Open House - Autumn 2022

The return of Plant a Pot events

July 2022 saw the return of the Plant a Pot events at two of

Involvement team was successfully able to visit both Annandale and

annual events.

A wonderful time was had by all at both schemes. Residents rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in with planting up pots and troughs and at Annandale planting up some wall hanging baskets to brighten up a couple of forgotten areas of the communal garden. Everyone was able to take a pot away with them for their own individual garden or patio area and additional pots were planted up for all residents to enjoy in the communal areas. Once all the hard work of planting and watering had been completed, tea, coffee and home-made cakes and biscuits were served.

The plant a pot events are an excellent opportunity for tenants to get together and enjoy the communal garden space in a way that suits them, with tables and chairs set out for those who may just need that little extra assistance. Feedback from both events was captured as follows:

Ankermoor Court tenants

“Nice idea to get people working together”

“It was very well organised”

“Thank you, it was a lovely afternoon”

“A lovely gentle enterprise. A follow on from this would be bulb planting in November or December, daffodils, crocus and tulips.”

Annandale tenants

“Very satisfied with the whole event”

“It has been a brilliant day; we had a laugh and lots of fun potting”

“A lovely afternoon with a great turn out. The patio area looks lovely”

Neighbourhoods sheltered schemes and the Tenant

Ankermoor Court to host these popular

Property Inspections

As your landlord, Tamworth Borough Council we aim to inspection all properties when people give notice they are moving.

Due to Covid restrictions these inspections were not possible. However, we’re pleased to say that these important inspections are now happening.

The purpose of property inspections:

n To check that necessary repairs have been conducted or have been reported to our contractor.

n Assess if there is any damage that may need to be fixed before you leave.

n Assess any improvements that may have been conducted and to check if proper permission from us was obtained before the work.

n Assess the condition of the property before you move out and assess if any fees need to be paid.

Please arrange to remove all rubbish and waste when you leave to avoid needing to pay a fee.

Thinking

Applying for a home

It is now easier than ever to make an application to move home.

To get started, all you need to do is visit https://myhousing.tamworth.gov.uk/housing/www/dashboard and click on the ‘Apply for Housing’ button and complete an online application form. When that’s done, you’ll be asked to provide supporting information (make sure you have everything to hand or you won’t be able to complete this part).

Applying for a new home information checklist:

n Proof of identity, like a passport or a driving licence

n Proof of national insurance number

n Last 2 payslips or proof of benefits

n Birth certificates for everybody on the application

n Proof of local connection

n Proof of address

Mutual Exchange

Already in council housing and want to move?

You can apply through the housing register, but it is quicker and easier to swap homes with another tenant. You can register for free at www.houseexchange.org.uk and start looking for areas and properties of your choice.

When you find the right match, all you need to do is fill in this form www.tamworth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/housing_docs/Mutual-Exchange-Application-Form.pdf and send it back to us to get the ball rolling.

Incentive to Move

Is your home too big for you and you want to downsize?

If your home is too big for your needs, Tamworth Borough Council can pay you up to £1,000 for downsizing to a smaller property.

You can apply here: www.tamworth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/housing_docs/Incentive_to_Move_application_form.pdf

Details of the scheme are here: www.tamworth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/misc_docs/Incentive_to_Move_info_leaflet%20%283%29converted.docx

Soil Vent Pipe Replacement

The project to replace the soil vent pipe in the high-rise blocks is now underway.

The works to replace the nearly 60-year-old pipes started at Harcourt House and will progress systematically block to block ending at Weymouth House. There was an initial delay to starting the project due to asbestos removal, but we are now in full swing. If you have not yet had an asbestos survey completed in your property it is important you allow them access when our contractors make, contact to prevent any further delays.

Our contractor Wates will visit you before the work starts to make sure you know what is happening and when.

The High-Rise Social Club is open as a drop-in centre 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday throughout the 12 months of this project for you to use. A member of staff will be there, and refreshments are available.

Everyone is welcome at the social club drop-in, even if we are not working in your flat or your block at the time. Activities such as bingo and breakfast clubs, and drop-in sessions with external bodies such as Citizens Advice are being organised too. We’ll let you know when these are available.

Use of the High-Rise Social Club in the evening and weekends must be booked as normal via the resident committee. We will shortly begin organising activities, such as bingo and breakfast clubs, and organising drop-in sessions with external bodies such as Citizens Advice. All residents will be notified and invited to participate when they are booked in.

Spotlight on Building Security

Your personal safety entering and leaving your home is very important. Everyone; residents, visitors, contractors, and council staff have a role to play in maintaining security when coming and going.

Contractors and council staff will always have a form of ID with them, if you can’t see it, please ask them! Council staff and contractors will be happy to show their ID badge.

To check if a contractor should be on site, call our repairs line on 0800 183 0044. If a contractor (or anyone!) asks for entry to your home and is not able to show their ID, do not allow them into your home.

High-rise blocks and flats

To keep everyone safe, please make sure the front door closes fully behind you and try not to allow other people to follow you into the building. If you are uncertain if someone lives in your building, politely ask them. If you feel unsafe do not approach strangers, return to your property, or leave the building and alert the police. Do not allow anyone you don’t know into the building via the door entry intercom. You should not open the door unless you are sure of who you are opening it to. There is a door entry camera available for you to view on your TV. This can currently only seen on analogue TV channels.

To use the door entry camera on your TV: 1.Switch your TV to the analogue channel option, 2.Auto tune your TV and it will pick up the door entry camera. It varies slightly what number it shows up as, but it is usually quite a high channel number.

Council staff and contractors have passes to access to the building, so will not ask you to open the door for them.

Community Warden news

In recent weeks we are delighted to have finalised two valuable projects for our residents.

Eringden CCTV upgrade

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Working with our onsite resident support officer, Staffordshire Police and CCTV Liaison Officer, we found that some of the external cameras at the flats, if improved could benefit the wider Eringden and Stonydelph community.

By upgrading cameras we could help reduce anti-social behaviour, increase crime prevention and detection, and improve public safety for Eringden as a whole.

We’re now really pleased to see the new digital HD equipment in place, which is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year by our CCTV team.

We now have a much wider scope and views of Eringden as a whole, much further than the block of flats. This upgrade adds to the current system which is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and we hope that residents throughout the area feel safer in the knowledge that the equipment is now in place for the benefit of the wider community.

Ivyhouse Walk Public Footpath

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Following recent community engagement, we found Ivyhouse Walk needed some improvements to the footpath.

After a successful funding bid to the Neighbourhood Investment Project, we were able to get started on the new footpath.

Residents now have a flat footpath that has been resurfaced from one end to the other.

Residents welcomed this work and kindly thanked the council for delivering this work. This also ties the regeneration works together nicely in the area.

Council community wardens have recently identified some areas that needed improving, and through working with residents and tenancy sustainment officers we have successfully made an application for some Neighbourhood Investment Project for the work we want to carry out.

Are you struggling to pay your rent?

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We fully appreciate and understand the financial challenges that the increased cost of living is having on many of our residents and tenants.

If you are finding it a struggle to pay your rent, please contact our team on 01827 709514.

We can work with you to reach an affordable and practical solution that is right for you. The worst thing you can do is to fail to pay and not contact us, we can’t help if you don’t come to us first. We’re here to listen and can offer a range of suitable solutions.

Rent issues contact us on 01827 709514.

Advice on debts, benefits, and energy advice contact Tamworth Advice Centre Tel: 0808 278 7972.

Email: tamworthadvice@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk

Castle Summer Fest ends in style

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Thousands flocked to the Castle Grounds over the weekend as Tamworth Borough Council’s Castle Summer Fest ended in style.

The fantastic weekend finale kicked off with hits from Jack Savoretti and Melanie C on Friday night. Melanie C wowed the crowd with hits such as Never Be the Same Again and a couple of Spice Girl classics. Jack Savoretti was superb and did not disappoint, performing the likes of Soldier’s Eyes and Who’s Hurting Who.

Then on Saturday after hit DJ Pat Sharp got the crowd buzzing, Katrina from Katrina and the Waves launched the final gig in style with Love Shine a Light and Walking on Sunshine. The 80s hits did not stop all evening with performances from Toyah, The Fizz, Boney M, Belinda Carlisle, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and finally Howard Jones.

The crowd sang and danced all night to hits such as Making your Mind Up (The Fizz, and skirts did come off is true Eurovision style), Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon (Boney M – who did sneak a few 70s hits into their set but the crowd loved it), Leave the Light On and Heaven is a Place on Earth (Belinda Carlisle), Love on Your Side and Dr Dr (Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey) and finally Howard Jones ended the gig in style with light shows and the confetti cannons, performing songs such as Like to get to Know You Well.

The gigs were the final part of Tamworth Borough Council’s Castle Summer Fest, which has been a huge threeweek event bringing a variety of sports and entertainment to the grounds between July 20 and August 13.

During the past few weeks, the Castle Grounds has become a large festival-style venue with a fun packed programme of events including world famous performers, the UK’s largest inflatable obstacle course, sports, a world record attempt, 5k festival run, a ‘bingo rave’, silent disco, live music tribute gigs, open air cinema, live coverage of the Commonwealth Games, screening of the Euro 2022 Women’s final and much more. Those visiting have been entertained, wowed and amazed. Tamworth Borough Council would like to thank Tamworth people for the incredible support they have shown these Castle Summer Fest.