SPRING 2018
larkfield news creating a better neighbourhood
LinkGiving Our staff recently rolled up their sleeves to help Compassionate Inverclyde as part of LinkGiving 2017.
LinkGiving gives staff the opportunity to go the extra mile to help make a difference in our local communities. It involves staff giving up time from work to take part in voluntary activities to benefit local communities. Compassionate Inverclyde is a volunteering project which runs a number of programmes and bereavement services within the community. They run a No One Dies Alone programme which aims to support people who have no family of friends in the last few hours of life. They also give out Back Home Boxes to people who are due to be discharged from hospital and live alone.
Staff helped Compassionate Inverclyde move into their new facility and helped put together some supplies for the Back Home Boxes. Alison Bounce, Programme Lead for Compassionate Inverclyde (on secondment from Ardgowan Hospice) said: "This is a proud day for everyone who has supported the Back Home Boxes initiative. Any person being discharged from Inverclyde Royal Hospital who lives alone will get a Back Home Box containing some bare essentials, meaning they can enjoy a hot drink and a light snack when they get home.”
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Welcome to the spring edition of Larkfield news. Inside you will find information on the results from the rent increase consultation, Universal Credit changes, Laptop Loan scheme, our Service Improvement Group and much more. On behalf of the Committee and staff we wish you a lovely spring. Frances Beattie Chairperson Lynne Griffin, Area Manager for Larkfield Housing Association added: “Compassionate Inverclyde is a brilliant project and we were delighted to be involved! The project encapsulates what LinkGiving is all about – helping communities make a big difference through small changes.”
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EVICTION This year we’ve had to evict a tenant due to nonpayment of rent. This is not a decision we take lightly as we prefer to avoid eviction where possible. We aim to help tenants who are struggling financially. If you have missed rent payments we strongly encourage you to contact us. We can help you set up a repayment arrangement to make sure your tenancy is not put in jeopardy. For more information please call us on 01475 630 930.
Annual Rent Increase
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Earlier this year, we asked for your feedback on the proposed rent increase of 3% for all Larkfield properties from April 2018. We received 47 responses.
76% believed their rent represented value for money
44% were currently in receipt of full housing benefit or Universal Credit payments
69% agreed with our proposed rent increase of 3%
95% felt they had received enough information to help them consider the rent increase proposal In February, the Management Committee agreed to implement a lower rent increase of 2.5% from April 2018.
Congratulations to our Clerical Assistant, Stephanie McEwan, who successfully completed an accredited City and Guilds training programme on "Understanding Buildings & Managing Repairs". The SHARE training programme covered a number of modules including building construction, building maintenance and reporting repairs.
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The Management Committee agreed this proposal taking account of: • The positive response from tenants to the consultation • The increase proposed by other housing associations operating in the local area • The budget requirements for the business including future investment to our stock In implementing this lower rent increase we can: • Help tenants, some who are experiencing financial hardship • Apply a rent increase which will fall below the Scottish average – as well as housing associations in Inverclyde • Make adequate budgetary provision for both short and long term business needs If you have any questions about the rent increase please call us on 01475 630 930. 01475 630 930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk
Universal Credit If you are currently in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) and claim housing costs, you will need to complete a change of circumstances form in your Universal Credit Journal to advise the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) your rent is being increased from 1 April 2018. If you need help making this change Future Skills hold a drop-in service at Greenock Job Centre Plus on the following days: Monday 3.00pm – 4.00pm Tuesday 11.00am – 12.00pm Wednesday 3.00pm – 4.00pm Thursday 3.00pm – 4.00pm Friday 11.00am – 12.00pm Below are some other changes to the UC process: Removal of waiting period – DWP has abolished the seven day waiting period for new UC claims. This means anyone making a new claim could expect their entitlement to start on the same day the claim is processed.
Extension of advance payments – DWP has extended the advance payment of UC to 100% of the assessed entitlement and extend the repayment period to 12 months. This is designed to reduce the financial problems faced by full service claimants who are waiting on their first payment. Housing benefit two week run on – From April 2018, people who are transitioning onto UC from housing benefit will automatically receive a two week run on of their housing benefit. Change in circumstances – From April 2018, people receiving UC will be required to notify DWP of any changes in circumstances within 14 days of when the change took place.
LAPTOP LOAN SCHEME To apply for UC you need to make a claim online. If you’re thinking about getting a laptop, but don’t have the skills to use it, why don’t you try one out with our laptop loan scheme? You get the chance to ‘try before you buy’. If you’re interested or want more information, please call us on 01475 630 930.
www.larkfieldha.org.uk
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GET INVOLVED ANNUAL TENANCY VISITS Each year we carry out an annual tenancy visit to all of our properties. The visits are part of an ongoing effort to improve the services we provide and engage with our tenants more. To arrange a visit, we will write to you with an appointment. If the appointment is not suitable for you please let us know and we will arrange another date and time. During the visit we will need to meet you and see identification for each of the named residents of the property. Tenancy visits are carried out by our Housing Management staff, who all carry forms of identification.
Involving our Customers We are keen to hear your views and suggestions on how we can involve our customers in what we do. Our Tenant Participation Strategy and Action Plan details the ways we will keep you informed and how you can get involved. Our current plan includes: • Publish our Annual Return on the Charter (ARC) by 31 October • Publish our Annual Report for 2017 • Establish a tenant led scrutiny panel • Carry out telephone and other ad hoc surveys to gather tenant feedback • Carry out annual tenancy visits • Re-develop our website • Explore customer portal (self serve digital option) for tenants • Hold a tenants open day and community events throughout the year • Develop new tenancy handbook
You can comment on our strategy or make suggestions to help us improve our tenant involvement by calling 01475 630 930 or emailing info@larkfield.org.uk We will also be reviewing our Anti-social Behaviour policy and will be holding a consultation event on Tuesday 8 May, from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at our office. If you would like to attend please call us on 01475 630 930 or email info@larkfield.org.uk
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT GROUP We’re looking for more volunteers to join our Service Improvement Group. This is a great opportunity for tenants and residents who want to develop skills and help improve our services. We are looking for people who are open minded, able to listen to others and can commit to four meetings a year. If you are interested in joining please contact Jackie Inglis on 01475 630930.
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01475 630 930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk
Annual Landscaping Maintenance Charge for 2017/18 Larkfield owners should receive an annual landscaping maintenance charge by the end of April 2018. The charge covers the shared cost for the maintenance of common areas (footpaths, walkways and grassed areas) within the area, which is the collective responsibility of Larkfield owners (including Larkfield Housing Association). If you are a new owner and have bought your house during 2017, please contact us on 01475 630 930 to let us know (if your solicitor has not already done so) and we can re-calculate the sum due. You can use your allpay card to pay your bill which can be used at any outlet displaying the PayPoint symbol.
Bulk Uplift Service Inverclyde Council operates an appointment system for the uplift of items such as furniture, mattresses, carpets and white goods. A minimum charge per visit applies for the uplift of up to five items. To arrange an uplift call 01475 717171 or email customerservice@inverclyde.gov.uk
Estate Management Our Housing Management team will be carrying out estate inspections and checking everyone’s gardens and common areas over the coming months. Please make sure your garden and hedges are maintained and free from litter or rubbish.
www.larkfieldha.org.uk
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HomeSwapper is a free national website with thousands of opportunities to find a home swap that suits you. To find out more visit www.homeswapper.co.uk If you need help registering call 01475 807000.
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01475 630 930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk
Compliments and Feedback We want you to let us know by phone, email, letter or face-to-face what you thought of the service you received. We are especially delighted to hear when we have got things right. We record and monitor all complaints and will let you know of any ‘lessons learned’ in our newsletter to demonstrate what we are doing to improve the services we provide. Please tell us if: • We fail to provide a service or if there is a delay in providing it • We provide a poor service • You experience unfairness, prejudice or discrimination • We breach our policies or procedures • You are unhappy about any other aspect of your experience as a customer
If you want to provide feedback, or pay us a compliment please: • call us on 01475 630930 • write to us – by post or email • or complete the online feedback form
It is easier for us to resolve complaints if you make them quickly and directly to the service concerned. So please talk to a member of our staff working in the service you are complaining about. They will do their best to resolve any problems on the spot. What information do I need to provide when I complain? • • • •
Your name and address As much as you can about the complaint What has gone wrong How you want us to resolve the matter.
www.larkfieldha.org.uk
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Office closure Our office will be closed on the following public holidays: Monday 7 May 2018 Friday 25 May 2018 Monday 28 May 2018
Community cinema We will be holding our next community cinema event on Thursday 14 June at 1.00pm at Larkfield Community Hall, Greenock. If you would like to attend please call us on 01475 630 930 to register your interest.
Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) The Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Partnership works with a wide range of services and agencies to provide support and information for people who have alcohol and drug misuse problems. Find out more on its website www.inverclydeadp.org.uk 14 Lothian Road, Larkfield, Greenock PA16 0PG t: 01475 630930 f: 01475 636111 e: info@larkfieldha.org.uk www.larkfieldha.org.uk Office Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 4pm Wednesday 9am – 12.30pm. Closed Wednesday afternoon
Larkfield Housing Association will produce this information on request in Braille, Audio Tape, Large Print and Community Languages. Larkfield Housing Association Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, Registered Number: 2509 R(S), Registered Office: 14 Lothian Road, Greenock PA16 0PG. It is a Charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC032418; a Registered Social Landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator, Registration Number: HCB 293; and registered as a Property Factor Id: PF000279. Part of the Link group © Link Group Ltd 2018.
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01475 630 930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk