SKyline Winter 2016

WINTER 2016

THE MAGAZINE FOR

SOUTH KESTEVEN COUNCIL TENANTS

EILEEN (92) HITS COMMUNITY JACKPOT Full story page 20

your council working for you

Page 3

Rechargeable repairs update

Pages 10

Meet our new Neighbourhoods Team

Pay to stay Scheme – what it could mean for you

T

he Pay to Stay scheme was outlined in the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

Pay to Stay is a national scheme that means if your household income is more than £31,000 per year, you will need to pay more rent. At present we don’t have all the details of how the scheme will be introduced, however we will keep you informed as further information becomes available. It is expected to start in April 2017.

Will I be affected by Pay to Stay?

If you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit the scheme will not apply to you. All other tenants will need to provide us with their income information so their household income can be assessed. We

will write to you to collect this information.

Household income means the income of tenants or joint tenants, and your spouses or partners.

It is expected that all taxable income will be considered.

What happens if I don’t give the Council the information it needs?

We may be able to charge you the full market rent for your property. We may reduce this to the correct amount once you have provided the information.

How much will my rent be increased?

If your household income is above the threshold of £31,000 a year, your rent will increase by 15

What if I want further information?

If you would like to discuss the scheme with someone, please contact the Rents team on 01476 40 60 80.

Grantham: Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ Stamford: 1 Maiden Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AZ Bourne: South Kesteven Community Point, Abbey Road, Bourne PE10 9EF

Skyline is produced by tenants and SKDC working in partnership. It is delivered to all council tenants in the district.

This magazine is printed on paper produced from well-managed forests.

To get in touch with us use one of the methods below or contact one of our offices:

Market Deeping: Deepings Community Centre, Douglas Road, Market Deeping PE6 8PA Please contact us if you or someone you know would like to receive this magazine in a different format including audio tape, cd, large print or Braille.

How to contact us 01476 40 60 80

@ skylinesubmissions@southkesteven.gov.uk www.southkesteven.gov.uk/getsocial

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pence for every pound you earn above the threshold. This means, for every £1,000 you earn above the threshold, your rent will increase by £150 a year – around £12.50 a calendar month, or £3.12 a week.

If you are affected by the scheme, we will notify you of the exact amount that you are required to pay once your household income has been assessed.

What will the Council do with the additional rent it receives?

We have to give any extra rent collected through Pay to Stay to the Government. We are not allowed to keep the extra rent, so we can’t invest it in improving homes or building new housing.

Cover shot: Eileen Yeates who has been treasurer of a community centre for 18 years.

Full story page 20.

Switch and save on your bills with Energy Switch

S

outh Kesteven residents could potentially save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills with the Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme.

Householders should register at www.southkesteven.gov. uk/switch by February 14 to take advantage of the possible savings in the coming months and beyond.

Residents who signed up for the latest round of the Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme in September and October saved an average of £200 each on their energy bills following an auction between energy companies.

All you need is your annual gas or electric statement or bills covering the last 12 months to hand to register.

Once the registration period is complete, energy suppliers will compete with their best offers at an auction and you will be sent an email or offer letter stating the potential savings you could then make.

There is absolutely no obligation for householders or businesses to accept their personal offer and it’s as simple as you checking if the offer the energy provider gives you beats your current deal.

If it does, switching from your existing energy provider could not be more straightforward with the new provider taking care of the entire process.

If you’re not able to register online, you can do so offline at your local council or by calling 0800 048 8439.

The scheme is organised by

the Council and administered by the UK’s leading collective switching expert, iChoosr Ltd. It’s open to all energy users, whether you are on dual fuel, electricity only, pay monthly or quarterly or have a prepayment meter.

Karen Lond, lead officer for the county-wide scheme said: “The scheme continues to offer wonderful value to those who take just a few minutes to register.

“You could have lower energy bills in 2017 and beyond simply by registering and seeing if you get offered a better deal.”

Rechargeable repairs update

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ur published Rechargeable Repairs Policy has been in place for over 12 months and we are now seeking your views on how things are going.

As part of our Repairs Service we recharge for damage caused by tenants or others visiting their home. We will also recharge for services such as replacing lost keys and unblocking drains.

If you tell us you want to leave your home we will visit you and tell you if there is anything you need to do before leaving the property. If you do not complete the agreed repairs or leave

rubbish behind for us to clear up we will recharge you.

We would really like to receive your feedback and ask that you take just a few minutes to give us your views on this important policy. The survey is open until 31 January 2017.

This can be done in a variety of ways: • Online https://www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ rechargeable_repairs_ policy2016 • By email to repairs@ southkesteven.gov.uk requesting a copy of the survey

• By calling (01476) 40 60 80.

Please ask to be put through to Repairs and we will arrange for a survey form to be sent to you in the post.

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Happy recycling this

Christmas

Here’s a list of Christmas items you can recycle – in your silver bin, clear bag or at your local household waste and recycling centre (HWRC).

Silver Bin

Clear bag

Paper chains Silver Bin

Silver Bin

Clear bag

Christmas cards

Clear bag

Toy / gift wrapping paper

Silver Bin

Clear bag

Cardboard boxes

Silver Bin

Clear bag

Glass bottles and Silver Bin

Clear bag

Silver Bin

Clear bag

Foil

Put your tree out on the green bin collection day for your street, if you are unsure when this is please call customer services on 01476 40 60 80

Green bin

HWRC

Christmas tree

Drink cans

Toy and gift packaging (separate any plastic windows from card boxes before recycling)

Please put these items in your black bin or pink bags Black bin

Tinsel

Pink bag

Black bin

Pink bag

Christmas tree baubles

Black bin

Pink bag

Artificial Christmas trees

Black bin

Pink bag

Wine bottle corks

Please take these to your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre: HWRC

HWRC

HWRC

For toys please retain all safety information from the packaging and store with the instructions for use. This way you can refer to it in future, or pass it on to others should you give the toy to friends, family or a charity shop.

For a full list of items you can recycle visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk/recyclinglist

Recycling over the festive period – all bin collections one day later

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ll bin collections will take place one day later than normal across the district over the festive period.

This means there will be no bin collections on Boxing Day, Monday December 26 or Monday January 2.

The changes include silver bin and clear bag collections due on Friday December 30 now taking place on Saturday December 31.

Black bin and pink bag collections scheduled for Friday January 6 will be collected on Saturday January 7.

Unlimited silver bin or clear bag waste will be taken – but not extra black bin or pink bag waste.

We understand that lots of extra side waste is generated over the festive period. That’s why we’ll take away an unlimited

amount of recyclable items in any clear bags or cardboard boxes, items that are visible to our Streetcare team that can be recycled - as long as they are not placed in black bags.

Please flatten and crush cardboard for ease of transport to recycling facilities or to fit more into your kerbside collection.

However, as is the Council’s policy all year round, no additional waste will be taken with black bin or pink bag collections.

We appreciate the amount of waste at these times can be high so for those who fill their bins or bags, please take extra recycling or waste to Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Mowbeck Way in Grantham or at Bourne Industrial Estate.

If you would like to purchase additional clear bags please call 01476 40 60 80 or email customerservices@southkesteven.gov.uk And remember for a full list of items you can recycle and what to place in each bin or bag visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk/recyclinglist

Age UK Lincoln extends its service

Age UK Lincoln, an organisation which is dedicated to helping people make the most of later life, has expanded its service to cover South Kesteven.

Now called Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven, the charity has extended its service to residents in the district and across the border into North Kesteven to inspire, enable and support older people in their homes.

Michele Seddon, Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is fantastic news for Kesteven and Lincolnshire and serves to demonstrate that growth

and development continue to happen at a time when it is more usual to hear of services closing or reducing.

“We continuously strive to improve the range of services we provide and we are incredibly pleased to now be able to offer quality, effective and efficient services across Kesteven.”

Support comes in many forms from information and advice on a range of subjects from housing and health, to help in the home, personal care, laundry, deep cleans and gardening, to name but a few.

The organisation’s first

Outreach hub, a drop-in offering help and advice, has opened at the Jubilee Life Centre, Grantham, on Thursdays from 9.30am to 2.30pm with further days due to be added shortly. Plans are also in the pipeline to develop several retail shops throughout Lincoln and Kesteven.

Anyone who would like more information about Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven can contact them through their Registered Office in Lincoln, 01522 696 000.

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Who pays to replace your precious goods?

W

hat would it cost to replace your most prized possessions if the unthinkable happens?

Imagine you experience a fire in your home, a flood or a break in – or even suffer significant accidental damage - and you are not insured. Can you afford to replace things?

On the other hand, no matter what the emergency has been, imagine the peace of mind of being able to replace your damaged or stolen goods with brand new items with no excess to pay.

That’s the offer from Thistle Tenant Risks, with affordable standard cover starting at under a pound a week for £9,000 worth of contents insurance. Cover for accidental damage is slightly higher.

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Even cover for £35,000 worth of house contents is less than £2.50 a week.

The lowest amount that can be insured is £6,000 if you are over 60 and £9,000 for all other people.

All new tenants are urged to take out contents insurance by the council when they move in, but we are now reminding people of what is available through our approved partner insurers, Crystal Insurance.

It’s a pay as you go system with no yearly commitment, no excess to pay and no minimum home security requirements.

You can: • Pay fortnightly or monthly by debit card or cash, monthly by direct debit or annually • Arrange premiums from as little as £1.59 a fortnight for

tenants aged under 60 and £1.21 a fortnight for tenants aged 60 and over Insurance covers theft, water damage, fire, flood and other household risks, damage to internal decoration and even accidental damage to fixed glass in doors and windows for which you are responsible as part of your tenancy agreement.

Personal possessions, wheelchairs and mobility scooters and hearing aids can also be insured for an additional premium.

To arrange cover visit www.crystal-insurance.co.uk or call 0345 450 7286 for more information.

Site cleared to make way for homes

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ork is well underway at the first of three housing sites which aim to provide 27 new council homes for residents.

The council plans to build four one bedroom flats on Earlesfield Lane in Grantham, with the site already cleared The development sites part of a £3.1 million building programme - also include 18 affordable homes on Trent Road in Grantham which will be a mixture of houses and apartments.

A further five bungalows are planned on land at Westry Close in Barrowby village in conjunction with parking improvements in the area which were completed in May. SKDC’s Executive Member

for Housing, Cllr Linda Wootten, said: “I believe we are demonstrating our commitment to provide good housing as a priority and I look forward to the tenants taking up their new homes.

“We hope that the mix of property types will suit tenants of all ages and some will meet the specific needs of people with disabilities and specific needs.

“As well as providing much needed homes in our district, our plans to build will generate construction jobs and secure many more with suppliers, through the purchase of materials and services.”

AFFORDABLE HOMES: Coming to Trent Road

VILLAGE LIFE: Elevation 1 Five new bungalows for Barrowby 1 : 100

Elevation 2 1 : 100

In accordance with CDM Regulations 7, 11 and 18, any significant risks (as defined in the Approved Code of Practice paragraph 133) relating to the design features shown on this drawing have been identified and are annotated thus:

!

No significant risks have been identified.

Title

Elevations - Sheet 1

Client Significant risks have been identified - refer to notes on drawing for information on residual risks and any control measures to be employed.

Refer to the current Designer's Risk Assessment sheets for further details.

Designer's Signature

Project Proposed Housing - Westry Close, Barrowby

Date

Drawing Status

Preliminary

Woodhead Construction / SKDC Rev.

Description

Vf'd

Date

Drawn

Date

SAW

25/02/2016

1 : 100

Discipline

Project Number

Drawing N

ARCH

Scale

11329

SK10

William Saunders is the trading name of Wm Saunders Partnership LLP. Wm Saunders Partnership Limited Liability Partnership is registered in England and Wales with the Registration number OC 308323. The This drawing & any design thereon is the copyright of Wm Saunders Partnership LLP and must not be reproduced without their written consent. Contractors must verify all dimensions at the site before comm

ON THE WAY: Site clearance work at Earlesfield Lane in Grantham

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Street Outreach Team helped 19 in South Kesteven

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3 Charity has been operating their countywide rough sleeper service, the Street Outreach Team, since July 2015, during which time they have successfully advocated for 19 people found rough sleeping in South Kesteven and successfully secured them accommodation.

The five strong team covers the whole of Lincolnshire and responds to referrals from many agencies, members of the public and directly from individuals who find themselves rough sleeping.

The team also carry out regular Outreaches across the county from 5am checking known ‘hotspots’ for people sleeping on the streets.

Once verified as rough sleeping, the team carry out a thorough needs assessment identifying the individual’s support needs and whether or not statutory services have a duty to assist. Depending on the information gathered, the team make what is known as a single service offer. This may be support with finding accommodation in Lincolnshire, either in supported projects, social housing or private rented.

With the assistance of the seven local authorities that make up Lincolnshire, the team have access to funds which can be used to return people to the local authority area that has a duty to assist them. If rough sleepers are found from abroad then the team have funds to assist their repatriation if they have family or friends to return to or will refer on to accommodation and support

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HOME TRUTHS: Examples of makeshift residencies

providers in their home country.

Rough sleeping is inherently dangerous and the team’s remit is to assist an individual to exit the street as quickly and as appropriately as possible. The support of the general public is invaluable in alerting the team to possible rough sleepers.

The team have a 24 hour Freephone number which people can use to either speak to a team member directly or to leave a message clearly stating the rough sleeping location: 0808 281 0280 Referrals can also be made via: streetoutreach@p3charity.org

Don’t be homeless this winter

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inter is a time when people think more about those sleeping rough on our streets or families who become homeless.

During the summer, while most of us sympathise with homeless people, the reality of sleeping outside night after night doesn’t seem anywhere near as harsh as it does during the winter.

In South Kesteven we have seen a rise this year in the number of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. We need you to help us by telling us if you or someone you know might be at risk of this so we can try to assist.

Business Manager for Housing, Lisa Barker, said: “We have had around 50 more cases this year where people are facing homelessness. We want people to come to us as soon as they can and not bury their head in the sand. The quicker we are informed the quicker we might be able to help and prevent someone from becoming homeless.

“If you are homeless we will help you try and find somewhere to live. We will help you look at your housing options and may be able to help with a deposit and other funds to move into private rented accommodation.”

This time of year can be very cold. When severe weather is forecast such as high wind, heavy rain or temperatures below 0 degrees for three consecutive nights, the council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated.

This allows us to provide emergency accommodation for those with nowhere else to go.

Lisa explains: “When this happens, the P3 Outreach team become even busier than normal as they try to make contact with all of the rough sleepers within South Kesteven to let them know they will have somewhere warm to sleep that night.

“If you know of someone sleeping rough then tell us about it online at http://www.streetlink. org.uk/tell-us-about-a-roughsleeper or call us on 0808 281 0280 and press option one.”

If you need advice related to your housing situation there are a number of ways our Housing

Solutions Team may be able to help.

We can advise on a range of housing issues such as: • Accessing private rented housing • Local letting agents and local solicitors • Homelessness • Legal rights • Relationship breakdown and implications • Domestic abuse • Mortgage advice • Debt advice • Illegal eviction by your landlord

If you need housing advice or help or just more information please call 01476 406080 or visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk.

TEAM WORK: Meet homelessness staff

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Neighbourhoods team here to tackle environmental issues in your communities

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ur Neighbourhoods team is continuing to broaden its role to provide a more responsive service on environmental concerns to our tenants and communities.

Whilst any housing related queries still need to be reported to our Housing team, our Neighbourhoods team now responds to the important issues you raise in the streets and communities around your homes.

This includes any reports you need us to take note of on litter, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles and other environmental crime.

Reports should be logged at www.southkesteven.gov.uk and a member of the Neighbourhoods team will receive a notification and respond to incidents as quickly as possible using mobile technology.

The Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Nick Craft, said: “The team’s roles are deliberately focused on being proactive and responding to the issues your community raises.

“Web reports from residents are now directed quicker than ever to the relevant officer, enabling a faster response to incidents that occur, ultimately meaning that we can provide you with a cleaner and greener district.”

Additionally our Facebook page www.facebook.com/southkdc and twitter page @southkesteven are other ways you can reach us to report anything you feel needs to be addressed in the streets and communities near to you.

Officer Lee Gascoyne said: “Our roles are very varied and it’s pleasing we can now respond faster if any tenant or resident has an

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ON PATROL: The role of our Neighbourhoods team has been broadened

issue with litter, fly-tipping or noise, for example.

“We’re keen to make our communities where tenants live safer and more pleasant places to live. We can only do that with the help of your reports.”

The team’s new approach is also assisting prioritising work to make neighbourhoods cleaner.

A recent initiative saw over 300 households being engaged around the Grantley Street and Wharf Road area in Grantham after reports of litter and fly-tipping.

It resulted in nearly 40 hours of high visibility patrols in conjunction with Lincolnshire Police and local PCSOs. It saw reports of dog fouling, defective street lighting, accumulations of weeds and drug use in the area recorded and passed on to the relevant agencies.

We also checked that multi lingual advisory letters previously delivered to households were sufficient to inform residents and businesses on the rules on how to correctly dispose of their waste.

SKDC’s Business Manager for Neighbourhoods Mark Jones said: “This was a great example of how the team operates in your community. We were pleased so many residents were willing to work with us and learn more on how they and their neighbours can take steps to improve their street scene.

“The positive reaction of so many local people and business owners means we are moving in the right direction to a cleaner neighbourhood in this location. We’re keen to follow up similar initiatives where required across the district.

“However we need you as our tenants to continue to be our eyes and ears to inform us of ongoing issues as they occur. So always alert us to them online at www.southkesteven.gov.uk” For tenancy issues in your property please email housing@southkesteven.gov.uk

Dementia charity appeals for volunteers

A

charity is appealing for volunteers in Bourne, Stamford and The Deepings to help local people who have been diagnosed with dementia to pursue their favourite activities, hobbies and interests.

Lincolnshire has been chosen as one of the areas in the country for Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side service, and volunteers are needed to help provide this service.

Gary Headland, Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side Manager for Lincolnshire said: “We are very keen to hear from anyone who is interested in supporting people with dementia. As a Side by Side volunteer, you would be helping a person with dementia to continue with a favourite activity, hobby or interest, or even try something completely new.

“This could be anything from walking, visiting historic sites, playing an instrument, joining local groups, going to the cinema, carrying on with a sport or leisure activity, through to simply going out for a cup of tea and a chat.

“The focus of Side by Side is very much on what the person with dementia wants to do. By enabling people with dementia to stay active and involved in their local community, we can really help to improve their quality of life.”

Anyone interested in volunteering on Side by Side will receive a variety of training and ongoing support to help them in their role.

There are thought to be 11,000 people living with

dementia in Lincolnshire and a further 10,000 in Cambridgeshire.

the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information.

Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency which requires

further investigation. For further information on data matching at this authority, see our website www.southkesteven.gov.uk and enter data matching into the search box.

If you know or suspect someone of committing housing related fraud, you can act. Call Whistleblowers on 0800 0853716 or email whistleblowing@ lincolnshire.gov.uk. Your identity and the information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

If you are interested in helping a person with dementia live a fuller and potentially happier life, and would like more information, please contact David Johnson, Lincolnshire Side by Side Engagement and Involvement Officer on 07484 053270 / 01522 692681 or david.johnson@alzheimers.org.uk

National campaign to detect fraud

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he Goverment’s National Fraud Initiative has asked councils and other bodies to supply information we hold on our tenants and those who are applying for housing for their data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises and we are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for

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New Community Café opens on Earlesfield estate by tenant Anne Clark

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met with Andrew and Daniel from the Earlesfield Community Church, based at Trent Road Community Centre in Grantham to ask why they opened the café.

Andrew said having spoken to people on both Beadon Park and Earlesfield and asked the question what can the church do for you, one of the things asked for was a community café.

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In September they opened the café called “Hope” which is situated where the shops are on Hornsby Road and it is doing well.

They are working with other organisations to help and support people living in the community.

Andrew went on to say that involving local people had brought us all together for the betterment of the community.

Stay safe and help to save £80,000 a year

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ou always need to allow gas workers onto your premises to check appliances.

Keeping appointments with the council’s contractors, Liberty Gas, to allow their staff into your property so gas appliances can be regularly checked means your home and family can be kept safe from any potential dangers.

Denied access to properties costs us as a council an estimated £80,000 a year and that’s despite letters and text messages notifying tenants of the appointment weeks in advance.

Year on year this cost equates to 30 kitchen upgrades, 53 bathroom upgrades, 30 full heating upgrades to properties or 24 full rewires of homes.

That’s why it’s a legal

requirement that we inspect premises and where necessary we will force entry if we need to.

SKDC’s Business Manager for Responsive Housing Repairs Chris Pegge said: “We appreciate many people have busy lives but it’s very important that tenants make a note and keep appointments and give access to Liberty Gas staff on our behalf.

“This allows operatives to make the necessary gas checks to keep properties safe and give you and your family peace of mind that your gas appliances are safe.

“Unfortunately we have required court action to access some properties so tenants must be aware we require entry to a property at the time and date stated on the letter or text message.”

Tenants wishing to change their appointment time can do so by calling 033 0333 8393.

Allocations Policy consultation

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n the last edition of Skyline we announced that a public consultation on the council’s housing allocation’s policy was underway.

Over 80 housing register applicants responded to the survey and the feedback shows that a large majority were in favour of proposed changes to the policy.

These are: • Local connection changes – with priority only awarded to those applicants who have lived in the district for the last two years, or worked in the district for the last 12 months for a minimum of 17 hours per week • To award greater priority to those social tenants who

•

•

• •

are under-occupying social housing Allow housing management greater flexibility to assist those households with multiple and complex needs and to make better use of the social housing stock available in the district Applicant’s assets and income levels will be taken into consideration when assessing housing needs. Applicants may be excluded or reduced in priority depending upon the resources available to them Changes to how overcrowding is assessed and managed Changes to how medical and care needs are assessed and managed

• Greater priority awarded to those households who have received a valid notice seeking possession • Clarify how applicants are awarded priority and how properties are allocated and offered The final amendments have now been made to the full allocations policy and we are in the process of adapting forms to accompany the policy and making the necessary changes to the housing system.

Any applicants whose banding priority changes as a result of the changes will be written to and advised of their new banding.

Those affected will also have the opportunity to appeal the banding decision.

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£818,000 boost to make Wyndham an even better people’s park

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arlier in the year SKDC and the Wyndham Park Forum submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery fund for £818,000 in order to make much needed improvements to Grantham’s Wyndham Park.

We are happy to announce that this application was successful!

Improvements will include renovation of the old swimming pool ticket office, the creation of a community focused visitors’ centre, the relining and filling of the boating lake and some landscaping work.

In addition to the physical changes taking place, some of the money will be used to support events, activities and training in the park.

It is hoped that people across South Kesteven will benefit

from the improvements and take up some of the training and volunteering opportunities that will be available.

Free events will be held to ensure that Wyndham truly is the people’s park. If you would like to get involved or find out more about events and opportunities please take a look at the park’s new website http://www. wyndhamparkgrantham.co.uk Wyndham is easily accessible on foot from the town centre, has a small car park and is serviced by the 1, 9 and S09S bus services. Other than the bus stop directly outside the park on Hill Avenue there are several other stops within a short walking distance.

For those with mobility or lack of transport who wish to get

THEN AND NOW: How the park used to look and how it looks today

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involved with volunteering on projects within the park some money may be available to support travel expenses.

This will be considered on an individual basis and we would urge you to get in touch if you have any questions.

One of the projects we will be running is to gather memories, photographs or trinkets associated with the park.

Anyone interested in sharing their memories or pictures should email pr@southkesteven.gov.uk or send them to Wyndham Park’s Facebook page.

Please call (01476) 40 60 80 and select extension 6016

Bite sized goals to achieve resolutions Most of us will make a New Year’s resolution - maybe to lose weight, quit smoking or drink less - but only one in 10 of us will achieve our goal.

It seems we’re more likely to succeed, according to health professionals, if we break our resolution into smaller goals that are specific and timebased.

Professor Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, tracked 5,000 people as they attempted to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. His team found that those who failed tended not to have a plan, which made their resolution soon feel like a mountain to climb.

Some focused too much on the downside of not achieving their goal, adopted role models, fantasised about their goal or relied on will power alone.

“Many of these ideas are frequently recommended by self-help experts but our results suggest that they simply don’t work,” says Prof Wiseman. “If you are trying to lose weight, it’s not enough to stick a picture of a model on your fridge or fantasise about being slimmer.”

He said the 10% of participants in the study who had achieved their target broke their goal into smaller goals and felt a sense of

Top 10 tips to achieving your New Year’s resolution: • Make only one resolution.

Your chances of success are greater when you channel energy into changing just one aspect of your behaviour.

• Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to think about your resolution and instead take some time out a few days before and reflect upon what you really want to achieve.

• Avoid previous resolutions.

Deciding to revisit a past resolution sets you up for frustration and disappointment.

• Don’t run with the crowd and go with the usual resolutions. Instead think about what you really want out of life.

• Break your goal into a series of steps.

• Tell your friends and family about your goals. You’re

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•

•

•

more likely to get support and want to avoid failure.

Regularly remind yourself of the benefits associated with achieving your goals by creating a checklist of how life would be better once you achieve your aim.

Give yourself a small reward whenever you achieve a sub-goal, thus maintaining motivation and a sense of progress.

Make your plans and progress concrete by keeping a handwritten journal, completing a computer spreadsheet or covering a notice board with graphs or pictures.

Expect to revert to your old habits from time to time. Treat any failure as a temporary setback rather than a reason to give up altogether.

achievement when they achieved these. Many of the most successful techniques involved making a plan and sticking to it.

Win a three

month membership The holiday season can often mean a bit of over indulgence so why not get fit for 2017!

We are offering one lucky reader the chance to kick start the new year with a three month free membership to one of our four leisure centres in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings.

Simply send your name and contact details to The Communications Team at South Kesteven District Council, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ or email them to pr@southkesteven.gov.uk The closing date is 13 January 2017. The winner will be contacted by 1Life who run our leisure centres across South Kesteven.

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Lincare needs the right number to call!

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ummoning 24/7 help at the push of a button gives wonderful peace of mind – but there could be something vital missing!

Some council tenants using the Lincare communications and monitoring service are forgetting to update essential information like changes in health or medication.

And the biggest single gap in information is all too often the right telephone number for a family contact.

People’s increasing use of pay-as-you-go phones and the regular switching of mobile numbers is part of the problem, says Clive Thomassson at Lincare’s Lincoln office.

He has urged everyone using the system to check that personal details are up to date. A family member can do that, or the user themselves can contact the centre via their pendant.

When LinCare receives the alarm call, a client’s page will then show the most up to date and comprehensive information – allowing them to contact a nominated person or medical help as required.

“It’s really important that we know any changes in a client’s medical condition, including any onset of dementia. It changes how we would deal with a call and allows us to deliver a better service.

“We are often finding that the mobile numbers we have as contacts are wrong, so please can everyone check all the details we hold. We can all forget things like that but it’s really important.”

Lincare also does its own information checks on yearly inspection of the 1,000 systems

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now operating with SKDC tenants, helping to address a number of issues including: • improving the health of vulnerable people living at home • enabling people with disabilities to remain living at home • reducing fear and improving individual sense of safety, security and self-confidence • assisting carers in their role and thus improve their quality of life • lessening social isolation, whilst maintaining independence All this is at the press of a The ‘Basic Package’ consists of a base communications unit, including push button pendant on the wrist or round the neck, and is the most popular of the rental choices currently available. Activating opens a hands-free two-way communication between the wearer and Lincare’s 24/7 monitoring call centre.

The cost of the basic service is £2.88 per week or £150 a year, with the service including:-

radio button, using the large illuminated red button on the unit - or automatically via the range of TeleCare sensors, wirelessly linked to the base unit. The only requirement is that a working outgoing phone line (in use or not) is within a metre of a spare electricity socket.

A range of advanced technology includes detectors and alarms appropriate to individuals vulnerable to risks such as smoke, floods and gas, and personal risks such as falls, epilepsy, any medical emergency and even domestic violence. · Rental of Lifeline with Pendant. · Annual maintenance check. · Regular update of personal details. · 24 Hour Control Centre contact with trained operators.

For information, contact the LinCare control centre, call 01522 544813 or email lincare@lincoln.gov.uk

Snow White takes a bow in Grantham and Stamford this year

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t Grantham and Stamford Polka Dot Pantomimes are presenting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

This classic is suitable for all the family, so get ready for a wonderful panto season!

The Grantham show runs from December 10 until January 3. For more details visit www.guildhallartscentre. com or call (01476) 406158.

The show on January 3 is a relaxed performance.

This means the show will be specially designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an autism spectrum condition, sensory and

communication disorders, or a learning disability.

There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement and some small changes are made to light and sound effects.

The show moves to Stamford

on January 6 with general shows until January 8 and school productions will take place on January 9.

For Stamford show details visit www.stamfordartscentre. com or call (01780) 763203.

IT’S PANTO TIME: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which will be performed in Grantham and Stamford this year.

Have a safe and happy Christmas Christmas is a special time for celebration and should not end in tragedy because of the extra hazards that are present at this time of year. The following advice, from the Fire Service, gives you some top tips to make sure you and your family stay safe over the festive period.

Fairy Lights • Check the fuses are the right type (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use). If bulbs blow, replace them • Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep • Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper • Don’t overload sockets Decorations • Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily. Don’t attach them to lights or heaters.

Don’t put them immediately above or around the

fireplace. Keep them away from candles.

Christmas Trees Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for Christmas • Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut • The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the

tree trunk on the ground • If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard Caring for Your Tree • Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks • Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree • Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks • Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times

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Beat the Christmas Blues with the help of Lincolnshire Credit Union “Christmas is nearly here, how I wish I’d kept my New Year resolution this year, started saving and been better organised. Everything is really expensive and I so wanted to make Christmas special this year.

“Maybe I’ll have a word with that woman who put a leaflet about loans through my door last week and see if I could borrow a bit to tide me over, or there’s always that guy in the pub who’s flashing the cash and offering to help out.”

These are words that could apply to many of us, but there is no need to panic.

It’s not too late to do the sensible things to get help over Christmas. Make some lists, who do you really need to buy gifts for? Are they in the same boat as you? Why not have a chat, talk it through and set a spending limit for each other?

How about the food and drink?

Do you really eat all the food you

buy? How much did you throw away last year, and do you really need to have every type of spirit and beer to offer visitors?

If you do need a small loan see what Lincolnshire Credit Union can offer.

They will check to see if they think you can manage the payments without getting into too much debt and give you a loan if they think you can afford it.

Check out their website www.lincscreditunion.org.uk where rates are much lower than a doorstep lender might charge.

Alternatively, if you feel you need a little help with a loan or would like to save for next year phone 01522 873550 or contact the local access point at Deeping St James to arrange a chat.

Don’t forget to pay your rent this festive season

W

e are reminding tenants not to forget to pay their rent during the busy festive season.

At this time of year there can be significant financial pressures as we turn the heating on and get ready for Christmas, but you need to make sure that you pay your normal household bills and your rent.

SKDC’s Corporate Finance

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Manager, Richard Wyles, said: “We understand that this can be a very costly time of year for our tenants so we want to make sure that they don’t get a costly hangover in the New Year by getting behind with their rental payments. Make a plan to pay this so that you can enjoy the festive season without worry.”

To make things easier you can now pay your rent by Direct Debit to ensure that you never forget to pay. And don’t forget

that there are two rent free weeks commencing on the 19 December and 26 December.

We offer two payment dates for monthly direct debit on the 1st or 15th of the month and also offer a weekly direct debit option every Friday.

For more information visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk or call 01476 40 60 80.

Check list to avoid Christmas debt

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special check list has been drawn up to help tenants steer clear of debt as we approach one of the heaviest spending periods of the year.

It’s been compiled with the help of the Citizens Advice Bureau as it braces itself for thousands of requests for help when offices reopen after the Christmas break.

One of the suggestions is that people actually start saving for next Christmas as soon as this one is out of the way!

Debt comes from many different directions – everything from overdrafts, payday loans and credit cards - and the Bureau also helps with everyday problems caused by essential bills like energy, rent

and council tax.

Priority debts like council tax or rent arrears can be exacerbated by Christmas, when extra expenses put additional pressure on already squeezed budgets.

In extreme cases, falling behind on rent can lead to eviction, energy debts can result in your power being cut off and not paying council tax can mean you risk a prison sentence.

This year, Citizens Advice is urging anyone who is worried that they are running into debt to seek help as soon as possible.

Julie Lyon, for Citizens Advice, said: “Dealing with debt is too often the last thing on people’s minds when they

are coping with Christmas, especially for those with children’ “What that means, however, is that thousands of people begin the New Year battling debt issues and we want to try and get them to adopt some debt-related New Year resolutions.

“We help an increasing proportion of people who run into difficulty because they struggle to cover their priority outgoings.

“Problems can get worse if they aren’t tackled early on, so if you are worried that you may not be able to cope then seek help as soon as possible and we hope that people can follow our checklist as a self-help guide..”

5 TOP TIPS

out much more expensive.

4. Keep things simple. If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don’t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper.

5. Shop around. Try as many different places as possible to find the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties; the cost of a repair could be less than the cost of the warranty.

1. Plan early for Christmas.

Be realistic and budget accordingly. Work out how much you are going to spend on each person – and stick to it. Manage expectations as to what you or Santa can give.

2. Don’t forget the everyday bills. Remember that rent, the mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not.

Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right.

3. Don’t bank on an overdraft.

If you do need more money, don’t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank first – it will work

If you need advice on how to sort out a debt problem, Citizens Advice can help. Get online help from adviceguide.org.uk, telephone 03444 111 444 for advice over the phone or contact your local bureau. www.southkestevencab.co.uk

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Full House - busy centre is heart of the community

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ingo, chiropody and Holy Communion are just some of the monthly events taking place at one of our community centres.

Ninety two year old, Eileen Yeates, has been the treasurer of Canterbury Close Community Centre in Grantham for the past 18 years, organising a variety of events which she believes are vital for tenants.

The centre is used for bingo twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and attendees hold raffles and other events which raise money for centre goers’ Christmas meal.

Eileen said: “When you get older you can get very lonely, people can have nobody to talk to.

“Anyone can come here and see somebody and I think people get a lot out of it. It’s also a good

way of meeting your neighbours.

I wouldn’t like to sit in and not get out.

“If there is a community centre in your area you just need a few people to get something going, once you do that you are away.”

The centre’s activities are regularly enjoyed by around 30 people and the venue has also recently become the location for meetings of the NHS retirement fellowship.

Eileen added: “Residents should take advantage of the facilities if they are available in their communities, I think they are vital.”

There are 30 centres attached to the sheltered housing schemes across the South Kesteven district and sheltered housing residents are very welcome to use and enjoy these facilities.

BINGO: It’s eyes down for a full house

READY TO GO: Members of the Canterbury Close Community Centre

Please contact one of the Sheltered Housing Officers if you have any queries about using the centres, they are Sue Robinson – 01476 406528, Melanie Williams – 01476 406529 or Nicky Beasley – 01476 406530.