Tenants' Times Summer 2016

Tenant awards at Mayor’s Parlour READ MORE ON PAGE 3

tenants’ times News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council

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Summer 2016

www.ipswich.gov.uk

I was delighted to take on the Housing portfolio at Ipswich Borough Council after John Mowles stood down from the Council.

Mr Mowles, as he is now, was a Councillor for 45 years and has been a big figure in Ipswich housing for much of that time. He leaves a well-managed and well-liked housing service.

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housing matters

The Government has recently passed a new Housing Act. The devil is in the detail, but the Act could mean changes for tenants with “Pay to Stay”, possible forced sale of “high value” council house and proposals to end lifelong tenancies.

Consultation is taking place and your Council will keep you up-to-date on developments.

In the last Tenants’ Times, he wrote “Good quality, well-maintained accommodation, affordability and secure tenancies make for stable and strong families and communities”.

Cllr Neil MacDonald Housing Portfolio holder

I whole-heartedly agree and I intend to ensure that Ipswich Borough Council’s outstanding housing service reputation continues.

Tenants tell us what to say and how to say it Thanks to our tenant volunteers who have been helping us to update the Tenants’ Handbook, the Local Offer and prepare the Annual Housing Report.

Tenants talked through what they wanted included and gave input on making publications clear and attractive. Thanks to these incisive questions and constructive suggestions, these important documents have been reviewed, improved and will be published shortly.

You can download your copy from www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing or for a printed copy ring the Tenant Participation team on 01473 433313.

Available in July The Local Offer

Available in July Tenant Handbook

Available in July Annual Housing Report

Sets out the standard of service we offer to tenants

Your user guide to managing a tenancy and living in a Council property

A summary of how we have performed over the 2015/2016 year delivering our services

Tenants’ Handbook

IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL

A guide to living in your Council home www.ipswich.gov.uk

Page 3

Awards for tenants

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Tenants were welcomed to the Town Hall to receive awards and prizes in recognition of their volunteering, neighbourliness and personal achievements. Each winner received £75 of shopping vouchers and each runner-up £25 by way as a small thank you for their contribution to community life in our neighbourhoods. The awards were presented by the then Deputy Mayor, Bill Quinton.

Tenant of the Year Winner: Rosemary Benson Despite being 80 years young, Rosemary helps several of her elderly neighbours and has been a great friend and supporter to a new young neighbour who has some challenging needs.

Young Council Resident of the Year Winner: Leah Rowland Leah succeeded to her tenancy following the sudden loss of her mother. In the midst of profound bereavement she faced the challenges thrown at her with maturity and responsibility beyond her age.

Runner up: Vinny O’Donnell Vinny and his two teenage brothers spent time with no adult support at home, during which all three continued with education and work. He has overcome a lot and is working to improve his future. Vinny now has his own flat and is a role model to his siblings.

Runner-up: Kelvin Cracknell Kelvin is a tenant rep, as well as working tirelessly volunteering with us, he helps at the Disability Advice Bureau. He puts time and effort in to whatever projects he is dealing with. Kelvin is a dedicated Tenant Panel member who does not let his disability stand in his way.

Tenant Representative of the Year Winner: Barbara Brown Despite ill health, Barbara has thrown herself into involvement. She has advocated for several of her neighbours and referred them for additional support.

Runner up: Darrill Lawrence Darrill’s commitment and passion for getting the best deal for tenants has been recognised by his colleagues. He has been a key figure in Tenant Participation for many years.

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h c i w s p I f o r o y a M New

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Roger Fern is the new Mayor of Ipswich. He took office at the Annual Ipswich Borough Council meeting. His consort for the year is his elder grand-daughter Ellie Griss. Former Mayor Glen Chisholm becomes Deputy Mayor, with Hayley Riley as his Deputy Mayoress.

"It was a great honour and a privilege to be Mayor of Ipswich in 2004 and even more so to be nominated again, 12 years later,” said Councillor Fern. "It is with a mixture of excitement and nervousness that I look forward to the year ahead."

His family moved to Ipswich in 1957 and a lifetime in education followed, including a spell as a primary school head teacher. Now he is equally well known for his part in helping homeless people in the borough - Councillor Fern was a founder member of the Ipswich Umbrella Trust.

Councillor Fern said: "My wife, Pat, and I met while still at school. She completed her nurse training at Anglesea Road Hospital and we married in 1966. Our two daughters, Sue and Lizzie, were born in Ipswich and educated here. A few years ago Pat was diagnosed with dementia. I know, at first hand, at least some of the challenges and frustrations facing those living with dementia and their carers."

Councillor and Mrs Fern, who have six grandchildren, are active members of Chantry Methodist Church.

The Mayor’s official charities are the Ipswich branch of the Alzheimer’s Society and the Ipswich Housing Action Group (Chapman Centre).

New Executive announced

At the Annual Meeting of Ipswich Borough Council, Leader of the Council David Ellesmere, announced the new make-up of the Executive Committee. Deputy Leader: Bryony Rudkin (Culture & Leisure portfolio); Martin Cook (Resources); Carole Jones (Planning & Development and Museums Service); Neil MacDonald (Housing and Health); Sophie Meudec (Communities); Alasdair Ross (Community Protection and Customer Services) and Phil Smart (Environment and Transport).

Councillor Ellesmere retains the Economic Development and Property portfolio. Councillor Ross joins Executive on retirement of former Councillor John Mowles, although the latter's housing role is taken by Councillor MacDonald. Conservative Group Leader Nadia Cenci will continue to serve on Executive as a member without portfolio.

Following the election on 5th May, Ipswich Borough Council has 33 Labour, 13 Conservative and two Liberal Democrat Councillors.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group is Councillor Inga Lockington.

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

Tenant involvement’s new start We’ve been looking again at the support offered to our tenants who want to have a say in how the Housing Service works and to contribute to their neighbourhood.

We have been talking with our tenant volunteers and surveying other tenants to see what is required.

The message is clear ... people who are interested in being involved want to be able to get things done to help improve their neighbourhoods. They want involvement to be friendly, informal and convenient.

Most of all they want their time and input to be valued and acted on.

So we have made it easier to get involved and choose what you do. We have made it easier to raise neighbourhood issues and we’ve improved the rewards we offer.

Come along to one of the Tenant Get-Togethers for a coffee and chat to find out more, or talk to the team on 01473 433313.

Coffee and a catch-up Tenant Get-togethers are a friendly chat with other tenants and staff about all things housing and local community.

z

coffee q time HG

Come for a free drink at Arlingtons on Museum Street on: Thursday 16 June

10.30am

Wednesday 29 June 6pm Thursday 14 July

10.30am

Thursday 28 July

6pm

Thursday 11 August 10.30am Thursday 25 August 6pm If you would like more of a say in how the Council’s Housing Service is run or in supporting your neighbourhood it’s a great way to meet like-minded people and find out what’s available.

There is no need to book, just turn up.

www.ipswich.gov.uk @IpswichGov IpswichGov

If you would like to know more phone Tenant Participation on 01473 433313.

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a t e g u o y g n i p l e H

www.ipswich.gov.uk

good credit history

Your credit rating is used to help lenders decide whether to lend you money, how much to let you borrow and, in some cases how much interest to charge you.

Having a strong, positive credit history helps demonstrate to lenders and other providers of goods and services that you can be trusted to repay what you borrow.

Unfairly, some council tenants struggle to get safe, affordable credit because they don’t have much credit history. Some stores offer credit without making any checks but these often come with a very high interest rate and insurance charges.

Payday loans also have high interest rates and these rates can increase if you miss a payment.

We believe you should get credit for paying your rent on time. That is why we will be joining the Rental Exchange, a way to enhance your credit report without needing to take on new credit agreements.

How will you benefit?

Sharing your rental payment history will help create an online proof of identity, proving you are who you say you are and that you live where you say you live. Proving this makes you a more reliable potential customer to companies. A higher credit score means it may become easier for you to: • • • • •

open a bank account get a new credit card have a loan application approved shop online qualify to pay for gas/electricity via a credit meter • receive better mobile phone rates If you would like further information about the Rental Exchange, visit www.experian.co.uk/rental-exchange If you would like advice on how to improve your credit history, you can access independent and impartial advice from www.moneyadviceservice. org.uk (for £2 you can get a copy of your Statutory Credit Report by visiting www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report).

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New intervention helps

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Pre-warrant panels are an initiative to reduce the number of tenants being evicted for rent arrears.

We invite tenants to a formal meeting before issuing a Warrant for Possession, which is when we take back a council property.

In November 2014 we began a trial, formally introducing the process into our arrears procedure in April 2015. During that time we invited 90 tenants in breach of their Court Order for rent arrears to meet us.

Nearly 60% attended and discussed what had caused them to fall into rent arrears. This gave us a deeper understanding of issues affecting tenants in money crisis and a chance to offer support.

• 60% of attendees needed advice with money budgeting and debt • 47% told us household health issues contributed to problems paying • 22% had gone through a relationship breakdown

• 36% had adult children living with them who were not in education and half of these children were not contributing to the household, placing further strain on the household budget Total debt for these 90 cases was £145,415, the average debt being £1,609.

By March 2016 the total debt had more than halved to £61,358 (inclusive of evictions) and the average debt reduced to £681.

Twenty households cleared their rent debt entirely. Unfortunately same number ended in eviction.

Our aim was to reduce rent arrear evictions by working with tenants to find new solutions.

Our evictions fell from 37 in 2014/15 to 16 in 2015/16. We have worked closely with tenants most at risk of losing their home by providing intensive support including money advice, Housing Benefit assistance, support to down size to more affordable property and debt relief orders.

The Council has worked hard to develop this process which has been praised by County Court judges and gained national recognition for good practice in housing.

If you are struggling with debt and rent payments please contact us on 01473 433370.

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WaterSure

www.ipswich.gov.uk

d e e n in s ld o h e s u o capped bills help h Anglian Water offers the WaterSure tariff for homes with a water meter where customers experience particular hardship and need to use large amounts of water. For households with large families or particular medical conditions this could be a big saving. The tariff limits the supply charge to £182, the sewerage with surface water charge to £235 and the sewerage only to £200. WaterSure is for households where someone living in the property: receives one or more of the following: Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only), Pension Credit and receives Child Benefit for three or more children under the age of 19, in full-time education and living at the property or has one or more medical condition that uses significant volumes of water and can be supported by a doctor's certificate.

To apply call Anglian Water on 03457 91 91 55 or search ‘WaterSure’ at www.anglianwater.co.uk

Be aware

Benefit advice and help to claim benefits is available free throughout the country.

We are aware some companies are charging a fee of up to ten times their award, to help people with their claim. If you feel you need help to complete benefit applications there are many agencies that will do so for free, (the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK, Macmillan Trust and the Disabled Advice Bureau).

Tenancy Services have Tenant Support Officers to help vulnerable tenants.

If you feel you would benefit from some tenancy support please contact us on 01473 433370.

Summer one-pot cooking

This recipe saves on dishes and time too. Make use of the economical vegetables available at Ipswich Market in the town centre and you can make an exotic medley for next to nothing.

Ingredients: 6-8 chicken thighs Half bag new potatoes - cut small cross in top 2 lemons, quartered (or limes) 2 sweet peppers chopped into quarters Large handful of cherry tomatoes 2 onions peeled and chopped into quarters (You can use any vegetable that will cook within 20 minutes e.g. squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, courgettes, aubergine) Put everything (except the soft vegetables) into a roasting dish and splash with oil.

Put into hot oven for 15 minutes.

Add the soft vegetables (tomatoes and peppers) and cook for another 10 minutes.

Serve.

Technically this is a Roasted Mediterranean One Pot - but in my house it’s ‘Hot Cross Potatoes’

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Think before you

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Summer time is a busy time for our Enforcement Team

With warmer weather people open windows and share their music and television with their neighbourhood. Combine that with barbecue season and you have the conditions for neighbourly patience to wear thin. Social media can be the spark that lights that fuse. When someone vents their frustration over the internet it broadcasts over a wide area. Suddenly a small disagreement blows out of all proportion. This summer remember: • be considerate of any noise you make, if your windows are open everyone can hear you • if you plan a barbecue or party warn your neighbours of the start and finish time, unexpected prolonged noise can test anyone’s patience • if you use social media then ask yourself these questions: Is this something you would say to someone’s face? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

And does it foster a good neighbourly relationship?

If you don’t use social media but your children do, we would like to remind you that as the tenant, you are responsible for the behaviour and actions of anyone living in or visiting your property. If you require any assistance or clarity, you can contact us on 01473 433325 or email us at housingasb@ipswich.gov.uk

Be sure it is secure

For those who have recently had newly installed front doors, we have some advice.

Your new double glazed, secure-by-design, front door has multi-point locking mechanisms and a deadbolt lock. However, these only work if you use them correctly.

It is possible to pull the door shut behind you and lock yourself out. This does not mean the door has been securely locked. The initial stage of the lock has been engaged, stopping the

handle from opening the door from the outside.

However, until the handle has been pulled up (second stage) and the key turned (third and final stage), your door has not been locked.

Our Repairs Team have been able to gain access in many instances with a simple home-made tool.

If they can do it - so can a burglar! According to Crime Prevention sources, most break-ins are done via a door so it is vitally important you use your door system as it was intended.

Changes for south west team

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

If you live in south west Ipswich you may have had a letter to tell you of the changes to your housing officer.

Suzanne Cook

Our housing properties are divided between housing officers in rounds. We have been reviewing how best to balance different properties between staff. Some rounds have slightly shifted boundaries, the biggest difference is that the team is expanding from six to seven housing officers.

Suzanne Cook is our newest housing officer. I am sure you will welcome her.

“I have worked alongside Eleanor Fisher on Round 15 on the north west team for a few months and done many property inspections which has been a good opportunity to meet some of the tenants and learn the Housing Officer role. I’m now looking forward to moving to the south west team, meeting tenants and dealing with new challenges”.

Neighbourhood Team Manager for the south west team is Emma Cook

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Changing rounds www.ipswich.gov.uk

Round 6: Kelly Hayes Brecon Close Cardiff Avenue Carmarthen Close Conway Close Flint Close Glamorgan Road Halifax Road Maidenhall Approach

Maidenhall Green Montgomery Road Pembroke Close Prince of Wales Drive Snowdon Road Swansea Avenue Tenby Road

Round 7: Tom Orr Birkfield Drive (320-438) Cambridge Drive Chesterton Close Dunlin Road Girton Way

Newnham Court Plover Road Sandpiper Road Sheldrake Drive (190-270 + (131-171) Woodcock Road

Round 10: Duncan Smith Bunting Road Chantry Green Curlew Road Goldcrest Road Greenfinch Avenue Hawthorn Drive (120-342) Kestrel Road Kingfisher Avenue Lapwing Road Linnet Road London Road Merlin Road

Partridge Road Peewit Road Pheasant Road Redwing Close Robin Drive Sprites Lane Stonechat Road Stonecroft Gardens Swallow Road Teal Close Whinchat Road Woodpecker Road Wren Avenue

Round 8: Kate Carr Austin Street Bell Close Burrell Road Downing Close Emmanuel Close Fitzwilliam Close Kenyon Street

Round 11: Suzanne Cook Magdalene Close Selwyn Close Station Street Stoke Street Vernon Street Wherstead Road

Round 9: Sheila Lewis Birkfield Close Clover Close Coltsfoot Road Cornflower Close Crocus Close Harebell Road Jasmine Close Larkspur Road Lavender Hill Maple Close

Marigold Avenue Pimpernel Road Primrose Hill Shamrock Avenue Sorrel Close Speedwell Road Stone Lodge Lane Thistle Close Trefoil Close Violet Close

Allenby Road Aster Road Bluebell Close Campion Road Copperfield Road Cowslip Close Daffodil Close Dickens Road Dombey Road

Hadleigh Road Iris Close Kelly Road London Road Lupin Road Pickwick Road Poppy Close Ranelagh Road Wallers Grove

Round 16: Andy Lay Birkfield Drive Bittern Close Gannet Road Grebe Close Hawthorn Drive (10-115 + 141) Heron Road Kittiwake Close

Mallard Way Pelican Close Pintail Close Sheldrake Drive (1-129 + 2-188) Tern Road Widgeon Close

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Dog microchipping - the law www.ipswich.gov.uk

By law all dogs must now be microchipped. If you have a dog or puppy over eight weeks old it must have a microchip that is registered with one of the authorised databases.

The law is intended to help tackle dog theft, puppy farming, and animal cruelty and help reunite stray dogs with their owners. Owners who do not get their dog microchipped and registered may face a fine of up to ÂŁ500! If a dog is found not to have a microchip, the owner will receive a letter from the Council instructing them to chip and register it. Failure to do so may result in fines.

The only exceptions are for pet dogs a vet believes should not be chipped for health reasons.

Contact your vet for advice. The Blue Cross charity in Wherstead can help with free or donation chipping. Call 0300 777 1480 for details.

Dog owners must keep the details held on the database up-to-date, including passing-on chip detail when a dog is rehomed. It is also a legal requirement for dogs to wear a tag with the owner’s name and address on it when in public.

SHOPMOBILITY offers FREE use of a wheelchair or battery

Limited mobility?

Call in and see us at IPSWICH SHOPMOBILITY at the Buttermarket shopping centre

powered scooter to

on the lower ground (LG)

get you around the

car park level*

town centre

Monday - Saturday 9.15am-4.15pm

All equipment to be returned by 4pm *two hours free parking for Shopmobility users

www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility t: 01473 222225

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Yes you can! www.ipswich.gov.uk

A new can recycling bank has been installed on Tower Ramparts near to the glass recycling banks, so it’s easy to recycle when you get off the bus!

Recycling drinks cans is so easy - one recycled can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.

Aluminium is a valuable resource and is made from bauxite which is a costly process to mine deep from the earth.

So, please recycle your drinks cans at home or when out and about.

Salvation Army clothing banks Thank you for continuing to support the Salvation Army by donating your unwanted clothes in their clothing banks. Ipswich Borough Council is working in partnership with the Salvation Army and new banks have been installed around Ipswich.

To find your local recycling bank for glass or textiles go to: www.recyclenow.com/ recycling-locator, there is one close to you.

For more information on recycling in Ipswich email: recycling@ipswich.gov.uk

We can recycle more WEEE! Coming soon to Ipswich ... more recycling banks for small electrical items such as kettles, hair-driers, shavers, irons, juicers, mixers, in fact anything that has a plug or needs a battery and is small enough to fit through the opening of the bank!

We will be installing banks for you to place your unwanted or broken small electrical items for recycling in many locations across Ipswich.

Larger items can be collected direct from home by the Ipswich Furniture Project so book a collection today at service@ipswichfp.org or 01473 404004.

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

Ipswich @IpswichEnts # JUNE Saturday 25th Sunday 26th Sunday 26th Wednesday 29th JULY Saturday 2nd Sunday 3rd Tuesday 5th Wednesday 6th Saturday 9th Sunday 10th Sunday 17th Thursday 21st Tuesday 26thTuesday 30th August

Ipswich Symphony Orchestra Craft & Vintage Market, St Peter’s Street Lark in the Park, Gippeswyk Park Pantaloons, Christchurch Park Open Air Cinema, ITFC Ipswich Music Day FREE Carl Giles Guided Walk, TIC Pantaloons, Holywells Park Global Rhythms FREE Indian Mela FREE Ipswich Wheels After Dark in the Museum Saxon Summer events at Museum

Wednesday 27th Art Skills @ the Art School Thursday 28th Christchurch Mansion Mayhem AUGUST Thursday 4thSaturday 6th Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th Saturday 13th Sunday 14th

Waterfront Celebration FREE Crafted Classique cycling SkyRide FREE

SEPTEMBER Sunday 18th 21st

Ipswich Half-Marathon Regent Anniversary Gala concert

Open Air Cinema, Holywells Park

www.ipswichentertains.co.uk FREE

Mela

IPSWICH AND SUFFOLK INDIAN ASSOCIATION

INDIAN SUMMER

CHRISTCHURCH PARK, IPSWICH

Sunday 10th July 12pm-6pm

Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association present a rich and colorful celebration of Asian culture.

Highlights include a glittering mix of live entertainment of stunning and vibrant performances of Indian Bollywood dances, songs, music, Bollywood dance workshops, Indian cooking demonstrations, sari & turban demonstrations, Mela’s Got Talent, a vibrant market and an Indian food village.

Indulge in delicious Indian cuisine from across the Indian subcontinent. Spend the day exploring and enjoying this exciting expression of Asian culture at this family-friendly festival.

isia.org.uk | 0844 8844 825

Summer

Ipswich & Suffolk Indian Association

isia.org.uk 0844 8844 825

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s n o i s s e s s t r o p s Free

www.ipswich.gov.uk

for young people

During the spring and summer term the Positive Futures project will be running free activities across Ipswich. Young people aged 10-19 can simply turn up and join in; there is no charge to take part.

Football

Chantry Sports Centre

Tuesday

5-6pm

Football

Whitton Sports Centre

Wednesday

4-5pm

Boxing

YMCA

Wednesday

5-6pm

Girls Only

Chantry Sports Centre

Wednesday

6-7pm

The project is managed by national charity Catch22 and funded by the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner. It also works in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

For further information please contact paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk

ActivLives - getting moving across Ipswich ActivBowls Tuesday mornings at the CRESS Pavilion (next to Maidenhall allotments), Halifax Road, IP2 8RE This session is for beginners - all equipment is provided, you don’t need to wear any special clothing.

Bring comfortable flat shoes and wear loose clothes so you can bend and stretch a little. £2.50 - the first session is free.

ActivBadminton Tuesdays 2-3.30pm at Whitton Sports & Community Centre This is for beginners as well as anyone who can’t remember when they last played. Rackets and shuttles are provided, wear non-marking indoor sports shoes/trainers and loose, comfortable clothing. £2.50 - the first session is free.

ActivWalking Mondays 11.15-12.30pm Walking for fitness sessions in beautiful Holywells Park (meet at café by Cliff Lane entrance). Wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes. Free session.

For more about ActivIpswich programmes, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk

Lark in the park The Chantry fun day returns to Gippeswyk Park on Sunday 30 June from 11am- 4pm.

There will be lots for everyone to enjoy at this year’s event: • live music • dance displays • donkey ride • bouncy castles • stalls and refreshments • children’s rides • merry-go-round

Lark in the Park is always a great family day out thanks to all the Chantry Residents’ Association volunteers and Year 10 students from Chantry Academy.

Go along and check it out.

Morecambe Court gardeners muck in Tenants at Morecambe Court have taken planting in their own hands and everything’s coming up roses.

Tenants were dissatisfied with the plain evergreen bushes at the front of the Rushmere sheltered housing scheme. They wanted a more floral and welcoming first impression for visitors, so the residents banded together to raise funds for new plants.

The Community Caretakers removed the existing plants and Ivan and John from the scheme set to work planting dozens of roses and laying slate shingle.

The results have pleased residents and their efforts should come into full bloom over the summer. A fellow tenant at the scheme commented: “We’re very grateful for all the hard work the boys have put in and it will look lovely when the roses come out.”

Page 16

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Page 17

Growing communities at Chantry Park www.ipswich.gov.uk

Les Glass became an Ipswich Borough Council tenant through difficult circumstances.

Ipswich Winter Nightshelter gave him support to successfully apply for housing and he moved into his Chantry home three years ago.

Today, Les is a volunteer at Chantry Walled Garden. Open twice a week volunteers tend a variety of plants for Ipswich Borough Council’s parks department and for sale to the public.

ActivGardens took over the running and restoration of the walled garden several years ago. Working with many different groups and agencies they provide training to students and individuals, work placements, and activities for school parties. The walled garden is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for volunteers, like Les, to come together.

Depending on what is needed they will sow or pot-on plants, make repairs or improvements to the grounds or prepare the long borders in and around the walled garden. The most important part is that they are the community working together.

It isn’t just decorative plants that Les grows. ActivGardens are working with the Council’s Wildlife Rangers to support and increase biodiversity in Ipswich. Things like white elm that is the sole food plant for the White-Letter Hairstreak butterfly.

If you would like to get involved in making Chantry Park great again then you can contact Activgardens; Susannah Robirosa, Brightspace, 160 Hadleigh Road, IP2 0HH. t: 01473 345350

Go for garden glory

Page 18

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Entries are open until 30 July for the Best Kept Garden Competition.

Photo by Parrish Coleman

Are you a keen gardener or know a tenant who is - why not enter them for a chance to win a £30 prize and feature in the next newsletter?

The winning tenant’s own garden and communal garden in each housing area of the town, north west, south west and east, can win £30 garden gift cards which can be used at Victoria Nurseries, Westerfield Road.

This is a chance to recognise the green-fingered heroes making a leafier, more colourful neighbourhood for everybody.

Please contact Tenant Participation to find out more on 01473 433313 or email: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

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g n i n e d r a g y l d Wildlife frien

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Photo by Parrish Coleman

A problem most wildlife has in modern towns is becoming isolated in small pockets of good habitat - unable to move around many populations die out. This is why connecting areas of good habitat is so important in a big town like Ipswich and if you want to help, the best place to start is in your own back garden.

Improving your garden for wildlife does not require a lot of knowledge or hard work; some key information can really make a difference.

Two of the most important things are food and hiding places. Bird feeders and tables are good but can attract rodents. Growing the right plants is a good alternative. Here are a few top wildlife plants: Teasel: Teasel heads contain seeds that attract birds, especially goldfinches. These hardy biennials will grow almost anywhere and self-seed easily.

Thistles: Wild and cultivated species (such as the impressive Globe Thistle) provide a very good nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Honeysuckle: Great nectar source for bees, butterflies and hawkmoths (bee hawkmoth caterpillars also eat the leaves), birds such as bullfinches, thrushes and warblers love the berries, while its dense growth provides nesting opportunities Knapweed: Similar to thistles, flowering from June-September, its simple flower structure make this a favourite nectar plant for many species of bee and butterfly; it is hardy and easy to grow.

Sunflowers: Seeds of old flower heads provide a food source especially loved by finches and tits.

If everyone does a bit the results will be huge!

p u g n i r u s a e M

Update on housing performance - period ending April 2015-March 2016 RENTS

At the end of March ÂŁ653,904 in rent payment was outstanding, which is 1.80% of the total due for the year. Target <2.0%

GAS SERVICING

At each month end all our properties should have an up-to-date gas safety certificate, 0 services and we hit target 10 months out of 12.

ALLOCATIONS

It took 19.42 working days to process a housing application. Target <20

COMMUNITY CARETAKERS

98.9% pledge visits and 3,656 minor repairs in communal areas were completed.

REPAIRS

18,885 repairs were raised of which 97.1% were completed on target.

Target >98.5%

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Of 76,045 calls made to Housing and Repairs 86% got through to an agent before ending the call. Target >90%

TENANCY

We averaged 17.86 days between a tenancy ending and the next one starting.

Target <15 days

COMPLAINTS

21 complaints were received about Tenancy Services. 18 received a full response within 20 working days deadline, 3 were delayed, 2 partially upheld, 19 were not upheld.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

There were 39 open anti-social behaviour cases at the end of March, 44 on average over the year

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS You can contact Housing Services 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)

WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED? JOIN THE TENANT FACEBOOK GROUP www.facebook.com/groups/IBCtenants/

01473 433015