Housing News The magazine for South Derbyshire Housing Services’ Customers
Festive Competitions and Quizzes! Gardening Competition Results
Winter 2015
South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel
Dreamscheme Update
South Derbyshire Changing for the better
Festive Season Opening Times The Civic Offices will close at 4 pm on Thursday 24th December 2015, and will re-open at 8:45 am on Monday, January 4th 2015. Customers will be unable to pay their rent in person or over the telephone via Customer Services during this time. You can still pay online at www.south-derbys.gov.uk or telephone our automated rent line on 01283 595865.
In this issue... 3 A Letter from the Chairman of Housing Services
4-5 Dreamscheme Update
6 New Build Update
7 Credit Ratings Fuel Swap
8-9 STAR Survey Performance and Scrutiny Tenant Groups and Panels Update
10-11 Meet your Councillor
Dreamscheme 2015
12 - 13 Can You Dig It?
14 - 15 Keeping your home warm Payment Machines
16 Warning over rogue collection firms Estate Tours
17
WINTER 2015 Housing News 2
12-13 Can You Dig It?
Car Parking Improvements
18 - 19 Gas Safety Check Investing in People Improvement Programme
20 Christmas Fact Finder Quiz
14 Keeping your home warm and well ventilated
Useful Contacts Customer Services 01283 595795 Citizens’ Advice Bureau 01283 210109 Contents Insurance 01283 595781 Council Tax 01283 595970 Homelessness 01283 595802/4 Housing Options 01283 595778 Housing Benefits 01283 595790 Repairs 01283 595808/9 Right to Buy 01283 595806 Tenant Participation 01283 595788
4-5
Out of hours emergency line – 01283 221225 (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.
19 Investing in People
A Letter from the Chairman of Housing Services It’s been a busy 12 months for me as Chairman of Housing and Community Services. The Council with its developers are making good progress on the new build developments with all three schemes (Coton Park in Linton, Pennine Way in Swadlincote and Lullington Road in Overseal) on site under construction. They are being built to meet high standards of energy efficiency which will help new tenants with fuel poverty. The first of these schemes is scheduled to be handed over in Spring 2016. We have continued to invest in our existing housing stock through a five-year improvement programme. The work has delivered great benefits for our tenants in terms of the provision of new kitchens, boilers, over bath showers and bathrooms across our stock. We are proud of the quality of the housing we manage and the services that we provide to tenants and recent feedback from you supports this. We had an excellent response from the STAR tenants survey carried out this summer, with a response rate of 46%, which equates to over 1,300 residents. 93% of those that responded were satisfied with the service provided by Housing Services, with more than half very satisfied. This is the highest satisfaction rate achieved by Housing Services since 2006. We are not complacent and we’d like to thank you for taking the time to engage with us and guide us as to how to improve the services that matter to you. Over the next 12 months, we will continue to rise to the challenge and improve the services we deliver to you. We face the challenges of supporting you to deal with changes coming through national legislation such as the Housing and Planning Bill and welfare reform including the roll out of Universal Credit across the district. We will continue to focus on supporting vulnerable tenants through our tenancy sustainment service. We will also, through the mobilisation of our workforce, use IT technology to ensure that we are responsive and deal with queries at the first point of contact in our communities that we are here to serve. We will keep you up to date with the changes in the next issue of Housing News. May I also take this chance to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Councillor Jim Hewlett
Chairman of Housing and Community Services
Send Us Your Letters The Publications Panel has decided to allocate space in all editions of the Housing News for tenants’ letters and where appropriate responses from officers, councillors and tenant representatives. If you have any questions or comments on housing matters, please send them to the Tenant Participation Officer, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH or email tp@south-derbys.gov.uk. Please ensure that questions are brief and no more than 50 words. The Performance and Policy Manager and Publications Panel reserve the right to refuse publication of any letters.
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. This document can also be viewed on our website www.south-derbys.gov.uk WINTER 2015 Housing News 3
DREAMSCHEME 2015 This year has been a really exciting one for the Dreamscheme, with three projects successfully completed since the Spring.
SWADLINCOTE SK8 PARK In April, we completed improvements at Swadlincote Sk8 Park, in Woodhouse Street, and worked with sk8 park users and Derby-based graffiti artist, Todd Wood, to design and spray a memorial mural to Mark Haywood (known as Frodo to his family and friends) on the youth shelter there. Mark was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in 2014. More than 50 people joined Frodo’s family and friends for the unveiling of the mural on the year anniversary of his death. His mum, Jan Gibson, said: “I think it is brilliant and very up-to-date. It is important youngsters have somewhere to go and feel safe and keep active. The mural is out of this world and it includes his dog Piggy, who he loved.”
Before
WINTER 2015 Housing News 4
After
SUMMER DREAMSCHEME We did something a little different with the Summer Dreamscheme to maximise our community involvement, and ran two projects.
NEWHALL PROJECT Housing Services Tenant Participation Officers Sharon Cole and Laurie Devitt, Newhall Housing Officer Linda Roberts and three young volunteers spent one day in Pine Grove, Newhall, litter picking, clearing car parks of rubbish and planting two large planters with plants supplied by Blooming Marvels. All tenants living within the area were invited to join us for afternoon tea and cakes to enjoy the young people’s hard work. The Dreamschemers were then treated to a cinema trip as a reward. Tenant Dianne Pegg, who also volunteered on the project, said: “It looks fantastic. The Dreamschemers have worked hard and brightened the area up. Everyone I’ve seen has said how lovely it looks.”
SWADLINCOTE PROJECT Eighteen young people aged 8 to 15 joined Laurie and Sharon and Derbyshire County Council’s Multi-Agency Team to add a dash of colour to Swadlincote Town Centre. During the four-day project, seven planters near the public toilets were planted and land on the corner of Midland Road was cleared. These areas were identified as areas of improvement by Swadlincote Town Team, with local businesses sponsoring the planters and plaques displaying their logos fitted. On the last day of the project young volunteers were asked to design a new Dreamscheme logo. A presentation event was held at Swadlincote Town Hall where the Council’s Chairman, Councillor Neil Atkin, presented certificates of achievement to all the young volunteers involved. The young people then led a tour of the area to show everyone the results of their hard work. The Dreamschemers were rewarded with a trip to conkers funded by housing services for a day of canoeing, bush craft, den building and high rope assault course. Huge thanks go to our sponsors Harvey and Clark, Timms Solicitors, The Rotary Club of Swadlincote, Sharpes Pottery Museum on behalf of T G Green Ltd, Swadlincote Town Team, the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership and Housing Services. Garden King and Blooming Marvels, in Newhall also gave the team discounted plants and compost for the project.
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 WINTER 2015 Housing News 5
New Build Update
Building work to provide dozens of new council homes for families in South Derbyshire continues on the three sites in the district. In Linton, the 23-home development in Coton Croft is on schedule for completion by developers Keepmoat. Another 22 new family homes are being built for the Council by Woodhead Living on two sites in Swadlincote and Overseal. The site at Pennine Way, in Swadlincote, will have eight semi-detached houses and two semi-detached bungalows being built on a disused waste land site, part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency. In Lullington Road, Overseal, the building of 12 semi-detached family homes is also underway. Chairman of the Council’s Housing and Community Services Committee Councillor Jim Hewlett, the authority’s Director of Housing and Environmental Services, Mike Haynes, and Council Chairman Cllr Atkin gathered to lay one of the first bricks in early September. Cllr Hewlett said: “It is wonderful to see work is progressing well on these new homes. They will be a very welcome addition for current and future tenants and for the communities in which they are being built.” All three developments are due to be finished by Spring 2016. WINTER 2015 Housing News 6
We’re giving you credit where it’s due! We’re helping our tenants to get a better credit rating by sharing rent payment information Your credit rating is used to help lenders decide to lend you money, how much to let you borrow and in some cases, how much interest to charge you. Having a strong and positive credit history helps demonstrate to lenders and other providers that you can be trusted to repay what you borrow. Some council housing 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 lenders offer loans with high interest rates and these rates can also increase if you miss a payment.
Experian on a monthly basis. You will have the choice to opt out of this initiative which you can do by letting us know. Sharing your rental payment history will also help create an online proof of identity, proving you are who you say you are and that you live where you say you live. This can play a vital part when looking to purchase goods or services online such as taking out car insurance The really good thing is that if you pay your rent regularly and on time every week or month your credit rating will grow. If you would like more information about the Rental Exchange visit www.experian.co.uk/rental-exchange or speak to your Housing Officer.
In order to help our tenants and encourage safe and responsible credit, we’re working with Big Issue Invest and the UK’s largest credit referencing company Experian to support the Rental Exchange. We will be in contact with you in early 2016 to let you know our plans to share details of your rent payments with
Fuel Swap In today’s society, comparing and switching anything from fuel, telecoms and even bank accounts has been made more simple and streamlined than ever before. Fuel price comparing and switching can be done over the internet and is generally hassle free. Using websites like Uswitch.com and Moneysavingexpert.com, consumers can contrast and compare the best deals in fuel supply. Generally, a consumer would only need to select a new supplier or tariff and the switch would be made for them automatically. It is not only customer’s with credit meters who can contrast and compare prices; customers with pre-payment meters may be able to save money by comparing rates on pre-payment tariffs, as long as they are not in arrears with their previous supplier. In addition to this, Moneysavingexpert.com offers a service called the ‘Cheap Energy Club’ whereby customers would input their gas/electric usage and costing details and the website will automatically check the latest and cheapest deals available. When a cheaper deal is available, the service will email the customer with information on how to switch. This alleviates the customer’s need to manually search the market for the best deal.
Please note that in any case of fuel switching, it is advisable that the customer takes into account fees and costs such as termination costs which some suppliers may charge. More information is available by telephoning South Derbyshire District Council’s Tenancy Sustainment Officer, Ben Taylor, on 01283 595778.
WINTER 2015 Housing News 7
STAR Survey Council tenants in South Derbyshire have again told us they are satisfied with the services we provide. During the summer, Housing Services sent out a STAR (Survey of Tenants and Residents) satisfaction survey to all of our tenants. The STAR Survey provides us with the opportunity to gauge satisfaction from our tenants and enable us to Benchmark tenant satisfaction with our peers. Questions relating to awareness, understanding and perceptions of changes to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit were also included within the questionnaire. The STAR 2015 results have now been collated. The results showed that: • over 1,300 tenants completed the survey.
Councillor Jim Hewlett, South Derbyshire District Council’s Chairman of Housing and Community Services, said: “The STAR Survey gives valuable information on how tenants view the services we provide. This is vital as we seek to assess what we are doing well and pinpoint areas where we need to get better.
• 52% said they were very satisfied.
“In 2012, the last time we surveyed tenants in this way, our satisfaction rating placed us among the best-performing local authorities in England, so we are delighted to have improved even further on that success.
• 92% expressed satisfaction towards the friendliness and approachability of Housing Services staff.
“We’d like to thank our tenants for taking the time to engage with us and guide us as to how to improve the services that matter to them.”
• 89% said they were satisfied that Housing Services were providing an effective and efficient service.
The report will now be shared with, and reviewed by the tenant-led Performance & Scrutiny Panel. They will recommend the top 10 areas which they believe Housing Services should focus on for improvement.
• 93% of respondents were satisfied overall with Housing Services
• 90% said they felt we were providing the level of service which they expected. This is the highest satisfaction rate achieved by Housing Services since surveys of this nature were initiated back in 2006.
These recommendations will feed directly into the Housing & Environmental Service Plan for the forthcoming year.
Performance and Scrutiny You may have seen in the spring edition of Housing News a flyer advertising a CIH Level 3 course in Resident Scrutiny to become a trained quality assessor. We received an excellent response to this and have been successful in providing funding for 4 tenants to attend the CIH Level 3 Award in Resident Scrutiny. The course began in September, is being run with other landlords across Derbyshire and will take six months to complete. Our tenants started this course in September and are due to finish in February 2016, once qualified these tenants will form the new Performance and Scrutiny Panel and will be independent and separate from the other Tenant Participation Panels. WINTER 2015 Housing News 8
Get Involved and make a difference Would you like to learn new skills, receive training and make a difference? Do you want to know why you should get involved? As a tenant you are the ideal person to tell us what we are doing well and what we could do better. Involving you in our work will help us improve our services for you and the rest of our tenants. You can choose exactly how much you want to be involved. We will provide training and transport and will support you every step of the way. The skills and training will be great for your CV and might also be useful in other aspects of your life. We have various opportunities for you to get involved in different areas of Housing.
ARCH Tenants’ Conference More than 100 delegates and speakers attended the ARCH Annual Tenant Conference held in September, including three members of the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel. This year’s conference was again organised by the ARCH Tenant Group, of which Etwall tenant, Dave Bown, is a member. It was hosted by the London Borough of Croydon under the theme ‘Tenants 4 Tenants’. With the post-election budget and the pending Housing Bill there was certainly plenty to talk about. Delegates heard from Camilla Sheldon, Deputy Director, Community Rights Division at the Department for Communities & Local Government on the Government’s plans to give local communities a greater say over matters that affect them. Workshop sessions included discussions on Effective Tenant Involvement, Tenant Satisfaction Surveys, The Future of Council Housing and a practical look at how the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is tackling anti-social behaviour. In October, Dave also attended an ARCH meeting in Birmingham to discuss the new Housing Bill.
Events Panel
Publications Panel
Are you interested in organising events? Do you have a creative flare, are forward thinking. Would you like to help us organise, run and make events a great success. This panel is involved in Dreamscheme, Community events, Can you Dig it? and lots of other community events that take place.
Are you or anyone within your household looking to study or are studying Media, Marketing, English or Journalism? We are happy to consider anyone aged 13 plus. We are looking for creative thinking people who are interested in helping us to produce our written documents. We would like tenants to join this panel the main task will to be to produce Housing News twice each year.
NEW for 2016 - Starts Jan 2016
Tenant Void Inspectors We are looking for tenants to join our new team to look at the standard we are letting our properties at. This is a hands-on group and you will be visiting properties across the district with Tenant Involvement Officer on a monthly basis. You will be given training and this is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills in property inspection.
More information about how to get involved is available by telephoning Laurie or Sharon on 01283 595788. WINTER 2015 Housing News 9
Aston-on-Trent
Church Gresley
Neil Atkin
Hilary Coyle
Peter Watson
Gordon Rhind
Trevor Southerd
Stuart Swann
Croft House Barrow-on-Trent Nr. Derby DE73 7HA
94 London Road Shardlow Derbyshire DE72 2GP
The Cottage Ingleby Derbyshire DE73 7HW
01332 700643
01332 792740
01332 862301
7 Princess Street Castle Gresley Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9HZ 01283 229121 07866 780686
1 Old Hall Gardens Church Gresley Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9PA 01283 221628
6 Westminster Drive Church Gresley Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9RX 01283 200872
Linton
Melbourne
Midway
John Grant
Bob Wheeler
John Harrison
Jim Hewlett
Paul Dunn
Robert Pearson
2 Blacksmiths Close Netherseal Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 8DR
Southview 82A Ashby Road East Bretby Derbyshire DE15 0PT 01283 218291 07974 234066
Hope Cottage 55 Penn Lane Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 8EQ
2 Bishops Court Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 8LN
15 Briar Close Newhall Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0RX
375 Burton Road Midway Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 7NA
01332 862477 07715 612581
01332 863927 07979 976860
01283 552778 07581 353542
01283 208346 07534 579154
01283 760044 07918 648080
Seales
Stenson
Swadlincote
Margaret Hall
Patrick Murray
Manjit Chahal
David Shepherd
Robert Coe
Neil Tilley
Windmill Farm Hunts Lane Netherseal Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 8BL 01827 373345
2 Lichfield Avenue Midway Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 7LQ
1 Cobham Close Stenson Fields Derby DE24 3JL
The Firs 11 High Street Ticknall Derby DE73 7JH
38 Woodville Road Hartshorne Derbyshire DE11 7ET
45 Audens Way Midway Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0HH
07701 071149
01332 763771 07810 637265
01332 864788
01283 552232 07763 970808
01283 216225
WINTER 2015 Housing News 10
Etwall
Hatton
Hilton
Lisa Brown
David Muller
Andrew Roberts
Andrew Billings
Julie Patten
Amy Plenderleith
The Old Rectory Church Road Egginton Derbyshire DE65 6HP 01283 734242
3 Hollies Court Egginton Road Etwall Derbyshire DE65 6NP 01283 734553 07415 720360
18 Heath Way Hatton Derbyshire DE65 5EN
86 Station Road Hatton Derbyshire DE65 5EH
72 The Bancroft Etwall Derbyshire DE65 6NF
12 Wye Close Hilton Derbyshire DE65 5LH
01283 814937 07962 247123
01283 246244
01283 732474 07780 222568
01283 735309
Newhall and Stanton
Repton
John Wilkins
Sean Bambrick
Kevin Richards
Linda Stuart
Peter Smith
Michael Stanton
23 Tennyson Avenue Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0DT
3 Cecil Road Newhall Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0SA
4 Charleston Close Newhall Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0HW
40 South Drive Newhall Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0RN
Chandris House 43 Ticknall Road Hartshorne Derbyshire DE11 7AS
Ladyacre House Ingleby Lane Ticknall Derbyshire DE73 7JQ
01283 213111 07779 319223
01283 218808
01283 212533
01283 212305 07813 976288
07894 338129
01332 862044 07768 010251
Willington and Findern
Sandra Wyatt
Martyn Ford
57 Pennine Way Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9EY
18 Mill Close Findern Derby DE65 6AP
01283 220013 07512 415159
01283 701627
Andrew MacPherson 38 Beech Avenue Willington Derbyshire DE65 6DB 01283 701037 07765 383668
Woodville
Kim Coe
Gillian Farrington Steve Taylor
38 Woodville Road Hartshorne Derbyshire DE11 7ET
14 Pennine Way Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 9EX
7 Dove Close Woodville Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 7QR
01283 552232 07850 666125
07570 597617
01283 223567 07941 917626
WINTER 2015 Housing News 11
All winners and runners up
Thank you to all the tenants who entered this year’s competition – you really made it such a huge success! Tenant judges Wendy Bruce and Bex Cox, and independent judge Michael Room, from Swadlincote Gardening Club, were wowed by all 33 entries as the standard was again so high. Special thanks goes to our sponsors Harvey and Clarke, Lakers, O’Neill Electrical and Renuvo, and our Community Events Panel members Dave Bonner, Sylvia Rogers, Derek Rogers and Dianne Pegg, who helped organise and run this event.
Winner- Small Garden Catherine Samways & Julian Warrington - Willington
WINTER 2015 Housing News 12
Winner - Childrens Category Lucie Eames - Midway
The Winners
The Runners Up
Best Front Garden – Brian Hutson, Melbourne Best Rear Garden – Stewart & Susan Key, Coton in Elms Best Vegetable Garden – Peter Clough, Melbourne Best Small Garden – Catherine Samways & Julian Warrington Most Improved Garden – Rosie Humphries, Hilton Children’s Category – Lucie Eames, Midway Best Tubs, Pots and Baskets – Terence Scattergood, Linton Best Garden Feature – Gerald Dawson, Walton on Trent Best Community Garden – Sandra Blockley, Walton on Trent
Best Front Garden – Lisa Hardy, Netherseal Best Rear Garden – Christopher Burgess, Hartshorne Best Vegetable Garden – Gary Meadows, Newhall Best Small Garden – Shaun Gallagher, Walton on Trent Willington Most Improved Garden – Norman Harper & Yvonne Dawkins, Church Gresley Best Tubs, Pots and Baskets – Eileen Stayte, Shardlow Best Garden Feature – Stephen Wilson & Pauline Ferris, Newhall Best Community Garden – Mick Wain, Church Gresley
Can You Dig it? 2016 Following the success of this year’s competition we are now planning and launching our 2016 competition. No matter how big or small your garden your garden, young or old, thriving vegetable gardens patch to manicured lawns – we want you to enter! We would also like to encourage more children to enter next year. More information is available by contacting Sharon Cole or Laurie Devitt on 01283 595788, or email tp@south-derby.gov.uk WINTER 2015 Housing News 13
Keeping your home warm and well ventilated The winter months are here bringing cold weather conditions. The threat of mould and condensation within our homes remains a constant problem but can be exaggerated during these cold conditions. Condensation occurs when warm air hits a cold surface, this is known as the dew point. If this is not dealt with correctly, mould or black spot can occur, and this can cause issues within your home that may lead to health problems. Here are 10 handy tips on how to keep your home warm and well ventilated during the winter months. 1. Try not to dry washing on radiators or within rooms of your home. 2. If using a tumble dryer keep it adequately vented and empty condenser regularly. 3. Try to not use portable Calor Gas heaters, these give off excessive moisture. 4. During cooking ensure saucepan lid are on, the extractor fan is used and kitchen doors remain closed. 5. Open windows in a morning (just slightly will do) to ensure a through draught to help dry out overnight condensation.
6. Keep doors shut when showering or bathing, this helps minimise the spread of moisture between rooms. 7. Have your heating system set at a low ambient temperature to ensure the house is kept warm, rather than letting it come on and go off (this could also be cheaper). 8. Do not turn off extractor fans; these are removing excess moisture from your home. 9. Wipe down walls and glazing if moisture is evident. 10. Ensure air can flow freely around your home.
These tips will help you manage moisture levels within your home and will help prevent mould developing. If you do have concerns over mould or condensation within your home then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Repairs Team on 01283 595809 WINTER 2015 Housing News 14
Payment machines switched on Two payment machines designed to reduce waiting times for customers have gone live at South Derbyshire District Council’s Civic Offices.
Those planning to use the payment machines to pay housing rent will need their nine-digit reference number, which begins with ‘97’
Similar to bank ATMs, they accept payments for all Council services including council tax, housing rent, planning and licensing and have signalled an end to all face-to-face payments at the Civic Way building in Swadlincote.
To settle council tax payments people will need to bring with them their bill or unique eight-digit reference number, which starts with a ‘3’ and can be found on the top right corner of annual bills.
In line with other organisations, the Council has also made a decision to phase out cheques and therefore this method of payment will no longer be accepted over the counter. Kerry-Anne Hartwell, of Swadlincote, had the honour of being the first customer to use one of the payment machines. She said: “I liked the machines – they’re easier and much better than queuing. I’d encourage people to come and try them.” In the very first week of their implementation the payment machines processed almost 200 transactions, with staff on hand to support users where required. The machines are capable of processing payments in less than a minute, accepting cash and cards and issuing receipts. People can still pay via a range of other methods, including by Direct Debit or online via the Council’s website at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/payforit
More information – as well as a video demonstration of how to use the payment machines – is available at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/paymentmachines Payment machines - things to remember: • The introduction of the machines will mean an end to face-to-face payments at the Civic Offices in Swadlincote. • Cheques will no longer be accepted. • You can pay the Council by setting up a Direct Debit, by calling the automated pay line (01283 595865), by using smartphone apps (eg Barclays Pingit) or online, 24/7 and 365 days a year at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/payforit • The machines will only issue change in coins, so by bringing in the correct amount of money customers can help speed up the payment process.
WINTER 2015 Housing News 15
Warning over rogue rubbish collectors Tenants in South Derbyshire are being warned about rogue removal firms operating in the district. The Council’s Senior Safer Neighbourhood Warden, Dennis Bateman, has issued the warning following an increase in fly-tipping. Furthermore, he said residents could potentially be prosecuted if they hand over their unwanted items to these operators and the rubbish is traced back to them. Dennis said: “There has been a big rise in the number of cases where someone in a van offers to remove unwanted items from homes for payment, before they are later found dumped in the area. “All householders have a legal ‘duty of care’ for waste produced from their property. It requires householders to take all reasonable measures to ensure the waste that they produce is transferred to a licensed waste operator.” Any residents who do not meet the duty of care can be faced with a formal caution and a clean-up bill, or even a court summons. If someone claiming to be a removal operator calls at the door, residents are urged to: • Ask them to provide a full address, telephone number and vehicle registration details. • Ask to see their waste carriers licence, issued by the Environment Agency. • Contact the Environment Agency directly on 0870 8506 506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check. Alternatively, they can check the person has a waste carriers licence online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk • Our message is simple – if you’re not sure, don’t accept a doorstep offer to pay for the removal of your waste. Anyone with information about any rogue operator can contact us on 01283 595943 or email neighbourhood. wardens@south-derbys.gov.uk
Estate Tours The Housing Operations team recently re-introduced an initiative to keep an eye on the general condition of the estates within the district and highlight any areas for potential improvements. Estate Tours have been carried out across the district by Housing Officers, the South Derbyshire Tenants’ Panel, the police and other service areas such as Maintenance, Grounds and Tenant Participation. During these tours, attendees looked at the overall condition of the area covered, noting for action items such as hotspots for graffiti and litter, abandoned cars, as well as the general condition of councilowned properties - including how well the gardens are maintained. From August to October a total of 16 tours took place in our more densely populated areas, with a further 20 more rural areas which have been checked by the Housing Officers during their normal visits around the district. Reaction to the tours has been positive so far, with more tours planned for the future.
WINTER 2015 Housing News 16
Dates will be posted on our Facebook page at SDDCHousing-Services for any tenants wishing to join in the tour around their part of the district. More information is available by telephoning your Housing Officer: Michelle Thompson – Church Broughton, Church Gresley, Hilton, Thurvaston, Castle Gresley, Hatton, Scropton, Woodville: 01283 595824 Ruth Wright – Aston-on-Trent, Weston-on-Trent, Melbourne, Shardlow, Elvaston & Thurlston, Hartshorne, Smisby, Ticknall, Repton, Barrow-onTrent: 01283 595805 Lyndsay Taylor – Bretby, Newhall, Linton, Swadlincote: 01283 595825 Linda Roberts – Lullington, Newhall, Rosliston, Coton in the Elms, Netherseal, Walton-on-Trent: 01283 595870 Rosalind Baker – Etwall, Willington, Midway, Overseal, Egginton: 01283 228740
Car Parking Improvements Tenants and Council staff have been working together to improve car parking facilities in Weston-on-Trent. Housing Services’ Improvements team have created six additional parking spaces in Wilmot Avenue as the parking was inadequate for the 18 sheltered bungalows. Following consultation with tenants this site was identified as a problem area, as ambulances and care staff vehicles that regularly visit the area to tend to elderly residents reported access issues. In addition to the six parking bays, wheelchair access and a turning area have also been installed. Housing’s Environment Project Officer, Jane Morton, said: “We have received lots of positive feedback from the tenants and their visitors since the project has been finished. Staff who have visited the site have also seen an improvement.”
WINTER 2015 Housing News 17
Gas Safety Check Why does the Council have the gas and heating checked every year?
What is a gas safety check? A gas safety check involves a Gas Safe registered engineer inspecting your gas appliances. They will check the appliance is working correctly and will check the following four areas:
As a landlord we have a legal obligation to provide an annual gas safety check. Gas appliances that are left unchecked could be dangerous and leaking carbon monoxide which could result in death. All of your gas appliances, including your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire should be safety checked once a year. We will service all appliances owned by the council i.e. the boiler. All the appliances owned by tenants i.e. gas cookers should be serviced regularly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
•
Gas appliances are on the correct setting and burning with the correct operating pressure.
•
Harmful gases are being removed from the appliance safely to the air outside.
•
That any ventilation routes are clear and working properly.
•
All the safety devices are working.
If you do not have your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer, you could be putting you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or an explosion just like the one in Clacton, Essex back in 2014 which saw two houses flattened as well as 10 people seriously injured.
What is a service?
The check will identify any defects which require remedial work. Whilst a gas safety check assesses the basic safety of a gas appliance, a service will consist of a full check of a gas appliance and the engineer will take the casing off the appliance to inspect and clean it. The engineer will assess the physical condition of the appliance, installation pipework, air vents and any flues for deterioration. They will carry out performance tests and take any necessary immediate action. If you have received a letter from Renuvo to carry out a service and safety check on your properties appliances. You can arrange an appointment, if one isn’t already arranged, by contacting them on 01827 870950 or emailing sddc@renuvo.co.uk
My heating and/or hot water is not working?
How can I save money on my heating and hot water bills?
•
Have you checked that you have a gas and electricity supply, especially on prepaid meters?
•
Is the boiler pressure gauge showing in the green or at least 1 bar?
1.
•
Does your boiler ignite when you turn on the hot tap? If your hot water still works, it’s worth checking the following:-
•
Is your room thermostat turned up sufficiently?
•
Is your timer switched to the ‘on’ position?
2. Controls – make sure you set them correctly to provide enough hot water and heating when you want it and not when you don’t.
•
Are the thermostats on the radiators set at the correct room temperature?
•
Is it hotter outside than inside your home (in which case your heating will stay off)
•
Are there any fault codes showing on the boiler? Have these answers ready to hand when contacting Renuvo, as a member of the team is likely to ask you them. This information can also be used to help identify faults that may be occurring with your central heating system and may save you time in waiting for an engineer to visit your property.
If however, the fault cannot be rectified over the phone then Renuvo will arrange a convenient time for one of their Gas Safe engineers to visit your home. If the repair is categorised as an emergency, this will be attended to within 2 hours. WINTER 2015 Housing News 18
Use less hot water and don’t leave taps running unnecessarily.
3. Turning down your room thermostat by one degree could save you up to £65 a year and 260kg of carbon dioxide emissions. 4. Keep your radiators clear of obstructions and don’t cover them as this reduces their efficiency. e.g. large sofa’s by a radiator can absorb a lot of the heat and restrict airflow. 5. Use thermal or heavy curtains during the winter and close them at dusk. This will help stop heat escaping through the windows.
Investing in People Tenants may notice two new faces out and about with the Housing Repairs team. Jamie Atton, 17, from Burton, has just finished full time education at De Ferrers Academy to do an apprenticeship in plumbing. He felt it was a great platform for a school leaver to get in to the industry. He will be studying for just over two years to gain a Level 2 NVQ in plumbing alongside getting real hands-on experience with our plumbers. He hopes to start his own business one day. Jordan Summers, 16, from Swadlincote, is doing a two-year course to obtain an NVQ Diploma in Joinery. He first became interested in joinery when a teacher at college told him he had a flair for it. Jordan said: “This is a great way to earn money while learning a trade I want to do. I hope that the skills I gain learning from the other joiners will set me in good stead to one day work for myself.” Repairs Manager Richard Thornewill said: “It shows a real commitment from the Council that we are investing in the future by recruiting apprentices. Both Jordan and Jamie are showing great enthusiasm to learn and we have high hopes for them both for the future.”
Five Year Improvement Programme 2012 – 2017 Housing Services’ Improvement Programme is well under way, with £27.3 million being spent by 2017.
Planned External Maintenance Programme The planned external maintenance works are well underway in Newhall. Harvey & Clark Ltd. Have completed works to 1,332 homes since commencement of the Contract in January 2014.
Bathroom Replacement and Shower Programme Matthews & Tannert Ltd. is ahead of schedule for both the bathroom replacements and shower installs. To date, 732 bathrooms and 1,795 showers have been replaced. All Council properties will have an electric shower installed by March 31st 2017.
The heating replacements are running smoothly with Renuvo Ltd. On average, 30 heating replacements are undertaken per month. As of September 30th, 2015, 1,184 heating systems have been replaced.
Electrical Rewires Programme
British Gas Social Housing Ltd. has increased the rewires programme, bringing them back on schedule. They are currently undertaking 26 rewires per month. As of September 30th, 2015, 847 rewires have been undertaken.
Kitchen Replacement Programme The kitchen replacements are progressing well with Laker BMS Ltd. They are currently completing on average 20 kitchen replacements per month. Since the start of the Improvements Programme, 699 kitchens have been replaced.
Heating Replacement Programme
Before
Roofing Programme
G Purchase Ltd. successfully completed the programme ahead of schedule in April 2015. In total 634 properties benefitted from a new roof. After
Environmental Works Programme
The provision of 6 additional car parking bays at Wilmot Avenue, in Weston on Trent is now complete. Plans are now in motion to improve several other car parks within the district.
Communal Areas Programme
Improvements to the communal areas are also now well underway. Brightman House was the first to be completed with internal decorating and new floors fitted throughout.
WINTER 2015 Housing News 19
Fact Finder Quiz
Read your Housing News from cover to cover to find all the answers to the questions below to be in with a chance of winning £25 of vouchers
win £25 of Vouchers
1. In which village did Housing Services celebrate the laying of the first bricks? _____________________________________________________________ 2. Who was the Skate Park mural in memory of? ___________________________________________________________ 3. Where did the ARCH conference take place September 2015? ____________________________________________________________ 4. What are the first names of the two new apprentices? ____________________________________________________________ 5. How many young people took part in the Town Centre Dreamscheme in August 2015? ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Name the Chairman of Housing and Community Services ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Name the winner of the children’s category in Can You Dig It? ____________________________________________________________________ 8. How many payment machines did we have installed? ______________________________________________________________ 9. Which Housing Officer is responsible for Scropton? __________________________________________________________ 10. In which area have we created 6 additional car parking places? _________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Telephone: _______________________________ Email: _______________________________ Send your entries to: Tenant Participation, South Derbyshire District Council Housing Services, FREEPOST, RTHU-RKKLUXYY, Housing Services, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH by 5pm on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Entries with the most correct answers will be placed in a draw and the lucky winner chosen at random and contacted. WINTER 2015 Housing News 20