WINTER 2015
Housing Services
INSIDE THIS ISSUE… PAGE
1 12-WEEK PRISON SENTENCE
5 GAS SERVICING
2 CACH
6 CALL FOR SUPPORT
(CHASE AGAINST CRIMES OF HATE)
3 ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS
7 ASSEMBLY ROOMS
4 FGM
8 CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE
(FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION)
12-WEEK PRISON SENTENCE 12-week prison sentence for housing injunction breach. On 2 November, Richard Sidwells was committed to prison by His Honour Judge Gregory, sitting at Coventry Combined Court. Mr Sidwells, from Tamworth, breached an injunction obtained against him by Tamworth Borough Council's Landlord Services team on two occasions earlier this year. Mr Sidwells was committed to prison for a term of 12 weeks for each of the two breaches, to run concurrently. The injunction was originally obtained in November 2014. It prevented him from interfering with the electricity supply and entering an address at Marshall Street in Bolehall. It also prevented him from causing anti-social behaviour, in particular to the Council's tenants. Councillor Michelle Thurgood of Tamworth Borough Council said: "It is down to the courage of the witnesses who give evidence that ensures that we can bring these cases to the court to protect our community."
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CACH (CHASE AGAINST CRIMES OF HATE) Anti-social behaviour is viewed by many as something that affects us occasionally and is caused by youths congregating in the street, or other activity that is open for others to see. There are more personal areas of anti-social behaviour that impact tremendously on residents but are hidden. Hate crime is one of those areas. You may think that hate crime relates to colour or sexuality. In fact, you do not have to be part of a minority group to be a victim of hate crime or receive support. If you feel that you are singled out and persistently targeted for whatever reason, there is help available. CACH (Chase Against Crimes of Hate) works with Tamworth Borough Council to highlight and support victims of hate crime. You can report a hate incident or crime in any of the following ways: l Fill in a hate report form at Marmion House (leaets in reception) l Phone CACH on 0797 149 7988 l Email: selfreport@cachpartnership.org.uk l Report on the website at: www.cachpartnership.org.uk
COOK & HEALTHY EATING PROJECT If you want to learn how to cook and eat healthier on a budget, then there are still places on our FREE courses. l Develop skills and knowledge around healthier eating and lifestyle options l Increase employment opportunities l Develop budgeting skills
l Meet new people in a friendly environment
l Learn how to make small changes to live a healthier lifestyle l Achieve Food Hygiene Level 2 (optional)
Contact Diane Hughes for more information on 01827 709374.
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ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS TO THE TOWN CENTRE Further environmental works have been carried out in the town centre, with new drying areas for tenants living in Devereux House and Lichfield Road flats. The request for the works was put forward by tenants as part of the environmental works project. Both areas were completed within a week of each other and disruption was kept to a minimum while the work was being carried out. The work at the flats in Lichfield Street also included the replacement of the surrounding paving.
“The tenants at Devereux House expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with the new, much needed drying area facility
”
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FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION OR FGM Fact: globally more than 125 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation or FGM.
Here are some signs, before FGM occurs, to look out for:
l A female family elder visiting from a country or origin or other location
Annually, an estimated three million girls in Africa undergo FGM – that’s one every 10 seconds. This procedure of partially or totally removing the external female genitalia is considered normal in many cultures and will be done to girls any time before puberty. It is a highly unsafe practice, carried out without medical expertise and using unsterilised knives, razor blades and broken glass, which is extremely painful and can cause massive health problems at the time and later in life. FGM is carried out for a number of cultural reasons including gender inequality, to control female sexuality, limited economic opportunities for women and girls and a belief that women and girls’ only worth is in their relationship to men. FGM is prevalent in 28 African countries and in parts of the Middle East and Asia. Due to the increasing number of asylum seekers in Britain, this practice is now believed to also be carried out here. Fortunately in Britain, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 made this practice a criminal offence that carries a 14-year prison sentence so it is not uncommon for families to take children back to their country of origin to have this procedure carried out.
l A child talking about FGM to other children
l A girl confiding that she is to have a ‘special procedure’ or attend a ‘special occasion’ to become a woman l Parents stating they or a relative will take the child out of the country for a prolonged period l A girl talking about a long holiday to a country where the practice is prevalent l A girl requesting help from a teacher or adult, if she believes she is at risk More information about FGM can be found at www.28toomany.org
If you have any concerns about a child (and this IS child abuse), you can report it, get advice and support on the NSPCC free 24 hour anonymous FGM helpline – 0800 028 3550.
THE CURRENT TENANCY AGREEMENT The current Tenancy Agreement is being reviewed. The preliminary notice and a draft copy of the proposed changes have been sent out to tenants for consultation. A service charge offer booklet has also been sent to all tenants who receive communal facilities. Once the feedback has been considered and the tenancy agreement and offer document have been updated, we will send you a notice of variation, which will tell you when the new conditions will come into force.
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GAS SERVICING As your landlord, Tamworth Borough Council has a legal duty to ensure that gas appliances, gas piping and flues provided for tenants use are well maintained and safe. This legal duty is set out in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Our responsibilities to you are to:
l Ensure that gas fittings, gas pipes and flues are maintained in a safe condition. l Ensure that an annual gas safety check is carried out within 12 months. l Have all installation, maintenance and safety checks carried out by a GAS SAFE registered gas installer. l Keep a record of each safety check for at least two years. l Issue a copy of the latest safety check record to the existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, or to any new tenant before they move in.
What to expect when your gas service is due: Morrison (our gas contractor) will send a letter two months before your annual service is due, with an appointment date and details how to re-arrange the appointment if this is not convenient. Please do not ignore this important letter. If you do need to re-arrange your annual gas service, we would be grateful if you would contact Morrison on the Gas Servicing freephone number 0800 183 00 44 where a Customer Service Advisor will be happy to arrange a suitable time and date. Appointments can be arranged up to 6pm Monday to Friday and up to 1pm on Saturday.
Carbon monoxide monitors There is a programme of works in place to fit carbon monoxide detectors to all properties that require them by the end of this financial year. You will be contacted to arrange fitting.
HOMES FIRE RISK CHECK Homes Fire Risk Check contract awarded to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. A two-year contract to carry out Home Fire Risk Checks in all of Tamworth Borough Council’s properties has been awarded to Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. The safety of tenants is of paramount importance and Home Fire Risk Checks are carried out to ensure the safety of tenants living in council properties and to identify any alterations they have made which could compromise safety. This can include, for example, the removal of doors or not having a working smoke alarm fitted. The contract with SFR will see each of Tamworth Borough Council’s 4,450 homes visited at least once over the two-year period. In instances where it is considered that the tenant is a higher risk due to health, age or mobility, additional visits will be carried out. The visits will include checks on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, replacement of batteries where needed, relocation of incorrectly positioned alarms and detectors and installation of additional alarms and detectors where necessary. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue will also identify the need for specialist equipment, such as a flashing alarm light for deaf people, as well as offering safety advice. Appointments will be made by SFR and technicians all carry identification which clearly identifies they are working in Partnership with Tamworth Borough Council. It is important Home Fire Safety checks are carried out, so please cooperate with the fire service to ensure these essential checks can take place.
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CALL FOR SUPPORT Tamworth responds to the Government’s call for support The weekend of the 7th & 8th November, 2015 saw thousands of people in Tamworth for a variety of reasons. The greatest number, some 28,000 or more, came from far and wide to witness the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Castle Grounds, run by Tamworth Borough Council. What an event it turned out to be and, like history tells us, it reminds us of a more radical attempt to change the political scene! On Sunday I was proud to play my small part at the Remembrance Day parade and service. Proud not just because like many present, I had served in the Armed Forces and seen combat, but proud to be associated with Tamworth – a town recognised for its support for the services and with the unique honour of being the birthplace of the Mercian Regiment. It was a much smaller number of people who gathered in the Castle Grounds on Saturday afternoon or rather, two groups. One was representing the concerns of local people about the Council’s decision to assist the Government by supporting up to 10 Syrian refugee families and the second group, representing those who fully support the decision. As the Leader of the Council, Councillor Danny Cook said in the Herald on 29th October 2015, he understands and respects the views of others who do not agree; however, this decision was based upon the values and principles to which the Council holds dear – “To safeguard and support those most vulnerable in our communities”. The Government has agreed to support a number of Syrian refugees who have been forced to flee the country of their birth; the country that they love that is now devastated by war and terrorism. Many of them normal family people like us with homes, lives, good jobs, now have nothing.
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So, what have we agreed to? Each district across the County has collectively agreed to support up to 50 families, approximately six each. Tamworth has agreed to take up to 10 families maximum, five in each phase. This support will include access to health services, education, care and housing - and central government will cover the costs, not local Council Tax payers. In addition, the Council has been overwhelmed with offers of additional support in the form of food, clothing, transport etc from voluntary, charitable and faith groups. Individual families have even offered rooms in their homes. It has been a typical Tamworth response. Not surprisingly, housing has been a contentious issue because so many people are on the waiting list for Council housing. It is because of this very sensitive issue that I stated in the press that every effort will be made to accommodate the refugee families in either private sector properties or by a registered provider agreeing to accommodate all the families. Either way, every possible effort is being made to ensure that local vulnerable people are not affected by the Council’s decision. Until very recently, Syria was one of the most stable economies in the Middle East. Good health and education and other infrastructure similar to ours, and now it has become a living hell for many. As this edition goes to print, I can tell you that the support mechanisms (professional and voluntary) are all in place and we have been advised that it is likely to be January or February 2016 before the first refugees can be welcomed into this great town. Anthony E. Goodwin PhD., Chief Executive Officer Tamworth Borough Council
ASSEMBLY ROOMS CLOSES FOR REFURBISHMENT Tamworth Assembly Rooms is set to go out with a bang with a jam-packed final season of entertainment before the historic theatre closes for major restoration and improvement works. The venue will undergo a complete transformation next year, including a new café and exhibition space, new box office, double glazed front doors and the addition of a glass studio space at the side of the building. While the redevelopment will take the 125-year-old theatre into the future, it does mean that the artists, musicians and performers lined up to tread its boards over the next five months will be the last to do so before the new look is revealed. The Assembly Rooms is set to close in February next year for an estimated 18-month period. While a programme of events will continue at other venues around the town, this season is the last chance audiences will have to see entertainment on the main stage for some time. With that in mind, Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team has secured a great programme of events for the Assembly Rooms, packed full of music, comedy, drama and community shows to suit all ages and all tastes. Cllr Steve Claymore, Cabinet member for Economy, said: “The regeneration of Tamworth Assembly Rooms is the first stage of the ambitious £5.5million project to develop a Creative Quarter in the heart of Tamworth town centre and will allow us to secure the future of the venue and ensure that it continues to welcome and serve audiences for generations to come. “What we really want now is for Tamworth Assembly Rooms to go out with a bang. It would be great if this chapter in the building’s history ended on a high. The Arts & Events team has worked hard to get some fantastic entertainment lined up and we hope people take the opportunity to enjoy the shows and soak up the atmosphere before its closure and transformation.” Audiences have plenty to choose from in the coming months, with some 25 events – including two weeks of pantomime – still to play out on the Assembly Rooms stage. Musical entertainment this winter will come in the form of Limehouse Lizzy, Abba Mania, Vision of Elvis, Matt Monro Jnr, Bee Gees Fever, Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele, Herman’s Hermits, The Lindisfarne Story and David Hamilton’s Rock n Roll Back the Years Show. There will also be Monster Mash wrestling, ballet with the Snow Queen, drama with Downtrodden Abbey and Vulgarities, comedy from Jethro and family entertainment with Hansel and Gretel. And while the various community arts groups which use the Assembly Rooms will continue to be supported by Tamworth Borough Council during the refurbishment, many of these will also be taking to the existing stage one last time. The final season will include performances from Tamworth Arts Club, TACT, Tamworth Male Voice Choir, Tamworth Voices, Amington Band, Tamworth Pantomime Company and Tamworth Scouts and Guides. The full line up is available at www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk where tickets for all shows can be purchased. Tickets are also available in person from Tamworth Tourist Information Centre in Corporation Street or by calling the Box Office on 01827 709618. A transaction fee of £1 is payable on all online and telephone bookings.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE Lots of changes are happening with our customer service centre. Here are just a few… Why not visit our new look website www.tamworth.gov.uk, where you can: l Get up-to-date information on council services l Report problems l Make payments
l Make online applications.
l “Click to Chat” and speak to one of our skilled Customer Service Officers. l If you don’t have home access to the internet, we have a Self Service area at Marmion House. For those who prefer to contact us by phone or use a mobile phone you can: l Check out our new App “My Staffordshire”. Download from the App Store on iPhone or on Android from the Google play store. l Our main telephone number starts with an automated message so that your call goes to the appropriate service.
For those who need support in person, we now run an appointment service for help with many of our services, including: l Support with our website l Housing benefits advice l Applications
l Housing solutions l Council tax
l Taxi, bus pass and blue badge applications. To book your appointment: l Email enquiries@tamworth.gov.uk with all your details l Talk to us on web chat
l Telephone us on 01827 709709 Whatever way you decide to contact the Customer Service Centre, we strive to answer your enquiry.
If you require this document in an alternative format or language, please contact us on 01827 709709.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED… Getting involved is a great way to know that you are contributing to improving the services you receive and your voice can empower you and other tenants to improve the council’s performance and development in areas that matter to you. Everybody has busy lives these days but selecting the way you get involved from a wide range of options could fit into your lifestyle and put you at the heart of decision making. It doesn’t have to be all about attending meetings, it can be as active as completing a survey once a year or popping along to one of our consultation events. We believe in working together with tenants in a real partnership to improve the service we offer. If you are interested please contact the Tenant Regulation & Involvement Team on 01827 709374 or email tenantparticipation@tamworth.gov.uk Tamworth Borough Council Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ. Enquiries: (01827) 709709 Main Fax: (01827) 709271
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Designed and Produced by Tamworth Borough Council (11/15) 1873