Open House Issue 2 2017

Page 1

OpenHouse The Magazine for Council Tenants and Leaseholders

The ďŹ rst Council homes in a generation nearing completion - See page 14 Return Address: City and County of Swansea, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN

Issue 2 2017

What’s Inside FEATURES Focus on... The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Support Team .......... 1 Welsh Housing Quality Standard - Capital Programme update ............ 2 Get Swansea Online .......................... 7

LOCAL LINKS

8

TENANCY AND ESTATE Tenants voice ..................................... 10 Sheltered housing news .................... 12 HomeSwapper .................................. 13 More Homes Project update ............. 14 Changes to the Estate Caretaking Service ............................. 16 What’s on in your area? .................... 17 Repairs reminder - who does what ... 18 Repair Claims .................................... 19 Rent payment methods ..................... 20 Support services ................................ 21 Are we up to date? ............................ 22 How would you prefer to receive Open House? ..................................... 23 Reminder: Be wise to walls ............... 24

GENERAL ADVICE National Minimum and National Living Wage rises ............................... 25 Hoarding ........................................... 26 South Wales Victim Focus ................. 27 What to do when someone dies ...... 28 Avoiding drainage problems ............ 30 Fantastic savings from Recipro and Community RePaint ................... 31 Be Scam Aware ................................. 32 Smart Meters ..................................... 33 New child car seat regulations ......... 34 Could you be living next door to drug dealers? .................................... 35 Respect - everyone deserves it ......... 36

EQUALITIES Dementia Awareness ........................ 37 Can we help you? .............................. 38 ALL INFORMATION IN OPENHOUSE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS.

Open House: Issue 2 2017

Welcome to OpenHouse Welcome to Open House, the magazine for Council tenants and Leaseholders. As usual we’ve packed this edition with plenty of useful information and advice on a variety of topics. On page 2 you can ďŹ nd out more about the WHQS - Capital Programme Update which tells you about the work completed on your homes so far, as well as future planned work. Catch up on the progress of the More Homes project on page 14 and ďŹ nd out how the community have been involved in this exciting project. Be scam aware on page 32 gives you tips on being one step ahead of the scammers – don’t get caught out! Finally, if you’d prefer to read Open House online instead of receiving a paper copy – just let us know and we’ll email you a link to the latest online version- see page 23 for more details. Open House is also available to read online at www.swansea.gov.uk/housing Rachel Cole, Editor

Useful Contacts

Editor – Rachel Cole ........................................................ 635045 Repairs Contact Centre ................................................... 635100 Out of Hours Emergency Repairs ................................... 521500 24 hour Neighbourhood Support Unit ......................... 648507 Housing Options ............................................................. 533100 Environment Contact Centre .......................................... 635600 Housing BeneďŹ t Queries ................................................. 635353

District Housing OfďŹ ce Numbers Eastside District Housing OfďŹ ce ...................................... 791251 Morriston & Clase District Housing OfďŹ ce ...................... 601720 Sketty District Housing OfďŹ ce .......................................... 516810 Townhill & Mayhill District Housing OfďŹ ce ...................... 513900 Blaenymaes District Housing OfďŹ ce ............................... 534060 Gorseinon District Housing OfďŹ ce .................................. 897700 Penlan District Housing OfďŹ ce ........................................ 582704 Town Centre District Housing OfďŹ ce ............................... 650486 West Cross District Housing OfďŹ ce ................................. 402500 All telephone numbers are Swansea based (01792)

District Housing Email Addresses Blaenymaes.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Eastside.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Gorseinon.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Morriston.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Penlan.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Sketty.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk Townhill.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk TownCentre.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk WestCross.DistrictHousingOfďŹ ce@swansea.gov.uk If you require this information in a different format eg large print, Braille, disc or other, please contact Housing Customer Services 01792 635045 or visit our website www.swansea.gov.uk/housing or email housing@swansea.gov.uk We welcome correspondence in Welsh and will deal with Welsh and English correspondence to the same standards and timescales.

Focus on... The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Support Team In the last edition of Open House we highlighted the work being done by the Neighbourhood Support Unit (NSU) to try and resolve and eradicate anti-social behaviour. In addition to the NSU, the ASB Support Team also helps to combat ASB on our estates. The team’s role is to complement the work of the District Housing Office service and NSU, providing support for both victims and perpetrators, many of whom are vulnerable. Based within the Blaenymaes District Housing Office, the team was established in 2011 and is led by Dave Thomas. The team work closely with partner agencies both internal and external including the Police, Community Safety, Fire Service, Social Services, Community Mental Health, Environmental Health, and Trading Standards etc. as well as being a single point of contact for the courts service. They also provide assistance to District Housing Offices in cases of anti-social behaviour, and complex issues of tenancy management. A witness is the most important person when dealing with a case of ASB. Many residents may feel daunted or even intimidated by anti-social behaviour and are therefore reluctant to make a complaint. When a case has been allocated to the ASB Support Team, an officer will make contact with the complainant to get a full view of the case and will then provide their contact details for the complainant as an additional point of contact.

to be installed. They will also keep in touch with the complainant regularly - in the most serious cases daily or weekly contact will be made. The ASB Support Team prepare and collate witness statements, talking the complainant through the process and being available for advice and reassurance. One of the most daunting factors facing complainants is the thought of attending court so the team is on hand to provide support to the complainant throughout this process. Many perpetrators may not be aware of the ASB that they or their lifestyle is causing. The ASB Support Team will speak with them to offer them support or even mediation to help amend their behaviour. Often a referral for the correct type of support will resolve the ASB nuisance caused. If this does not work the ASB Support Team in conjunction with the District Housing office will take enforcement action which may ultimately result in a possession order (eviction). Evictions for ASB are only considered as a last resort in the most serious of cases. Throughout the process, as with the complainant, the perpetrator will be kept up to date and advised of what actions are being taken.

Witness support is an important part to the role of the ASB Support Team. As well as organising home security surveys and where required providing additional security measures, in some cases the team can arrange for a temporary CCTV camera

Open House: Issue 2 2017

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Welsh Housing Quality Standard - Capital Programme update The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) is the Welsh Government’s target standard for all social housing in Wales. The WHQS states that all homes should be: UÊ Ê>Ê} `ÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ vÊÀi«> À UÊ ->viÊ> `ÊÃiVÕÀi UÊ `iµÕ>Ìi ÞÊ i>Ìi`]ÊvÕi ÊivwV i ÌÊ> `ÊÜi Ê ÃÕ >Ìi` UÊ Ì> ÊÕ«ÊÌ Ê`>ÌiÊ ÌV i ÃÊ> `ÊL>Ì À à UÊ V>Ìi`Ê Ê>ÌÌÀ>VÌ ÛiÊ> `ÊÃ>viÊi Û À i Ìà UÊ -Õ ÌÊÌ iÊëiV wVÊÀiµÕ Ài i ÌÃÊ vÊÌ iÊ ÕÃi `

Achieving the WHQS in Swansea

2

Area

Óä£È

2017

Penlan

55

48

The Council has been progressing with work to improve homes and estates up to the WHQS by 2020/2021. Over the next 4 years, the Council is investing over £200 million to ensure we comply with the WHQS. Part of this investment is given to the Council as a Major Repair Allowance grant by the Welsh Government. This grant helps improve the lives of those who live in council homes as well as providing community benefits.

Cwmbwrla

2018

49

Caemawr

37

Penllergaer

28

Llanllienwen

177

Mayhill & Townhill Schemes 1&2

122

Mayhill & Townhill Scheme 3

70

The following provides information on the work completed so far as well as future planned work.

McRitchie Place

71

Pontardulais

26

25

In a good state of repair

Winch Wen

41

65

7 `Ê> `Ê7i>Ì iÀ«À w }Ê«À }À> i

West Cross

60

65

This includes insulating and improving the external walls and roof of the property. Since April 2010, the Council has completed Ó]ÈxÓ properties and work is planned for a further £] £{ properties over the next 4 years.

West Cross (BISF)

32

28

Loughor

30

Clase

55

89

The following table sets out the wind and weatherproofing programme for the years 2016 2018. This includes work ongoing/almost complete for 2016 and work commencing in 2017/18.

Craig Cefn Parc

26

20

50

55

Open House: Issue 2 2017

62

49 20

3

Birchgrove

Sketty Croft St

42

27

105

, w }ÊÃV i ià Î]ÓÇä properties have received new roofs since April 2010 and new schemes are planned for the coming years with 308 properties scheduled for completion in 2017/18. Roofing schemes also include loft insulation which will improve energy efficiency and help with heating bills. This table shows the areas and the number of homes which have received new roofs in 2016 and 2017 to date: Areas

Óä£È

2017

Blaenymaes

112

106

Bonymaen

36

Door Renewal Programme

Townhill & Port Tennant (Clay Roofs)

45

The Door Renewal Programme is now virtually complete with ]n£Ç properties having new uPVC or fire safety doors installed since April 2010.

Gower

63

Clase (Ewenny Place)

117

Sketty flats

5 blocks

Penlan (Wimpey No Fines)

59

Three Crosses & Llangennith

22

Loughor

16

Various including Morriston, Plasmarl, Penlan and Uplands

20

-ÌÀÕVÌÕÀ> ÊÀi«> ÀÃ]Ê`À> >}iÊÀi«> ÀÃÊ> `Ê improvements A number of structural repairs have been carried out, including work to retaining walls where the wall supports the land next to it. There have also been many drainage repairs and improvements to some sites where problems have arisen with drains, culverts or water ponding.

Safe and secure

Chimneys Scheme

Fire Safety

Chimneys which are in poor repair can cause problems with damp. This scheme will remove, repair or rebuild the chimney.

Considerable work is being done to enhance fire safety in blocks of flats and sheltered complexes which includes fire doors, emergency lighting and new improved signage.

118 chimneys were completed in 2015. In 2016, 221 chimneys were removed or repaired. In 2017, Î{ä properties will have chimneys removed or repaired if still required in: Cae Conna Road, Heol Y Maes, Bryngwastad Road, Gors Avenue and Heol Maesygelynen.

Balconies

Flats with communal areas have new doors which are of a higher standard and will provide 60 minute fire protection for residents. Other fire safety work includes work to sheltered complex communal areas and community rooms, installation of sprinklers in some complexes and new fire alarm systems.

Balconies require repairs/upgrade work and {{Ç balconies have been completed so far with work on a further xÓ being planned for 2018/2019.

New fire alarms have been fitted in 18 of the sheltered complexes bringing them and the emergency lighting systems up to current standards.

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Sprinklers Seven of the larger sheltered complexes have had sprinklers installed, which enhances their fire safety. Plans are also being developed to install sprinklers in all high rise blocks of flats.

Voice Entry Systems 46 blocks of flats are scheduled to have new voice entry systems fitted or upgraded, during 2017/2018. The addition of robust doors to the blocks will enhance security and allow tenants to control who enters the blocks, helping to reduce vandalism and harassment.

`iµÕ>Ìi ÞÊ i>Ìi` Heating Boilers are renewed as part of a planned programme with the oldest systems treated as a priority. The aim is to ensure all properties have efficient boilers with ]ÇÓ{ boilers installed so far.

Fuel Conversions Tenants are offered the option to switch heating fuels to either gas or oil if they currently have coal or electric. 7 properties are due to be converted in 2017. Since April 2010, 108 properties have received fuel conversions.

Upgrades Tenants can request small items of work such as timer clocks, room thermostats or radiators for a room without one or where the existing one is inadequate to heat the room.

Up to date kitchens and bathrooms Kitchens and Bathrooms Scheme New kitchens and bathrooms are being installed in properties that need them. In the last 5 years, 742 properties have had new kitchens and 1,066 properties have had new bathrooms.

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Open House: Issue 2 2017

As part of the scheme, kitchens and bathrooms may be adapted to meet individual medical needs. Tenants can discuss medical needs with staff when they visit and before the kitchen and bathroom are designed. Sometimes the property will be rewired or require partial rewiring to ensure the kitchen has sufficient sockets. Tenants have ten weeks’ notice of the work and a visit from a member of staff which provides an opportunity to discuss choices and raise any particular needs tenants may have. Eight weeks before the work starts, a kitchen designer will come and plan the kitchen layout. This will accommodate existing white goods, such as washing machine and fridge. There is a choice of kitchen styles. It is important that access is provided to allow the work to be carried out quickly as the aim is to finish the work in 4 to 5 weeks. Sometimes, new kitchens and bathrooms are installed in empty properties so they are in place when the new tenant moves in. New kitchens and bathrooms were installed in 1,820 properties in 2016 and 2,462 properties are planned for 2017/18. The following table shows the areas and number of properties that are included in the kitchen and bathroom scheme in 2017. Some properties that are newer or already have modern kitchens that are up the WHQS will be completed after 2020.

Area

No of Properties

Birchgrove

229

Caemawr

183

Clase

616

Clydach

451

Craig Cefn Parc

50

Cwm Felin Fach

221

Cwmryhdyceirw

124

Llanllienwen

220

Penllergaer

88

Pontardulais

280

The streets included in the Kitchen and Bathroom scheme for 2017 are: Eastside - Birchgrove Birchgrove Road Gelli Gardens Heol Camlan Heol Cledwyn Heol Dulais Lon Gwesyn Lon Ogwen Parc yr Helig Trewen Road Gorseinon - Penllergaer Dillwyn Road Heol Dewi Sant Heol Y Gelli Heol Yr Eos Llewellyn Road Lon Einon Lon Gaer Mount Crescent Y Garn

Llwyncelyn Avenue Llysgwyn Terrace Maesgwyn Road Maesteg Pantiago Road William Street Morriston Craigcefnparc Fagwr Isaf Ffordd Ellen Lon Heddwch Rhyddwen Road

Morriston - Clydach Brynamlwg Brynteg Danygraig Road Gellionen Road Graig Y Dderi Graigola Road Hafan Glyd Gorseinon - Pontardulais Heol Graigfelen Bryniago Road Heol Valentine Caegwyn Road Heol Y Fagwr Clos Pen Pant Heol Y Nant Dantwyn Road Llwynon Road Ger Y Pant Lone Road Glynhir Road Penydre Road Glynteg Road Players Avenue Heol Glannant Tan Yr Allt Road Heol Y Cae Tanycoed Road Heol Y Coed The Lone Heol Y Maes Tyle Teg Heol Y Waun Waverley Close

Woodside Crescent Morriston - Cwm Felin Fach Chemical Road Gwernos Heol Dyfan Heol Gwernen Heol Maesygelynen Llys Gwernen Maes Collen Vicarage Road MorristonCwmrhydyceirw Heol Fedw Heol Tirdu Heol Y Deri Heol Yr Eithin Llanllienwen Road Maes Y Fedwen Maes Y Onnen ÀÀ ÃÌ Ê Ê > i Üi Glyncollen Crescent Gwernfadog Road Llanllienwen Close Llanllienwen Road Penrhyn Court Pentewan Close Tregarne Close Tregelles Court Morriston - Caemawr Crown Street Heol Cefni

Lon Camlad Lon Claerwen Lon Gwendraeth Lon Hafren Lon Ithon Lon Manor Lon Nedd Lon Sawdde Morriston - Clase Caemawr Road Carno Place Creswell Road Elan Avenue Ewenny Place Fairview Road Fifth Avenue First Avenue Fourth Avenue Hillview Crescent Longview Road Mynydd Garnllwyd Road Pengwern Road Penrhiw Road Penygorse Road Rheidol Avenue Rheidol Court Second Avenue Severn Road Solva Road Tenth Avenue Third Avenue Tirdeunaw Close Ystwyth Place

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Smoke Alarms New hard wired smoke alarms have been fitted in n] Îx properties since 2010 and the Council aims to ensure all homes have at least two working smoke alarms. The Council checks these annually as part of its annual heating service. However, these should always be regularly tested to see if they are working. To report a fault, please contact the Housing Repairs Call Centre or the local District Housing Office – contact details are on the inside cover of this magazine.

V>Ìi`Ê ÊÃ>viÊ> `Ê attractive environments External Facilities Scheme The aim of this scheme is to ensure gardens are safe and suitable to use. The scheme will provide a washing line and airing cupboard, repair steps and ensure protection from areas where falls may occur. The scheme has been piloted in the Gorseinon area where at least 100 properties have benefitted so far. A further 347 properties in the same area are receiving this work at the moment, with other projects planned elsewhere.

Õ ÌÞÊ i iwÌÃ The ongoing work to improve Council homes also benefits the wider community.

Electrical Testing and Rewiring All of the Council’s properties are tested for electrical safety every 10 years. ]ÇΣ properties have been tested since April 2010. If the electrics do not pass the test then the property has to be rewired. These safety tests are a crucial area of work and it is important that tenants allow access for this to be carried out. In addition to electrical testing work, properties are also rewired every 30 years. Î]nÎÇÊ properties have been rewired since April 2010.

Contractors appointed by the Council are expected to carry out work which benefits communities. The Council has a ‘Beyond Bricks and Mortar Team’ that works to arrange and maximise the community benefits and places a lot of emphasis on employment and getting people back to work or to learn new skills in the workplace. The Beyond Bricks and Mortar initiative works with many of the WHQS schemes and to date has achieved 3544 ‘person weeks’ of training for new trainees, creating opportunities for 93 people. This includes 22 apprentices and work experience for 6 college based apprentices. People who have been placed on jobs have all previously been unemployed, many with barriers to getting into work such as disabilities and caring responsibilities. For some, it is their first job and they have gained valuable work experience, enabling them to get permanent jobs as a result. The Council will continue to use its Beyond Bricks and Mortar initiative on all future WHQS schemes and seek to expand opportunities for training and apprenticeships.

vÊÞ ÕÊ >ÛiÊ> ÞʵÕiÃÌ ÃÊ ÀÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊ information about the schemes affecting Þ ÕÀÊ«À «iÀÌÞ]Ê« i>ÃiÊV Ì>VÌÊÞ ÕÀÊ ÃÌÀ VÌÊ Õà }Ê"vwVi°

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Open House: Issue 2 2017

Want to learn how to get the most out of the internet?

Why not try our FREE beginners’ courses Get Swansea Online is now in its fourth year and the programme has already helped ˜i>Ă€Â?ÞÊÓ]äääĂŠÂŤiÂœÂŤÂ?iĂŠ>VĂ€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ?i>Ă€Â˜ĂŠÂ˜iĂœĂŠĂƒÂŽÂˆÂ?Â?ĂƒĂŠLĂžĂŠÂœvviĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠvĂ€iiĂŠLi}ˆ˜˜iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ computer courses. Age is no barrier so why not give it a try? The oldest person to take the plunge so far is 93! Learn how to... get the most from the internet, surf the web, send e-mails, book holidays, communicate with friends and family, save money, and much more... Run by a qualiďŹ ed tutor, these FREE sessions are held in a number of venues across Swansea including some libraries and community buildings. Each course lasts for 2 hours a week for 5 weeks. They cater for everyone but due to very high demand, you can only register to complete one course from the following: 1.

PC beginners course which is aimed at people with limited or no experience of using computers to get online.

2. IPad beginners course which is aimed at people who own or have access to an iPad but who have limited or no experience of using iPads to get online. 3. Android tablet beginners course which is aimed at people who own or have access to any of the numerous Android tablets available but who have limited or no experience of using them to get online.

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ`>ĂŒiĂƒ]ĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?ÂœV>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠVÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒiĂƒ]ĂŠ VÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ˆviĂŠ œ˜}ĂŠ i>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ"vwViĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă€ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŠä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠ {Çä£Ă‡ÂŁĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠLÂœÂœÂŽĂŠÂœÂ˜Â?ˆ˜iĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ www.getswanseaonline.co.uk

Open House: Issue 2 2017

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ÂœV>Â? ÂˆÂ˜ÂŽĂƒ Outdoor activities

Ă›iÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ-Փ“iĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠLi…ˆ˜`ĂŠĂ•Ăƒ]ĂŠ we can still get ‘out and about’ and take part in outdoor activities. ĂŒĂŠ`ÂœiĂƒÂ˜½ĂŒĂŠÂ“>ĂŒĂŒiĂ€ĂŠÂˆvĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠiĂ?ÂŤiĂ€Âˆi˜Vi`ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒ]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠĂƒÂœĂŠ many activities available to you in Swansea. Here are some ideas –

Walking There are so many health beneďŹ ts to walking and with the beaches and countryside on offer in Swansea, there is something for everyone. Whether you enjoy walking on your own or would like to join a walking club, you can ďŹ nd further information on walking guides and walking routes on our website www.swansea.gov.uk/walking

Tennis Many of the Swansea parks have tennis courts which are open to everyone, however it is worth contacting ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽx{ÂŁÂŁ before you go and play, to check availability.

Venue

Area

Facilities

Prices

œœŽˆ˜}ĂŠĂ€iÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€i`

Coed Bach Park

Pontarddulais

3 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

Coed Gwilym Park

Clydach

2 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

Cwmdonkin Park

Uplands

4 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

De la Beche Park

Sketty

4 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

Elba Sports complex

Gowerton

3 Courts

Court hire from ÂŁ0.80 (PTL)

Yes

Langland Bay

Langland

6 Courts

Court hire from ÂŁ2.90 (PTL)

Yes

Mumbles Gardens

Mumbles

3 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

Parc Llewelyn

Morriston

1 Court

Free of Charge All Year

No

Parc Williams

Loughor

1 Court

Free of Charge All Year

No

Pontlliw Park

Pontlliw

1 Court

Free of Charge All Year

No

Victoria Park

Swansea

2 Courts

Free of Charge All Year

No

Ynystawe Park

Ynystawe

1 Court

Free of Charge All Year

No

You can also play tennis at Bishopston Sports Centre. There are 4 outdoor courts, suitable for all ages. Contact Tel: ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂ“ĂŽxä{ä for further information.

8

Open House: Issue 2 2017

Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) Multi Use Games Areas are available in a number of parks throughout Swansea and are a great way for young people to keep ďŹ t and play sport in a safe environment. A number of sports including - football, basketball, netball, tennis and hockey can be played in marked out areas. The following MUGAs can be found in Swansea UĂŠ Â?>iÂ˜ĂžÂ“>iĂƒĂŠ 1 ĂŠ

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Bowls There are a number of bowling greens in Swansea, with the opportunity to play both indoors and outdoors. The City and County of Swansea Indoor Bowls Stadium is situated in Plasmarl. It houses a total of 6 rinks, a large viewing gallery, cafĂŠ and bar. The Stadium has hosted a number of international tournaments since its opening in 2008 and is home to Swansea Indoor Bowls Club. You can play outdoor bowls at many parks in the Swansea area: UĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂžÂ“>iÂ˜ĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ

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UĂŠ -ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…i˜`ĂŠ >Ă€`iÂ˜Ăƒ

UĂŠ >vÂœ`ĂŠ*>ÀŽÊ

UĂŠ 6ˆVĂŒÂœĂ€Âˆ>ĂŠ*>ÀŽ

UĂŠ iĂ€ĂƒiÞÊ*>ÀŽÊ

UĂŠ 9Â˜ĂžĂƒĂŒ>ĂœiĂŠ*>ÀŽ

Dyfatty bowls club are looking for new members and would like to encourage people both young and old to join. If you are interested, please contact Mr. K Thomas on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ Ă“nää™Ç. If you are interested in joining any of the other bowling clubs, please contact Nia Parry on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ ĂˆĂŽx{xĂ“ for further information.

Open House: Issue 2 2017

9

iÂ?Â?Âœ]ĂŠÂ“ĂžĂŠÂ˜>“iĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ Â?ÂˆĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ7ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ ĂŠ>Â“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂˆÂŤ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ "vwViĂ€°ĂŠ/Â…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ“ĂžĂŠĂ€i}Ă•Â?>ÀÊՍ`>ĂŒiĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜Ă›ÂœÂ?Ă›i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ -Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>]ĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂ˜iĂœĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ?ÂœV>Â?]ĂŠVÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ and countywide groups.

ÂœV>Â?ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂƒ Members of Clyne Court Residents Association recently held their Annual General Meeting. A new committee was elected for the next year and the Chairperson said “I am delighted to be re-elected as Chairperson and I look forward to the challenges the year ahead will bringâ€?.

for the event. It was really positive to see everyone working together with Keep Wales Tidy to clean up the Ravine. I would particularly like to thank all of the children who took part in the event as I am sure their efforts were very much appreciated by residents in the local community.’

The Group also received an update on the current refurbishment programme at Clyne Court and had the opportunity to discuss any issues with Council OfďŹ cers and District Housing OfďŹ ce staff.

ÂˆĂŒĂŒiÀÊ*ˆVÂŽ]ĂŠ Â?>iÂ˜ĂžÂ“>iĂƒĂŠĂŠ A very successful Clean Up event, organised by Keep Wales Tidy, was undertaken at Blaenymaes Ravine recently. Participants in the event included °,°ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂ•Â˜`vÂœĂ€Vi]ĂŠ>ĂŠ}Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ›ÂœÂ?Ă•Â˜ĂŒiiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ­Â“ÂœĂƒĂŒÂ?ÞÊÂ?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠ children), local Ward Members, local residents, and representatives from Blaenymaes Primary school and District Housing OfďŹ ce. Also supporting the event was Housing’s Estate Management Team who participated in the litter pick and removed collected waste. Sue Potter, Area Housing Manager said ‘Despite wet weather on the day there was a really good turnout

10 Open House: Issue 2 2017

City and Countywide Groups The Open House Feedback Group recently met up to discuss the last edition of Open House. Group members commented on the wide variety of articles and felt that the information provided was very useful and interesting. The group particularly liked the design and layout of the ‘How are we doing?’ page and also provided suggestions for future issues.

The Estate Management Group met with Sarah ÂœĂ€`>˜]ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ˜iĂœĂŠ"ÂŤiĂ€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ >˜>}iÀÊ­7iĂƒĂŒŽ°ĂŠĂŠ She asked for feedback from group members about future topics for meetings and the Estate Management newsletter. Dave Thomas, Manager of the Antisocial Behaviour Team gave an update on partnership working with other agencies including the Police. Also, Steve Sawyer, Area Coordinator gave an update on Tend and Mend gardening scheme. Waste Project in the east side of the city and asked Recycling OfďŹ cer Thomas Williams questions about current recycling provision. Any Tenant or leaseholder can be a member of the Tenants Consultative Panel. As a member you will be asked your views on new service developments or changes to any policies and procedures. This may be undertaken through questionnaires, via email or text or attending meetings - it’s up to you. The Sheltered Reps met recently in Llys Elba, Gowerton and were introduced to their Local Area Co-ordinators. There was a lively discussion about joining local voluntary groups and encouraging more participation within sheltered complexes. i>˜iĂŒĂŒiĂŠ Ă•Â˜Â˜]ĂŠ*Â?>˜˜ˆ˜}ĂŠ"vwViĂ€]ĂŠ-ÂœVˆ>Â?ĂŠ-iĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂƒĂŠ also attended to gather feedback on issues such as transport, community services and development of services for older people in Swansea.

Tenants from Family Housing Association and Swansea Council met with ofďŹ cers from the Local Area Coordinators project to discuss how it can help people in their local communities. Tenants discussed what activities they would like to see in their communities. The tenants also received information about a Food

If you would like to join the Tenants Consultative Panel please contact Alison Winter on the number below.

Community Space Drop in sessions are still being held at the

ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ-ÂŤ>Vi]ĂŠ/iĂƒVÂœĂŠ vÂœĂ€iĂƒĂŒv>VÂ… every Monday between 1.30pm - 3.30pm. Call in for a chat or free internet access in this purpose built community facility. Financial Inclusion has been the “>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠvÂœVĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊÀiViÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂœiiÂŽĂƒ]ĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ iĂƒÂ?iÞÊ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠ the Financial Inclusion OfďŹ cer, has been available to provide help and advice about your rent account, housing beneďŹ t and Universal Credit. If you would like to speak to Lesley, she can contacted on tel; ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠxĂŽ{ä™n, or by email on iĂƒÂ?iĂž° iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜ĂƒJĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽ

If you would like to have your say and get involved you can contact Alison Winter, Participation OfďŹ cer on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ ĂˆĂŽxä{ĂŽ, or Alison.winter@swansea.gov.uk or text your comments along with your name and address to äÇÇÇxĂ“Ă“ÂŁ{xĂŽ

Open House: Issue 2 2017

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Sheltered Housing News

ˆ>“œ˜`ĂŠ7i``ˆ˜}ĂŠ Â˜Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€Ăƒ>ÀÞ]ĂŠ Pantgwyn

ÂœĂŒĂŒiÀÞÊ Ă•Â˜`ˆ˜}ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ*iÂ˜Ă€Â…ÂˆĂœĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒ Community Club

Mr and Mrs Gilbert Hook two residents of Pantgwyn recently celebrated their diamond Ăœi``ˆ˜}ĂŠ>Â˜Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€Ăƒ>ÀÞ°ĂŠ ˆÂ?LiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂžĂŠÂ“>ÀŽi`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ occasion with many friends, family and old work colleagues and held a buffet lunch which reunited most of the original wedding party.

Residents of Penrhiw Court, Clase were recently awarded ÂŁ5000 grant funding from the Big Lottery Fund for its members to go on holiday later this year. The clubs Chairperson Barbara said “The club is open to anyone; not just the residents of Penrhiw Court, we are a very active group and try to not only get as many people involved as possible but hold activities that suit everyoneâ€?. The group have planned to go to Torquay for a week later in the year with the grant award. Other activities that the group hosts on a weekly basis are Knitters and Natters where members knit items for the homeless, coffee morning, bonus ball, bingo and darts.

ˆÂ?LiĂ€ĂŒĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`ʺÊ ĂŒĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠĂ›iĂ€ĂžĂŠĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?ĂŠÂœVV>ĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœĂžĂŠ and myself. It was brilliant to have everyone we love to come together and help us celebrate the last sixty yearsâ€?

Healthy City Directory Swansea’s community resource for wellbeing and health Swansea’s Healthy City Directory is an on-line resource that enables you to search for a wide range of organisations and groups who can support wellbeing and health. The Healthy City Directory holds one of the most comprehensive lists in Swansea of groups, clubs and organisations who can offer support, teaching and encouragement for you to help feel healthy and well. Use the search to ďŹ nd information on a range of local and national support organisations.

www.healthycitydirectory.co.uk 12 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Open House: Issue 2 2017 13

More Homes Project update Following on from the article in Open House at the start of the year where ÜiÊ ÌÀ `ÕVi`ÊÌ iÊ Õ V ½ÃÊ« > ÃÊÌ ÊLÕ `Ê ÌÃÊwÀÃÌÊV Õ V Ê Õà }Ê Ê>Ê }i iÀ>Ì ]ÊÌ iÊLÕ ` }Ê vÊ iÜÊ iÃÊ ÊÌ iÊwÀÃÌÊ vÊÌÜ Ê« ÌÊà ÌiÃÊ ÃÊÜi Ê underway. The first properties being built at Milford Way in the Penderry ward are scheduled for completion in Autumn 2017. The 18 property pilot scheme is a mix of two-bed houses and one-bed flats which have been set around a communal green area and all have their own private garden and off-street car parking. The development is innovative in a number of ways – the properties are constructed using the Passivhaus specification and they are being built by the Council’s in – house contractor. The key principles of the Passivhaus design are: UÊ ÝVi i ÌÊ iÛi ÃÊ vÊ ÃÕ >Ì Ê Ê> ÊLÕ ` }Ê elements UÊ / iÀ > ÊV ÃÌÀÕVÌ UÊ ÝÌÀi i ÞÊ } Ê iÛi ÃÊ vÊ> ÀÌ } Ì iÃà UÊ } Ê«iÀv À > ViÊÜ ` ÜÃÊ> `Ê` ÀÃ

14 Open House: Issue 2 2017

UÊ Ì Õ ÕÃÊÛi Ì >Ì Ê`ÕÀ }ÊÜ ÌiÀÊ> `Ê ÌiÀ seasonal months UÊ v ÀÌ>L iÊ ÌiÀ > Êi Û À i ÌÊÜ Ì Ê ÊV `Ê spots UÊ ««À Ý >Ìi ÞÊÇä¯ÊÌ Ênä¯Ê ÀiÊivwV i ÌÊÌ > Ê homes built to current building regulations. Although it’s been in use for over 30 years, this type of specification is still relatively rare in the context of new homes for social rent. The aim is to reduce fuel bills for the tenants, and once completed, the pilot will be fully evaluated to inform future new build projects especially in relation to the specification. The name of the new development will be Cwrt Trefor with Milford Way being renamed Colliers Way for the new properties fronting the main road.

Progress update Specialist contractors have now completed the last of the ten timber frames and will be carrying out ďŹ nishing works before handing them over to the Council. The other remaining plots are all at various stages of completion, with the front six houses being the most advanced with attention now being focused on internal works as the project moves towards completion. Further updates will be provided in the next edition of Open House.

Involving the community The nature of the innovative construction methods used in this pilot scheme have provided excellent opportunities for the apprentices and tradesmen in Corporate Building and Property Services to expand and enhance their existing skills. Additionally it has also offered full time job opportunities for long term unemployed candidates of the authority’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar initiative.

by Council ofďŹ cers, to design posters highlighting

As for the pupils at the local primary schools in the area, they used knowledge gained from the interactive Health and Safety presentations provided

entrance of the site. The signs assist the Council to

the dangers of construction sites. The response was fantastic with over 180 designs received from pupils at Blaenymaes, Clwyd, Penlan and Ysgol Gynradd ޓÀ>i}ĂŠ/ÂˆĂ€`iĂ•Â˜>ĂœĂŠ*Ă€ÂˆÂ“>Ă€ĂžĂŠĂƒV…œœÂ?Ăƒ°ĂŠ Ă•`}iĂƒĂŠ were faced with an extremely difďŹ cult task but eventually chose 2 designs from each school, which are proudly displayed on signs around the main promote the dangers associated with construction sites and help to keep the local residents safe.

Open House: Issue 2 2017 15

Changes to the Estate Caretaking Service Our estate caretakers have been providing a caretaking service on council housing estates since the service was established in 2004. During the past 18 months their duties have expanded to include delivery of the Tend & Mend garden cutting service for OAPs and disabled tenants and also removal of y tipping from land owned by the Housing service. The structure of the service has also been reviewed and there are now eight teams of three caretakers and one team of four. The teams are supervised by Steve Sawyer and the overall service is managed by Lynne Price. Their full range of duties consist of: UĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ĂžÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ“ÂœLˆÂ?iĂŠÂŤ>ĂŒĂ€ÂœÂ?ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒĂ•>Â?ĂŠVÂ…iVÂŽĂŠÂœvĂŠ all streets on Council housing estates. UĂŠ Â…iVŽˆ˜}ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂŒiĂ€ĂŠÂŤÂˆVŽˆ˜}ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜>Â?ĂŠ>Ă€i>ĂƒĂŠ on our estates every fortnight. This includes blocks of ats, lanes, footpaths, green areas, verandas, car parks, garage sites and play areas. UĂŠ ,iÂ“ÂœĂ›>Â?ĂŠÂœvĂŠ}Ă€>vwĂŒÂˆ]ĂŠyĂžÂ‡ĂŒÂˆÂŤÂŤÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂŒiÀÊ>˜`ĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒV>Ă€`i`ĂŠ needles; referring abandoned vehicles for removal; reporting vandalism; reporting repairs in communal areas; carrying out low level grounds maintenance; unblocking chutes (in High Rise blocks). UĂŠ iÂ?ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/i˜`ĂŠEĂŠ i˜`ĂŠ}>Ă€`iÂ˜ĂŠVĂ•ĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŠ service to OAPs and disabled tenants. UĂŠ ,iÂ“ÂœĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠyĂžĂŠĂŒÂˆÂŤÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜>Â?ĂŠ>Ă€i>ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ ats and land owned by the Housing service. UĂŠ ĂƒĂƒÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠVÂ?i>Ă€ÂˆÂ˜}ÊÀÕLLÂˆĂƒÂ…ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠiÂ“ÂŤĂŒĂžĂŠ properties. UĂŠ ĂƒĂƒÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂ€iÂ“ÂœĂ›>Â?ĂƒĂ‰`iÂ?ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠvĂ•Ă€Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ the Furnished Tenancy scheme. UĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂŒiĂ€ĂŠÂŤÂˆVŽˆ˜}ĂŠiĂ?ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠ>Ă€i>ĂƒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠLÂœĂ•Â˜`>ÀÞÊ of all communal blocks once every 2 weeks. UĂŠ ,iÂ“ÂœĂ›>Â?ĂŠÂœvĂŠyĂžĂŠĂŒÂˆÂŤÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂƒÂˆ`iĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜>Â?ĂŠ blocks within 24 hours of notiďŹ cation.

16 Open House: Issue 2 2017

UĂŠ Â…iVŽˆ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVœ˜`ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠLÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠiĂ?ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ internal areas of all blocks with shared communal entrances once every 2 weeks. All high rise blocks are checked daily. In order to help to provide the best possible service, a new role of Caretaker Co-ordinator has been created. One Co-ordinator covers the East side of the City and one covers the West. They support the District Housing OfďŹ ces and the caretakers in delivering the service. Some of the tasks they perform include routinely visiting tenants who receive the garden cutting service to ensure that they are eligible for the service; daily supervision of teams; site visits; responding to queries; risk assessments; issuing work to teams; collection of small items including needles; regular checks of their areas; dealing with complaints. The new structure should provide an improved service for residents of our estates. If anyone is particularly interested in this service, the Estate Management and Caretakers Tenants’ Consultative Panel meet on a quarterly basis and all new members are welcome. Please contact Alison Winter, the Tenant Participation OfďŹ cer on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽxä{ĂŽ for details.

Do your bit... If you are in any doubt about refuse and recycling dates in your area or if you live in a at and are not sure about your authorised collection point, please speak to your Neighbourhood OfďŹ cer who will be able to advise you. Please work with us to dispose of your waste appropriately and keep your estates clean. Failure to do so can lead to you receiving a warning letter or Fixed Penalty Notice. -ˆ˜ViĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊÓä£Ă‡]ʙ{ĂŠĂœ>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ?iĂŒĂŒiĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠ issued to residents living on Council estates, 4 Fixed Penalty Notices have been served, and one resident has been taken to court.

What’s on in your area? In each edition of Open House we will focus on an area of Swansea to inform you about activities and events being held that may interest you. In this edition we are featuring events being held in Clase. The following events are all held at Clase Community Centre. Community Gardening Club Old and new members welcome! Speakers... Trips... Practical Work... Demonstrations... 7.00pm - 9.00pm alternate Wednesdays To join please contact Elaine Rees (Chair) ä£Ç ÓÊ{££ÈÈä

Community Dance School Street style... modern... tap... contemporary 5.00pm - 7.00pm every Thursday For more information please contact Laura Lewis / Wendy Milligan äÇ ÓÇÊÇnÈÎ{È

Community Band 7.00pm - 9.00pm every Tuesday and Thursday For more information please contact Doreen Bell ä£Ç ÓÊ{££xÎ

Disabled Group A community group for elderly and disabled people meeting to socialise and play games together once a week - New members welcome! 1.00pm - 4.00pm every Monday Please contact Violet Davies ä£Ç ÓÊ{Ó ÎÈ

Food Co-operative Vegetable bag (potatoes, cabbage, swede, parsnips, carrots) - £3.00 Fruit bag (bananas, apples, plums/kiwi, pears, satsumas) - £2.50 Salad bag (cucumber, beetroot, spring onions, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes) - £3.00 From 9.00am every Friday morning To place an order (Collection only) please contact Violet Davies ä£Ç ÓÊ{Ó ÎÈ

Please note: all of the above information is correct at time of going to press. Contact individual telephone numbers for further details. / ÊL ÊÌ iÊV Õ ÌÞÊVi ÌÀi]Ê« i>ÃiÊV> \Ê Àii Ê i Ê Êä£Ç ÓÊ{££xÎ

Open House: Issue 2 2017 17

Repairs reminder who does what The Council is responsible for carrying out most Ài«> ÀÃÊÌ ÊÞ ÕÀÊ iÊLÕÌÊÌ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊà iÊÌ >ÌÊÞ Õ]Ê >ÃÊ>ÊÌi > Ì]Ê>ÀiÊÀië à L iÊv À° The Council is responsible for the main structure, exterior and essential services to your home, and will repair major items such as: UÊ Õ `>Ì Ã UÊ ÝÌiÀ > ÊÜ> Ã]Ê` ÀÃÊ> `Ê` ÀÊvÀ> ià UÊ 7 ` ÜÊvÀ> ià UÊ , vÃ]Ê}ÕÌÌiÀÃ]ÊÀ> Ü>ÌiÀÊ« «iÃÊ> `Ê`À> >}iÊ (some drainage is the responsibility of Dwr Cymru) UÊ 7>ÌiÀÊÃiÀÛ ViÃ

As the tenant you are responsible for keeping the inside of your home and the garden in good condition and for maintaining and repairing the following items:

External UÊ Õ `>ÀÞÊÜ> ÃÊÜ V Ê>ÀiÊ ÌÊÀiÌ> }ÊÜ> ÃÊ ÀÊ ones that are adjacent to a public footpath on open land UÊ >À`i ÊÜ> ÃÊ

UÊ iVÌÀ V> Ê> `Ê}>ÃÊÃiÀÛ ViÃÊ­ ÌÊÃÕ«« ÞÊ> `Ê meters)

UÊ i V }ÊÜ V Ê Ã ½ÌÊ>` >Vi ÌÊÌ Ê>Ê«ÕL VÊv Ì«>Ì Ê on open land or where there is a steep drop down on to a neighbour’s home

UÊ i ÌÀ> Ê i>Ì }Ê> `Ê ÌÊÜ>ÌiÀÊÃÞÃÌi Ã

UÊ Ê i`}iÀ ÜÃ

UÊ Õ > Ê>Ài>ÃÊ­ÃÕV Ê>ÃÊ vÌÃÊ> `ÊÃÌ> ÀÃ®Ê Ê multi-occupied buildings

UÊ >ÌiÃÊÜ V Ê>ÀiÊ ÌÊV Õ > Ê}>ÌiÃÊÌ Êy>ÌÃÊ ÀÊ sheltered complexes

The Council is also responsible for many external items but this depends on the circumstances as follows:

UÊ i`}iÃÊ> `ÊÌÀiiÃÊ ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ iÊL Õ `>ÀÞÊ vÊÌ iÊ property

UÊ Õ `>ÀÞÊ7> ÃÊ ÊLÕÌÊ ÞÊ vÊ Ì½ÃÊ>ÊÀiÌ> }ÊÜ> Ê ÀÊ it’s adjacent to a public footpath on open land;

UÊ Ì«>Ì ÃÊ ÊiÝV Õ` }Ê > ÊvÀ ÌÊ>VViÃÃÊvÀ ÊÌ iÊ public footpath to the main entrance of the property around to a side or to a rear garden

UÊ >À`i ÊÜ> ÃÊ ÊLÕÌÊ ÞÊÌ ÊÌ> iÊÌ i Ê` Ü Ê vÊ Ì½ÃÊ deemed to be in a dangerous condition;

Internal

UÊ i V }Ê ÊLÕÌÊ ÞÊ vÊÌ iÊL Õ `>ÀÞÊ ÃÊ>` >Vi ÌÊÌ Ê>Ê public footpath on open land or there is a steep drop down to a neighbouring home.

UÊ 7 ÊÃi>ÌÊ> `ÊV ÛiÀ

UÊ >ÌiÃÊ ÊLÕÌÊ ÞÊ vÊ Ì½ÃÊ>ÊV Õ > Ê}>ÌiÊÌ Êy>ÌÃÊ ÀÊ sheltered complexes. UÊ Ì«>Ì ÃÊ ÊLÕÌÊ ÞÊ vÊ Ì½ÃÊÌ iÊ > ÊvÀ ÌÊ>VViÃÃÊ from the public footpath to the main entrance of the property, around to the side or to the rear garden.

18 Open House: Issue 2 2017

UÊ ÕÃiÃÊ ÊV ÃÕ iÀÊÕ Ì UÊ } ÌÊLÕ Là UÊ iVÌÀ V> Ê« Õ}ÃÊ> `Ê i>`ÃÊÌ ÊÌi > ÌÃÊ>«« > Vià UÊ "«i ÊwÀiÊwÌÌ }ÃÊ Ê> ÊLÕ ÌÊ Ê ÀÊvÀiiÊÃÌ> ` }Ê heaters provided by the tenants UÊ ÌV i ÊÕ ÌÃÊ Ê­iÝVi«ÌÊ ÌV i Êà ÊÌ «Ê> `ÊÃ Ê base unit)

UĂŠ /ˆÂ?ˆ˜}ʇÊ­iĂ?ViÂŤĂŒĂŠÂŁĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ?iĂŠÂ…Âˆ}Â…ĂŠĂƒÂŤÂ?>ĂƒÂ…ĂŠL>VÂŽĂŠ>Ă€ÂœĂ•Â˜`ĂŠ sinks basins and baths and full height around showers) UĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠ`ÂœÂœĂ€ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`ÂœÂœĂ€ĂŠvĂ•Ă€Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂ•Ă€iʇÊ Ă?ViÂŤĂŒĂŠ where warped or damaged through rot or insect attack UĂŠ Â?ÂœVÂŽi`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŒiĂŠÂŤÂˆÂŤiĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ Ă?ViÂŤĂŒĂŠ7 ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ kitchen sink unit UĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠwĂ€iĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€Ă€ÂœĂ•Â˜`ĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ/ˆÂ?i`ĂŠÂ…i>Ă€ĂŒÂ…ĂƒĂŠiĂŒV° UĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠ`iVÂœĂ€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠiÂˆĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂ€ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂˆÂ˜iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠvÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ repairs UĂŠ -“œŽiĂŠ>Â?>À“ÊL>ĂŒĂŒiĂ€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ vĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆV>LÂ?i UĂŠ iĂŒĂŒiÀʍÂ?>ĂŒiĂƒĂ‰LÂœĂ?iĂƒĂŠ­iĂ?ViÂŤĂŒĂŠ>ÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŠ doors) UĂŠ ÂœÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ˜Ă•Â“LiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?iĂŒĂŒiĂ€Ăƒ UĂŠ ,iÂŤÂ?>Vi“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂŽiĂžĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>`Ă›ÂˆĂƒ>LÂ?iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŽiiÂŤĂŠ>ĂŠ spare set with family or friends

Repair Claims Hardly a day goes by without hearing about someone who’s had a nuisance telephone call or uninvited caller. There was an important article in the last edition of this magazine about avoiding nuisance callers and uninvited traders. There was also some handy tips from the Council’s Trading Standards team to help you beat the scammers.

These tips included: UĂŠ iĂŠĂƒĂ•ĂƒÂŤÂˆVÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠÂźĂŒÂœÂœĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠĂŒĂ€Ă•i½ĂŠĂŠ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get rich quick schemes. UĂŠ ÂœĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ>}Ă€iiĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂœvviĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ`i>Â?ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ“Â“i`ˆ>ĂŒiÂ?Ăž°ĂŠ Insist on time to obtain independent legal advice before making a decision. UĂŠ

iĂ›iĂ€ĂŠĂƒi˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜iĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ>Â˜ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ`ÂœĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payments that you are not comfortable with

UĂŠ

iĂ›iÀÊ}ÂˆĂ›iĂŠL>˜Žˆ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ`iĂŒ>ˆÂ?ĂƒĂŠ to anyone you do not know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.

UĂŠ -ÂˆÂ˜ÂŽĂŠÂŤÂ?Ă•}ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠVÂ…>ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ

Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>Â?ĂŠwĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂƒĂŠĂƒĂ•VÂ…ĂŠ>Ăƒ\ UĂŠ œœŽiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvĂ€Âˆ`}iĂƒĂŠiĂŒVĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`i`ĂŠLĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒ UĂŠ Ă•Ă€ĂŒ>ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠLÂ?ˆ˜`Ăƒ]ĂŠĂ€>ˆÂ?ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠL>ĂŒĂŒiÂ˜Ăƒ UĂŠ -Â…iÂ?Ă›ÂˆÂ˜} UĂŠ -Â…ÂœĂœiÀÊVĂ•Ă€ĂŒ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ€>ˆÂ? We may be able to help if your personal circumstances makes it difďŹ cult for you to carry out repairs which you are responsible for and there is no-one else in the household who can complete them - please contact the Repairs Call Centre for advice. If you are a new tenant, we will carry out some of the repairs which are normally the tenant’s responsibility if they are reported within 3 weeks of the tenancy starting. If you need a repair and are not sure who is responsible please ring the Housing Repairs Contact Centre on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽx£ää, email hrcc@swansea.gov.uk or use the online form ĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°ĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽĂ‰Ă€i¾ÕiĂƒĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}Ă€iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€

In recent weeks, we’ve been made aware of legal ďŹ rms offering to help to get repairs done and obtaining compensation for tenants. The Council has a comprehensive service to ensure any required work is carried out as quickly as possible so if you do notice any repairs needed in your home, you should report it by calling the Council directly on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽx£ää or use our online form: ĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°ĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽĂ‰Ă€i¾ÕiĂƒĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}Ă€iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€ So if you are contacted and you have any doubts, please contact your District Housing OfďŹ ce for help and advice before signing anything and importantly, make sure you are satisďŹ ed that the people who are claiming to represent these legal ďŹ rms are who they claim to be before letting them into your home.

Open House: Issue 2 2017 19

Rent payment methods Forms are available on-line or you can request them from your Rent OfďŹ cer on Ăˆä£Ă‡Ă“äÊÉÊxĂŽ{ä™{ or email request to Rentsteam@swansea.gov.uk You will need a Payment swipe card, ask your Rent OfďŹ cer, or phone us on Ăˆä£Ă‡Ă“äÊÉÊxĂŽ{ä™{. Payments made on a Thursday or Friday will not show until the following week Payzone - You can use your Payment swipe card to pay at any retailer that displays the payzone logo. For a list of retailers please visit www.payzone.co.uk

By contacting your ,iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ"vwViĂ€

Via the Internet

Over the phone

At your local Housing "vwVi

You can pay using Debit, Switch, Solo, Maestro or Credit Card by ringing Ăˆä£Ă‡Ă“äÊÉÊxĂŽ{ä™{ or your local DHO during OfďŹ ce Hours Please visit the Council’s website www.swansea.gov.uk Click ‘Council House Rents’ on the right hand side of the page. If you have any difďŹ culties, please call on Ăˆä£Ă‡Ă“äÊÉÊ xĂŽ{ä™{ for assistance. If you know your rent reference number, you can phone our automated service English äĂŽääĂŠ{xĂˆĂŠĂ“Ă‡ĂˆxÊÉÊ7iÂ?ĂƒÂ… äĂŽääĂŠ{xĂˆĂŠĂ“Ă‡Ă‡x at any time. (If you do not know your rent reference please call Ăˆä£Ă‡Ă“äÊÉÊxĂŽ{ä™{) ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠvÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ"vwViĂƒĂŠEĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆVĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€i\ĂŠ Townhill, Sketty, West Cross, Blaenymaes, Penlan, Town Centre, Morriston, Eastside, (Gorseinon - Card payments only)

20 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Support services Making a new ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ i˜iwĂŒ Claim

To make a new claim for Housing BeneďŹ t contact the Take Up Team ĂˆĂŽxnnx or email ˜iĂœVÂ?>ÂˆÂ“Ăƒ{Li˜iwĂŒĂƒJĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽ

ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ i˜iwĂŒ

To discuss your existing claim with a Housing BeneďŹ t OfďŹ cer please ring ĂˆĂŽxĂŽxĂŽ or email Li˜iwĂŒĂƒJĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽ

Financial Inclusion "vwViÀ

TSU Tenancy Support Unit

If you are having difďŹ culty with your rent contact iĂƒÂ?iÞÊ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠxĂŽ{äĂˆ{ email rentsteam@swansea.gov.uk The TSU unit is run by the City & County of Swansea; they can offer a support worker to help with ďŹ nancial problems or any other support issues with your tenancy. Please contact your Rent OfďŹ cer or the Tenancy Support Unit on ÇÇ{ĂŽĂˆä if you feel you need support Swansea Citizens Advice Llys Glas, Pleasant St, Swansea SA1 1PE än{{{ÇÇÓäĂ“ä www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales.htm

Shelter Cymru

If you are threatened with homelessness they will offer you free advice and assistance ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠ{ĂˆÂ™{ää Housing Advice helpline än{xĂŠnääĂŠ{{{{ www.sheltercymru.org.uk/shelter/home/

Housing Options

Money advice and debt advice - Also free advice given if your tenancy is at risk. Call at 17 High St, Swansea SA1 1LF ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠxĂŽĂŽ£ää housingoptions@swansea.gov.uk

Debt Advice

National Housing Debt Helpline Wales änääĂŠ£äÇÊ£Î{ä www.housing-debt-helpline-wales.org/ Want to Work - Workways - If you would like advice on how to get into work Ă€iivœ˜iĂŠänääĂŠĂŽĂ“nĂŠĂˆĂŽĂ‡ä or ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽĂ‡ÂŁÂŁĂ“ www.workways.co.uk Open House: Issue 2 2017 21

Are we up to date? The Council may need to contact you from time to time about your rent, property improvements or any other housing related matters so it is important that we have up to date contact information so we can contact you when necessary. This includes your home phone number, mobile phone number and email address. The Council is increasingly contacting customers by text message. Many of the sections within the Housing Service such as the District Housing OfďŹ ces, Rents Team, Housing Options and the Tenancy Support Unit are using text messaging. We are ďŹ nding it a really good way of getting messages to tenants quickly and we are also ďŹ nding that most tenants ďŹ nd it an easy way of responding to us. Please let us know if any of your contact details change so that we can update our system and continue to contact you when we need to.

Go real and get £100 Switching to real nappies can cut your family’s waste in half and save you £100s! Plus if you’re a Swansea resident you can get £100 towards the cost through our cashback scheme. Find out more at www.swansea.gov.uk/nappies

Your comments about Open House Do you have any comments about this edition of Open House magazine or any of the articles you have read? If so, you can either write to: Housing Services, City and County of Swansea, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN Ă€iiÂŤÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠ,- /‡ < ‡ <ĂŠ or email to housing@swansea.gov.uk or phone on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽxä{x Thank you for your time. Please let us know if you are happy for your comments to be included in Open House magazine.

22 Open House: Issue 2 2017

How would you prefer to receive Open House? Open House is currently circulated as a paper VÂœÂŤĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊ£{]äääĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?i>ĂƒiÂ…ÂœÂ?`iĂ€Ăƒ°ĂŠ ĂŒ½ĂƒĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iÀÊvÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂƒĂ•VÂ…ĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠ

]Ê large print or on our website. We are always looking at ways to improve Open House and save on costs at the same time. So we’d like to hear from you if you’d prefer to read Open House online. Instead of sending a paper copy, we’ll send you an email providing you with a link to the latest online version. You can then read it where and when you want to, using your phone, tablet or PC – it couldn’t be easier! This makes it more accessible, sustainable and more cost effective as we’ll be reducing the number of printed copies.

housing@swansea.gov.uk Use the online form www.swansea.gov.uk/ >Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂ?iÉnäәÉ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}‡iÂ˜ÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€ĂžÂ‡vÂœĂ€Â“ ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽxä{x If you think you’d beneďŹ t from receiving one of the other formats mentioned above, please get in touch.

If you’d like to read Open House online, just contact us using the methods below and quote ‘Open House online’ and provide us with your: UĂŠ

>“iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ>``Ă€iĂƒĂƒ

UĂŠ i“>ˆÂ?ĂŠ>``Ă€iĂƒĂƒĂŠ UĂŠ ĂŒiÂ?iÂŤÂ…ÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂ˜Ă•Â“LiĂ€Ăƒ Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂ€i“i“LiĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŽiiÂŤĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“i`ĂŠÂœvĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ changes to your contact details. If you prefer to continue receiving a paper copy of Open House, there’s no need to do anything. We welcome your comments or other ideas for improving Open House. Write to us at: Housing Services, City and County of Swansea, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN, Ă€iiÂŤÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠ,- /‡ < ‡ <

Open House: Issue 2 2017 23

Reminder: Be wise to walls >V Ê ÊÓä£x]ÊÜiÊ V Õ`i`Ê> Ê>ÀÌ V iÊ Ê"«i Ê ÕÃiÊ>à }ÊÞ ÕÊÌ Ê iÌÊÕÃÊ know of any unsafe walls in your gardens and surrounding areas. We had >Ê}Ài>ÌÊÀië ÃiÊ> `Ê ViÊ>}> ]ÊÜiÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÞ ÕÊÌ Ê i «ÊÕÃÊ> `Ê iÌÊÕÃÊ know if you spot any walls that you have concerns over or think may be potentially dangerous.

Things to look out for UÊ -ÕÀv>ViÊ vÊLÀ V Ü À ÊVÀÕ L }Ê>Ü>ÞÊ ÀÊ> ÞÊ coating coming off - If this only affects a small area it may not be a problem but if lots of bricks are crumbling it may need repairs. UÊ À>V ÃÊ Ê>ÊÜ> Ê ÊÌ ÃÊV Õ `ÊLiÊ>ÊÃ } Ê vÊ movement or pressure on the wall. UÊ /ÀiiÃÊ i>ÀÊ>ÊÜ> Ê ÊÌÀiiÃÊ >ÞÊ>vviVÌÊÌ iÊÃÌ>L ÌÞÊ of the wall because their roots grow underneath making the wall unstable.

The walls may be fine but at least we can get to check any potential problems and then carry out any repairs if necessary. If you see any walls in a condition described here or have any concerns about any walls, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible with the following details: UÊ / iÊ > iÊ vÊÌ iÊÃÌÀiiÌÊ ÀÊ>Ài> UÊ / iÊ V>Ì Ê ÊÌ iÊÃÌÀiiÌ]Ê ÕÃiÊ Õ LiÀ]Ê i>ÀiÃÌÊ house number or landmark nearby UÊ Ê`iÃVÀ «Ì Ê> `Ê`iÌ> ÃÊ vÊÌ iÊv>Õ Ì UÊ 9 ÕÀÊ > iÊ> `ÊV Ì>VÌÊ`iÌ> Ã UÊ / iÊ`>ÌiÊ> `ÊÌ iÊÞ ÕÊwÀÃÌÊ Ì Vi`ÊÌ iÊv>Õ Ì

UÊ * > Ì }ÊÌÀiiÃÊ i>ÀÊ>ÊÜ> Ê >ÞÊV>ÕÃiÊ«À L i ÃÊ as little trees may grow into big trees well beyond the scope of the garden. Carefully consider what and where you plant trees and shrubs. Ivy and other climbing plants on walls may look attractive but they can also damage them. UÊ i> }ÊÜ> ÃÊ ÊÌ iÞÊ >ÞÊLiÊÀi>`ÞÊÌ Êv> Ê> `Ê require urgent attention. UÊ / iÊÌ «Ê vÊÌ iÊÜ> ÊV }Ê ÃiÊ Êi°}°Ê ÃiÊ bricks or pillars breaking away.

24 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Please contact your local District Housing Office or email housing@swansea.gov.uk

National Minimum and >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ7>}iĂŠĂ€ÂˆĂƒiĂƒ ÞÊÂ?>Ăœ]ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>}i`ĂŠĂ“xĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂ“Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠLiĂŠÂŤ>ˆ`ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠÂ?i>ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ7>}i]ĂŠÂœĂ€]ĂŠÂˆvĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Â˜}iĂ€]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆÂ“Ă•Â“ĂŠ7>}iĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠ relevant to your age group. Both the National Living and the National Minimum wage went up on 1 April 2017 to:

having to pay for your uniform or having tips included in your pay read the advice online:

/Â…iĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ7>}i

www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/ employers-and-the-minimum-wage

UĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤiÂœÂŤÂ?iĂŠ>}i`ĂŠĂ“xĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ‹Ă‡°xäĂŠÂŤiÀÊ hour The National Minimum Wage UĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂ“ÂŁĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ“{ĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂŠÂœÂ?`ĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ‹Ă‡°äxĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ UĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŁnĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ“äĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂŠÂœÂ?`ĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ‹x°ĂˆäĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ UĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŁĂˆĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŁĂ‡ĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂŠÂœÂ?`ĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ‹{°äxĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ UĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆViĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ‹ĂŽ°xäĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ Your employer should automatically increase your pay. It is illegal for your employer to pay you below the National Minimum or National Living Wage, so check your pay. If you are not sure what you’re entitled to, there’s an online calculator you can use to work out what you should be paid: www.gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage You should be aware that even if you are being paid at or slightly above the National Minimum or Living Wage, you could still be missing out. This can happen if your employer makes mistakes in calculating your pay. For more information on the most common errors employers make, including

If you don’t think you’re getting paid the right amount, talk to your boss. If you’re uncomfortable talking to your boss you can call the Acas helpline for conďŹ dential help and support on 0300 123 1100 or visit www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights. The line has a free translation service for more than 100 languages and you can call Acas even after you have left an employer. You can also make a complaint directly to HMRC about your employer by ďŹ lling in a Pay and Work Rights Complaint form: www.gov.uk/government/publications/payand-work-rights-complaints Finally, if you have been underpaid, your employer has to pay back what they owe you. Make sure you get what you’re owed. For more information go to: www.gov.uk/checkyourpay For further information and answers to frequently asked questions visit: www.checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/

Open House: Issue 2 2017 25

Hoarding

Hoarding Disorders are challenging because many people who hoard don’t see it as a problem, or have little awareness of how it’s impacting their life or the lives of those around them. Others do realise they have a problem, but are reluctant to seek help for a variety of reasons.

Hoarding has been the subject of many television documentaries in ÀiVi ÌÊÞi>ÀÃ]ÊÜ V Ê >ÃÊ } } Ìi`Ê It is really important to encourage a person who is hoarding to seek help, as their difficulties in Ì iÊ«À L i Êv ÀÊÌ ÃiÊÌ >ÌÊ >À`]Ê Ì i ÀÊv> iÃ]ÊvÀ i `ÃÊ> `Ê i } L ÕÀÃ°Ê discarding objects can not only cause loneliness and mental health problems, but also pose a health It’s also helped to raise awareness of and safety risk. If not tackled, it’s a problem that will ways that hoarders and their families probably never go away. can tackle the problem and keep it Tips and suggestions to help deal under control. with hoarding The following information and guidance will help provide a greater understanding of the problems associated with hoarding and provide some practical advice to help yourself or others. Hoarding is a recognised disorder where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner. The items can be of little or no monetary value and usually result in unmanageable amounts of clutter.

UÊ / À ÜÊÌ }ÃÊ>Ü>ÞÊÃÌÀ> } Ì>Ü>ÞÊÜ Ì ÕÌÊV iV }°Ê UÊ / À ÜÊÌ }ÃÊ>Ü>ÞÊ>ÌÊÌ iÃÊÌ iÊÀivÕÃiÊV iVÌ ÀÃÊ are coming. UÊ iÌÊ i «Êà ÀÌ }°Ê UÊ iÌÊ>Ê«>«iÀÊà Ài``iÀÊ> `Ê«ÕÌÊÌ iÊà Ài`` }ÃÊ ÕÌÊ for regular refuse collection. UÊ vÊÞ ÕÊV> ½ÌÊÀi i LiÀÊÌ iÊÀi>à ÊÜ ÞÊÞ ÕÊ >ÛiÊ Ì]Ê get rid of it.

To assist tenants who may have a Hoarding Disorder, the Housing Service is liaising with other agencies with a view of developing a multi-agency approach which includes guidance for staff on how to help tenants who have a Hoarding Disorder.

UÊ ÕÞÊÌ }ÃÊ Ê Ìi`ʵÕ> Ì Ì iðÊ

Hoarding is considered to be a significant problem if:

UÊ >ÀiÀÃÊ> `Êv> ÞÊ i LiÀÃÊÃ Õ `ÊV > }iÊÌ iÊ subject when the sufferer gets angry.

UÊ the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living - for example, the person is unable to use their kitchen or bathroom and cannot access rooms.

If you think that you may be suffering from >À` }Ê Ã À`iÀÊ ÀÊ ÜÊà i iÊÜ Ê Ã]Ê V Ì>VÌÊÞ ÕÀÊ V> Ê ÃÌÀ VÌÊ Õà }Ê"vwViÊ> `Ê >ÀÀ> }iÊÌ Êëi> ÊÜ Ì Ê>Ê i } L ÕÀ `Ê"vwViÀÊ ÊV « iÌiÊV w`i Vi°

UÊ Ì iÊV ÕÌÌiÀÊ ÃÊV>Õà }Êà } wV> ÌÊ` ÃÌÀiÃÃÊ ÀÊ Ê i}>Ì Ûi ÞÊ>vviVÌ }ÊÌ iÊ«iÀà ½ÃʵÕ> ÌÞÊ vÊ life or their family’s - for example, they become upset if someone tries to clear the clutter and their relationships with others suffer UÊ Ê Ê Ê

iÝViÃÃ ÛiÊV ÕÌÌiÀÊ> Ã Ê VÀi>ÃiÃÊÌ iÊÀ Ã Ê vÊwÀi]Ê V> Ê`i >ÞÊÌ iÊiÛ>VÕ>Ì ÊvÀ Ê>ÊwÀiÊ> `ÊV> Ê VÀi>ÌiÊ` vwVÕ Ì iÃÊÌ ÊÌ iÊwÀiÊÃiÀÛ ViÊ ÊÌ>V }Ê Ì iÊwÀi°Ê

26 Open House: Issue 2 2017

UÊ -Ì «Ê Õ Ê > ]Ê iÜë>«iÀÃÊiÌV°Ê UÊ -iÌÊÀi>à >L iÊÌ>À}iÌÃÊÌ ÊÀi`ÕViÊÌ iÊ iÛi Ê vÊ clutter.

South Wales Victim Focus ‘South Wales Victim Focus’ is the new name for Victim Support and they will continue to support anyone affected by crime or anti-social behaviour (ASB) in South Wales. They recognise that each victim is unique and aim to work closely with them to understand their personal support needs and prioritise the most vulnerable in our communities. The new Victim Focus teams across South Wales, will ensure an all rounded victim-centred approach by offering localised services to the most vulnerable victims, so they receive the correct support.

Neath and Port Talbot can be contacted Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on äĂŽääĂŠĂŽäĂŽä£ĂˆÂŁ.

You can also call out of hours, and your call will be directed to the national helpline.

Who can they help?

If you are a Council tenant, you can also get support UĂŠ 6ˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠVĂ€ÂˆÂ“i]ĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`ˆ˜}ĂŠ>Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ‡ĂƒÂœVˆ>Â?ĂŠ from the Housing Service if you are affected by the behaviour behaviour of a neighbour, their visitors or other UĂŠ ÂœĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠĂ€iĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂœÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠĂ›ÂˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂƒĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠ>VViĂƒĂƒĂŠ people within your community. You can contact staff from your local District Housing OfďŹ ce during normal services ofďŹ ce hours for advice and assistance – contact UĂŠ Â˜ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂˆÂ˜`ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂ?ÞÊ>vviVĂŒi`ĂŠLÞÊVĂ€ÂˆÂ“i]ĂŠi°}ĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ÞÊ numbers are on the inside cover of this magazine. and friends If the ASB is happening at night time you can contact UĂŠ /Â…iĂŠÂˆÂ˜Vˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠdoes not have to be reported to the the Housing Service’s Neighbourhood Support Unit police (NSU) on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆ{nxäÇ (24hrs a day), and arrangements will be made for NSU staff to visit you UĂŠ -Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠiĂ›iÂ˜ĂŠÂˆvĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŠvĂ•Ă€ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ>VĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ as soon as possible. taken by police You can also report non-urgent ASB online: UĂŠ -iĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠvĂ€iiĂŠ>˜`ĂŠVœ˜w`iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆ>Â? ĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°ĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽĂ‰>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂ?iÉ{£Ó£É,iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ‡>Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ‡ social-behaviour Services they provide: UĂŠ Â“ÂœĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ UĂŠ *Ă€>VĂŒÂˆV>Â?ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ­i°}°ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`ˆ˜}ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂœĂŠVÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠĂƒiVĂ•Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ items such as personal alarms, door handle alarms)

Housing’s ASB Support Team complements the work of the District Housing OfďŹ ce service and the NSU, providing support for both victims and perpetrators of ASB – see the Focus on article on page 1 for more information.

UĂŠ `Ă›ÂœV>VÞÊ­i°}°ĂŠVÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ?ĂŠVÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`i>Â?ˆ˜}ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂŤÂœÂ?ˆVi]ĂŠ housing, health) UĂŠ "Â˜Ăœ>Ă€`ĂŠĂ€iviÀÀ>Â?ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?ÂˆĂƒi`ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ (e.g. Counselling) The local Victim Focus Team that covers Swansea,

Open House: Issue 2 2017 27

What to do when someone dies

ÂœÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ`i>ĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ>ĂŠĂ€iÂ?>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠvĂ€Âˆi˜`ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠLiĂŠ>ĂŠ`ˆvwVĂ•Â?ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ•ÂŤĂƒiĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ĂŒÂˆÂ“i]ĂŠiĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?Â?ĂžĂŠÂˆvĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠiĂ?ÂŤiĂ€Âˆi˜Vˆ˜}ĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂœÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ practical things you need to do. The following advice should help you through this difďŹ cult time. If someone dies at home unexpectedly, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance and police. If the death was expected, telephone the persons doctor (GP) - if it’s the middle of the night, you can call the doctor straight away or wait until the morning. If the person did not have a GP or is unknown, call an ambulance. The GP (or on-call GP, if out-of-hours ) will usually visit to conďŹ rm the death. If the cause of death is known and from natural causes the GP will issue the documents to allow you to register the death. You can then call a funeral director of your choice for advice on the next steps. They provide a 24 hour service. If the GP is unsure about the cause of death or if the deceased had not seen a GP during the past 14 days, the coroner will be informed and they will determine the cause of death. The coroner will then issue the documents to register the death. The GP will contact the police and they will arrange for the body to be moved by a funeral director acting for the coroner. If someone dies in hospital, the next of kin will be informed. The hospital will usually issue the documents you need to register the death. The body will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until you decide what you want to do.

Registering the death For deaths that occur in Swansea, you must register the death at the ,i}ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÀÊ"vwVi]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›ÂˆVĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€i]ĂŠ Swansea SA1 3SN within 5 days of the death.

28 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Deaths are registered by appointment only. Please ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽĂ‡{{{ to make an appointment. Take the documents given to you by the GP or hospital and if possible, their birth certiďŹ cate, NHS medical card or number and marriage or civil partnership certiďŹ cate. The Registrar will give you the documents you need for the funeral. You can also purchase death certiďŹ cates (ÂŁ4 each). These copies will be needed for the will and any claims to pensions, savings, etc. In Swansea you can also use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service to report a death to most government organisations in one go e.g. DVLA, Tax OfďŹ ce, DWP etc. www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-youneed-to-contact-and-tell-us-once ĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°ĂƒĂœ>Â˜Ăƒi>°}ÂœĂ›°Ă•ÂŽĂ‰>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂ?iÉÓxäxÉ Registering-a-death

Arranging the funeral Check if the person has pre-paid for a funeral or has left details of the funeral they would like. If not, you will need to decide on the type of funeral to hold. Funeral costs will include funeral director fees, local authority burial or cremation fees etc. A Funeral Payment may be available if you’re on a low income. More details are available at: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

Dealing with the person’s affairs There are many organisations that will need to be informed of a person’s death to avoid fraud or overpayments. It is useful to make a list of these and record when each one has been contacted. For more information visit:

www.bereavementadvice.org/topics/what-todo-when-someone-dies/who-to-inform-whensomeone-dies You will also need to get the legal right to deal with their property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’). This is called applying for a ‘grant of representation’ or ‘applying for probate’ You can either apply yourself or use a solicitor or another person licensed to provide probate services. Most cases follow the same basic process. UĂŠ Â…iVÂŽĂŠÂˆvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€i½ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂ€Â“>Â?Â?ĂžĂŠĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒiĂƒĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ sorts out the estate. If there’s no will the next of kin can apply. UĂŠ ÂŤÂŤÂ?ĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂź}Ă€>Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ€iÂŤĂ€iĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜½ UĂŠ *>ÞÊ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ ˜…iĂ€ÂˆĂŒ>˜ViĂŠ/>Ă?ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒ½ĂƒĂŠ`Ă•i° UĂŠ ÂœÂ?Â?iVĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒi½ĂƒĂŠ>ĂƒĂƒiĂŒĂƒĂŠi°}ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœVii`ĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ sale of the person’s property. UĂŠ *>ÞÊ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ`iLĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠi°}°ĂŠĂ•Â˜ÂŤ>ˆ`ĂŠĂ•ĂŒÂˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠLˆÂ?Â?Ăƒ° UĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆLĂ•ĂŒiĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒiĂŠÂˆ°i°ĂŠ}ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂž]ĂŠ money or possessions to the people entitled to it (‘beneďŹ ciaries’). More information can be found at www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance

What to do if the person was a council tenant UĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜½ĂƒĂŠÂ?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ OfďŹ ce (DHO) (details are on the inside cover of the magazine). The Tell Us Once service will automatically inform us.

noon on the Monday. Any rent arrears will be payable from the deceased tenant’s estate. If a tenant is receiving Housing BeneďŹ t, it will stop on the Sunday following the death of the tenant. We appreciate that it can take some time to sort out and remove a person’s possessions. However, it is important to hand the keys in as quickly as possible and keep any rent due from the estate to a minimum. Please discuss this with the Neighbourhood OfďŹ cer dealing with the tenancy. You must give the council vacant possession of the property and it must be cleared of all possessions and rubbish, otherwise there may be a charge against the deceased’s estate if we have to remove items. You may have the right to take over the tenancy – this is called ‘succession’ – speak to the Neighbourhood OfďŹ cer if you think you have the right to succeed the tenancy or need more information. If there is a dispute regarding ending the tenancy, the Council will serve a Notice to Quit on both the Public Trustee and the relatives of the deceased, which gives 28 days notice to end the tenancy. This will normally be done within 14 days of the death of a tenant if we have not heard from you. Experiencing the loss of someone through death can be a difďŹ cult time, but there are many organisations who offer support and advice to help you following a death. The Bereavement Advice Centre: www.bereavementadvice.org/

UĂŠ *Ă€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ "ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠÂœĂ€Âˆ}ˆ˜>Â?ĂŠ i>ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ iĂ€ĂŒÂˆwV>ĂŒiĂŠ which will be copied and returned to you. UĂŠ -ˆ}Â˜ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒÂˆwV>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠi˜`ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒi˜>˜VÞÊ>˜`ĂŠĂœiĂŠ will conďŹ rm the end of tenancy date. UĂŠ ,iĂŒĂ•Ă€Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŽiĂžĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ "°ĂŠ Rent will be charged until the tenancy has been ended. Keys must be received by the DHO by 12

Open House: Issue 2 2017 29

Avoiding drainage problems Every year the Housing Repairs Call Centre receive a high number of phone V>Â?Â?ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠLÂ?ÂœVÂŽi`ĂŠ`Ă€>ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ°ĂŠ Ă•Ă€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂ“ä£Ăˆ]ĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ?ˆ“>ĂŒiÂ?ÞÊ£xääĂŠ`Ă€>ˆ˜>}iĂŠ problems were reported to the Council. Blocked drains are caused by people ushing everyday items like cotton buds and wet wipes down the toilet; or rinsing things like fat, oil and food scrapings down the sink. Most people dispose of these items correctly, however if you don’t this could result in serious consequences. Blocked sewers or drains can

cause ooding in your own home or a neighbour’s property. Blockages can also lead to environmental pollution, damaging rivers and beaches. By taking responsibility to ensure you are disposing of items correctly, you will be helping your community and the environment.

More information can be found by visiting Welsh Water’s website ĂŠÂ…ĂŒĂŒÂŤ\Ă‰Ă‰ĂœĂœĂœ°`ĂœĂ€VޓÀÕ°VÂœÂ“Ă‰iÂ˜Ă‰ އ7>ĂƒĂŒiĂœ>ĂŒiÀÉ iĂŒĂƒÂ‡-ĂŒÂœÂŤÂ‡/Â…i‡ Â?ÂœVÂŽ°>ĂƒÂŤĂ?ĂŠ or letsstoptheblock.com

Helpwch ni i atal blociadau, llifogydd a llygredd drwy beidio â fysio eitemau fel weips glanhau neu ffyn cotwm, nac arllwys braster, olew a saim i ffwrdd.

Help us prevent sewer blockages, ooding and pollution by not ushing wet wipes or cotton buds, or pouring fat oil and grease away.

Am ragor o wybodaeth: StopCynCreuBloc.com

Find out more at: LetsStopTheBlock.com

30 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Fantastic savings from Recipro and Community RePaint In the last edition of Open House we provided information on Recipro Swansea who sell surplus household products from many retailers at heavily discounted prices which is great if you are decorating on a budget. We had great feedback from the article and the project has seen a dramatic rise in visitors and sales. We are really pleased to see that many of our tenants are beneďŹ tting from the project. Visit soon to grab a bargain! Products include paints, painting accessories, linos and carpets and kitchen/bathroom products.

Recipro Swansea is located at: Â?LiĂ€ĂŒÂœĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ6>Â?Â?iÞÊ7>Ăž]ĂŠ -Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>]ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠn+*

Opening times ÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ/Â…Ă•Ă€ĂƒĂŠ Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊ Sat Sun

än\ĂŽäĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ää än°ĂŽäʇʣx\ĂŽä Closed Closed

The project which is a partnership project between Constructing Excellence in Wales, Western Bay Care and Repair and Recipro-UK has many beneďŹ ts – it helps the environment as less material ends up in landďŹ ll or incinerated, there are huge cost savings for customers as products are sold at a fraction of the retail price and ďŹ nally, the Western Bay Care and Repair charity which helps the community in the Swansea/Neath area also beneďŹ ts from this project.

You can also browse items for sale online at: http://www.recipro-uk.com/wales or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/

Open House: Issue 2 2017 31

Be Scam Aware A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash. There are always new ways for people to be scammed. Advances in modern technology means that scams are becoming more sophisticated as victims are targeted via the internet and social media. Trading Standards are aware of a new scam within the Swansea area which has resulted in residents losing thousands of pounds. If you are a victim of this scam, a message will appear from the scammers on your PC telling you that the computer has a virus and to ring a telephone number to unblock it. You are then asked to contact the scammers via a phone or email where they will ask you to make a payment using your credit card/debit card for your computer to be unlocked. Victims in some cases have been asked to purchase large amounts of iTunes cards and email the codes onto the scammers.

UÊ Dating/Romance Scams - People who use dating websites are targeted by scammers who set up fake profiles where they groom the victim by building an online relationship. Victims are often persuaded to hand over money to help their online ‘partner’. UÊ Catalogue Scams - Victims are encouraged to buy products which promise ‘miracle cures’ at bargain prices. But these products are of little value, do not achieve what they promise and may not even arrive. UÊ Investment Fraud - This involves cold calling consumers to offer products such as wine, diamonds and land as an investment opportunity. Often, the products do not even exist and even if they do, the financial returns promised simply fail to materialise. UÊ Recovery Room Fraud - Victims who have already lost money to an initial investment scam are contacted again to be told that their investment can be recovered on payments of further fees or on purchase of other commodities. What you can do to protect yourself...

If you receive a message similar to this on your computer, immediately switch your computer off. This should rectify it. Also, make sure that you have up to date virus software installed. There are a number of other scams for you to be aware of. Some examples include: UÊ ÌÌiÀÞÊ ÀÊ«À âiÃÊ`À>ÜÊÃV> Ã - You will be notified that you have won a large sum prize on a lottery or draw that you didn’t enter. To claim the winnings, victims must send a fee to release the funds.

32 Open House: Issue 2 2017

UÊ " ÞÊ} ÛiÊ ÕÌÊÞ ÕÀÊ«iÀÃ > Ê`iÌ> ÃÊÜ i Ê absolutely necessary and when you trust the person you are talking to and NEVER give your pin number to anyone. UÊ iÃÌÀ ÞÊ«iÀÃ > Ê v À >Ì °Ê > iÊÃÕÀiÊÞ ÕÊÊ shred all documents, old credit and debit cards which include your personal details. UÊ /Ài>ÌÊ«iÀÃ > Ê`iÌ> ÃÊ iÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÞ°Ê Don’t leave them lying around for others to see. UÊ Û `ÊÌÀ> ÃviÀÀ }Ê ÀÊÃi ` }Ê> ÞÊÀivÕ `ÃÊ ÀÊ overpayments back to anyone you do not know.

UĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠĂ•ÂŤÂ‡ĂŒÂœÂ‡`>ĂŒiĂŠ>Â˜ĂŒÂˆĂ›ÂˆĂ€Ă•ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœvĂŒĂœ>Ă€iĂŠ installed on your computer. DO NOT purchase from someone contacting you via email or phone. Go to a reputable computer shop. UĂŠ

iĂ›iÀÊV>Â?Â?ĂŠ>ĂŠĂŒiÂ?iÂŤÂ…ÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂ˜Ă•Â“LiĂ€ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒĂ€Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ contact details in a spam email.

UĂŠ vĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ?ÂœÂœÂŽĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœÂœĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠĂŒĂ€Ă•iĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂ•>Â?Â?ÞÊ is, so remember Stop, Call A Mate (SCAM) to take advice ďŹ rst.

UĂŠ

iĂ›iÀÊÀiÂŤÂ?ĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒÂŤ>“Êi“>ˆÂ?Ăƒ]ĂŠiĂ›iÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒĂŒÂœÂŤĂŠĂŒÂ…i“°ĂŠ Often this just serves to verify to scammers ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠi“>ˆÂ?ĂŠ>``Ă€iĂƒĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>VĂŒÂˆĂ›i°ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ`iÂ?iĂŒiĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ suspicious emails without opening them.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, you can report it to the national Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on än{x{ĂŠä{äxäĂˆ. Alternatively, you can report the matter to Action Fraud either by telephone on äĂŽääĂŠÂŁĂ“ĂŽäĂ“ä{ä or online at www.actionfraud.org.uk -Â…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂ€iÂľĂ•ÂˆĂ€iĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠvĂ•Ă€ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ>`Ă›ÂˆViĂŠÂŤÂ?i>ĂƒiĂŠ contact Trading Standards on ä£Ă‡Â™Ă“ĂŠĂˆĂŽxĂˆää°

Smart Meters Smart gas and electricity meters are being offered to everyone in 7>Â?iĂƒ]ĂŠ-VÂœĂŒÂ?>˜`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ˜}Â?>˜`ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŠiĂ?ĂŒĂ€>ĂŠVÂœĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠLiĂŒĂœiiÂ˜ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ 2020. Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters, which will replace the traditional meters in our homes.

between credit and prepay, will be quicker and easier. Prepay customers will be able to top up online or via mobile phone.

You will receive an in-home display, which shows exactly how much energy you’re using, as you use it, and what it is costing in pounds and pence.

Smart meters are ďŹ tted by energy suppliers and they come at no extra cost, so you won’t need to pay anything extra for the upgrade.

Bills will be accurate, not estimated as your meter readings will be shared directly with your energy supplier through a secure wireless network. In the future, switching between suppliers, or

You also do not need permission from us (as your landlord) to get a smart meter ďŹ tted. Contact your energy supplier today about installing your smart meter. For more information visit: www.smartenergygb.org/en

Open House: Issue 2 2017 33

New child car seat regulations All children travelling in cars must use the correct child car seat until they >ÀiÊi Ì iÀÊ£ÎxV ÊÌ> Ê ÀÊ£ÓÊÞi>ÀÃÊ `Ê Ü V iÛiÀÊÌ iÞÊÀi>V ÊwÀÃÌ°Ê vÌiÀÊÌ ÃÊ they must use an adult seat belt. Children will use different types of car seat according to their size and one of which they will often use when they are bigger is a backless booster seat, also known as a booster cushion. On 1 March 2017 the law about the sale and use of booster cushions in cars changed. Manufactures are not allowed to introduce new models of backless booster cushions for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg. If you are buying new seats you can only use a booster cushion for children weighing ÓÓ ÎÈ }Ê ­{n Ç Lî or who are £ÓxV Ê ÀÊÌ> iÀ – roughly between ages 6-11 years. The law does not affect existing models of seats

or cushions, so if you are already have one which meets current safety standards for a child weighing over 15kg you can carry on using it and will not have buy a new booster seat to meet the rule change. It is recommended, however, that your child stays in a high-backed booster seat for as long as possible as they can offer more protection in a side-impact crash situation.

www.childcarseats.org.uk

7Ê* / -Ê ",Ê Ê " Ê* " Ê" Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal and carries penalties of both points on your licence and a fine. From March 2017 the Fixed Penalty Notice for using a handheld mobile phone while driving has increased to £200 and 6 points on your licence. If you are a new driver and passed you test less than 2 years ago, 6 points would mean losing your licence.

Debt Panic? Push the button! Debts can be sorted out more easily than you think. The Debt Panic Button will help you take control, and get proper, free support.

www.debtpanicswansea.org.uk

34 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Could you be living next door to drug dealers?

Open House: Issue 2 2017 35

RESPECT - everyone deserves it The City and County of Swansea is committed to serving all members of the public fairly and to providing a …ˆ}…ʾÕ>Â?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂƒiĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠ to those who communicate with us. Providing good customer service is vital to our

of unreasonable/unacceptable behaviour by

success and reputation and we have a proud

a customer, or where a customer is repeatedly

record of serving the people of Swansea. We believe

behaving in an unreasonable manner.

that everyone is entitled to be treated respectfully,

Further details relating to this Policy can be found

courteously and in a polite manner and not feel

on the Council’s website at:

intimidated or threatened whilst carrying out their

www.swansea.gov.uk/behaviour

job.

Additionally, if you are a Council tenant, your

There are a small number of people who use our

conditions of tenancy require you to be responsible

services who regularly act in an unreasonable or

for your own behaviour and the behaviour of every

unacceptable manner when in contact with ofďŹ cers.

person (including children) living in or visiting your

Examples of conduct which may be considered as

home. Unacceptable or unreasonable behaviour

unreasonable include acts or threats of violence

towards Councillors, members of staff or other

or aggression, failure to show respect in dealings

members of the community, is considered to be a

with staff, acting in a threatening or abusive way,

breach of tenancy conditions, which could result in

and making malicious, unwarranted or defamatory

action being taken which includes, but is not limited

comments. These examples may relate to contact in

to, seeking an injunction with a power of arrest and

person, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text, fax or social

/or possession of your property.

media.

Council ofďŹ cers and Councillors deserve to be

The Council will not tolerate this kind of behaviour

treated with respect and to not feel intimidated or

and will take action as set out in its Unreasonable

threatened whilst carrying out their job. In return, you

Customer Behaviour Policy. This will be used either

can expect to receive the same respect and a high

when there has been a single, serious incident

quality service.

36 Open House: Issue 2 2017

Dementia Awareness Ê-i«Ìi LiÀÊÓä£{ÊÌ iÊ ÌÞÊ> `Ê Õ ÌÞÊ vÊ-Ü> Ãi>ÊV ÌÌi`ÊÌ Ê becoming a ‘Dementia Friendly City’ and we will train all front-line staff in dementia awareness in 2017. This training will provide staff with a greater understanding of the illness and the different ways in which it can affect people. The ‘Dementia Friendly’ recognition process is overseen by the Alzheimer’s Society and is a widely recognised national initiative. Becoming a bit more forgetful does not necessarily mean that you have dementia. Many people notice that their thinking gets a bit slower or their memory becomes a bit less reliable as they get older. These symptoms can also be a sign of stress, depression or other physical illnesses.

Are you worried about your memory? Have you noticed any of the following in you or someone you know? UÊ vwVÕ ÌÞÊÀi i LiÀ }ÊÀiVi ÌÊiÛi ÌÃ UÊ À}iÌÌ }Ê iÃÃ>}iÃÊ ÀÊ>«« Ì i ÌÃÊ UÊ vÕÃ ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ iÊ> `Ê« >Vi UÊ vwVÕ ÌÞÊw ` }ÊÌ iÊÀ } ÌÊÜ À`Ã UÊ vwVÕ ÌÞÊV « iÌ }Êv> >ÀÊÌ>Ã Ã UÊ

i} iVÌÊ vÊ«iÀà > ÊV>ÀiÊ> `ÊÃ>viÌÞ

UÊ Ã« >V }ÊÌ }ÃÊ>À Õ `ÊÌ iÊ ÕÃi UÊ vÕÃ Ê ÊÕ v> >ÀÊ« >Vià UÊ vwVÕ ÌÞÊ > ` }Ê iÞÊ Êà «Ã UÊ > }iÃÊ Ê«iÀà > ÌÞÊ> `Ê ` If you do have dementia, early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, information and support and gives you and those close to you time to prepare and plan for the future. With the right support and treatment, many people are able to lead active, fulfilled lives.

Anyone who is worried that their memory is getting noticeably Ü ÀÃi]Ê ÀÊÜ Ê >ÃÊ Ì iÀÊÃÞ «Ì ÃÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÌ ÃiÊ ÃÌi`Ê>L Ûi]Ê should discuss their concerns with their GP.

Open House: Issue 2 2017 37

Can we help you? Do you have difficulty reading small print or perhaps you sometimes feel bogged down by the amount of information you see on letters, leaflets and application forms.

District Housing Offices have hearing loop systems, hand held magnifying glasses, signature guides, large grip pens and other aids which are available for use at the reception desk or interview room.

If this is the case we can provide information to you in other ways. We can send you information in Large Print, Braille, or on a Compact Disc or Cassette tape. If you are a Welsh Speaker or are learning Welsh and we can also provide information to you in Welsh or in English and Welsh.

It’s important to us that you are able to have access to all of the services which are available to you from the Housing Service; so if you would like us to do things differently for you, please just ask and we will be pleased to do so.

To receive information in an alternative format, please let the staff at your District Office know or contact the Customer Services Team on ä£Ç ÓÊÈÎxä{xÊ housing@swansea.gov.uk If you need help completing a form that we have given you, please ask your District Office staff for help. A private interview room is available if you do not wish to do this at the reception counter. All of our

38 Open House: Issue 2 2017

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