Tenants Times - Spring 2015

Skate park closer Prefab Homes

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tenants’ times News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Spring 2015

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Rents: A year ago when council house rents were reviewed it was agreed the rent rise would be in line with the Government’s guideline increase figure. It was also agreed for 2015/16 that rents would increase in line with the Government’s guideline rent rise figure applicable from this April. That guideline figure is 2.2%. This is the increase being applied. It averages £1.79 a week.

The Housing Revenue Account is self-supporting; all expenditure has to be met from rents. We have a responsibility to today’s tenants and future tenants to ensure we balance the books - which we do - and that we meet our commitments to maintaining, improving and investing in our housing stock - which we will.

These commitments include:

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housing matters

• attaining the Ipswich Standard for all our houses, including prefabs at Rushmere being given a new lease of life; • providing, where practicable, energy-saving insulation improvements; • building new homes such as those already coming onstream at Bader Close to help meet the considerable and growing need for affordable homes.

Our tenants will continue to receive good value-for-money as comparisons with private-rented homes demonstrate.

Councillor John Mowles Housing Portfolio Holder

Housing matters

2

Recipe

12

Tenant Scrutiny Panel election

3

Tenant Q+A

13

Bader Close new homes

4

Illegally sublet/abandoned homes

14

ASPIRE - Constable Masterpiece

4

Open fire conditions

15

Tenant awards

5

New refurbishment areas

16

Voices4 Gainsborough Library

6

Karibu celebrates 10 years

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Easter activities

Free collection of unwanted items 17 Easter waste/Spring Clean

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Ipswich HEARS

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Ipswich Gets Active

9

Measuring up

20

Free Youth activities

10

Useful Contacts

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1,000 smokers wanted

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Front cover shows children enjoying time at a skate park consultation

Tenants’ editorial panel Angela Griffiths, Pamela Pamment, Brian Laffling and Derek Rusher

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l e n a p y n i t u Tenant scr

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After being voted onto the Tenant Scrutiny Panel I felt very honoured to be part of a positive group that exists only to ensure the best possible service for Ipswich Borough Council tenants.

It has taken me a while to learn the basics from my experienced colleagues Brian, John, Derek, Leah, Sandra and Graham. I have enjoyed my first year with the Panel. Now I feel I can make a long

term difference for tenants.

Thank you all for voting for me and I hope to serve you well in the future. The panel is currently holding an election so I encourage you to vote and help bring about positive change.

Shayne Pooley Tenant Scrutiny Panel Member

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel is a group of nine tenants set up to check how the Council performs as a landlord. Members volunteer their time to examine how well the Council delivers its services to tenants and whether services are value for money. Four places on the Panel are open for election.

Please vote for your preferred candidate - only one vote will count per registered household member.

Choose who will represent you by contacting Tenant Participation team on 01473 433313, e: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk or return this page with your vote to Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE. Voting closes 31 March. Please ✔ your choice Leah Jordan ■ “I have been involved with tenant panels for many years. I also work with the Suffolk Coalition of Disabled People. I’ve worked with children, mental health service users, adults with learning disabilities and with dementia. I have enjoyed my time with the Panel and wish to continue ensuring all tenants are represented.”

Jo Mays ■ “Despite being disabled, I have worked with the Tenant Scrutiny Panel as minute-taker for some time. Before I retired I was a Sheltered Scheme Manager with the Council for more than 20 years. I hope my experiences will be of use to the Panel and to tenants.”

Derek Rusher ■ “I have been a Tenant Scrutiny Panel member since it formed, and before that the Management Board, Ipswich Borough-wide tenant panel, North West Housing Panel, Tenants Anti-Social Behaviour Panel. For the past 20 years I have represented my fellow tenants and have garnered a wealth of experience.”

John Steward ■ “I believe I would bring a positive impartial attitude, experience, good communication skills, and knowledge of tenant/landlord issues. I want to be part of a proactive team making the Council accountable and delivering a good service to its tenants. I am not afraid to voice concern and I understand that some tenants are. I will speak up to represent those tenants.”

John Wragg ■ “I have served on the Scrutiny Panel since it began, this last year as Vice-Chair. I have enjoyed my three years which have been interesting and rewarding. I hope to be elected so I can continue to press the Council to give a better service to tenants."

✄

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n i e v o m s e i l i first fam

Tenants are now enjoying life at Bader Close The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Bill Quinton, welcomed five families to the Borough Council’s latest council house development in the south east of the town.

Work is continuing to complete the other 103 homes, which will be occupied this year. The Council is committed to building council homes and hundreds more are planned over the next few years.

Six of the best

Maintenance and Contracts Team has maintained its Grade A accreditation from the Electrical Contracts Association (ECA), the UK’s leading trade association representing the interests of contractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and services.

This is the sixth year that the Maintenance and Contracts team have achieved this recognition and the latest award follows a day-long test by supervisors David Birtles and Ashley Rayner.

Constable’s masterpiece is here!

One of the greatest masterpieces of British art, John Constable’s Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831, is on display at Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion as part of a UK-wide tour of galleries and museums.

The famous work was secured for the British public through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), The Manton Foundation, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation) and Tate Members.

The display is part of Aspire, a five-year partnership project between five partner institutions supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund to enable the work to go on almost constant view across the UK. It will be at Christchurch Mansion for a year. Entry is free.

Museums Service Manager Bill Seaman shows the painting to Caroline Collier from Tate

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The Mayor, Councillor Bill Quinton, Housing portfolio holder Councillor John Mowles, staff and tenants came together to recognise tenants from across the town for their selfless volunteering and the huge difference they have made to their neighbourhoods.

Young Council Resident of the Year was won by Kirsty Long, a 19 year-old volunteer. Her work helping; youth groups, community cafÊ, Gainsborough Library & Summer Art Project, the People’s Health Trust, All Hallows Church singing group and the Girl Guides, marked her out as a truly remarkable young person.

Bethany Lloyd was runner-up for her work with younger children and her caring responsibilities.

Kelvin Cracknell scooped the Tenant Representative award for throwing himself into every involvement and training opportunity, supporting the Silver Surfer programme and his work with the Disability Advice Bureau.

Pamela Pamment won Tenant of the Year award for the tireless support she gives her neighbours and the wider neighbourhood through the Chantry Resident Association.

Maureen Abbott was runner-up for her contribution to community life at her sheltered housing scheme and the ActivLives singing group.

Many tenants toil their own gardens as well as communal gardens, making a more colourful neighbourhood for everybody.

Gardening Glory Are you a keen gardener or know a tenant who is? Then enter our garden competition.

This competition recognises the green-fingered heroes in your street.

There will be a prize for the winning garden and communal garden in each housing area of the town: North West, South West and East.

Entries are open until 30 April. Judging is in May and all winners will be featured in Summer Tenants Times.

Now is the time to get planting, good luck!

For more information ring 01473 433313 or e: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

The former Whitehouse Community Centre building has re-opened as the Meeting Place, now run by Wot’s Up social club.

It hosts a café Mondays to Fridays from 10am3pm. The café is open to everyone and provides two- course meals for just £5. The venue can also be hired for meetings, birthday parties, dance groups and bingo nights.

The Wot’s Up social club for people with learning difficulties helps run the community space. Club Director Mags Fortune said: “It is very easy for people with learning difficulties to feel excluded

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from the wider community and this centre will be really good for people to feel part of the community”.

The centre is looking for volunteers to help with activities and administration.

For more information on the Meeting Place or volunteering call Mags on 07926 428 432.

Voices 4 Gainsborough Community Library

Do you live in the IP3 area of Ipswich? Would you like to support your community to grow?

Why not get involved at Gainsborough Community Library.

V4GCL are looking for volunteers to join their committee and work in their community café.

They meet at the library on the first Wednesday of each month at 6pm and would love to see new members and volunteers to enable them to carry on their good work. If you would like to find out more ring 01473 260888 or email: v4gclcommitee@yahoo.co.uk

GAINSBOROUGH COMMUNITY LIBRARY EVENTS Suffolk Libraries Bookfest

6-22 March

Family Bingo from 7pm

12 March, 23 April and 4 June

World Book Night

23 April

Summer Reading Challenge

All of August

GAINSBOROUGH COMMUNITY LIBRARY GROUPS Adult Art Group

Mondays 10am-Noon

Top Time (Over 55’s)

Mondays 2-4pm

Club 4 Teenz (Activities for young people including pool, Xbox, boxing and crafts)

Mondays + Fridays after school

Writing Group

Tuesdays 2-4pm

Sharing Stories (for people with disabilities and carers)

Wednesdays 10.30am-Noon

Scrabble Club

Wednesdays 2pm

Singing for the Soul

Fridays 11am-Noon

Maidenhall Residents Association operates from a shop unit at 21 Maidenhall Green.

The Community Centre opens Mondays to Fridays 10am-2pm (closing at noon on Tuesdays) for tea and coffee, nearly new shop and office facilities for the community.

If you need photocopying or would like to take a basic computing course, the Association can help you out.

The Association has joined with Stoke Green Baptist Church to provide shoeboxes filled with toys as part of the annual Children in Need “Mustard Seed Mission”. The gift shoeboxes require a £3 donation and will be sent to less fortunate children worldwide. The Association will always be glad to receive your toys, boxes or donations in the shop and are always keen to welcome volunteers.

If you are interested in joining membership is FREE and any offers of help is welcome.

Just pop into the shop to find a bargain or a new hobby.

Karibu celebrates 10 years Karibu Support Group was set up to help a few African women around Ipswich and has since grown into a hub for not just African women and their families but minority ethnic women in and around Suffolk as well. The charity has many events planned in 2015 to celebrate its first ten years.

The first of these events began in January with a visit by the Mayor, Councillor Bill Quinton, to their award-winning supplementary school.

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For more information about Karibu please contact Lara on 01473 289330 or 07751 660833.

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School holidays are a great time for family activities in Ipswich.

Ipswich Museum will be hosting childrens’ workshops and £3 buys a stamp card which covers all the activities.

Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April

EGG-STRAVAGANZA! Drop-in: 10.30-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pm Explore science, history and crafts all on an egg theme - you’ll be an eggs-pert by the end of the day!

Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April

EGYPTIAN FUN DAYS Drop-in: 10.30-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pm Hieroglyph trails, Egyptian-themed crafts, sandpit digs and more.

The Town Hall welcomes back ACCESS ALL ARTS on Sunday 12 April. Another busy craft market is expected from ‘IMakeFunStuff’, along with various family activities and entertainment.

If the weather is fine why not make use of the outdoor table tennis tables at Christchurch Park?

The tables, funded by the Central Area Committee, are great, free family fun - don’t forget your bat!

Plans for a new skate park on Whitehouse Park are nearing completion.

In December a taster event took place at Whitton Church Hall to involve young people in the design stage.

More than 30 people had a go on the pop-up skate park and filled in the survey to decide what type of equipment was required.

rk a p e t a k s w e N ion t e l p m o c s r a ne

These results have been used to create the first full designs for the park.

If you or your family are likely to use the skate park and would like to be part of a small focus group to discuss the designs please get in touch with the Communities Team email: communities@ipswich.gov.uk

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t c e j o r p ’ h c i w s p I v i t c A ‘ w Ne active

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gets Ipswich

A new project is making it easier for over 45s to get involved in regular physical activity. The partnership project between local charity ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council is funded by the National Lottery and Sport England. A sports programme with a difference - it isn’t for the ‘sporty’!

The project is focused on those who don’t currently take part in regular physical activity but would like to. Most of us have reasons not to take part in sport “I haven’t the time”, “I’m not fit enough” “I can’t afford it”. The ActivIpswich project will help you overcome these barriers by: • providing free, safe, easy taster sessions and courses led by qualified instructors • aimed at those with low (or no) levels of fitness • held at local venues that are easy to get to • you will not need any special equipment or kit • activities include: walking football, badminton, short tennis, indoor athletics, curling, bowls, table tennis, “Walk to Run” and swimming.

Project Co-ordinator Mike McCarthy said “The sessions for over 45s who do not currently take part in regular sport. We are finding there are lots of local people who would like to take part in regular activity but who aren’t sure how to get started. This is where we can help.”

For bookings or to find out more ring Mike on 01473 345350 or email: mike@activlives.org.uk 17 March-21 April Thursdays 6-8pm

5 March-9 April Thursdays 11am-Noon

We’re Not Sporty Free taster course

Walking Football 6 Week Free beginners taster course (for beginners or those out of practice)

Greenfinch Church Hall, Greenfinch Avenue, IP2 0SQ Booking required

Gainsborough Sports Centre, Ipswich, IP3 0SP Booking required

Every Thursday 3-4pm

Every Friday 10am-1pm

Walking Football ‘Pass and Move’

Curling Club

Gainsborough Sports Centre, Ipswich, IP3 0SP £3 a session, first session free. Walking pace for more mobile

Ipswich County Library Northgate Street IP1 3DE £2.50 a session, first session free.

Like the Winter Olympics but without the ice!

A game everyone can enjoy.

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s e i t i v i t c a h t Free you

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ve Futures Suffolk Positi and Catch22 ities for run free activ across young people the town.

There are lots of great activities to choose from and all are completely free to join in.

Contact paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk to find out more.

FOOTBALL MASH UP (13-17 years) Football’s best bits. Skills and tricks with an FA coach

Tuesday 5.30-6.30pm

Suffolk New Academy Sports Centre

FOOTBALL (10-16 years) Small matches and tournaments on AstroTurf

Wednesday 4pm

Whitton Sports Centre

BOXING PROGRAMME (13-19 years) in partnership with Suffolk Police

Wednesday 5.15-6.15pm

Westbridge PRU London Road

GIRLS-ONLY SPORTS SESSIONS (13-19 years) Basketball, badminton, boxing and more

Wednesday 6-7pm

Suffolk New Academy Sports Centre

SPORTS PROJECT (13-19 years) Small matches in the indoor sports hall

Friday 5-6pm

YMCA, Norwich Road

Adult Mental Health Football Project ... appeals for new members

Health Kicks, funded by the East of England Co-operative Society, is run by Inspire Suffolk to encourage those with a variety of mental health issues to join in weekly activities across the county. Jason Hadley, Sports Development Officer for Inspire Suffolk, leads the project. He explained: “We have space for more members and will be creating additional football sessions aimed at both preventing the cause and managing the effect of mental health issues.”

The sessions deliver six to ten week coaching as well as monthly five-aside team fixtures at St Clements Hospital and at Inspire Suffolk’s headquarters in Lindbergh Road.

Health Kicks hopes to improve the lives of those with mental health issues by improving their independence and aiding their transition from a hospital environment back into their local community.

If you’d like to know more about Health Kicks email Jason at: sdo1@inspiresuffolk.org.uk or call 07568 107878.

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d e t n a W s r e k 1,000 Smo

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Are you a smoker who has tried but failed to kick the habit?

Discover how you could stop smoking once and for all and potentially save thousands of pounds in the process ...

In Ipswich there are an estimated 26,000 smokers.

Live Well Suffolk is aiming to help 1,000 of them quit. You could be one of them. As the healthy lifestyles service for the county, all of Live Well Suffolk’s help is completely free. They will work with you to find out what the best way of quitting is going to be for you. They can help you choose the nicotine replacement therapy that’s going to be most suited to you and also offer practical information on dealing with cravings, avoiding weight gain, and managing the habitual ‘hand-to-mouth’ action that comes with smoking.

Their support is delivered by specialist stop smoking advisors and clients can choose to take part in regular group sessions or one-to-one meetings at a time and location to suit them. You’re four times more likely to quit with the support of Live Well Suffolk than you are if you go it alone.

Two Ipswich people whom Live Well Suffolk has helped to quit are Diane and John Preston. They saved a whopping £3,000 in just three months after deciding to give up smoking. The couple said they wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of Laura, a Live Well Suffolk Community Health Coach who they saw for one-to-one stop smoking support. Diane explained: “Having the support from Laura really helped us. As well as talking to her about how we were getting on, we also had to have regular carbon monoxide breath tests. This helped, too, because if you felt weak and fancied having a cigarette, the test would pick up on it. It kept us motivated.”

Since January, as part of their current ‘1,000 Smokers Wanted’ campaign, Live Well Suffolk has been working with Town 102 radio DJ, Tony Horton. Tony had smoked for many years and tried to quit countless times without success. He’s been having one-to-one appointments weekly on air and is encouraging fellow smokers in Ipswich to join #TeamTony and the 1,000 Smokers Wanted challenge. Tune into Town 102 on Wednesdays to listen to how Tony is getting on - his last appointment will be on 25 March. You can also listen to his previous appointments on the Town 102 website (www.town102.com).

If, like Diane, John and Tony you’d like Live Well Suffolk to help you stop smoking, call 01473 229292, text QUIT to 80011 or visit www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk

ley) o o P e n y a h S t n a (from ten

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Recipe

www.ipswich.gov.uk

s e o t a t o P y m a e Cod and Cr

Amount per person 250/300 g cod 1 tbsp lemon juice 250 g peeled potatoes 120ml water 2 egg yolks 100 g grated cheese 70 ml cream

2 pinches: mixed spices/salt/pepper/ chopped parsley 40 g butter 50 g spinach 20ml olive oil

Method Boil a large pan of water, reduce to a simmer.

Use a heatproof bowl that fits snugly over the pan.

Add the cold water, lemon juice and yolks to the bowl and stir, add the butter, spices, salt and pepper when it starts to simmer.

Lightly oil the dish, place cod at the bottom of the dish. When the sauce has thickened pour half over the fish.

Steam or blanch the spinach, drain, lay over top of the fish.

Slice potatoes to half a centimetre thickness, lay on top of the spinach. Add cream to remaining sauce, pour over, lay grated cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven 180º for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

Pet corner - reptiles

If you plan to keep reptiles there are some important things you need to know.

Reptiles vary widely so it is crucial to research requirements of your specific species before you commit. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Housing: starter kits are available from larger pet stores to re-create a natural habitat.

Heating: reptiles are cold blooded so must have a heat source, usually through a combination of heat lamps, heat rocks and/or heat mats.

Lighting: it’s important to get correct lighting as UV radiation is vital for their health.

Nutrition: many species require living foods, but pellet foods are also available.

Vitamin supplements may be used to ensure proper nutrition.

Cleaning: a dirty environment can cause sickness and disease so weekly cleaning is recommended with daily ‘spot cleaning’ to remove waste.

Provided you research and get the right equipment, keeping reptiles needn’t be difficult and can be extremely rewarding.

FEED BIRDS NOT THE RATS. Feeding birds is valuable to wildlife but can attract vermin. Please use bird feeders with a catch tray to stop food falling on the ground rather than scatter food on the garden. Site feeder in an open area to discourage vermin. If you do see vermin near your property stop putting food out for at least a fortnight.

Ipswich history

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

Samuel Harvey VC 1881-1960 article researched by Andrew Beal, Town Sergeant

Private Samuel Harvey enlisted and served seven years in India, proceeding into The Reserve just before WW1. He went out with the Expeditionary Force and was wounded twice. At the Battle of Loos men were trapped on the frontline without provisions and with poor communications. Sam’s unit was ahead of the “Big Willie trench” using Mills bombs to hold back advancing Germans. It was clear his unit would run out of bombs so Sam’s commanding officers asked for a volunteer to fetch more. Sam set off through muddy trenches choked with dead and dying but realised it would take too long to return the same way so he took a dangerous short cut across open ground. He carried more than 30 boxes (12 bombs per box) before being shot in the head. His heroism enabled his comrades to hold off the enemy and later charge with bayonets fixed. If

TENANT Q+A

Sam had not taken the risk his unit would have been cut off, resulting in a large area being retaken and changing the course of the battle.

On 24 January 1917 at Buckingham Palace, King George V awarded Sam the Victoria Cross. As he did so, our hero turned to The Queen, winked and said “Mine’s a pint!” The Queen's reaction was not recorded but shortly afterwards a pint was produced. Sam continued active service, again being wounded. After the war he returned to Ipswich, despite the VC, life was hard. He lived at the Salvation Army hostel and died penniless in September 1960, aged 79. His only possessions were a group of miniature medals next to his pillow.

Sam’s medals are on display in a free War Exhibition at the Town Hall, 24-26 April 10-5pm.

Contact tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk if you have a question we can answer here so other tenants might benefit, however we cannot print private information.

I called with a bathroom repair but couldn’t answer all the questions so had to call back. Annoying!

What information do I need ready? Steven, Gainsborough Please gather as much information as possible, this helps the repair to be completed on time and the tradesman to bring the correct parts. Please check: Loss of electricity: Have you checked the fuse board? Do you have credit on your electricity card?

Is there power in the street?

Taps: Are they plastic, stainless steel or chrome? Mixer taps or level taps?

Leaks: Where is the leak coming from? Waste pipe or fresh water, internal or guttering?

I’m moving in with my partner. How much notice do I need to give before I move out? Tom, Maidenhall Your tenancy runs from Monday-Monday. To end your tenancy you must give us four weeks Notice to Quit, ending on a Monday. You will be responsible for rents, reporting repairs and other conditions of your tenancy until the date your tenancy ends. Download a Notice to Quit form from www.ipswich.gov.uk or request one from Customer Services.

My neighbour always annoys me with loud music, and shouting and fighting outside the flats. Who should I talk to? John, Whitehouse Contact the Housing Anti-Social Behaviour hotline on 01473 433325 or email: housingasb@ipswich.gov.uk for advice. For low level nuisance have a polite word with your neighbour as they may not aware but for more threatening behaviour get in touch with us or if you are in danger the Police.

To have your housing questions answered here or join our Facebook group email: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk or ring on 01473 433313

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d e n o d n a b a / Illegal sublet red by Council

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homes recove

Over the past two and a half years 18 tenants have been evicted or returned their keys because the Council is determined to ensure that social housing goes to people in genuine need and is not sublet or abandoned.

It costs councils an estimated £18,000 a year to provide temporary accommodation to a homeless family.

The properties recovered in Ipswich equate to a saving of £324,000 but, more importantly, 17 more households could be allocated a home.

It is illegal to sublet a social housing property without permission and Council investigators have the power to access personal information of tenancy fraud suspects. People found guilty can also be made to pay to the Council any profits they have made from the transaction.

Other examples of housing fraud include obtaining social housing by deception (giving false information to obtain a property) and falsely claiming a succession when a tenant dies.

Housing fraud deprives honest people and families of a home, so what can you do about it?

If you suspect someone is committing housing fraud call 01473 433999. All information we receive will be treated as confidential and you do not have to provide your name or details.

What to look out for: • a house or flat that has been standing empty for long periods • tenants of a house or flat keep changing • an individual regularly collecting rent from neighbours • you believe a person has given false information to obtain a property or has another home elsewhere

SNAP debt and tenancy drop in Speak to an advisor on Tuesdays 10am-2pm and Thursdays 2-4pm at SNAP Sudbury House, Dencora Business Park White House Road, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 5LT Facing eviction or need help managing your tenancy?

Advice and support regarding Housing Benefit changes and Council Tax reduction • Are you receiving all the benefits due to you?

• Do you, or does someone you know need support to live independently?

• Are you over 16 and able to access public funds?

Free housing related support call SNAP on 01473 767727 email: admin@snappartnership.org www.snap-cara.org

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y l p p a s n o i t i d c on

If you are considering a fire or solid fuel appliance (such as wood burning boiler) there are some conditions to keep in mind.

You must have written permission from the Council’s Tenancy Services team before works are carried out at the property. You must also contact the Local Area Building Control Officer on 01473 432953 for consent and approval prior to any new installation or replacement of a solid fuel appliance and again when the installation is complete.

Useful information for you to consider: • agreed works and any remedial works must be paid for by you will be responsible for ongoing maintenance/servicing of any installation • you will need a registered HETAS engineer to a. carry out a survey to check work is possible b. carry out the installation and subsequent maintenance and servicing; and

c. write a Safety Certificate for the installation (and for any maintenance and servicing) for you to give Tenancy Services.

You may only burn carbon neutral fuels (eg wood fuels) • you must install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm; and • you must arrange for the chimney/flue to be cleaned at least once a year.

A back boiler allows water heating from a solid fuel fire. If a unit is exposed, removal and disposal of the unit, flue lining and any associated pipe work or fittings will be your responsibility and at your expense. The removal must be carried out by a HETAS engineer 0845 634 5626 and you must provide a safety certificate for the removal to Tenancy Services.

Home security tips

As it warms up you can open windows or patio doors for the first time in months but be careful they are shut and locked afterwards. Every year, burglaries are reported where small open windows have been used to break in.

Burglars may reach through to open bigger windows, wrench the window off or even climb through the small gap to gain entry. If you’re outside do a quick check no items are lying around to aid someone breaking in. If you are going on holiday put lights on timer, ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your house, pick up post or even park on your drive. If you have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your road ask them to keep an eye out. If there isn’t one, why not think about starting one? For further advice on home security please contact Ipswich Crime Reduction team on 01473 613888.

Renting a council property does not automatically cover you for break-ins, fire or damage. A home contents insurance scheme specifically designed for Ipswich Borough Council tenants is available from as little as £1.09* a week (depending upon age and your postal code area). To receive an application form contact Customer Services on 01473 433370. *Standard cover for £9,000 of contents. Lower rates available for over 60’s.

Every year the Council’s Maintenance and Contracts Team undertakes refurbishment work to ensure tenants live in well maintained properties.

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The Council surveys areas for the exterior condition of the property and decides on the necessary refurbishment; improvements to windows, doors, brickwork, paths, fences and decoration. Please always ask for identification before allowing anyone entry into your home.

After completion each home has a questionnaire with return post prepaid. This enables you to have your say about the standard of work carried out. Comments are collated and help the Council to provide an even better service in the future.

The April 2015-March 2016 Planned Maintenance areas have been selected and these include: some town centre areas, Chantry and Gainsborough.

To find out if your street is on the upcoming Planned Maintenance please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/ planned-maintenance

New roofs for Prefabs

More than 120 council homes have new roofs - thanks to a maintenance project completed by Ipswich Borough Council.

The prefabricated homes in the north east of the town also have new insulation to cut their energy bills and the new materials will ensure the roofs will be quieter when it’s raining.

The work to the 127 properties has taken six months and the Council has reported 100% satisfaction from tenants.

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s m e t i d e t n a w n of u

The Ipswich Furniture Project is a charity offering a collection service for household items of furniture, metal and electrical appliances. Items such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers can be collected too, even if they don’t work - they will be repaired or recycled!

Please don’t dump them!

Arranging a collection is easy, ring Ipswich Furniture Project on 01473 404004 or email: service@ipswichfp.org

All soft furniture donations must have a current fire warning label still attached.

Drug litter reporting Drug litter is equipment used for taking drugs including needles or syringes, silver foil, spoons, bottles used to make ‘bongs’, and gas canisters.

If you see any of these items discarded about the town please ring the Cleaner Ipswich Hotline immediately on 01473 433000 with details and the location for collection and safe disposal.

Brown bins for green gardeners See www.ipswich.gov.uk/drl for more information

The brown bin scheme is a hit with Ipswich residents and covers nearly 46,000 properties across the town. Around 10,000 tonnes of garden waste, veggie peelings, apple cores, tea bags and coffee grinds in the brown bins were sent for processing in 2013/14.

All the waste collected in the brown bins is taken to the Anglian Water site at Cliff Quay where it is turned into compost and re-used locally.

For just £45 per year the Council will provide a second standard household brown bin (240 litres), which will be collected on the same day as your current brown bin. Please call the Waste and Recycling team on 01473 432099 for more information or visit www.ipswich.gov.uk

e v i s s e c g g e End e t s a w r e t s Ea

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More than 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated annually just from Easter egg packaging! That’s 4,370 tons of card, 3,470 tons of plastic and 160 tons of foil.

You can help protect the Easter Bunny's natural environment by remembering the three Rs

REDUCE • RE-USE • AND RECYCLE Reduce: Avoid Easter eggs over-packaged with lots of different materials especially excessive plastic packaging.

Bored of buying chocolate? Why not make your own homemade Easter treats.

Go paperless - send friends and family an Easter e-card.

Re-use: Say NO to single-use carrier bags this Easter and use “bags for life” when you go shopping.

If you receive flowers this Easter, don't forget to compost them after they wilt.

Recycle: Recycle as much Easter egg packaging as you can, even the foil can be made into new products.

Easter cards can go in your blue bin.

After Easter lunch most food packaging can be recycled; glass, cans, plastic bottles, aluminium foil and trays.

Spring clean is here Ipswich Borough Council has up to 25 litter kits, comprising of litter stick, hi-vis vest, handy hoop and bags (if needed), ready to loan to groups and individuals wishing to spruce up their neighbourhood. If you love where you live and would like support the Spring Clean Campaign here is what to do: • Let us know when and where your litter pick will take place • How many kits are required. We will supply the kits and arrange to collect larger quantities of bags from group events.

Contact Glynis Wood, Waste Services on 01473 432994 or email glynis.wood@ipswich.gov.uk

Now is the perfect time to join the Spring Clean Suffolk campaign.

It’s a really good way to benefit from the great outdoors and make a difference to an area near you.

d n i m f o e c Pea

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n o t t u b a f o h c u at the to The Home Emergency Alarm Response Service (HEARS) is a personal alarm service that has been established for more than 25 years. Ipswich HEARS enables people needing support to live as independently as possible in their own homes, for as long as they are able and wish to do so.

The service works by providing a personal mobile button, which can be worn as a pendant or wrist strap.

An alarm unit is also provided and this is connected through a home telephone socket to the Ipswich based 24-hour control team. The alarm can be used in an accident or emergency, such as a fall. At the touch of a button you will automatically be connected to the 24-hour control team where an operator will be able to speak to you through the powerful loud speaker on the alarm unit.

The control team will automatically know who and where you are, whether to inform your friends, family, HEARS response team or the emergency services. HEARS provides two options - a full response and monitoring service for £4.99 a week or monitoring only for £2.49 a week. The service is available to people living in Ipswich and the surrounding area - to anyone who wants to live independently but would like the option of asking for help when they need it. More than 1,100 customers are already members of the “HEARS family”. If you have family or friends who might benefit from the service please let them know and give piece of mind to you and them.

For more information about HEARS please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/HEARS or call the 24 hour control team on 01473 433236.

Shopmobility

Limited mobility?

Shopmobility offers FREE use of a wheelchair or battery powered scooter to get you around the town centre.

Call in and see us at Ipswich Shopmobility at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre on the lower ground (LG) car park level* Monday - Saturday 9.30am-4.15pm.

Two hours free parking for Shopmobility users.

Visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility or call 01473 222225

p u g n i r u s a e M

Update on housing performance - Period covering November 2014-January 2015 COMPLAINTS

3 complaints about Tenancy Services. All received a full response within deadline of 20 working days. 0 were upheld.

ALLOCATIONS

On average it took 11 working days to process a housing application.

Target <20

RENTS

At the end of January ÂŁ710,891 in rent payment was outstanding which is 1.98% of the total due for the year. Target <1.95%

TENANCY

We averaged 15.05 days between a tenancy ending and the next one starting. Target < 15 days

COMMUNITY CARETAKERS

516 pledge visits/876 minor repairs in communal areas were completed.

GAS SERVICING

At each month end all our properties should have an up-to-date gas safety certificate, at the end of January 2015 2 services were overdue.

REPAIRS

4743 repairs were raised of which 96.6% were completed on target.

Target >98.5%

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Of 18,812 calls made to Housing and Repairs 82.4% got through to an agent before ending the call. Target >90%

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

41 open anti-social behaviour cases at the end of January

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS You can contact us on

01473 433370

To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry

01473 432100

(including out of hours emergency repairs) To order a gas repair or gas service

0800 533 5630 or 01473 835145

Environmental Health (for noise problems)

01473 433015

REUSABLE RECYCLING BAG Sort it, Store it, Recycle it! Do you live in a flat or share a communal recycling bin?

The handy reusable blue bag may make it easier to sort, store and carry your recycling out to the bin store.

Make sure your recycling is clean, dry and loose (only textiles need to be bagged) Please contact the recycling team to request a handy bag. e: recycling@ipswich.gov.uk t: 01473 432099