Housing news summer 2015

Housing News The magazine for South Derbyshire Housing Services’ Customers

New Build Update Dave's Community Days

Summer 2015 South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel

Dreamscheme Update

South Derbyshire Changing for the better

In this issue...

3 Universal Credit Doorstep seller warning

4 Self-service kiosks come to SDDC

5 Tenants work together to improve Swadlincote Flats

6-7 Tenants’ Panel Update ARCH Update

8 New Builds Update

9

Universal Credit – A guide for SDDC tenants

10 Tenant Involvement Survey Results

11

4

Community volunteer calls for others to join him

12-13

Self-service kiosks

Dreamscheme Update

14 Staff work hard to reduce former tenant debts

15 Gardening and Decorating Scheme

16

8

Can You Dig It? 2015 Competition

Competition Winners New Starters

New Builds Update

Useful Contacts Customer Services 01283 595795 Citizens’ Advice Bureau 01283 210109 Contents Insurance 01283 595781 Council Tax 01283 595795 Homelessness 01283 595802/4 Housing Options 01283 595778 Housing Benefits 01283 595795 Repairs 01283 595808/9 Tenant Participation 01283 595788

Out of hours 01283 221225 emergency line (operated by Careline) Please note that if a call-out is made and found not to be an emergency, it may result in the tenant being recharged the costs.

If you have any problems paying your rent please call your Housing Officer on 01283 595795.

Send Us Your Letters

11 Dave’s Community Days

Space has been allocated in all editions of the Housing News for tenants’ letters. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: Tenant Participation Officer, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH or email tp@south-derbys.gov.uk.

Questions should be no more than 50 words. The Council reserves the right to refuse publication of any letters.

This document can also be viewed on our website www.south-derbys.gov.uk Front cover – main photograph: Can You Dig It 2014 category winner David Godfrey, of Repton

What support will be provided?

Universal Credit is a new benefit that supports people who are on a low income or out of work.

Universal Credit is designed to give support to people to prepare for work, move into work or earn more.

It is being introduced in stages.

It is scheduled to be rolled out to single claimants in South Derbyshire from September 2015 and will then be rolled out to couples and families.

Universal Credit replaces: • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance • Income related Employment and Support Allowance • Income Support • Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit • Housing Benefit It does not affect pensioners and does not replace Council Tax Reduction Support.

To support our tenants we will: • Raise awareness by providing advice on Universal Credit for potential claimants.

• Help claimants by providing access to IT facilities/ Internet.

• Support claimants who need to develop their IT skills and completing the claim form.

• Provide budgetary advice to aid the move to the monthly payment of Universal Credit.

How will this support be provided?

This will be by: • Providing IT access points at the Civic Offices and at other locations in the district.

• Working with partners to provide help and support at these points for potential claimants.

• Allocating our staff time to help claimants with budgeting.

• Engaging with tenant and community groups using feedback from the Tenants Survey.

For more information and support on Universal Credit contact the Housing Operations team on 01283 221000.

Doorstep Seller Warning A warning is being issued to tenants to be careful who they let in to their homes.

Obtaining alternative versions of this document If you would like help in reading this document phone 01283 585788 or email tp@south-derbys.gov.uk.

What is it?

12-13 Dreamscheme Update

Housing Services is advising people not to allow access to anyone beyond the communal door entry keypads other than those specifically visiting their property, such as friends, family, carers, etc.

The request comes following incidents at various supported housing schemes across the district and in a bid to ensure tenants’ security.

Tenants are also being urged not to allow contractors in to their homes to carry out work without first seeing their identification. The Council expects all contractors to clearly display their identification when calling at your home. If they are not displaying the correct ID, tenants are within their rights to request that they do. If they refuse, do not let them in and contact us immediately.

If you have any concerns, please contact your Housing Officer for communal area access, or the Improvements Team to discuss contractor ID on 01283 221000.

Summer 2015 Housing News 2

Summer 2015 Housing News 3

Self-Service Kiosks

Improving Council Properties

Tenants and Council staff have been working together to give two blocks of flats in Swadlincote a facelift.

Payment machines are being introduced at South Derbyshire District Council’s Civic Offices in a bid to reduce waiting times for customers.

The two pay-points, which are similar to bank ATMs, will process money securely and accept council tax, business rates, planning and licensing fees and housing rent payments.

They are scheduled to go live in late June/July.

Both are expected to take over 2,000 cash, card and cheque payments each month and bring an end to lengthy queues to make face-to-face payments at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote.

It is hoped the move will free up resources to allow Customer Service Advisers to spend more time dealing with enquiries in turn reducing queues and further increasing the standard of service on offer to residents.

People will still be able to pay via other existing methods, including by Direct Debit or online via the Council’s website at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/payforit The Council’s Client Services Manager, Ray Keech, who is overseeing the project, met with the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel to discuss the plans. Some of their suggestions for more flexible and easier usage by customers are now being explored.

Ray said: “In common with other councils around the UK we need to find more effective and better ways of working to help our customers.

“We have seen self-service payment machines in action at other authorities and they work extremely well. They’re reliable, versatile, safe and simple to use, and of course we’ll do everything we can to support people while they get used to using them in the early days.”

If paying rent all that the customer needs to remember is to bring their own rent payment card with them as this will have the reference number that will be used to make sure that any payment is made to the right account.

The machine will issue a receipt.

Customers making payments at the Civic Offices over the coming weeks can learn more about selfservice and what it means for them.

More information is also available at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/paymentmachines Summer 2015 Housing News 4

Internal and external improvements to Brightman House have now been completed, and works began in March at Holmes Court, following recommendations from the tenant-led Performance & Scrutiny Panel.

Members of the Panel visited the flats, in Midland Road, with Council officers before work started to ask tenants what improvements they would like to see to communal areas and entrances. They then presented their findings to the Director of Housing and Environmental Services, who agreed that Brightman House and Holmes Court should be prioritised for improvement works.

The work to Brightman House began in October 2014 as part of the Council’s 5-year improvements and planned maintenance programme, which sets aside a sum of money to carry out improvements to community rooms and communal areas. Works included upgrading the internal lights to LED lights with dawn till dusk sensors, all front doors to tenanted flats were upgraded to Homesafe doors, and all communal areas, including the rear internal store area, were re-decorated.

A cherry picker was used to clear out the guttering and a significant amount of landscaping to the rear

of the property to help tidy up the car parking area. The finishing works, which were completed in November 2014, included a nonslip, hard wearing flooring being fitted throughout, including the stairs, which were previously concrete. Contractors working on the project included Harvey & Clark (painting and remedial works), Universal Contracting (flooring and stairs) and O’Neill Electrics Ltd (internal and external lighting).

Works to replace lighting at Holmes Court began in March, with painting and flooring works to follow. Doors to the rear of the block will be replaced with high security doors.

Performance & Scrutiny Panel member Wendy Bruce said: “There’s a feeling of real satisfaction that our recommendations have been acted upon to produce a fantastic result for other tenants.

Before the works, Brightman House looked mundane, but now it is warm and welcoming; it looks like a home. The tenants we have spoken to are very positive about the changes and it’s all about making the quality of life better for all tenants.”

Before

After

Summer 2015 Housing News 5

South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel

The Publications Panel and Community Events Group continue to meet separately on an ad hoc basis to work on the Housing News and Annual Report, and to help deliver Dreamschemes and Can You Dig It – Housing Services’ annual gardening competition.

The Performance & Scrutiny Panel works with our Performance & Projects Officers, Jenny Doughty and Clare Booth, to scrutinise Housing’s performance. They recommend areas for service improvement, part of which involves working on specific projects. They are currently looking at tenant rent arrears.

The South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel has had an exciting and busy few months since we reported its formation in the last edition of Housing News.

The group meets bi-monthly at the Civic Offices and has the opportunity to directly discuss each Housing Service area with the relevant managers, including: • Housing Operations

• Supported Housing

• Housing Assets

• Improvements

• Performance and Policy

• Repairs & Maintenance

The South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel is looking for more tenants to join them to help shape Housing Services and get involved in key projects. Their forthcoming meetings, listed below, are all held from 10am until 2.30pm, in the Council Chamber, and include a buffet lunch.

•

Members have also begun working on various exciting projects with officers and partnership organisations, including:

•

September 15, 2015

•

November 12, 2015

If you would like to find out more about how to get involved, or to attend any of the above meetings, contact Laurie or Sharon on 01283 595788, 07891 071980, or email tp@south-derbys.gov.uk.

In January, members voted for the dissolution of the former South Derbyshire Tenants’ and Residents’ Forum, and voted Wendy Bruce as the new group’s spokesman.

During the last Tenants’ Panel meeting in March, members had the opportunity to meet and question the new Director of Housing & Environmental Services, Mike Haynes, and new Housing Operations Manager Chris Holloway.

They held a question and answer session with Councillor Jim Hewlett, Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee, and discussed how elected members and tenants could work more effectively together. The Council’s Grounds Maintenance Manager, Steve Sheppard, gave an overview of his service, and Client Services Manager Ray Keech spoke to the Panel about Universal Credit and the installation of new self-service kiosks for customers.

July 16, 2015

Tenant Representatives – for help and advice Name

Telephone

Email

Areas

David Bown

01283 734211

davidbown1@hotmail.co.uk

Etwall, Hilton, Hatton, Burnaston

Jean Harrison

01283 703047

Rebecca Cox

01283 212239, 07462 113867

bexboo.rc@googlemail.com

Church Gresley

Angie Lacey

01283 215839, 07983 260743

angielacey@talktalk.net

Midway, Hartshorne

Dianne Pegg

07597 116396

dirossie@hotmail.com

Newhall

Wendy Bruce

01283 760532, 07734 695907

wendybruce2003@aol.com

Overseal

Jenny Rose

01283 763886, 07817 019084

jennifer.rose3917@yahoo.co.uk

Overseal

Ann Holmshaw

01283 223932

Eric Lummis

07704 006207

e.lummis@googlemail.com

Wideshaft, Hall Farm Close

Adrienne Towle

01332 706624, 07934 254151

adrienneandgraham@talktalk.net

Weston, Aston, Shardlow

Fred Cox

01283 819916

spavin_simmons@hotmail.com

Castle Gresley

Findern, Willington, Repton, Stenson

Unity Close

Association of Retained Council Housing - Update Developing an easy-read tenancy guide. This easy to read and understand set of guidance notes will be offered to everyone when they sign for their new home. This document aims to clearly explain the official Tenancy Agreement without the jargon for those who feel they would like extra support in understanding their responsibilities as a tenant, and ours as a landlord. A task group of tenants is now working with us to develop this document and there will be updates on our website, Facebook page and in the next edition of Housing News.

Exploring the feasibility of a Gardening and Decorating Scheme for tenants. In March, the Panel met with Tenant Participation Officers Laurie Devitt and Sharon Cole to discuss the possibility of offering a scheme to the over 65s and disabled tenants to help them manage their gardens and interior décor. We are now asking all tenants who receive the Housing News to complete and return the survey on page 15

New build housing. Tenants are keen to get involved in this process so will be holding regular meetings with the Council’s Affordable Housing Officer, Vicky Robb.

Summer 2015 Housing News 6

Here, ARCH Tenants’ Group Member for South Derbyshire, Dave Bown, from Etwall, gives his regular update to fellow tenants.

Not much happened over the Christmas period except the launch of the Tenants’ Manifesto at the House of Commons. This was a joint effort between ARCH and the National Federation of ALMOs. The Manifesto was based on the Top Ten Housing issues raised by attendees for the 2014 ARCH Tenants’ Conference, in Birmingham, and highlighted what we feel the Government’s top priorities should be for Social Housing.

At the last Tenants’ Group Meeting we discussed the new format for informing tenants. It is going to be called the ARCH Bulletin and will be written by the new ARCH Chief Executive Officer, John Bibby.

The Tenants’ Group Work Plan was also discussed and this year’s ARCH Tenants’ Conference will be held at Croydon Council.

The nominations for the 2015 Tenants Group need to be in soon and I have decided to lobby for a nomination as Vice Chair.

I am still interested in promoting the Money Lending Team at Stop Loan Sharks which is targeting illegal money lenders who use bullying tactics to recover debts and have exorbitant interest rates.

Summer 2015 Housing News 7

Competition Winners Congratulations to Linda Chidgey, from Walton, who correctly answered 9 questions in our Fact Finder Quiz. Her entry was chosen at random to win a £25 shopping voucher.

Thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to enter this quiz. For those of you who were stumped by the odd one or two, here are a reminder of the questions, and the answers:

1. Name the South Derbyshire District Council contractor who has launched a voucher giveaway this year. Renuvo 2. When does the Civic Offices re-open after the Christmas period? 8.45am on Monday, January 5, 2015 3. What is Dylan Jones’ community radio station called?

Rink Radio

9. What is the full title of the recent award given to Maria Hanson?

East Midlands Fundraiser of the Year Award 10. How many Dreamschemes is Housing Services running in 2015? 3 A huge thank you goes out to all the youngsters who entered our December 2014 Housing News Children’s Christmas Competition. We asked children aged between 2 and 12 to decorate a festive picture for the chance to win a £10 shopping voucher. The standard of entries was extremely high, and it was clear that a lot of time and effort was spent by everyone.

Congratulations to Corey Belso, of Midway, who was selected by the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel, as the winner. The 6-year-old’s picture was chosen from all the other entries for its colourful and creative use of craft materials.

4. How often does the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel meet? Every two months

More Homes for South Derbyshire Building work is under way on the first council-owned housing development for a generation in South Derbyshire.

The Coton Croft project, in Coton Park, Linton, will be made up of 23 affordable one, two, three and fourbedroom houses.

Yorkshire-based developer Keepmoat will build what will be predominantly family homes, with work expected to be completed in late December 2015.

That will take the Council’s current housing stock to around 3,000 as it seeks to reduce a waiting list which currently has around 1,000 applications.

Mike Haynes, South Derbyshire District Council’s Director of Housing & Environmental Services, said: “As South Derbyshire continues to expand the Council is committed to providing high-quality but affordable housing, and Coton Croft satisfies those criteria.

A £3.8 million development of 51 new affordable homes in Swadlincote has been unveiled.

Built on the former Kwik Save site, in Alexandra Road, the development is called Majestic Place. It comprises of 18 one-bedroom apartments, 19 two-bedroom

Summer 2015 Housing News 8

“We are pulling out all the stops to address the imbalance we face between genuine housing need and the supply of council houses.

5. How many categories were there in the 2014 Can You Dig It gardening competition? 10 6. What was the theme of this year’s ARCH Tenants’ Conference? Putting Tenants First 7. How old do you have to be to take part as a young Dreamscheme volunteer? 6-22 8. How many key performance indicators does Housing Services have? 53

“This is a key milestone in our efforts as we seek to meet the needs of future generations.”

South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel Spokesperson, Wendy Bruce, and Panel member Fred Cox, were among those who attended a ground-breaking ceremony on March 11 to mark the official start of the building phase.

New Starters Mike Haynes

Chris Holloway

The scheme will see the first council homes come out of the ground since 1992, when Coniston Court in Darklands Road, Swadlincote, was constructed.

Born in north Derbyshire, Mike Haynes has a clear affinity for the county – and he’s now looking forward to working hard to benefit those in the south.

With a wealth of experience in social housing, the Council’s new Housing Operations Manager, Chris Holloway, is certainly the right man for the job.

New affordable housing off Milton Road, in Repton, has also been allocated to people in need of homes in South Derbyshire. The 24-home development consists of 22 for rent and 2 shared-ownership units, with priority given to first-time buyers, for residents of Repton.

houses and four three-bedroom houses with parking, available for rent to those on the South Derbyshire Housing list. 10 further homes are available to buy.

The 56-year-old has just been appointed Director of Housing and Environmental Services.

Mike, who enjoys walking, cycling and mountain biking, worked in social housing for 21 years and has been an interim director for the last 12, based in local authorities, housing associations and senior management director roles.

He said: “It’s exciting times for social housing.

“We are here to deliver the aspirations of members and the communities we work with, so it’s about continuing to do that and doing it successfully.

“I’m looking forward to working with everyone across the authority to make sure we all deliver good services.”

The 39-year-old joined the authority in February, after 11 years at Nottingham City Council, working in a variety of roles.

Chris, who lives in Loughborough with his wife and two sons – Charlie, 3, and Louie, five months - said he is settling in to his role well. Despite the challenges facing Housing Services, Chris is keen to reassure tenants that his team will continue to offer a great service under his leadership.

“Coming from Nottingham, which is quite an urban area, I came to South Derbyshire for a new challenge and to test myself,” he said. “There are real challenges ahead such as Universal Credit. My priority is that the services we offer are first-class and meet our tenants’ needs.”

Summer 2015 Housing News 9

Tenant Involvement Survey Results In the December Housing News we sent out a Tenant Involvement Survey to 3,050 households to gauge your thoughts on how effectively we get you involved with Housing Services.

Part of the survey was to find out what you know about the Tenant Participation service, if you are happy with the way deliver it to you, and if not, how you would like us to improve.

Since then, we have collated the results and will use the information you provided to form the basis of the Tenant Participation Strategy and Marketing Plan – a document which will set out how we plan to deliver this service to you.

Multiple Answers 5%

Despite just 89 surveys being returned (2.9%) out of a possible 3,050, the results were mainly positive. Some of the key findings were that: • 91% said they were happy with the involvement opportunities we provide.

• 83% said they were satisfied that they could have their say and influence decisions on how services are provided.

Age 10% No Answer 25%

There were a number of reasons given as to why some of our tenants aren’t currently involved with us, as detailed in the chart below: We will now be consulting with the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel on offering alternative and more flexible methods of involvement to our tenants.

South Derbyshire District Council tenant Dave Bonner has a mission – to encourage people to give back to their communities.

Work / Volunteering 12%

• 18% said they would prefer to be involved via text message surveys.

• 39 tenants (43.8%) said they want to get involved with Housing Services.

Community Champion

Health 10%

Other 15% Family 9% Transport Money 3% 1% I don’t understand / don’t I don’t want to get involved 3% know how to get involved 7%

If you have any ideas on how we can improve Housing’s Tenant Participation Service for you, or if you would like to get involved with us, please telephone 01283 595788.

STAR Survey In June, all tenants will be receiving a copy of the STAR Survey (Survey of Tenants and Residents). As we reported in the Winter 2014 Housing News, your responses will help us to understand where you feel we are performing, and where we need to make service improvements. Please ensure you complete this survey – your opinions matter to us.

Summer 2015 Housing News 10

The 55 year-old former police inspector and bistro pub owner now spends most of his free time volunteering after retiring due to ill-health – and wants fellow tenants to follow in his footsteps.

“I used to own the Ashby Woulds bistro pub, but the brewery decided that there was more money in the building so sold up - leaving me and my family homeless and jobless,” he explained.

“The Council was our safety net, so I thought it was only right to give something back.”

It was when the self-trained chef moved to Pear Tree Court, in Etwall, that he and his daughter, Gemma, 31, began running a weekly Tea and Tunes event for the residents.

Since then, Dave has become involved in various community projects including the Bus Park Café’s Meals on Wheels Scheme as a delivery driver, and the South Derbyshire CVS Car Share Scheme, and befriending scheme where he transports the elderly, vulnerable and disabled to medical appointments and to the hospital.

He also helps collect for the CVS Food Parcel project. Four years ago, he got involved with the Council’s Housing department and is now a member of its Community Events Group.

In 2013, Dave got involved with charity Trident Reach, and to date has run three healthy eating and cooking on a budget courses for a variety of people, including young single mums, families and people with mental health issues.

More courses are scheduled at the drop-in centre Bank House, in Alexandra Road. The drop in centre has also asked him to run a music group.

Dave’s vision is a community café in Swadlincote town centre where people can come to eat, meet new people, access CVS food parcels and learn how to cook on a budget “It’s clear that there are lot of people really hurting out there,” he said.

“I see a huge difference in people after working with them. I find that the food is the nucleus for those who need help, and we could offer a signposting service from the cafe.

I would really urge people that if they have time, please consider volunteering; I get more satisfaction out of this than I have from any job I’ve ever done.”

More information about volunteering is available by telephoning the CVS on 01283 219761.

If you are interested in getting on a cooking on a budget session ring the Adult Education Centre in Swadlincote on 01283 228400 Summer 2015 Housing News 11

How Does Dreamscheme work?

Dreamscheme is a community involvement initiative where young people work within the community to achieve a number of positive outcomes, including reducing anti-social behaviour, encouraging intergenerational working and enabling young people to gain new skills. For every hour worked a point is earned. The points are accumulated and used towards a trip out to a venue of the group’s choice. This has included theme parks, go-karting, laser quest, ice skating tobogganing and the cinema.

A team of volunteers joined South Derbyshire District Council staff to deliver some festive cheer to those in need for the fourth year running.

Housing Services, in partnership with its tenant-led Community Events Group, made up 30 Christmas hampers under the annual Dreamscheme project and took to the streets to deliver them.

Of the hampers, 25 were delivered to those who are housebound, disabled or living on their own, as well as families who are struggling financially.

Five others have been donated to South Derbyshire CVS to distribute to those in need as part of the organisation’s Food Bank scheme.

Youngsters gave up time after school to work with Council tenants to make Christmas cards and the hampers, which contained festive treats like cake, mince pies and chocolates as well as toiletries, toys, and tinned and packet foods.

All goods were donated by the community and Housing Services.

Vivienne Parkes, from Repton, was one recipient.

The 71-year-old said: “I can’t believe it - nothing like this ever happens to me. It’s so wonderful to see the young people showing an interest in their communities.”

Summer 2015 Housing News 12

Others who received hampers included a single mum and a pensioner who recently lost his wife.

Dreamscheme 2015

Thanks go to Swadlincote Odeon, which sponsored the Dreamscheme trip this year, tenant Jenny Rose who made Christmas cakes for the hampers, tenants of Unity Close and Church Street, in Church Gresley and everyone else who was involved in the scheme and who donated goods.

Dreamscheme is in its fifth year now and has seen some great projects, which include: • creating a community garden and tidying two communal gardens at supported housing schemes.

• delivering Christmas hampers to 100 people in need.

• working with a graffiti artist to revamp a youth shelter as part of a village hall decorating project.

• holding tidy-up and litter picking events.

It’s that time of year again when we are getting ready to announce this year’s project plans and are appealing for all young people aged 8 to 18 to get involved in the following projects:

Date and Time

Venue

Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14 9am-4pm

To be confirmed

Tuesday, December 1: 4pm-7pm

Unity Close, Church Gresley

Sunday, December 6: 9am-3pm

District-wide

Project To be confirmed Making Hampers Delivering Christmas Hampers

If you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, contact Laurie or Sharon on 01283 595788 or email tp@south-derbys.gov.uk Summer 2015 Housing News 13

Don’t pass the buck!

South Derbyshire District Council recommends that all tenants pay their rent arrears in full before leaving their property.

The vast majority of tenants pay their rent on time and sometimes have credits on their accounts. However, for a variety of reasons, a minority of our tenants fail to pay their rent which results in the Council being owed money.

When this happens, it can mean that if you leave a property without having paid all of your rent, you will not be allowed to move in to another one of our properties until we have recovered what we are owed.

It’s in your best interests to speak to the Council about arranging a payment plan that is in line with your circumstances.

It’s quick and easy! One of our officers will discuss a payment plan with you and then you’ll pay an

instalment amount that you can afford until all of the arrears are paid off.

For those situations where unpaid rent is owed and tenants have not provided a forwarding address, we can carry out searches which have helped us locate hundreds of people already and have directly resulted in the Council being reimbursed.

For those former tenants who may be more difficult to find, the account is passed to a third party debt collection agency who will take steps to recover unpaid rent on our behalf. Again, this has proved to be very positive with thousands of pounds being paid back.

As you can see, we have a variety of methods available to ensure that all outstanding rent is paid.

If you would like to discuss your rent arrears in more depth, please speak to your housing officer or contact the Council direct on 01283 221000.

Direct Debit payments South Derbyshire District Council tenants are now being offered more flexibility with their direct debit payments.

Customers can choose to make direct debit payments on the 15th or the 28th of each month, following recommendations from the Performance & Scrutiny Panel. The Panel is an independent tenant-led group that examines the Council’s performance figures and

can make recommendations at management level for areas of service improvement.

Performance and Projects Officer Clare Booth, who provides support to the Panel, said: “The Panel felt that more flexibility with our direct debits was required. The change coincided with a system upgrade so our Business Support team added the alternative date of the 15th to the system as the Panel requested.”

Gardening and Decorating Projects Tenants’ Survey Basic Gardening Scheme Housing Services and several members of the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel have formed a Project Group to discuss a potential scheme to help South Derbyshire District Council tenants who are having difficulty maintaining their gardens.

While this scheme is in its very early stages, we would like to see how many of our tenants would be interested in this scheme before we take this further. The scheme will be a basic service which would include grass cutting (and collection of grass), hedge cutting twice yearly and weeding. This scheme will be open to tenants who are over the age of 65 years or disabled. If you feel you would meet the eligibility criteria and would benefit from this scheme, please complete the following:

q

I would be interested

q

Maybe

q

I am not interested

Name: Age: Telephone: Address:

Protect your belongings South Derbyshire District Council recommends that all tenants take out household contents insurance. You can do this either through a scheme arranged by the Council or by making your own private arrangements. Many tenants believe that the Council automatically insures their furniture, belongings and decorations against fire, theft, vandalism or water damage.

This is not the case!

Unfortunately some tenants only realise this after the damage has been done. We make it easy for you to insure your belongings under a special household contents insurance scheme. The insurance is arranged with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc and is available only to Council tenants.

Easy Payment

The cost of insurance is payable weekly with a payment card.

Most of your household goods and contents are insured when in your home.

What is covered Some Accidental Damage cover is provided automatically by this policy. However, you can choose to add the full Accidental Damage option to your policy for payment of an additional premium.

New-for-old

Basic Decorating Scheme Another area we know some tenants find difficult is decorating, we are also considering a potential decorating scheme similar to the gardening scheme it will be a basic service and will include glossing skirting boards and doors, painting or papering walls, painting ceiling etc. this service will be available to tenants over the age of 65 years or disabled. Please complete the following if you are interested in this scheme:

q

I would be interested

q

Maybe

q

I am not interested

Name: Age: Telephone: Address:

The policy insures your contents other than clothing and household linen on a ‘new-for-old’ basis, meaning they would be replaced as new if destroyed by an event insured by the policy.

Special low cost You can insure your contents for as little as 57p per week.

For more detailed information regarding this cover please call 01528 595781 Summer 2015 Housing News 14

Please return these forms to: FREEPOST RTHU-RKKL-UXYY, Housing Services, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH by Monday, June 15.

Summer 2015 Housing News 15

Enter this year ’s gardening competition for a chance to show of f your skills and win prizes Prize categories

Best front garden Best small garden Best tubs, pots and baskets Best rear garden Most improved garden Best garden feature Best vegetable garden Best community garden Children’s category (under 16)

You can nominate yourself or someone who helps you in the garden. We are also looking for budding junior gardeners.

The competition is open to all South Derbyshire Council Tenants. We especially welcome first time entrants. All you need is a little flair for gardening – it doesn’t matter how big or small your garden is.

Choose a category which best suits your garden from the prize categories listed. You can enter as many categories as you like but only one prize will be awarded per entrant.

Each entry will automatically be placed in the “Best Overall Garden” category.

More information and entry forms are available on our website www.south-derbys.gov.uk, by phoning Sharon or Laurie on 01283 595788, emailing tp@south-derbys.gov.uk or from South Derbyshire District Council Civic Offices main reception.

Closing date for entries: 12 noon Monday 22nd June 2015.

South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel