Home! Magazine April 2015

HOME!

CITY OF LINCOLN COUNCIL IMPROVING THE COUNCIL’S LANDLORD FUNCTION

Questions to the director PAGE 8-9

Apprenticeships PAGE 5

APRIL 2015

PAYING YOUR rent YOUR HOUSING BENEFIT IS CHANGING Universal Credit – a new monthly payment for people who are either unemployed or working on a low income – is coming. It will replace all of the following benefits and tax credits: • income-based jobseekers allowance • income-related employment and support allowance • income support • child tax credit • working tax credit • housing benefit Universal Credit will be paid directly into your bank account, building society or Credit Union account and is paid monthly. You will get a single payment as opposed to several separate benefit payments. The housing costs element of Universal Credit will now come directly to you and you will be responsible for arranging to pay your own rent. If your rent is currently paid by housing benefit you need to act now.

2

There are a number of ways you can pay your rent. You can: • set up a direct debit • set up a standing order • pay online by credit or debit card • pay at a PayPoint facility • pay over the phone Or you could join the Lincolnshire Credit Union and set up the following accounts: • budget account: a budget will be drawn up upon opening this account to pay selected payees at regular intervals, similar to a direct debit system. It will be your responsibility as customer to ensure you have budgeted appropriately and paid enough money into the account for this to happen. Charges may apply.

Are you eligible for...

A rent or housing benefit top-up?

If you’re claiming housing benefit and still finding it difficult to pay your rent you may be eligible for a discretionary housing payment.

Anyone eligible for housing benefit that is responsible for paying rent and requires further financial assistance with housing costs can apply for help under the scheme.

City of Lincoln Council will make a decision on a case-by-case basis to see if you are eligible for a payment. The council will decide whether to grant you a payment, including how much you will be paid and the duration that you receive the payment.

Help filling in the application form is available for anyone who needs it and advisers will go through the documents with applicants.

For more information: Email: benefits@lincoln.gov.uk Call: 01522 873355 Or come in to City Hall

Do you owe us rent?

If your rent account is in arrears, if you are struggling to make regular payments, if your financial situation has changed, then you need to contact us.

Please do not bury your head in the sand. We want to help you. Contact your housing officer on 01522 873 333 and talk to them. Your home is at risk if you fail to make suitable arrangements to pay your rent.

3

Garage transformation

Restore Furniture Project Do you have old furniture that you are replacing or clearing out?

The Restore Furniture Project may be able to collect for free. Their team provides furniture for people in need in the city or upcycle items as part of a work experience programme for job seekers with the end product being sold to raise money for the charity.

If you have something to donate, please call 01522 542166 or if you’d like to browse their store visit www.restorelincoln.org.uk

4

New pre-cast garages have been built on Kenner Close following demolition of the old brick and asbestos roofed ones. The new doors are now more secure and much wider for present day car sizes. Other improvements include lightweight steel insulated roofs with new drainage installed and the tarmac has been resurfaced.

Are you interested in renting a garage? To place your name on the waiting list you can go to our website at www.lincoln.gov.uk and take a look there or call customer services on 01522 873333.

BEFORE

AFTER

Craft apprenticeships vacancies City Maintenance Services will soon be recruiting an apprentice painter and an apprentice plasterer.

If you are looking for on the job training and an industry recognised qualification this may be the opportunity for you. To join us you will need to be good with your hands and good with people, enthusiastic, willing to learn and study (this will include Maths and English unless you are exempt).

Craft apprenticeships will be on a 2 year limited term contract and you will need to go through a full recruitment process.

All vacancies are advertised on our website www.lincoln.gov.uk.

Garden Notice Remember to look after and take care of your gardens. Failure to maintain means you could be in breach of tenancy and we may take action against you. Not only this but gardening is also good for your health, both physically and mentally, by getting you out and keeping your mind active.

5

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY CARETAKER? Meet the Community Caretaker Lewis Lanham

What is a Community Caretaker?

A type of street warden that’s part of the council’s neighbourhood teams who work with both tenants and private residents. We walk around target areas weekly and ensure any environmental problems like fly-tipping have been reported to the correct authority. We also advise residents about available support and run local events and campaigns about environmental issues. There are three teams working across the city; I work in the south, my target areas being Moorland, Birchwood and Bracebridge.

The role is different to estate caretakers, who are responsible for things like maintaining and cleaning communal areas, looking after drying and bin areas, garage sites and other housing land.

What projects are coming up?

Several neighbourhoods will be running an ‘In Bloom’ competition this summer - encouraging residents to brighten up gardens or attempt a growing project for the first time perhaps a hanging basket or container. I’m also looking to promote the free Smartphone app, Love Clean Streets, which enables residents to report an environmental issue directly to me. With more eyes and ears on the ground I can ensure that issues are dealt with quickly. I’m interested to hear from residents in Moorland, Birchwood and Bracebridge as to what campaigns they would like to see in their areas.

How do I find out more information?

I’m based at the neighbourhood office in Moorland Community Centre, my details are to the right.

6

Email: lewis.lanham@lincoln.gov.uk Telephone: 01522 689986 If you see me walking around your estate, please feel free to approach me for a chat.

Garden waste recycling service Residents who want to have their garden waste collected can renew or join City of Lincoln Council’s scheme from Monday April 20. The fee has been frozen for the second year running at £25 – less than 50 pence per week. You can renew or join the scheme anytime from April 20 onwards to ensure you get a full year’s service from July 1 2015.

People who pay their council tax by direct debit will be entered into a draw to win an iPad. City of Lincoln Council is encouraging residents to pay their bills using this cost-effective, convenient method, rather than other outdated ways of paying. If you are one of the 25 per cent of householders that haven’t yet signed up to direct debit don’t miss out on the chance to win this prize.

The council estimates that each cheque received costs £2.28 in staff time, processing fees and other costs whereas direct debit payments costs less than 2p each to process.

On June 30 2015, anyone who is paying their council tax by direct debit will be entered into the draw. This applies to everyone not just those who sign up as a result of this competition. Other cost-effective payment options are: bank transfer, website payments and telephone line.

For more information, please visit www.lincoln.gov.uk/win-an-ipad

You will be sent information and a sticker that needs to be placed on your green bin, so there is no confusion as to who has paid. Sign up quickly and easily at www.lincoln.gov.uk/garden or call 01522 873255.

Anyone who doesn’t want to sign up for the service is reminded they can compost garden waste at home or take it to a household waste recycling centre.

What can go in your green bin?

• Grass cuttings • Leaves • Hedge trimmings (max 2.5cm diameter) • Flowers and plants • Twigs (max 2.5cm diameter) • Weeds

7

Questions to the Director Following on from his introduction in the last edition, Bob Ledger has answered questions submitted by tenants on a number of housing related matters, having served almost four months as Director of Housing and Community Services here at City of Lincoln Council.

A. I am impressed by the strong commitment to providing a good service amongst the council’s staff. There are a number of areas where service is strong and effective and others, such as income management, where we need to improve.

Q. Are there any areas of performance you would like to see improved and if so what are they?

Q. The garages just off Ingelby Crescent on the Ermine have been knocked down a while now, are there any plans to build homes similar to those (sheltered housing) currently being built on the garage sites in Birchwood?

A. As you say we are currently working in Birchwood on building bungalows. The detail of any next phase has not yet been agreed. As there is a shortage across the city of land for us to build on we need to consider in detail all possible sites.

Q. Having been in charge since December, what do you see as the main priorities for your service in regards to housing?

A. We can always improve. On most comparisons of performance with other authorities, the City of Lincoln stands somewhere in the middle. Better at some things and less so at others. Our medium term priority is to be in the top group of effective social landlords.

Q. Contractors constantly miss appointments and this is extremely inconveniencing. Please can you do something about this?

A. Our evidence is that this does happen but not as frequently as you imply. Yes, we are addressing this with contractors but if residents have a particular

case for us to look at then please contact us. On some occasions it may be unavoidable that the contractor needs to rearrange an appointment but they should always let you know in advance and agree a new time and date.

Q. How beneficial do you feel resident involvement is to the council and what is your

to keep investment levels up and maintain the properties and environment in good order.

Q. I live in sheltered housing accommodation

vision for it?

at St Botolphs Court. Upgrading to the bedsits

A. Without the involvement of tenants in the

this project is completed we are led to believe

decision making process we have no evidence that we are doing the right things. Tenant involvement is therefore crucial to everything we do.

to give us full facilitates has just started. When there is a waiting list, therefore we would at last be running to full capacity. Is it the clear intention of City of Lincoln Council to remain our landlord keeping this building within

Q. Will you be putting up my rents this year

its management or is there be any thought

and if so why?

process of moving this “stock� onto an

A. Our business plan allows for annual increases

outside agency?

in rent in line with national guidance which is

A. There are no current and never have been

linked to the rate of inflation. We need to do this

any previous plans to change your landlord.

9

What is Resident Involvement?

It’s a two-way process between yourself and the council as your landlord. It is how you as a tenant or leaseholder can influence how council services are provided in order to lead to improvement and help us as your landlord to make better decisions.

Resident involvement has three main areas: • Consultation – finding out what tenants think and gathering their views

10

• Empowerment – giving tenants a voice and letting them make choices and decisions about the service they receive

• Co-regulation – working with tenants to monitor performance, scrutinise services and ensuring we stick to our standards.

tenant, to have a say over housing services you are provided. You can work to improve services for all tenants across Lincoln in one of our many voluntary positions - there may Getting involved even be the option can be as simple as to undertake some providing your email training, which would address to consult on also be great for your the formation of this CV. You will have the magazine or joining chance to meet with a working group to other tenants, make scrutinise how we can develop for the benefit friends and socialise while working of service users and draw attention to where with members of our resident we already work well. involvement team.

Resident involvement For more information means you will be go to: www.lincoln.gov. involved more in your uk/housing/councillocal community and tenants/residentgives you a chance, involvement as is your right as a

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Working groups You can join one of our focus groups that discuss a range of housing issues

Tenants’ and residents’ associations Help is available to help set up tenants’ and residents’ associations, including financial help in the form of a start up grant

Estate inspections You can join us on our estate inspections; these monitor the general external upkeep of our estates

Mystery shopping You can become a mystery shopper and test out our services.

You can do this from your home

Lincoln Tenants Panel (LTP) This panel scrutinises our performance and can influence housing services

Home! editorial panel You can join our editorial panel or suggest articles for the magazine

To join one of these groups call 01522 873 333 or email customer.services@l incoln.gov.uk

11

LTP

AGM

Lincoln Tenants Panel held its annual general meeting on Wednesday 25 March 2015. As advertised in the last edition of the magazine, elections were held for seats in the below areas and the results were declared at the meeting.

Colin Herbert – St.Giles Kathy Melton – St.Giles Debbie Rousseau – Ermine East Brian Botham – Stamp End His Worship the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Brent Charlesworth, attended the meeting to sign the new constitution alongside the chair and vice-chair of the panel.

If you’re interested in be coming a member of LTP we having vacancies in the following seats: Birchwood (two seats) Moorland (two seats) Bracebridge/Manse West End Newport Ermine West Leaseholder Contact us on 01522 87 3 333 or email customer.services@linco ln.gov.uk

Do you have a question you would like to ask Lincoln Tenants Panel? If so then send it to one of the following: Email: Ltp@lincoln.gov.uk

12

Post:

Lincoln Tenants Panel, City Hall, Beaumont Fee Lincoln, LN1 1DE

Achievements on behalf of tenants Lincoln Tenants Panel over the last year has been involved in a wide range of activities, these include: è restructured to allow more effective monitoring and scrutiny of the council’s performance è increased membership è agreed how to monitor complaints

è gained the first part of a level two scrutiny qualification è undertaken and achieved the National Tenants Organisation accreditation è set up a focus group on anti-social behaviour

è introduced a governance paper to ensure they have a vision and achieve outcomes

è launched two working groups to scrutinise services

è discussed all housing related executive reports and made comments on these

è attended East Midlands Tenant Participation Forum, Association of Retained Council Housing and Chartered Institute of Housing conferences

è introduced a training programme and one-toones for members

13

Fire Safety and Contents Insurance Smoke alarms The council has fitted a mains operated smoke detection alarm on each floor level of your property. Report any damage to smoke alarms to customer services at the earliest opportunity, call on 01522 873 333

Smoking • never smoke in bed • never smoke in an armchair if you think you may fall asleep • do not leave a lit cigarette, pipe or candle unattended • use deep ashtrays so that cigarettes cannot roll out • don’t throw hot ash into the bin

14

Matches and candles • keep matches and lighters well out of the reach of children Communal areas, stairs and balconies • never store anything in communal areas, including balconies - items can block your escape route and be a fire risk Take extra care in the kitchen • don’t cook if you are tired • never leave pans unattended when cooking If the pan does catch fire: • don’t try to move it or throw water on to it – it will make it worse • turn off the heat if you can do so safely • if in any doubt, leave the room, close the door, shout to warn others to get out and call 999 Stay safe when you go to bed • close all the doors as this helps to prevent fire spreading • switch off and unplug electrical appliances except those that are meant to stay on, like the fridge • check your cooker and heaters are turned off • keep door and window keys where everyone you live with can find them

Heating and electrics • sit at least three feet away from heaters • never put a heater near clothes or furniture • don’t overload electrical sockets

Know what to do in a fire Plan your escape; fires happen when you least expect them and you will only have a short time to take action.

• think of how you would get out if your normal way out is blocked • keep the escape routes clear of rubbish or bulky items at all times • tell everyone in the house where the door and window keys are kept.

Escaping from fire in your home • if your smoke alarm goes off follow your escape plan and get out • shout ‘FIRE’ to warn others and don’t stop to pick up valuables • check closed doors with the back of your hand. Do not open the door if it feels warm – the fire may be on the other side • smoke can kill, get down as low as possible where the air will be clearer • if your escape is blocked by fire it may be safer to stay put until the fire brigade arrives • close the door and use soft materials to block any gaps to stop the smoke • go to a window, call for help, dial 999 and wait to be rescued

Contents insurance Are you aware that as a tenant you can take advantage of contents insurance provided through the council? Leaseholders who live in their property can also apply. Insurance is arranged with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc and is available only to City of Lincoln Council Customers. There are two levels of cover, Simple and Simple+ as detailed below: Simple • most of your household goods and contents including pedal cycles and computer equipment are insured when in your home • they are covered against loss or damage caused by specific events such as theft, fire or flood • also insured are lost keys, freezer contents, your own legal liability to the public and the cost of alternative accommodation • improvements you have made to your home such as fitted kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes, laminate flooring, patio doors etc (but not greenhouses or conservatories) Simple+ • includes accidental damage cover Prices start at £0.83 per week or £1.54 per week for simple+ depending on the sum you would like to insure. You have the choice of paying weekly, fortnightly, monthly or annually. How you pay is also your choice. You can choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment cards or by monthly or annual direct debit.

If you would like more information contact customer services and they will be able to provide you with the information and application form.

Call 01522 873333 or visit our website at 15 www.lincoln.gov.uk/housing

Light bulb replacements – a reminder

You are responsible for all light bulb replacements in your home except for those in a screwed and sealed unit.

Replacement bulbs for these fittings can be done by the Council on request by calling 01522 873333

Obtaining copies in alternative formats If you have difficulty in understanding anything in this document, please go to City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln or any other council office, and an interpretation service will be provided.

French Si vous avez besoin d’éclaircissements au sujet de ce document, veuillez vous rendre au City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln ou tout autre Council office, où nous pourrons faire appel à un interprète par le biais du National Interpreting Service.

Polish Jezeli masz trudnosci ze zrozumieniem tego dokumentu, zgłos sie do urzedu miasta w City Hall, Beaumont Fee w Lincoln lub do innego urzedu nalezłcego do rady miejskiej, w którym wezwiemy tłumacza z National Interpreting Service.

Portuguese Se tiver dificuldade em compreender qualquer coisa neste documento, por favor dirija-se à City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln ou qualquer outra repartição do município, onde poderemos chamar um interprete para si através do Serviço Nacional de Interpretação.

Turkish Bu belgeyi anlamakta zorlanırsanız, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln Belediyesi’ne ya da herhangi baska bir belediye meclisi ofisine gidin. National Interpreting Service aracılıgıyla size bir çevirmen saglanacaktır.

This publication can also be made available in large print, or electronically.

Please call: 01522 873398