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Housing Services
It’s really exciting to be delivering the Get Digital project at Thomas Hardy Court and to see the increase in skills and confidence of older learners in using computers and the Internet in a really short period of time. Tutor, Angela Telford
In this issue:P age 2
2011/2012 Rent Increases
Spring 2011
Get Digital We have been fortunate to have the get digital scheme at Thomas Hardy Court since November 2010. The tenants who have joined the scheme have really enjoyed it and many have been out and bought their own laptops. It has opened up a whole new world for them and we are now looking to expand on this and hopefully get webcams so that those tenants who have family abroad will be able to see and speak to them via their computers. It has also given confidence to those who have joined and given them a whole new interest in life.
‘Silver surfers’ receiving certificates from Councillor Mary Oates
To all those people who are out there who think they are to oldcome and see our silver surfers (some in their ninetys) and come and join us as we'd love to see you. Trish Lees, Independent Living Manager at Thomas Hardy Court. If you are interested please telephone Trish on 01827 305424 or Mobile 07812 105352.
Never too old to learn!
P age 3
Open House consultation
This machine is brilliant because it can remove graffiti very quickly and can do in a few minutes what would have been half a day’s work for us.
P age 7
Graffiti removal machine takes to the streets
Estate Supervisor, Trevor Wylie
What’s On in Tamworth
A machine which can clean graffiti off walls in just a few minutes is Tamworth Borough Council’s newest weapon in the war on vandals.
P age 7
The machine uses a combination of sand-like material and water under very high pressure to blast away graffiti in minutes and will be used to tackle daubings and spray paintings on estates and other council property throughout the borough. The £6,000 cost of buying the machine, training council caretakers on how to use it and a year’s supply of materials has been paid for by the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership, with funding from the Home Office.
Census 2011
The estates caretaking team is now mapping the areas of the borough where graffiti is a problem and drawing up a graffiti removal schedule to tackle affected areas. Staff are hoping to clean up as much graffiti as they can as quickly as possible, to help make Tamworth’s estates better places for people to live.
www.tamworth.gov.uk
Visit YouTube to viewa video of our graffitibusting machine in action
The caretakers are also enlisting the help of residents in the fight against graffiti. Estate supervisor Trevor Wylie said: “We are asking people to report graffiti to us so that we can remove it, but we are also asking people to tell us who is carrying out the graffiti so that we can take action to prosecute those responsible.”
Customer Dashboard Visit online for the latest performance indicators in housing: www.tamworth.gov.uk/housing
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2011/2012 Rent Increase
Anke Court rmoor Anniv ’s 20th ersar y!
Rents for Council House Tenants in 2011/12 have been increased by an average of £4.12 per week (6.1%), in line with the Governments Rent Restructuring rules. Rent increase letters were posted out to tenants on 28/2/2011in line with a months notice period for increasing Council House rents. If you pay by Direct Debit, your payments will adjust automatically to include the new charge(s). This means you will receive a letter from us 10 days before your payment to let you know how much your new payments will be. If you pay by standing order please let your bank know the new charges to amend your standing order. We cannot do this for you. If you receive housing benefit, the amount will be adjusted to the new charge as above. If you are not in receipt of benefit but think you may qualify, please complete a housing benefit form-available from Marmion House-and return it as quickly as possible. If your rent account is in arrears you should clear your account by the 31st March 2011. If you are unable to clear your arrears you should contact your housing Officer on telephone number 01827 709514
You are invited to come along to Ankermoor Court on Friday 15 April to celebrate our 20th anniversary. If you have been a resident, family or friend of Ankermoor over the last 20 years please come along any time after 2pm. There will be a tombola, raffle and high tea served from 3pm – 6pm. Contact Jeanette Lambert for more information: 01827 65886 or mobile 07800 677343
Improvements to the Repairs Policy We are currently re-writing our repairs policy to clearly set out how we intend to provide a cost-effective repairs and maintenance service to homes and communal areas that is responsive to the needs of, and offers choices to, tenants, and have the added objective of completing repairs and improvements right first time In addition we are expanding the service to include a handy person scheme. This will include an annual property MOT which will allow the undertaking of minor repairs and checking the general condition of the property, rubbish removal on voids (empty properties) and in garage sites, priority estate inspections of communal areas,
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services to those in receipt of a “golden ticket” (explained later), garden clearance, support to vulnerable tenants and a “move in” service entitling the new tenant to services from the local caretakers to help them settle in, i.e. unpacking boxes, clearing rubbish. We are also planning to introduce a “golden ticket” for vulnerable customers to provide an enhanced responsive repairs service. This will allow some repairs that are defined as being tenant’s responsibility to be carried out by Tamworth Borough Council. By increasing our wider obligations for tenants it will allow an improved service for those vulnerable residents who require it most. John Murden, Repairs Manager
During the month of January, 161 visits, 1326 telephone calls and 48 interviews were successfully carried out with tenants with regards to their rent account
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Clean-up at Tinkers Green flats A team of caretakers carried out a two-day deep clean of the Tinkers Green flats in Wilnecote, using Tamworth Borough Council’s newgraffiti-busting machine. The machine was used as part of a larger clean-up operation at the flats, which tackled rubbish which had been building up in and around the flats and is also being used by the estates caretaking team to carry out deep cleaning of stairwells, walls and common areas in council and social housing across the borough. A total of 11 residents were issued with warnings about rubbish and given information on the need to remove and recycle their waste. If rubbish builds up again, those responsible will be issued with £100 fixed penalty notices. Anyone who sees rubbish being dumped in and around the Tinkers Green flats is being urged to call the council in confidence on 01827 707709 and report it.
Before
“ “ Tenants newsletter Consultation Throughout December 2010 and January 2011 the Tenant Participation Team consulted with tenants about their Open House Newsletter that is produced quarterly. The aim of the consultation is to gauge whether the newsletter is value for money and if the readers are happy with the contents and layout. Tenants are encouraged to contribute to the editing of the newsletter through the Tenants Voice Group. It is important that the readers can obtain the information they want and are kept up to date with information Consultation at Thomas Hardy Court across all of Housing Services.
How did we consult with tenants?
During
An extensive combination of methods were used between December 2010 and February 2011. For the full report please visit tenant participation at www.tamworth.gov.uk
Summary of what tenants have told us they want
Fire Door Maintenance Work (Multi Occupancy Flats and
212 consultation surveys were completed;
87%
(184) of respondents stated that the Open House tenant's newsletter provides them with relevant and interesting information about housing services.
Property Services is currently undertaking a programme of works to ensure the integrity of fire doors to flats within enclosed areas. This will include communal fire doors and front doors to flats that open onto an enclosed corridor or staircase only.
83%
83% (177) of respondents stated that they had read the last edition of Open House (December 2010)
The work will include installing new fire and smoke seals to the doors, fitting a third hinge if not present, fitting intumescent seals to existing letter boxes, renewing door closers if necessary as well as minor adjustment work to ensure occupants are sufficiently protected in the event of a fire. It is important that residents respect the need for the work and ensure that all fittings remain exactly in place. Any subsequent unauthorised adjustments to fire doors by tenants such as adjustments to door closers, could result in the endangering of life should the unfortunate event of a fire occur.
Open House is currently sent out quarterly (4 times per year) and tenants were asked if this should remain the same or change. 86% (181) respondents stated that the frequency of the publication should remain the same.
Sheltered Accommodation).
The works will be continuing over the coming months and will not take longer than a couple of hours per door. We do appreciate your co-operation in this matter. Should you have any concerns regarding this work, please contact Property Services on 01827 709709.
In January 2011, 96.86%of repairs appointments were kept and 97.69% of repairs were fixed first time
The current Open House newsletter is printed in A3 size. When asked what size is easier to manage when reading the newsletter 66% (139) preferred A4 size, 19% (40) liked the current A3 size.
If you are interested in joining the Consultation at Stonydelph Arch Tenant’s Voice group to assist in the editing and production of Open House then telephone the Tenant Participation Team on 01827 709448.
Tamworth’s “Local Offer” As part of the new regulation we have developed locally tailored standards of service known as “local offers”, our customer promise to you. These have been in response to you telling us what is important to you and us making a commitment to deliver these promises to an agreed standard. Please read the enclosed supplement for further information.
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Partners And Communities Together...
P.A.C.T... What is it? It's an opportunity to attend a friendly and informative meeting once a month and lasting about one hour where we ( the Community ) can meet face to face with local council and police representatives from the Community Safety Partnership ( the Partners ).
The Partners take note of all issues raised before residents are invited to vote to decide which three issues should take priority to receive maximum attention over the coming month until the next meeting. At that next meeting residents hear what action was taken and they will decide how effectively the issues were dealt with or if more action is needed.
PACT groups have been meeting across Tamworth for four years now and have solved hundreds of issues. Each meeting invites residents to raise any issues specific to their local area. Issues mainly fall into three basic categories....
If there are issues you want dealt with in your neighbourhood, why not come along to your next PACT meeting and tell them about it. Together you can make a difference.
1. Simple Quality of Life things like a broken streetlight, trip hazards on the pavement or potholes in the road, trees and shrubs that need trimming back on a footpath. Simple to fix once they're reported but added together these make a real difference. 2. Ongoing Quality of Life issues such as litter, parking, dog fouling. We all say "Something needs to be done about it", at PACT we can hear what the council is doing about it...and what we can do to help them. 3. Quality of Life issues for police attention such as street gangs, criminal damage, antisocial behaviour and underage drinking. Community policing has transformed how these issues are dealt with over the past four years. PACT Partners can offer ongoing support and advice to residents wanting to help create a stronger and safer community in their neighbourhood. If you need to speak to someone in confidence about issues like these PACT can do that for you too.
Meeting dates for your diary: Amington Landau Forte Academy - 27 April, 7:00pm Belgrave Tamworth Baptist Church, Field Farm Roa d, 14 April, 7:00pm Bolehall Woodlands Primary School, Canning Road, 28 April, 7:00pm Dosthill St Pauls Church, Church Farm Mews 28 April, 7:00pm
Introducing your Street Wardens We’re your street wardens, and our job is to help ensure that Tamworth is a clean, green and safe place to live. There are 12 of us, including me – head street warden Pete Layton. We are split into three teams covering the town centre and retail parks, the north side of the borough and the south area.
Head Street Warden, Pete Layton
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We patrol the borough on foot, on bikes, on buses and
We are dedicated to building stronger communities and reducing crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour.
our two warden cars, sponsored by Tomsons Garage in Glascote. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and reducing crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. We can help with many problems, from vandalism and graffiti to abandoned cars and injured animals. We work very closely with other organisations including the police, youth services, drug teams, Victim Support and Age Concern, so if we can’t solve your problem, we can point you in the direction of someone who can.
Some of the Street Wardens with their car and bikes
If you would like to talk to one of us, just approach us in the street, ring us on 01827 709359 or contact us through the council website at: www.tamworth.gov.uk
Beware of bogus callers! Alwa
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Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Increased non dependant deductions The Government have announced that all Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit customers, including Council tenants, tenants of Housing Associations and Owner Occupiers will be subject to increased non dependant deductions from April 2011. This is the first rise in these charges since 2001. Further increases in these deductions will be made in April 2012 and April 2013. Below are the new non dependant charges that will be applicable from 1st April 2011. As Council tenants have rent free weeks, the charges below will be adjusted to take into account the rent free weeks.
Non-Dependant Deductions 2011/2012 Note - if benefit claimant receives care component of Disability Living Allowance or is registered blind, no deductions apply to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. Deductions relate to age and circumstances of the non-dependant. Only one deduction is made for a non-dependant couple - being the highest that would otherwise have applied. (remunerative work = 16 hours a week or more)
HOUSING BENEFIT (relate to age and circumstances of non-dependant) April 2010
£
April 2011
£
Under 18 years old
NIL
Under 18 years old
NIL
Full-time Students (except during summer vacation if in remunerative work - then as below*)
NIL
Full-time Students (except during summer vacation if in remunerative work - then as below*)
NIL
In receipt of pension credit (guarantee credit and/or savings credit - whether working or not)
NIL
In receipt of pension credit (guarantee credit and/or savings credit - whether working or not)
NIL
Aged 18 or over but under 25 and receiving IS, or JSA(IB)
NIL
Aged 18 or over but under 25 and receiving IS, or JSA(IB)
NIL
Aged 25 or over and receiving Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based)
7.40
Aged 25 or over and receiving Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based)
9.40
7.40
In receipt of main-phase income-related Employment and Support Allowance
9.40
Aged 18 or over not receiving IS, or JSA(IB) or Pension Credit, and not in remunerative work and not f/t student
9.40
In receipt of main-phase income-related Employment and Support Allowance Aged 18 or over not receiving IS, or JSA(IB) or Pension Credit, and not in remunerative work and not f/t student
7.40
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work with:
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work with:
- a gross income £382 or more*
47.75
- a gross income £387 or more*
60.60
- a gross income £306.00 to £381.99*
43.50
- a gross income £310.00 to £386.99*
55.20
- a gross income £231.00 to £305.99*
38.20
- a gross income £234.00 to £309.99*
48.45
- a gross income £178.00 to £230.99*
23.35
- a gross income £180.00 to £233.99*
29.60
- a gross income £120.00 to £177.99*
17.00
- a gross income £122.00 to £179.99*
21.55
- a gross income less than £120.00*
7.40
- a gross income less than £122.00*
9.40
COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT (relate to age and circs of non-dependant) April 2010
April 2011
£
£
Under 18 years old
NIL
Under 18 years old
NIL
Full-time Students (even during summer vacations)
NIL
Full-time Students (even during summer vacations)
NIL
Aged 18 or over and receiving Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income -based) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
NIL
Aged 18 or over and receiving Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income -based) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
NIL
In receipt of Pension Credit (whether or not in remunerative work)
NIL
In receipt of Pension Credit (whether or not in remunerative work)
NIL
Aged 18 or over and not receiving IS or JSA(IB) or Pension Credit but not in remunerative work and not f/t student;
2.30
Aged 18 or over and not receiving IS or JSA(IB) or Pension Credit but not in remunerative work and not f/t student;
2.85
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:
Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:
- gross income £382.00 or more
6.95
- gross income £387.00 or more
8.60
- gross income £306.00 - £381.99
5.80
- gross income £310.00 - £386.99
7.20
- gross income £178.00 - £305.99
4.60
- gross income £180.00 - £309.99
5.70
- gross income less than £178
2.30
- gross income less than £180
2.85
SECOND ADULT REBATES April 2010
April 2011
Second adult on IS/JSA(IB)/Pension Credit or ESA (IR) living with full-time student householder
100%
Second adult on IS/JSA(IB)/Pension Credit or ESA (IR) living with full-time student householder
100%
Second adult in receipt of IS/JSA(IB)/Pension Credit/ESA (IR)
25%
Second adult in receipt of IS/JSA(IB)/Pension Credit/ESA (IR)
25%
Second adult gross income is:
Second adult gross income is:
- less than £175.00
15%
- less than £177.00
15%
- £177.00 to £227.99
7.5%
- £177.00 to £230.99
7.5%
Always check for identification.
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Are your finances ready for Christmas 2011? That’s right – ready for Christmas! With over 200 shopping days left, you may think we’re mad. But read on.... Christmas usually leaves us with a bit of a hangover. And it’s not just the headache on the morning after the night before. Come January, the bills roll in and the awful truth begins to dawn – we’ve overdone it again. All of a sudden we’ve got month left at the end of the money, instead of the other way round. But like most things in life, the solution is in good planning and Tamworth Credit Union offers the best way to manage the costs and stop those January blues. Join Tamworth Credit Union now and you can start putting a little something aside each week to pay for next Christmas – or indeed anything you need to find a little extra for that’s not in the budget. Do your kids start a new school next September? Are you saving for that little runabout, or a summer break? Whatever you need it for, Credit Union is the smart way to build up some savings and manage your money. And it’s all safe. Members get free life insurance and the money is guaranteed by the government’s financial services compensation scheme. Tamworth Credit Union is your friendly local savings and loans club. We’re owned by our members and run by local people –
most of us volunteers – so we have the interests of Tamworth people at heart. If you only have a small amount to put by each week, most banks don’t want to know but for Credit Union, that’s not a problem. We’ll tailor your savings to whatever you can afford and make the payments easy. You can pay by any of these easy methods: l Cash payments at our offices;
l If you receive benefits, they can be paid direct into your Credit Union account;
l Standing Order from a bank account; l Cheque by post; l Payroll deduction – some local employers will take your savings or loan payments direct from your salary to pay to the Credit Union. Ask us for more details. And if you need to borrow to ease out the financial bumps along the way, that’s not a problem. We offer flexible loans at a really low rate of interest, with repayments arranged around what you can afford. There are no hidden costs and no penalties for repaying early – see the table to compare our rates.
Tamworth Credit Union
Provident Personal Credit
Amount Borrowed
300
300
Term of Loan
52
52
Weekly Payment 6.13
10.50
Total Repayable 318.64
546.00
Typical APR
272.2%
12.68%
That’s a massive saving of £227.36 *Source: Credit Union standard loan rate. Terms & conditions apply. Provident Personal Credit Loan Calculator February 2011.
So go on – what are you waiting for? Don’t get lumbered by debt and stung by doorstep loans. It’s not too late to make a New Year’s Resolution your pocket will love you for. Come and talk to Tamworth Credit Union about how we can help you get your money back in control.
Non-Bidders Survey In April 2010 Cabinet approved the new Housing Allocations Scheme for letting properties known as ‘Finding a Home’. The scheme was launched in May 2010 and has been in operation for nearly 8 months. An independent impact assessment was recently commissioned by Landlord Services to ensure that the regulatory standard, set by the Tenant Services Authority, is being met. Namely that the policy is meeting its objectives and allocations are fair and equitable. Tamworth is the only Council in the Midlands region to commission an independent study, which illustrates the
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commitment to transparency and continuous improvement around allocations and ensures the allocations policy is meeting its objectives and allocations are carried out fairly. Officers have shared the report with the Tenant Consultative Group and tenants have been involved in the production of the action plan. The Council has also sought independent customer satisfaction data about the level of services offered by the Housing Advice and allocations Teams. Using a combination of people accessing the service in the last 12 months and from the mystery shopping key findings are overall very positive and 90% of those surveyed
said the overall service was good, very good or excellent. Overall the summary of the impact assessment is that it provides an excellent framework, is fit for purpose, meets council wide objectives and none of the recommendations are unachievable. A full copy of the ‘non-bidders’ survey report can be obtained by contacting the Tenant Participation Team on 0800 183 0454.
Properties were re-let within 22 days during the month of January exceeding our target of 28 days
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What’s On in Tamworth Shows at Tamworth Assembly Rooms Live/Wire – The AC/DC Show Friday 8 April Tickets £15.00 (£14.00 adv) Doors 8.00pm for 8.30pm start Memory Lane Thursday 14 April Tickets £12.00 (£9.00 OAP) Doors 2.00pm for 2.30pm start
Box Office: 01827 709618 LifeBoat Concert - featuring the Amington Band Saturday 30 April Tickets £10.00 Doors 6.45pm for 7.30pm start Rockin’ on Heavens Door Friday 6 May Tickets £18.00 (£16.00 conc) Doors 7.30pm for 8.00pm start
FREE EVENT in the Castle Grounds
St Georges Day Extravaganza Saturday 23 April 12noon - 5pm
Science Museum live Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 April Tickets £12.50 Doors Sat 6.30pm for 7.00pm / Sun 1.30pm for 2.00pm
Brendan Shine Friday 13 May Tickets £15.00 (£14.00 conc) Doors 7.00pm for 7.30pm start
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Joust Show
@
”Have a go” Archery
@
Falconer
Thunderslam Wrestling Friday 22 April Tickets £14 (£12 conc) £46 Family Doors 6.30pm for 7.00pm start
The Searchers Friday 20 May Tickets £18.50 Doors 7.00pm for 7.30pm start
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Medieval workshops
@
George and the Dragon puppet show
An Evening with Re-Take That Friday 29 April Tickets £16.00 and £15.00 Doors 7.00pm for 7.30pm start
Inspire Film Festival Friday 10 - Sunday 12 June For more info visit www.inspirefilmfestival.org
2011 Census: Sunday 27 March 2011 Help tomorrow take shape Every ten years the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about the people who live in England and Wales, and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods. The next census will take place on Sunday 27th March 2011, when ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete. The census asks about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today’s society.
Why should this matter? Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Tamworth Borough Council relies on census population statistics to get the government funding we need for public services. How much we get is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census says live in our area. So even if the census were to end up just a few households
In January we cleared 133 reported cases of fly tipping within 3 days keeping our promise to you
short, it could make a very real difference to peoples’ lives. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere - and that’s why everyone has to take part.
What do you need to do? Simple! Just answer a few questions about yourself and the people who share your household with you on census day. Everything you tell the census is in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation. You can do it online. You can do it by post. But you must do it. So get your questionnaire back as soon as possible after census. The census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape - and this is your chance to make a difference. For more information, visit www.census.gov.uk
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Spot the difference to win! Tamworth Borough Council is offering you the chance to win £20 if your spot the difference competition entry is selected from our prize draw. There are just two competition rules: l You have to be a tenant of Tamworth Borough Council. l You have to circle 3 differences between these two photographs.
Once you think you’ve found all 3 differences, circle them clearly, fill in and cut out the entry form and then return it by Friday 29th April 2011 to the following address: Diane Hughes, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth Staffordshire B79 7BZ. All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw and the winner notified soon after the deadline. The competition is open to Tamworth Borough Council tenants only. Good luck!
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________
Spot the difference
winner!
Congratulations to Mr Ansell of Belgrave who was the lucky winner of the Spot the Difference competition in the Winter 2010 issue of Open House. Enjoy your prize! Thanks to everybody who sent in competition entries!
I f you would like to get involved then contact Tamworth Borough Council’s Tenant Participation team:
Telephone No: ____________________________________________________________________
If you would find it easier to talk to us in your own language please ask an english-speaking friend or relative to contact 0800 183 0454. We can arrange for an interpreter to contact you to discuss any translation you need.
Leanne Allwood Tenant Participation Manager 01827 709448 Diane Hughes Tenant Participation Assistant 01827 709374 Helen Rich Customer Service Assistant 01827 709260 email us: tenantparticipation@tamworth.gov.uk Other useful numbers: Tamworth Borough Council Customer Services - (01827) 709709 Benefits - (01827) 709540 Council Tax - (01827) 709530 Housing Advice - (01827) 709459 Housing Office Enquiries - (01827) 709491 Tenant Participation - (01827 709374) Rent Enquiries (Income team) (01827) 709514
If you would like this document in a different form, for example audio cassette, large print or Braille, please contact the Tenant Participation team on 0800 1830454
Estate Management Team - (01827) 709491 Allocations and Voids - (01827) 709520
Tamworth Borough Council 8
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Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ. Enquiries: (01827) 709709 Designed and Produced by Tamworth Borough Council Main Fax: (01827) 709271