Spring 2015
News for Bristol City Council tenants
We’ve got springtime covered!
Could you downsize? Housing under scrutiny
Exclusive: win tickets to the match!
Greener, warmer, efficient homes www.bristol.gov.uk
Please recycle this magazine after use
News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
If English is not your first language and you need a translation, we can get one for you.
Welcome to the spring issue of
If you would like this information in another language, Braille, audio tape, large print, easy English, BSL video or CD rom or plain text please contact: 0117 352 5935 Steven Barrett and Mary Ryan, Service Directors, Housing Delivery
A particularly verdant spring has sprung because in 2015 Bristol is the UK’s first European Green Capital city. The many reasons why we are a worthy winner are laid out at www.Bristol2015.com. By Christmas we will want to show that we have done well in everything from large environmental projects and eco-friendly business ventures, to small community activities. It doesn’t end on 31 December. Bristol must carry on the good work for generations to come. As your landlord we are working in ways that contribute to a more sustainable, healthy and happy city. Some covered here in Housing News offer tenants support, savings and reduced bills. A useful aid to managing the finance side of your tenancy is to register for ‘My Account’ at www.bristol.gov.uk/myaccount Thanks again to our tenant-led editorial team, and this time special thanks to the Housing Scrutiny Panel (see page 9).
IN THIS ISSUE
Cover photo: Tenants from Twinnell House, Easton, with Warmer Homes housing staff and contractors.
Get Housing News by email To switch to the email version of Housing News visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/ housingnews page two
News 3–6 Green Capital competition – win sports tickets 4 Cash to help you stay independent 7 Housing Scrutiny Panel – profile 9 Meet our tenants: Janice downsized 10 Money, support, advice and green help 12–13 Switching communication channels 14 What’s on and contacts 15–16
Housing News is published three times a year and delivered to every city council home. Contact us on 0117 352 5935, by emailing tpu@bristol.gov.uk or write to: Freepost RTKJ-SGBZ-ULSH, Tenant Participation Team (SAH), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS (no stamp needed) Written, designed and printed by Bristol City Council. BD6545 March 2015
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
Good news!
Good news! Bristol Girls Can Launched in March, Bristol Girls Can celebrates active women who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it, or how they look. Full of the joys of spring: Jean shares a joke with Adrian over tea.
Bristol’s team provide excellent support We had a great time recently when we visited Jean Sutherland in Knowle. Jean lives in Butterworth Court one of the council’s 28 Supported Housing Schemes. She is helped by Adrian a Housing Support Adviser on Bristol’s Support To Older People team. Known as ‘STOP’ for short the team supports people like Jean to stay independent at home, but involved in the community, and have recently been given their third Service Excellence Standard award from www.chs.ac.uk We asked STOP manager Suzanne about providing the highest quality service to older tenants, helping them to be self-sufficient in their own homes, yet also to have a good social life. Suzanne said: “I want more of Bristol’s older tenants to feel confident they can talk
to us about getting supported accommodation through us. It could make all the difference to their lives. We’re proud that the services we provide are being recognised for their high standard but importantly we help tenants like Jean achieve a balance between providing support and self-support. Our welfare checks, response times, support plans, and advice are all part of our package. We aren’t ‘carers’ in the sense of doing everything for you but we will be there whenever you call, and can tailor our services to your needs.” If sheltered housing would interest you or someone you know please email stop@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 4612. For further information and enquiry forms: www.bristol.gov.uk/stop
The sporty campaign features Bristol women who love to stay active. Supported by the council and Sport England, the aim is to bring women from across the city together to show the world that Bristol Girls Can. Being Green Capital means promoting a healthy, active city too, so films, posters and banners are springing up across the city offering plenty of fun activities for girls and women of all ages and abilities. For more information on active lifestyles in the city visit: www.bristol. gov.uk/thisgirlcan or search #BristolGirlsCan on social media.
A spring in our step Great Bristol walks are back on offer in May’s Walking Festival. All walkers of all abilities are invited to take a stroll. We’re big on green spaces but you could also see well-loved or hidden parts of Bristol in a new light. www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk
Write to STOP (WRD), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS page three
News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
Join in to win Did you know more and more people are living in cities? So to make the world a better place, we’re going to have to change some of the things we do in them. In 2015 Bristol is the UK’s first ever European Green Capital. We won the award because of all the little things, and the really big things, we do to make Bristol a healthier, happier place to live in.
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Bristol is a fine example of what cities can be now, and in the future. It’s a diverse community with an independent spirit where great things are happening. It’s a place where people care enough to make things better.
COMPETITION: Join us for your chance to win sports tickets! We would like to bring you exciting Bristol 2015 news during our Green Capital year. Visit us at bit.ly/winsporttickets to sign up for our newsletter, and enter our competition to win a pair of tickets from our partners at Bristol Sport (Bristol City FC, Bristol Rugby or The Bristol Flyers basketball team). Closing date 31 May 2015.
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1: Bristol 2015 LAB shop 2: Watershed 3: Peros’ Bridge 4: Arnolfini
You can also pop in to our City Centre ‘Lab’ and shop to find out more. We are open to the public from 10am–6pm every day in the school holidays and Friday to Sunday in term-time. Official Partners
Winners will be notified in June and published in next Housing News
Bristol’s building new council homes
Work starts on new council homes at Crabtree Walk in Whitehall.
page four
It’s right that in Green Capital year the new properties being built in the first phase will be to the highest environmental standards low carbon, fit for the future.
Where will new homes be built? Several of the sites agreed for the New Homes project will make good use of disused housing land across the city. Often this will involve patches of land that have been vacant for some time, or old garage sites that have become uneconomical to rent or fallen into disrepair.
The first homes will provide accommodation for larger families, including five sites that feature four-bedroom homes. Later phases focus on smaller homes but in each case the homes provided will be based on the need in that part of Bristol. Set to run for 10 to 15 years the programme is part of Bristol’s wider plan for more new and affordable housing. Look at our plans and keep up with developments at www.bristol. gov.uk/newcouncilhomes
Image courtesy Kendall Kingscott consulting architects.
This spring the council launched a programme of new-build properties that will eventually see around 1000 new homes come into the city council’s housing stock – good news for renters and people on the housing register (the waiting list).
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
Recycling: thanks for doing your green bit l Got something bigger?
We can collect up to three bulky household waste items for £15 (free if you receive certain benefits). Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/ bulkywaste
Photo: WRAP
Bristol is recycling more waste than ever – plastics, food waste, tins, clothes, bottles, paper and cardboard. That’s good for the environment, good for neighbourhoods and good for the tax payer, because sending waste to landfill is very costly. We can always recycle more, whether it’s in our green box, the Mini Recycling Centre (MRC), in flats or something bulky.
l For a reminder of what
can be recycled and what goes where, visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/ bins
l In flats, get the best
from your service at: www.bristol.gov.uk/ flatsrecycling
l If you need help lifting
or carrying. Call 0117 922 2100 or visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/ assistedcollection
More green ideas on pages 12–13.
Switch energy supply and save up to £200 You could save up to £200 a year on gas and electricity bills by switching supplier according to the industry regulator Ofgem.
“ 75% of tenants say they’ve never switched supplier”
Many people who rent their home don’t realise that they are entitled to switch, assuming instead that they have to stick with whichever supplier is in place when they move in. In reality, if you are responsible for paying for the gas and electricity and it’s your name on the bill then
Bristol’s Tenants Energy Advice (TEA) Service offers free and impartial advice on getting the best deal. To speak to a TEA advisor about saving on your energy bills or to get free advice on running a warm and healthy home call 0800 082 2234 (free for landlines), or 0117 934 1957. www.cse.org.uk/bristoltea
Warmer Homes Project
Raising energy efficiency, lowering bills
too before giving properties a smart, new finish. Thanks to all tenants for their patience during these works.
Our cover shows Twinnell House in Easton under wraps – it’s getting a thermal makeover and other blocks will follow suit. At the end of 2014 we wrote about how the Warmer Homes project launched to improve the energyefficiency – and temperature – of high rise flats and low rise properties in Bristol. Whilst we’re doing it we’re fixing other issues
you have the right to switch supplier and get a better deal.
Twinnell House tenant Mrs O’Brien with (L-R) Miles Twinning (BCC) and Richard Wheeler (Mears).
Elsewhere in Bristol we are contacting tenants for their views on colour choices for low rise homes – properties next in line for the Warmer Homes facelift. Want to know details about the project? Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/ warmerhomes page five
News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
News in brief The Care Act The Care Act 2014 brings the biggest changes in the laws around adult care and support in England for over 60 years. The changes focus on the wellbeing and independence of citizens, bringing a clearer, fairer and consistent approach across the whole country. There are new rights for carers to help them carry on caring. Information: www.bristol.gov.uk/careandsupport or call 0117 922 2700.
Is there a flood risk ? Bristol is one of the 10 cities in the country at greater risk to flooding, with approximately 30,000 properties at risk across the city. From the tidal River Avon to flooding from heavy rainfall, it is a threat to people in certain parts of Bristol. As we have seen in national events, flooding can have a big impact on city life, but we can manage the risks together by knowing where the hotspots are.
If you, or your local group, would like to help Bristol to be prepared for floods email the Flood Risk Management team, flooding@bristol.gov.uk call 0117 922 3206 or visit www.bristol.gov.uk/floodrisk
Elections – use your vote
2015 Tenants’ handbook Citizen Service Points
Don’t forget to vote in the local and national elections, Thursday 7 May, 2015. To have your say make sure you use your vote. Find out more at www.bristol.gov.uk/elections
A new handbook is now available to new tenants, and existing tenants who request a copy. The clear and colourful 35 page volume is a useful guide to getting the best out of all types of tenancy. It covers key points, rent, repairs, facilities, communities, ending your tenancy or even buying your home. There’s also a directory – green pages! Get familiar with the all-in-one guide at www.bristol. gov.uk/housingpublications
Bristol Community Links The new, city-wide day service is now open supporting older people, adults with dementia, a learning difficulty or physical and sensory impairments. BCL South was the first of three centres to be opened in Bristol, in Knowle. Last November and December BCL Central (St George) and BCL North (Southmead) followed. page six
Along with daily care and support, BCL’s specially trained staff help people maintain their independence and reach goals. There’s already a great community spirit at the three excellent venues but the teams want everyone including local businesses to feel welcome to drop by and see for themselves. www.bristol.gov.uk/bcl
Phoenix Court Citizen Service Point no longer offers council tax appointments. If you need to discuss your council tax please first contact our council tax service on 0117 922 2900. If a face to face enquiry is needed, an appointment will be made for you to see an advisor at our new Temple Street Citizen Service Point (see page 16).
Cash to help you stay independent Thousands of disabled people in Bristol are missing out on support they’re entitled to. If you are aged 16–64 and are disabled or have long-term health problems you could be eligible to receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The payment is worth £21.80 to £139.75 a week to help meet the extra costs of living with disability or long term illness. It is paid on top of any other income, benefits or savings. It can be spent on whatever you need. Many people use the money to enable them to work or attend training or education.
Who can claim? People aged 16–64 with physical impairments, mental health issues, learning difficulties, and a range of other conditions can claim. If your condition or disability is variable, this can be taken into account.
l
eople who are terminally P ill can apply under a ‘special rules’ fast track procedure.
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you are working or studying, If you can still apply.
Personal independence payment (PIP) has replaced disability living allowance (DLA) for new claims.
However if you get DLA at the moment, you cannot claim PIP – see overleaf for more details.
How are the payments calculated? PIP has two parts; 1: D aily living component for people who have difficulties with activities such as washing, preparing or eating food, dressing, taking medication, communicating, dealing with other people and managing money. 2: M obility component for people who have difficulty getting around, either because of walking problems or because they need help to leave the house. There are other qualifying conditions. To request more information see overleaf.
Illustrations: Celia Witchard
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News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
What if I already receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)? You can’t claim PIP at the moment. But if you are under 65 you will be invited to claim PIP at some point in the future. It is likely your existing claim won’t be affected until October 2015 or later. If you have a fixed period DLA award which is due to end, you will still be invited to reclaim DLA, until further notice. If you get DLA and your care or mobility needs increase, you can still ask for your DLA award to be looked at again. For independent advice visit www.advicewest.org.uk
What if I’m over 65? If you were born on or before 8 April 1948 and already receive Disability Living Allowance you can continue to do so, for as long as you meet the entitlement conditions. If you are 65 or over and do not already receive a disability benefit, you could be entitled to Attendance Allowance. For more information visit www.bristol.gov.uk/AA
More information For free confidential advice and information visit www.bristol.gov.uk/PIP or return the Freepost form below.
How can I get advice about claiming personal independence payment (PIP)? Please tick ONE of these three boxes:
or or
Mr
Mrs
Ms
I am aged 16–64 and have called the DWP on 0800 917 2222 to make a new claim for PIP. Please send me factsheets about claiming PIP and filling in the DWP form.
First name:
I would like more information about PIP, please send me a factsheet.
Age of person to claim:
I/a relative would like advice. Please call me about making a claim.
Miss
Last name: Phone number:
Address:
If you would like information in large print, another format or another language please state: Postcode: Email (If you would like the factsheet by email):
Freepost RTKJ-SGBZ-ULSH, Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service (100TS/3/N) Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS page eight
HN-Spr2015
Please send this coupon in an envelope (you do not need a stamp) to:
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
Take a closer look at tenant life
Are you a tenant or leaseholder with an inquisitive mind, with ideas about how to improve housing services? Do you want to get involved in setting standards that work for tenants? Meet the Housing Scrutiny Panel (HSP) – an independent, tenant-led group which works in partnership with Bristol City Council and tenant groups to drive up standards and customer satisfaction.
Pat and Gilbert from the panel told Housing News a bit about how members can get involved: “Scrutiny projects look in detail at different areas of council housing and the panel can make recommendations to change or improve things. For example there might be concern about poor performance in one area or low satisfaction with the service received in another but there’s a formal process to get something looked at. Our group then presents a report, with recommendations. This goes to senior managers and to the Housing Management Board to approve and put actions in place.”
l Learn more about your landlord,
housing and managing tenancies. l Meet new people and work as
a team with other tenants and leaseholders.
Want to get involved? The HSP meet as and when required but at least once a month for two to three hour sessions. When a project is under way the commitment can increase a bit – with emails, minutes and papers to be read in your own time. Meeting times will be arranged for the day or evening to ensure as many members as possible can attend.
What’s in it for me?
Open Day –28 April
Membership is voluntary. However, you will:
We’re holding an HSP Open Day on Tuesday, 28 April 2015 from 10am until mid-evening, at: Tenants Resource Centre, 4 Waring House, Redcliffe Hill, Bristol, BS1 6TB
l Have the chance to make a real
difference and improve things for yourself and your neighbours. l Receive free training to help
build your confidence and skills.
All Bristol City Council tenants or leaseholders are welcome. Please contact us to find out more. For an application pack, email: hsp@bristol.gov.uk or call 07843 677 297. You can also write to the panel using freepost (no stamp required): Freepost RTKJ-SGBZ-ULSH, Housing Scrutiny Panel (St Annes), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, BS3 9FS
Members of the Housing Scrutiny Panel
Find out more about HSP at: www.bristol.gov.uk/hsp
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News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
Meet our tenants: Janice, happy in her new home
Clockwise from left: Miranda Wigmore-Dixon & Dean Elliott (Under Occupation Team), Janice Mundy and George the dog.
The benefits of moving to a smaller property are numerous. A smaller home is easier to manage and clean, and financially it is much cheaper to run. According to www.ukpower. co.uk the annual utility savings you can achieve by downsizing to a smaller property could be over £600. When you also consider lower water charges and council tax bandings annual savings could total £1000. Janice is a tenant who has recently downsized from a three bedroom council house to a one bedroom property. We asked about her experience of moving and if she would recommend it to other tenants.
page ten
How are you enjoying your new home? Wonderful – it is perfect.
What is your favourite feature about your new home? “ The whole thing, I’m so happy here, lovely neighbours they’ve all come and introduced themselves, very pleasant. My dogs love it. I’m sure they’ll get used to having their paws washed each time they come back in.”
Did you find the move difficult? “ No, not at all, I just went with the flow and quite enjoyed it! I thoroughly loved it when I came here and handed the keys back for the old property. It was tiring but not as hard or heart-wrenching as I thought it would be, seeing I’d been there all my life. I was happy. The removal team were great, they were lovely fellows and
really good. They had a nice cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit so that made them happy!”
What advice would you give to tenants thinking about moving to a smaller property? “ Yes, do it – 110%! Without a doubt – they’ll feel a lot better. Once they’ve done the move it’ll be great for them.”
Are you happy now that you’ve moved? “ Yes I really am ecstatic, it’s wonderful. It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders – really.” Could you be happier in a different home? Downsizing was the right move for Janice. If you would like information about the benefits and potential help that is available to council tenants, email under.occupation@bristol.gov.uk
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
HomeChoice Bristol is changing
Making light work of moving In the six years the council has been using HomeSwapper 1,290 tenants have exchanged homes. April 2015 will see a major change to the look and feel of HomeSwapper, with the launch of a new version of the online swap service currently used by council tenants who want to find a mutual exchange. Homeswapper 2015 has been redesigned and redeveloped with input from tenants and national social housing providers, to use on computers. With its own dedicated app for mobile and tablet devices, registering and finding a mutual exchange with HomeSwapper is now easier than ever. Have you tried Homeswapper? More tips on getting online, page 14
HomeSwapper also has its own internal messaging service which replaces the need for the user to provide an email address and telephone number for people to contact them on. You simply communicate within the system. Once you’ve registered, the upgraded map and search functions help you find homes wherever you want them. Whether you are looking for a local move, within the same street, or want to relocate somewhere entirely new, HomeSwapper will do all the searching for you and picks up what’s available based on your needs and preference. Register at: www.homeswapper.co.uk
HomeChoice
Bristol
Tuesday 5 May sees changes to the council housing allocation policy. Changes affect who can be included on HomeChoice Bristol (the housing register or ‘waiting list), who can bid for homes, and who gets priority. People will need to meet one of the new qualification and suspension conditions covering: ●● Greater priority for local people.
You will need to have lived in Bristol for the last two years. ●● Income. No applications
accepted from people with income over £40,000. ●● Savings. No applications
from people with savings over £40,000. ●● Home owners. No applications
from those who own their own home. ●● Behaviour. No applications from
those with a history of serious unacceptable behaviour. Some people may qualify to be included on HomeChoice Bristol, but may be suspended from bidding for the following reasons: ●● They have a Bristol social
housing debt over £500. ●● There has been a serious breach
of tenancy conditions. ●● They have refused two
reasonable offers. People will be prioritised on the list based on their needs. This includes people with an urgent medical need, and social housing tenants downsizing from larger properties. Find out more about the new policy on our website www.homechoicebristol.co.uk page eleven
News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
Get green help with the garden One way to be part of Green Capital is through the council’s assisted garden scheme. It’s a one-off garden clearance service available for tenants’ struggling to maintain their gardens. Older or less able tenants can use this service to get a garden back to a more manageable condition for just a £10 donation to our service partners, Community Service Volunteers (CSV).
What it involves. CSV visit to check what needs doing in your garden. Then a team of gardener volunteers will make one clearance visit. Before they do please make sure the garden is clear of discarded furniture, rubbish or pet waste.
If you or your neighbour are over 60 or have a disability that prevents you from looking after the garden (and nobody else at home can help) then you qualify. To request the service call Estates on 0117 922 2200 (option 4) or ask your Housing Officer to book you in.
Need more help? The CSV volunteers also provide a maintenance service for tenants. It costs around £25 per hour. If you are concerned generally about not being able manage your garden or property, please do have a chat with your Housing Officer about support options, including moving to more suitable accommodation (see page 10).
Need help with home repairs? Are you over 60, or disabled, and need help with tenant repairs or home improvements? If so WE Care & Repair’s handyperson service may be the answer. As a local, not-for-profit organisation WE Care & Repair (WEC&R) have been assisting people to maintain their homes in the West for 28 years and help tenants to stay independent in their own homes.
WEC&R handypersons are experienced, multi-skilled tradespeople, funded by the council to provide this work free to the tenant. They all carry ID cards and the WEC&R logo clearly displayed on their vans and uniform. They can help with everything from changing internal light bulbs, to replacing sections of damaged fences, fitting shelves and building flat pack furniture. The service is available to Bristol council tenants as well as private tenants and homeowners. The free service to Housing News tenants is limited to one three-hour visit per month. WEC&R cannot undertake gardening or painting and decorating. To check what they can do for you please visit www.wecr. org.uk/handyperson-service or call 0300 323 0700.
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Read more about environmental improvements, and link up with CSV at: www.bristol.gov.uk/eib
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
Improving where you live
The main consideration is that proposals must benefit council tenants and the local community. Projects can only happen on council-housing land. You and your neighbours may want to think about: ●● landscaping and planting ●● better lighting
●● communal fencing ●● work that could reduce crime,
vandalism and antisocial behaviour ●● new, improved signs benches,
for a well-earned relax! These are just some possibilities. Any scheme that will benefit the local community or encourage tenant involvement will be considered. So, get your community thinking caps on – or maybe now is the chance to submit the idea you’ve been mulling over for a while. Request an application form by calling our Customer Service centre on 0117 922 2200 (option 4) or apply online at: www.bristol.gov.uk/eib
Understanding Housing Fraud People on low income get help to rent a home through the council’s provision of low cost accommodation and Housing Benefit. Unfortunately both of these services can sometimes be abused, and obtained or received fraudulently. From 1 April 2015 the government will investigate possible Benefit fraud, whilst council staff in Bristol will continue to investigate Tenancy Fraud.
What is Housing Tenancy Fraud?
What is Housing Benefit Fraud?
The Tenancy Agreement sets out the rules but it includes subletting the whole property to others, falsifying circumstances, not declaring ownership of other property, or failing to notify the authority that the tenant has died or left the property.
There are several offences including: failing to say that another adult has moved in; not informing the council of employment or increase in hours worked which could affect benefits, and overstating the rent amount – by the claimant or the landlord.
Reporting Tenancy fraud (Bristol)
Reporting Housing Benefit fraud (national)
www.bristol.gov.uk/tenancyfraud Email:Tenancy.Fraud@bristol.gov.uk Phone 0117 922 2470
www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud Freephone: 0800 854 440 Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm. Textphone service on 0800 328 0512 By post: NBFH, PO Box 224, Preston PR1 1GP
Photo: 1625IP
We welcome your suggestions about how the area where you live can be improved. The Estate Management Team has responsibility for money to make local environmental and security improvements. It’s called the Environmental Improvement Budget (EIB) and many types of project can be submitted. Let us know what you would like to see near you.
Managing your money needn’t be a headache
If rent and money worries are getting on top of you, help is at hand from the Pennywise and Cashpoint projects. Getting to grips with finances can be tough and many of us could benefit from a friendly supporter. Cashpoint and Pennywise offer free information, help and advice for social housing tenants. If you would like to make the most of your money, learn how to get the best deals, make savings, or just get some help dealing with debt and payment problems give them a call.
Age 16–25? Contact Cashpoint, 0117 317 8000 or email: cashpoint@1625ip.co.uk www.1625ip.co.uk/What-We-Do/ Cashpoint-Project “Cashpoint has helped me to get things sorted. From now on I will keep track of everything” Emily
Over 25? Contact Pennywise, 0117 970 4548 or email: pennywise@ placesforpeople.co.uk www.pennywise.org.uk “If it wasn’t for the Pennywise Project, me and my son would most certainly be homeless.” Wendy, Southmead
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News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
Are you switching channels?
How do you prefer to be contacted? Housing News is keen for tenants who are online to stay in touch digitally. But however you prefer to be contacted we’d like to update your details on our records. All you need to do is email, text or write to us with your communications preferences where ‘1’ is your main preference, eg.
Plea se contact me by: 1. Email (give your email address) 2. Text message (give your mobile phon e number) 3. Post (confirm your po stal address)
When did you last write or receive a letter? You can’t beat the personal touch but even though the UK leads the world in buying greetings cards, fewer of us are sending letters. More of us have switched to email and other internet channels. Growth in mobile and smartphone use means we don’t even need to sit at a computer to communicate – it all happens on the phone or tablet. This change in behaviour is important to us all because how people choose to get information,
where people like to meet (not necessarily in person anymore), and of course cost, all affect how much things cost the council. In 2015 it is much more expensive to write, print and deliver to everyone’s letterbox than send an email or text. Cost of telephone contact falls somewhere in between. As your landlord we will always write to you with important information about your tenancy. But we’re also keen to know if you would prefer to be contacted another way.
Did you know? £50m was spent on Mother’s Day cards last year! Greetings Card Association report 2014
page fourteen
Email or text message might better suit you or your family. Saving on paper, postage and production costs is good for the environment, but also means we can deliver more resources to your homes and neighbourhoods.
Send an email or text to: tpu@bristol.gov.uk Write to (no stamp needed): Freepost RTKJ-SGBZ-ULSH, Tenant Participation Team (SAH), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol, BS3 9FS
Over 55 and not online? • LinkAge run great courses, call them on 0117 935 4471 or visit www.LinkAgeBristol.org.uk • Other digital advice is at: www.citizensonline.org.uk • Bristol Libraries offer free internet access and can help you get started with email.
Get in touch – your tenancy contacts are on p16. Have you registered for My Account? Using ‘My Account’ is quick and easy. Find out how it can manage your Council Tax, Rent, Housing Benefit, and Landlords services all in one place! Visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/myaccount
visit our website www.bristol.gov.uk
Spring into Summer What’s on... As green shoots herald Bristol’s wall-to-wall summer sunshine (fingers crossed) there will be plenty of affordable events and activities for you, your friends and families. Here’s a selection. More ideas at www.bristol.gov.uk/events and visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do Festival of Nature
Shaun in the City
Until 6 September, Leigh Woods.
13–14 June, Harbourside
6 July–31 August, citywide.
From April artist Luke Jerram invites visitors to the woods to experience an unexpected encounter with a flotilla. www.lukejerram.com
Enjoy the city’s wild side in the UK’s largest free, public celebration of the natural world. All ages can explore, enjoy, and get close to nature in the heart of the city. All weekend, the festival site will be packed with exciting free activities, live shows and more. www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature
Bristol loved Gromit Unleashed, and now 70 sculptures of Aardman’s famous sheep, Shaun, will appear in ‘Shaun in the City’. Each Shaun will be ‘ewe-niquely’ decorated by celebrities and designers to raise money for Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity.* shauninthecity.org.uk
Luke Jerram – Withdrawn
‘Withdrawn’ at Leigh Woods.
Big Green Week – Love the future 13–21 June
Bristol Food Connections Festival 2015 1–9 May, Harbourside & citywide
Bristol’s free parks in 2015 Photo: Jola Sopek
A celebration of Bristol’s diverse food culture and community in association with First Great Western. Everyone’s welcome on a journey through the city to discover and enjoy new foods, eateries, discussions and opportunities. www.bristolfoodconnections.com
Bristol Centre comes alive once more with performers, artists, comedy, green enterprise, and family fun. biggreenweek.com
From Blaise Castle Estate to Hengrove Park there’s a lovely green space available for everyone to enjoy – all year round! Get involved: www.bristol.gov.uk/parklife www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk
Photo: Adam Gasson
Armed Forces Day 28 June, College Green/Queen Sq
Let’s Rock Bristol 2015 5–7 June, Ashton Court Estate Wallow in some of the best 80s sounds from bands you forgot you loved! Family day tickets from £106. www.letsrockbristol.com
Give a big Bristol show of support to serving troops, veterans, and cadets. Watch the 10am city parade of regular, reserve, veteran and cadet forces. The whole day offers a great, free and fun day out for all the family with from children’s activities to live military displays. www.bristol.gov.uk/ armedforcesday
*Photo: Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Foundation. Charity no. 1043603. Shaun the Sheep & Shaun in the City ©& ™ Aardman Animations Ltd 2015
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News for all Bristol City Council tenants Spring 2015
Get in touch You can get in touch with us in several ways. Information about our services is available on our website 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.bristol.gov.uk/councilhousing Join in on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bristolcouncilhousing
Repairs and maintenance
Rehousing
Report a repair online Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/repairs Post: Responsive Repairs (A Shed), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 922 2011
Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/rehousing Email: rehousing.enquiry@ bristol.gov.uk Tel: 0117 922 2400 Post: Rehousing Services (FHO), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 353 3050
Rents and other housing payments Pay your rent online Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/payrent Email: rent.management@ bristol.gov.uk 24 hour payment line: 0870 707 7776 (for touch tone phones) Post: Rent Management Service (100TS), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 352 5033
Caretaking Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/ caretaking Email: caretaking@bristol.gov.uk Post: Caretaking Services (BH), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 352 5270
Estates services Your tenancy, neighbours and neighbourhoods. Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/estates Email: estates@bristol.gov.uk Post: Estate Management Service (100TS), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 353 5104
Housing benefit and council tax reduction Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/benefits Email: benefits.enquiry@ bristol.gov.uk Tel: 0117 922 2300 Post: Housing Benefits (100TS), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol BS3 9FS Fax: 0117 352 6400
Adaptations services Independence in the home. Online: www.bristol.gov.uk/caredirect Email: adult.care@bristol.gov.uk Tel: 0117 922 2700 All initial calls handled by the council’s Care Direct Service.
Grounds maintenance Email: bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk Tel: 0117 922 3719 (Option 4) Post: Bristol Parks, Floor 4, Bazaar Wing, Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UY
Tenancy fraud Email: tenancy.fraud@bristol.gov.uk Tel: 0117 922 2470
For all repairs, rents, caretaking, anti-social behaviour and estates enquiries
0117 922 2200
You can ask us to call you back to save time and money
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Out of hours emergency
0117 922 2050
Citizen Service Points We don’t deal with all housing services face-to-face at our citizen service points, but we will help you contact services online or by telephone. If mailing us, to avoid delay please post to one of the council housing services (listed left).
Visit us at: 100 Temple Street* Bristol BS1 6AG Phoenix Court** Bond Street South, Bristol BS1 3PH Fishponds Robinson House, Hockeys Lane, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3HL Hartcliffe Symes House, Peterson Square, Hartcliffe, Bristol BS13 0BD Lawrence Weston Ridingleaze House, Lawrence Weston, Bristol BS11 0QE Southmead Southmead House, Greystoke Avenue, Southmead, Bristol BS10 6BQ
Opening hours 100 Temple Street (*) Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Phoenix Court (**) and other CSPs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 10.30am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Please note: Lawrence Weston closed Mondays. Phoenix Court closes at 5pm on a Friday.
Have you registered for My Account? Using ‘My Account’ is quick and easy. Find out how it can manage your Council Tax, Rent, Housing Benefit, and Landlords services all in one place! Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/myaccount