Intouch issue 42

Issue 42 | Au tumn

g Tenants

The essential magazine for A1 Housin

Inside this issue: P6 UC is Coming | P10 Fraudsters Foiled | P15 Centre gets go ahead

Quality Homes A1 Housing’s motto is; ‘Providing Quality Homes and Neighbourhoods’, and over the last six months this strapline has been as relevant as ever.

Over the next few pages you can read about how A1 Housing and Woodhead Living have completed the development of 79 new homes in Harworth, which have replaced out of date Airey Homes and added more quality homes to the Council’s housing stock.

With this in mind, we have set up an agreement with Ongo Homes so that people on the Bassetlaw housing register can bid on 22 of their new properties, also in Harworth, and live in modern, energy efficient homes.

We have also embarked on a new project with Woodhead Living as the old Abbey Grove Independent Living Centre in Worksop will be replaced with modern apartments that will fit the needs of the district’s elderly and those residents who require a little more extra care.

And in a future issue we will be able to tell you more about an exciting new venture that we are working on with Woodhead Living.

Finally, I’d like to say thank you and a fond farewell to our former Customer Services Manager Sam Roberts, who left us earlier this year.

Many of you will know Sam through the A1 Hundred Club, tenant engagement events and Tenant and Resident’s Associations.

We all wish her good luck in her future career.

Best wishes,

Plenty to be thankful for Like many of you, I’ve been watching the news over the last few months and seeing the stories of hurricanes, earthquakes and disasters closer to home like the Grenfell fire, it makes me feel extremely lucky to wake up in the morning and have a sense of certainty and security in my modest council house.

What can seem like a big problem for us, like waiting for A1 Housing to make a repair, or telling a Housing Officer about a nuisance neighbour, can pale into insignificance once you think about people who don’t have a home anymore because of a natural or manmade disaster.

Take the Grenfell fire for example. Not only have people died, but many of those who survived are still without a place to call home three months down the line.

It highlights the importance of fire safety in your home and no matter how hard A1 Housing work to try and keep us safe from the risks of fire (see page 18 for some statistics on this), we all have a responsibility to be fire safe.

Something as simple as a smoke alarm can save your life and your home, so if you haven’t got one, get one.

And if you have one, make sure you check it twice a year and change the battery once a year.

You’ll be reassured to know I tested mine this morning when I burnt my toast for breakfast! Until next time...

Don Spittlehouse A1 Housing Managing Director

David Smith In Touch Tenant Editor

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Tenants Launch Compact In July, A1 Housing launched its revised 2017 Tenant Compact, which is an official agreement between Bassetlaw District Council and its tenants.

people to become Tenant Voices, how all information is shared on the A1 Housing website and the use of the A1 Hundred Club as our main customer panel.

The compact sets out how tenants can become involved in decision making and just some of the changes that have been made since the last compact was signed in 2013 include; encouraging more

The Tenant Compact was signed by Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director of A1 Housing and Judy Turner, Chair of BATRA.

MD Recognises Committed Staff As part of A1 Housing’s recent Annual General Meeting, our Managing Director took the time to celebrate the commitment of two employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty over the last 12 months.

Sue Slater has been with the Warden Service for 25 years and has been described as an unsung hero thanks to her tireless dedication to helping her colleagues and the residents of our Independent Living Centres, especially when they were being moved from Abbey Grove earlier this year.

Andrew Steen was also recognised for his industry-leading commitment to Gas Safety by working with national bodies such as CORGI and the Association of Gas Safety Managers to improve gas safety legislation and help to ensure that standards are continually improved for tenants across the country, not just A1 Housing.

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Who is Your Housing Officer?

Jason Green

Michelle Hoggard

Contact: 07725 768 498

Contact: 07725 768 508

Areas covered:

Areas covered:

• Hallcroft (Retford) • North Road Area (Retford) • Clayworth • Clarborough • Rampton • South Leverton • North Leverton • Habblesthorpe • Sturton-le-Steeple

• Ranskill • Torworth • Mattersey • Mattersey Thorpe • Sutton-cum-Lound • Lound • Beckingham • Walkeringham • North Wheatley

• Retford (Central) • East Markham • Ragnall • Laneham • Darlton • Tuxford • Askham • Dunham-on-Trent • Gamston • Normanton-on-Trent • Bothamsall

June Pocklington

Contact: 07725 768 494

Jenny Nilsson

Jane Eagan Contact: 07725 768 481

Areas covered:

Areas covered: • Ordsall • Sandy Lane (Worksop) • Thrumpton (Retford)

• Ranby • Elkesley

Paula Owen Contact: 07725 768 505 Areas covered: • Harworth • Blyth • Styrrup • Scrooby • Misson

Donna Bell Areas covered: • East Manton (Worksop) • Sunnybank (Worksop) • Valley Road (Worksop)

• Kilton (Worksop) • Gateford (Worksop)

Caroline Hurt

Contact: 07725 768 369

Contact: 07725 768 463 Areas covered:

Areas covered:

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• West Manton (Worksop) • Garside Street (Worksop) • The Mews (Worksop) • Westgate (Worksop) • St Johns Court (Worksop) • Lowtown (Worksop) • Bracebridge (Worksop) • Cuckney • Priory (Worksop) • Nether Langwith

Contact: 07725 768 489 • Everton • Gringley • West Stockwith • Misterton • Oldcotes

Adele Hewison

• Thievesdale (Worksop) • Prospect (Worksop)

Contact: 07725 768 487

• Larwood (Worksop)

• Carlton-in-Lindrick • Rhodesia • Costhorpe • Langold • Shireoaks • Keswick Road (Worksop)

We’re Here to Help Neighbourhood Housing Officers can deal with any issues you have and are available to talk about subjects like your tenancy, your home, or the area where you live.

A1 Housing has nine Neighbourhood Housing Officers who look after different areas of Bassetlaw. As part of their job they carry out Estate Inspections and property checks to ensure that tenants keep to their tenancy agreements, and also offer advice on how to look after your home or garden and keep communal areas clean and tidy.

They can also help with minor cases of anti-social behaviour. However, should you wish to report any serious cases of Anti-Social Behaviour, such as drug dealing, hate crimes or threats of violence, please inform your Housing Officer who will pass this onto Bassetlaw District Council’s dedicated AntiSocial Behaviour Team to investigate.

In September this year, A1 Housing changed some of the areas that Housing Officers look after and you can see who your new Housing Officer is on the page opposite.

This is the first major change we have made since 2012 and if you are still not sure who your Housing Officer is, please contact us on 0800 590 542.

You can also find this information online by visiting www.a1housing.co.uk - click on the ‘Our Services’ tab and follow the link to ‘Tenancy Matters / Housing Officers’.

If you live in Misterton or Harworth, you can also see your Housing Officer at dedicated Community Surgeries. These are: • Harworth Information Centre, Scrooby Road - Mondays, between 10am and 12noon • The Misterton Library, High Street - First Tuesday of each month, between 10am and 12 noon

Extra Support A1 Housing has a dedicated Tenancy Support Co-ordinator, Ann Jepson, who can offer support to existing tenants who may be struggling with their tenancy.

This support and advice can help vulnerable tenants to maintain their tenancy and in some cases stop them losing their homes. Please contact Ann on 0800 590 542.

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Changes Ahead for Universal Credit Big changes are about to take place if you have to make a new application for benefits and you are defined by the DWP as ‘working age’.

In December 2017 Bassetlaw will become a Universal Credit Full Service Area, which means that all new ‘work aged’ claimants will be invited to make a claim for Universal Credit, instead of traditional benefits.

However, if you are already claiming benefits and you have no change in your circumstances, you won’t need to do anything and the DWP will let you know when you are due to be moved onto Universal Credit.

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a new benefit for people of working age and will slowly replace the six key benefits of;

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Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance, IncomeRelated Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

There are no limits to the number of hours you can work in a week if you receive Universal Credit and your payment will reduce gradually as you earn more.

This means you won’t lose all your benefits at once if you’re on a low income.

To be eligible for Universal Credit you’ll have to accept a ‘Claimant Commitment’. This is an agreement that you make to complete job seeking tasks that will help you move into work. What you agree to do will depend on things such as your health, your responsibilities at home and how much help you need to get work or increase your income.

What changes will trigger a move onto Universal Credit?

There are a few changes in circumstances that could mean you have to move onto Universal Credit. These include: • Moving into or out of work • Moving home • A change in the number of people who live in your home • Being found fit for work and your Employment and Support Allowance ending - unless you make an appeal against this decision • Having a break in your Jobseekers Allowance claim - for example if you fail to sign on without good reason • Separating from a partner

What could this mean for me?

If you think you may move onto Universal Credit, now is the time to prepare. To receive Universal Credit you’ll need: • A bank account • A mobile telephone number • An email address • Access to the internet • Basic computer skills • To have verified your identification electronically • Your Tenancy Agreement • To know how much rent to pay to A1 Housing each month

How long will it take to move over to Universal Credit?

Traditional benefits are paid weekly or two weekly.

However, Universal Credit is paid monthly and the DWP will notify you of your payment date.

As all your benefits will be combined into one payment, you will have to pay your rent to A1 Housing yourself.

To make sure your rent is paid on time, you can set up a Direct Debt close to this date to ensure you don’t fall into Rent Arrears.

Also, Universal Credit claimants don’t usually receive their first payment until at least one calendar month and seven days after a claim is made. This means you may have to manage without an income for six weeks and will have to set some money aside or pay extra onto your rent account before you move over onto Universal Credit.

If you think you may need help moving over to Universal Credit, our Money Advisors and Rent Team can provide budgeting advice and support to make this move as smooth as possible. You can get in touch with them by calling 0800 590 542.

You can also find more information about Universal Credit at www.gov.uk/universal-credit

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Wipe Out Mould

With the summer well and truly behind us for 2017, this is the time of year when we crank up the heating, close all the windows and settle in for the winter.

Unfortunately, some of our winter comforts and necessities can cause condensation and mould. But fear not, here are a few hints and tips to keep your home mould free.

Vent to prevent!

We know it’s cold outside, 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 ventilate the room and 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.

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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, the chances are that you have a mould problem.

How can I get rid of it?

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 as 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.

High-Tech Repairs Team Moves with the Times Back in the old days of council house repairs there was a man and his van, a list of jobs for the day and a CB radio if he needed to call the office.

Since then technology has advanced and over the years CB radios have been replaced by mobile phones, personal devices and now iPads.

All this means that our tradesmen have had to become more IT knowledgeable and learn to use the devices in their everyday working life. This has been a huge learning curve for all involved but the benefit to tenants, and the way that we work as a repairs service, has been worthwhile by becoming more efficient and effective.

Through their iPads, our repairs people receive a live update of the jobs that need doing, access to emails where they can send photos and information back to the supervisor for assistance, and receive additional information for the job at hand.

They can access instruction manuals, health and safety notes, and get access to essential information.

In the new year they will also be able to order parts direct from the suppliers when they need materials for a job.

Marie Bowler, Repairs Manager at A1 Housing said: “Embracing technology has been a key part of how we deliver a modern repairs service to our tenants.

By using new methods we are able to be more efficient, which saves money that can be put back into the repairs service, and be more effective at completing your repairs.

“So, if you see one of our vans and the operative inside looks like they’re playing Angry Birds, please rest assured that they’re busy sending information back to the office before they are allocated their next job.

This means that we can get round to your repair a little bit quicker.”

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Crackdown on Fraud Three former tenants have handed back the keys to A1 Housing properties after being caught committing tenancy fraud.

Joint investigations by Bassetlaw District Council’s Fraud Investigations Team and A1 Housing uncovered the cases of tenancy fraud, which resulted in the voluntary termination of all three tenancies.

The first case was a ‘right to buy’ application where the tenant was not using the property as their main home. During an interview under caution, the tenant admitted to living and attending university in Poland for the majority of their time, over a number of years.

In the second case, the investigation team uncovered evidence which revealed that the tenant was subletting their property and had not lived there for 18 months.

And in the third case, Housing Officers at A1 Housing had suspicions that the tenant was subletting when, during a routine visit to a male occupant, only female belongings could be seen in the flat. After initially denying the fraud, he terminated the tenancy and returned the keys to A1 Housing.

Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “Tenancy Fraud

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is illegal and deprives genuine tenants access to a home they may desperately need.

“The Council and A1 Housing will look closely into any suspicious circumstances and will not hesitate to recover a property, or pursue a criminal prosecution, should they find someone guilty of committing fraud.”

Tenancy cheats can face a fine of up to £50,000 and a prison sentence of up to two years if they are caught committing fraud. However, should tenants voluntarily return the property back to the Council, they will not face any further legal action.

Although none of the cases resulted in criminal prosecutions, all tenants terminated their tenancies and the properties were re-let to genuine tenants.

Tenancy Fraud can include; subletting your home, dishonestly applying for a council property using someone else’s details or fake information, continuing to live in a property if the tenant passes away and you don’t have succession rights, or using someone else’s tenancy rights to submit a ‘Right to Buy’ application.

If you suspect that Tenancy Fraud is being committed, please contact your Housing Officer or call A1 Housing on 0800 590 542.

Injunction for Retford Man A Retford man has been given an AntiSocial Behaviour Injunction to prevent him from entering an A1 Housing managed property.

James Brown, 57, of no fixed abode was handed the ASBI by District Judge Wall at Mansfield County Court on 2nd May 2017 and, as well as being forbidden from entering the property, must not cause harassment alarm or distress to any of the residents of the property and cannot be within an area bounded by Firth Road, Boundary Walk and Galway Crescent.

Gerald Connor, Community Safety Coordinator at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “Mr Brown has previously been banned from entering this area of Retford and despite further warnings, keeps returning to this facility to the objection of a number of residents. This Injunction will prevent Mr Brown from visiting this property and I hope that this will enable residents to feel safer in their homes.”

The order is to remain in force until 31st January 2018 or further order of the court.

ASB Update Bassetlaw District Council’s ASB Team has obtained an injunction against a Retford resident banning them from their parent’s home for a period of six months.

In addition they have served three Notices Seeking Possession in order to evict A1 Housing tenants who persistently commit high levels of anti-social behaviour. These are currently being processed by the courts and we will update you on these cases in a future issue of In Touch.

The Team has also issued seven Community Protection Warnings and two Community Protection Notices in relation to offenders targeting vulnerable tenants, excessive noise and general ASB issues, as well as neighbourly disputes, all within A1 Housing Communities.

As well as the work that the team does on behalf of A1 Housing, it also enforces the conditions of Public Space Protection Orders in our town centres.

As such it has issued 20 Fixed Penalty Notices in Worksop due to breaches of the PSPO in relation to street drinking, use of psychoactive substances and urinating in public.

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Changes to Homefinder In September Bassetlaw District Council made changes to its Choice Based Lettings Policy, specifically relating to people who do not have a local connection to the Bassetlaw area.

Previously, to be on the Council’s housing register and bid for properties, applicants needed to have a local connection to the Bassetlaw area. However, from September, if the applicant does not have a local connection they are able to be part of the register in the newly created Band F. Priority for Council properties will still be given to applicants with a local connection in Bands A to E, but applicants in the new Band F who do not have a

local connection will be able to bid for properties that have been re-advertised for a second time.

If you do not have a Bassetlaw connection and would like to be on the Housing Register, you can submit an application online at www.a1housing.co.uk. You can also submit supporting documentation by email after you receive a reference number given to you when you have completed your online form.

You’ll also find a full explanation of a ‘Bassetlaw connection’ on the website along with more information on how to bid for a Council property.

You can also call 0800 590 542 for advice or visit one of our property shops in Retford and Worksop.

Tenancy Agreement Updated All A1 Housing tenants have signed a tenancy agreement, which is a contract between yourself and the Council and sets out the conditions that both parties must abide by.

Bassetlaw Council’s current tenancy agreement has been in use for a number of years and some of the conditions need to be updated.

Rachel Burton, Head of Housing at A1 Housing said: “These changes ensure that the agreement between you and the Council is clear.”

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“It also includes policy changes that have taken place over the years, as well as some of our practices that have been updated.”

There will be a consultation period over the next few months where we will write to all tenants asking for your views on the new tenancy agreement.

Please look out for this letter and give us your views on the changes. There will also be information on www.a1housing.co.uk and A1 Housing’s Facebook page.

Ongo Homes Build for Bassetlaw Residents If you live in or around Harworth you may have noticed some new houses that have been built on the site of the former Miners’ Institute.

These belong to social housing provider Ongo Homes who have constructed 44 two and three-bedroomed homes that will be rented to local people.

As part of this development, Ongo Homes has agreed that 22 of these properties will be available on the A1 Housing register for people with a Bassetlaw Connection to bid on, as you normally would for an A1 Housing property.

Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing said: “There are thousands of people on the Housing Register in Bassetlaw who have a real need for quality homes like these. We are delighted that we have been able to form a partnership with Ongo Homes that will provide quality social housing at an affordable rate for local people to live in.”

Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council went along to get a sneak preview of the houses and said: “It’s an impressive development and it’s great that the Council and A1 Housing have been able to join forces with Ongo Homes to provide more social housing for people in Bassetlaw.”

There are thousands of people on the register who need quality homes like these Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director of A1 Housing

Pete Stones, Director of Regeneration at Ongo, said: “These homes are built to a really high standard and will be a great asset to the local area. It’s been great building up new relationships with A1 Housing and Bassetlaw District Council to be able to offer much needed affordable homes in this area.”

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Impressive Harworth Homes Completed

A1 Housing’s award-winning development in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council and Woodhead Living has provided 79 new homes for people in Harworth.

The three-year development, which began in 2014 and is now complete, has seen tenants rehoused from outdated Airey Houses into modern, energy efficient homes on Smith Square, Thompson Avenue, Simpson Walk and Greenwood Avenue.

The project was the first social housing development that the Council and A1 Housing has undertaken in around 30 years.

Don Spittlehouse, Managing Director at A1 Housing said: “This is a key milestone for A1 Housing and by replacing the outdated Airey Homes we have been able to improve the standard of living for many tenants and have also been able to take some residents out of fuel poverty.

“We are extremely proud of this new community and thanks to the expertise and partnership working with Woodhead, we believe we have set a new standard for the future of social housing.”

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Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “Thanks to creative design and a forward-thinking approach, Woodhead and A1 Housing have delivered an impressive development that has provided existing and new tenants with warm, safe and energy efficient homes to live in. I hope this project will become a blue-print for any future social housing development in Bassetlaw.”

Alistair Taylor, Head of Housing and Regeneration at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “When we work on a project like this we aim to leave a legacy, not just fantastic new buildings, but positive community impact. Throughout the project we have worked alongside local people and nearby businesses.”

All the new homes were designed to exceed the current basic building regulations and energy efficiency standards, featuring energy saving measures such as solar panels that will provide tenants with lower energy bills, and a smoke alarm and sprinkler system to provide enhanced fire safety.

In October 2016, Harworth cycling legend Tom Simpson was honoured when a new road on the development - Simpson Walk, was named after him.

New Start for Abbey Grove Work has started on a major project to build 51 apartments with onsite care specifically designed for the needs of elderly residents.

A partnership between A1 Housing, Bassetlaw District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, with additional funding from the national Homes and Communities Agency, is set to develop an impressive apartment complex for older adults on the site of the former Abbey Grove Independent Living Centre in Lowtown, Worksop.

Planning consent was granted by Bassetlaw District Council in May 2017 and with Woodhead being confirmed as the approved contractor, demolition work has already begun on site.

Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The redevelopment of Abbey Grove is set to be a fantastic facility that will provide quality accommodation for older tenants in our district.”

Joice Rennie, Director of Housing for A1 Housing said: “Older residents in Bassetlaw will soon have a new purpose built complex to live in. Almost 50 per cent of A1 Housing’s waiting list are over 60 people are living longer and demand is greater.”

Luke Downing, Managing Project Manager for Woodhead Living, said: “We’re delighted to be working with A1 Housing and Bassetlaw District Council again on another fantastic project. The brand new energy efficient building will provide secure, warm and modern homes.”

People are living longer and the demand is greater Joice Rennie, Director of Housing at A1 Housing

Councillor Steve Vickers, Vice-Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “It’s vital that the older people in Nottinghamshire have as much choice on the way their care and support is provided, whether that be in their home or in a specially designed complex such as this.”

The Abbey Grove redevelopment will feature 51 comfortable, self-contained one and two bedroomed apartments, including 37 extra care places.

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Smoking Ban in Play Parks Bassetlaw District Council has introduced a voluntary smoking ban in all of its children’s play parks to help protect children from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

The ban was brought in following a public consultation which revealed that 92 per cent of people who completed the survey were in favour of the voluntary ban.

The decision means that people will be discouraged from smoking in all 35 of the Council’s outdoor children’s play parks.

Parish Councils will also be supported should they wish to enforce the voluntary ban.

Landmark for Retford Loo Retford’s new Changing Places toilet has been named as the 1,000th facility in the country and has gone down in Changing Places history.

The announcement was made as part of Changing Places Awareness Day on 19th July which helps to raise awareness of the significant difference that Changing Places toilets make to people’s everyday lives.

The £70k facility was recently opened following six months of construction and almost two years of local campaigning and fundraising by groups, led by Alison Beevers, who said: “The need for a Changing Places facility in Retford is very real and we are delighted that Retford now has a Changing Places facility that will very much enhance people’s lives and make visiting the town much easier.”

“So much community effort went into making Retford Changing Places happen, it’s wonderful to have our achievements marked in this special and unique way!

Thank you”.

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Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bassetlaw District Council takes an active role in discouraging smoking and if we can create more places where children do not see this as normal behaviour, we can help to discourage a future generation of adults from taking up smoking before it becomes a habit.

“By making Children’s Play areas in Council owned parks a smoke free zone, we are offering protection from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and join a number of other local authorities who have successfully introduced voluntary smoke-free zones in play areas.”

Sign Up for 2018 Service

More than 6,500 people across the district have taken advantage of Bassetlaw District Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service in its first year.

Over 1,500 tonnes of recyclable garden waste has been collected between March and October, and there is still time to take advantage of the last of this year’s collections before the service pauses for three months at the end of November.

If you are one of the many customers who chose to recycle their garden waste with the Council and you originally registered online, you will soon receive an email inviting you to sign-up for next year’s collections.

“Recycling more of our waste is extremely important for the environment and a high priority for the Council.

We would like to encourage everyone to sign up again for next year’s collections and for even more people to join the service next year.”

The first year has exceeded all expectations and I would like to thank everyone who has supported this new venture Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

Likewise, if you paid over the phone you will receive a letter with all the details of how you can receive this service in 2018. To ensure that you receive your first collection in March 2018, you will need to renew by 31st January for the same price of £30.

The kerbside collection service costs just £30 a year and includes fortnightly collections between March and November. You can place grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, small branches and twigs, dead plants, weeds and cut flowers in your brown bin.

Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The first year of our Green Waste Collection Service has exceeded all expectations and I would like to thank everyone who has supported this new venture.

If you are a new customer and would like to subscribe to next year’s collections, you can do this online from 1st November at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk or by calling 01909 533 533 and asking for Environment Services, then press 1 for Garden Waste.

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Staying Fire Safe The Grenfell disaster in June this year has made everyone think a little more about fire safety, especially if you live in a block of flats.

A1 Housing takes fire prevention extremely seriously, that’s why we’ve spent almost £3.5m over the last six years on measures that could help to save someone’s life in the event of a fire.

The statistics below are just a few ways that we are trying to reduce fires in our properties and improve fire safety for our tenants.

Fire Safety in Flats If you live in a block of flats, please keep all exits, stairwells and communal areas free of your belongings. This is to ensure that in the event of a fire there are no obstructions and items that could potentially fuel a fire.

Our Fire Safety in Blocks of Flats booklet has essential advice on how you can prevent a fire and what to do in the event of a fire in a block of flats. Download this at www.a1housing.co.uk or request one by calling 0800 590 542.

You should check your smoke alarm at least

This includes

Sprinkler Systems in homes & flats plus

twice a year

fire protection in communal areas

ideally when the clocks change on

as well as

29th October

Mains Powered Smoke Alarms

3,372

Don’t forget to change the battery once a year

A1 Housing has spent

£3.5m

properties will have a mains powered smoke alarm by

There are

5,444

on fire safety over the past

properties that have been fitted with

to keep our tenants safe

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

6 years

2020

2,500

senior citizen bungalows are fitted with

Tunstell Alarm Systems This system helps to

alert the emergency services in the event of any emergency, including a fire

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More than

250

Fire safety inspections have taken place in blocks of flats in the last

3 years

Competitions How well do you know your British cities? If you can solve our spiral wordfit, you could win a £20 Love2Shop voucher. The last letter of the preceding city is the first letter of the following city.

We’ve given you Bristol so the next city must begin with an ‘L’. There are 10 to work out.

Kids Club If you can solve both our Kids Club puzzles, you could win a £20 Love2Shop voucher and a goody bag.

Once you have the answers for each puzzle, mark them on the pictures, then tell us your name, age, where you live and a phone number. Then, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Find the dog a home!

Can you help the dog back to his kennel?

Just work out and circle the correct path.

A

Fill in your details and follow the instructions below:

B

x

C

x

Name:

Name that Country

Address:

Can you make an eight letter country from the letters given below?

Telephone: Please send competition entries to: A1 Housing Customer Services, Carlton Forest House, Hundred Acre Lane, Worksop S81 0TS Or email a photo or scan of the entry to: customer.services@a1housing.co.uk

D

T

N

A

A

L

H

I

The country is:

Closing date for all entries is 1st March 2018.

Winners Congratulations to Lily-Mai Emmerson from Tuxford and Ruth Clark from Worksop who were our lucky winners from Issue 41.

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 Queen’s 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