 590 542 and arrange for an inspection to take place.
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Local Hardship Grants Available Two Bassetlaw charities are helping residents in the east of the district who find themselves in financial hardship and in need of an emergency grant.
Scooter Storage If you are considering buying a motorised mobility scooter and will need to store it in your flat, house or bungalow, there are a few things to consider before you make quite a considerable purchase.
Both the East Retford Relief in Need Charity and the Sir Stuart & Lady Florence Goodwin Charity can provide one-off grants that can be used to buy items that have previously included carpets, a stair lift, furniture and a utility bill. The East Retford Relief in Need Charity has funds available for residents of any age who live in the Retford Town Centre area and applications to this charity may be Means Tested. While the Sir Stuart & Lady Florence Goodwin Charity has funds available for those aged 60 or over who live within the wider rural areas surrounding Retford.
There are a number of restrictions when it comes to storing mobility scooters in A1 Housing properties, including the building of access ramps. Before you buy a scooter, please think about where it will be stored, for example in a shed or an out-house, or how you might get it in and out of your home. If you need an access ramp to get a scooter in and out of your home, you must seek permission from A1 Housing as there are building regulations that must be adhered to and not all homes are suitable for a ramp. If you live in a communal blocks of flats, scooters must not be stored in enclosed hallways, even on a temporary basis, this is to reduce fire risks and prevent blocking a fire exit. In addition, a mobility scooter is not a prescribed mobility aid, therefore any funding for adaptations will not be considered for privately purchased scooters. For more information, please contact your Housing Officer on 0800 590 542.
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New System for Community Centres A1 Housing has upgraded the entry systems to all its Community Centres to improve security. When you make a booking at any of our community centres you will be provided with a one-time access code. This will allow you to gain entry to the community centre on the day of your booking between the hours you specified. If you have a regular booking, for example; a TRA meeting or Bingo Club, you will be supplied with an access code which can be used on the days and times that you have your regular event. If you would like to make a booking you can do this at www.a1housing.co.uk/community_centres or by calling 0800 590 542 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Be Part of your TRA Find your Nearest TRA
Find your Tenant Voice
If you’re new to one of our areas, looking to make some new friends or get more involved with your community, then why not contact your local Tenant and Resident Association?
In the places where there is no TRA, we still want to make sure that the voices of tenants are still getting through to us.
You’ll find there’s plenty going on and all the TRAs are ready to welcome new members. They also regularly speak with A1 Housing and may be able to resolve any issues you have.
If you would like more information or would like to apply for a grant, please contact Julie Hamilton on 01909 533 146 or Linda Dore on 01909 533 249. Please note: Please apply before you buy as grants cannot be paid retrospectively.
Worksop Area Balmoral - 01909 730 893 Retford Areas Ordsall - 01777 706 369 Hallcroft - 01777 708 288 Tuxford - 01777 871 792 Mattersey Thorpe - 07850 291 732 Harworth & Bircotes - 01302 746 393
That’s why we have volunteers in many areas who represent their community. These ‘Tenant Voices’ speak with A1 Housing and other tenant representatives on a regular basis and can help you with any tenancy or estate-related issues and put you in touch with the right people. If you would like to become a Tenant Voice, contact Nicola Perkins on 01909 533 203. Worksop Areas Manton & The Mews Helen Woodhead 01909 282 496 Prospect - Barbara Hopkinson 01909 532 192
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Inside the Boardroom A1 Housing is managed by a Board of nonexecutive directors who meet four times a year to discuss and review everything that happens within the organisation.
Leaseholder News Smoke & Heat Detectors
Lettings Policy Change In September, Bassetlaw District Council made some changes to their Lettings Policy which puts an emphasis on what connections housing applicants have to the local area. This new five-year local connection rule only applies to new applicants to the housing register for Bassetlaw District Council. If you had applied to be on the housing register before 7th September 2015 you will not be affected unless you have a change in circumstances.
What is a Local Connection? Applicants are accepted into one of the Housing Register Bands A to E if they have a local connection to the Bassetlaw area. A local connection will be: • The applicant has lived in Bassetlaw for a continuous period of five years as their main home • The applicant does not currently live in Bassetlaw but they have a close relative who lives in the area and has done so for a continuous period of five years. A close relative is, spouse, parent, child or sibling
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• The applicant is currently serving in Her Majesty’s Forces and wishes to reside in Bassetlaw
Lambert Electrical are continuing to install smoke and heat detectors to flats with enclosed communal entrances. There are 49 leaseholders who are included in this first phase, with a second phase of the project planned to include the remaining flats without enclosed communal entrances. This programme also includes properties with no smoke alarms and those with original Fire Service alarms that are almost at the end of their life-span.
• The applicant has not lived in Bassetlaw for five years but has been a tenant of Bassetlaw District Council or a registered social housing provider in the area for more than two years.
Installation and servicing is free of charge to Leaseholders. Please contact Richard Dewsnap on 01909 535 184 if you have any questions.
• The applicant is a victim of domestic abuse with a need to reside in Bassetlaw and has been referred by Women’s Aid
Focus Group
• The applicant is a secure, introductory or assured tenant of a registered housing provider in England with a need to move to Bassetlaw for work under the right to move. A further change to the policy is; if you are currently on the Housing Register and you have a major adaptation to your property (e.g. level access bathroom), your application will be cancelled and your name will be removed from the register. Please call 0800 590 542 for more information about this change in policy.
There are currently around 150 leaseholders in Bassetlaw, all of whom have the opportunity to say how we deliver our services and how we can improve. The Leaseholders Focus Group meets twice a year to discuss any issues and allows Leaseholders to meet officers from the Council and A1 Housing. You can find the minutes of all these meetings in the Leaseholders News section of our website along with other relevant news and information.
The first 15 minutes of each meeting are set aside for tenants to ask questions on relevant issues. Individual or personal issues cannot be discussed and these should be taken up with the appropriate officer. The dates for the forthcoming board meetings are as follows: Tuesday 24th November 2015 - Retford Town Hall at 4pm Tuesday 29th March 2016 - Worksop Town Hall at 6.30pm
Key Board Decisions Presentations to the A1 Housing Board have included: • March 2015
- Draft Major Works Programme - Annual Budgets - Service Delivery Plan - Pay Policy Statement - Governance Handbook - Forward Plan
• June 2015
- Board Member Retirements / Vacancies - Risk Management - Performance Targets for 2015 / 16 - New CMT Structure
• September 2015 - Board Members Governance Handbook - Financial Year-End Out-turn
A copy of the new Leaseholder Guide can be found online. Please call 0800 590 542 for a hard copy.
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Saving Time & Money Reducing the amount of time that a property is empty after one tenant has moved out and another tenant moves in is extremely important to A1 Housing. When a property becomes vacant it may need some very minor repairs to it before someone else is able to move in, or it may need major repairs such as installing a new kitchen or bathroom,
replacing windows or installing or a new boiler. Getting these repairs done as quickly as possible and back ready to rent has a number of benefits, such as; tenants can move into their new home quicker, the amount of vandalism and theft is minimised, and it increases the amount of rent we receive - which can be reinvested in our repairs service.
Competitions If you can solve our word ladder, you could win a £20 Love2Shop voucher. Each word is linked to the next by all but one letter.
Couch
Exhale Abruptly
Kids Club If you can spot five differences between the two pictures below, you could win a £20 Love2Shop voucher and a goody bag. As you find the differences, mark them on the picture, then tell us your name, age, where you live and a phone number and send your entry to the address below.
Harsh Red Cosmetic Awaken Small Rodent Type of Code Equine Animal
How we are doing:
Fill in your details and send to the address below.
Name:
The average time
to re-let a property during
Telephone:
2014/15 was
Please send competition entries to:
32 days
A1 Housing Customer Services, Carlton Forest House, Hundred Acre Lane, Worksop S81 0TS
This could be the
Properties only needing
minor repairs
equivalent of another
100 windows installed in
A1 Housing Properties
House
have been re-let in just
Reducing this time by
5 days
will boost income by
£35,000
19 days
Or email a photo or scan of the entry to: customer.services@a1housing.co.uk Closing date for all entries is Friday 26th February 2016
Winners Congratulations to June Wheatman from Costhorpe and Alex Burrows from Shireoaks who were our lucky winners from Issue 37. Name:
Age:
Where you live: Telephone:
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Contact us
0800 590 542
www.a1housing.co.uk customer.services@a1housing.co.uk
Text us on 07860 021 511
Visit us at:
Retford Property Shop Town Hall, 17B The Square, Retford DN22 6DB
Worksop Property Shop Queens Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop S80 2AH
Head Office - Carlton Forest House Hundred Acre Lane, Worksop S81 0TS
All offices are open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
If you need any help communicating with us or understanding any of our documents, please contact us on 0800 590 542. We can arrange for a copy of this document in large print, audiotape, Braille or for a Language Line interpreter to help you.
Providing Quality Homes & Neighbourhoods