Tel: 0300 303 1190
Email: enquiries@mmha.org.uk
Web: www.shropshirehousing.org.uk
Meres News For all the local news about your community | Issue 17 – Spring 2011
! g n u r p s s a h g n i r Sp started 2011 let’s get
In this issue... Thank you’s we have received from tenants... Page 2 57001_Meres_News_Spring_2011_HR.indd 1
Eco Families pilot project for sustainable energy... Page 4
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CONTENTS 2 Meet the board/Thank you’s 3 Local Offers/Bogus Callers 4 Eco Families/Tenancy Visits 5 Group News 9 Tarca Update 10 What You Said About Our Services 12 Competitions If you require this document in audio, braille, large print or if English is not your first language then please contact us.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Si vous avez besoin de ce document en audio, braille, gros caractères, ou si l’anglais n’est pas votre langue première veuillez nous contacter. French Jeśli wymagasz tego dokumentu w audio, Braille’a, duże wydruku, lub jeśli angielski jest nie pierwszy język prosimy kontakt. Polish
Meet the board PAULINE DEE was nominated to the Board by Shropshire Council in September 2009. She has been involved in local government Pauline Dee as a Wem town M MHA Board Mem Councillor since ber 1980 and as a North Shropshire District Councillor as an Independent Councillor since 1983. She was elected as an Independent to Shropshire Council in June 2009 as one of the two representatives for Wem, Wem Rural and Whixall. She is mother of four grown up children. She is President/Chairman of Shropshire Scouts and a Vice President of Shropshire Guiding.
Если вам требуется этот документ в аудио, Брайля, крупных печатных, или если английский является не ваш первый язык напишите нам. Russian Os oes angen y dogfen hon mewn ffurf wahannol, er enghraifft Braille, llythrennau mawr, tâp audio neu iaith wahanol, gadewch i ni wybod os gwelwch yn dda. Welsh Se ha bisogno di questo documento in audio, Braille, grande stampa, o se inglese è la prima lingua contattaci. Italian
You can contact us in a number of ways: PHONE 0300 303 1190 FREEPHONE 0800 4346289 EMAIL enquiries@mmha.org.uk IN WRITING by sending your letter to us at Meres and Mosses Housing Association, Talbot House, High Street Wem SY4 5AA IN PERSON by coming along to the reception desk at Talbot House.
OFFICE OPENING HOURS Our normal office opening hours are:
8.45am - 5.00pm Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4.30pm Friday.
Mr and Mrs Bevan from Market Drayton wrote in to praise Dianne Williams on all the hard work and dedication she puts in to her day-to-day jobs on the Fairfields Estate. ‘We believe that she deserves a mention as she is one of Meres and Mosses best members of staff. Whenever anyone goes to Dianne with a problem, nothing is ever too small, she deals with anything with the upmost dedication and works hard to solve any problems.’ Mrs Smith from Childs Ercall called to say that the TRL operatives have done a great job and the property was left spotless.
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11 112 2 2 2 1 2 1 33 4 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 555566 4 6 6 5 66 Tenant Involvement and Empowerment standard
has asked nts Services Authority na Te e th r, to la gu re r Ou rough six produce ‘local offers’ th all social landlords to do. aspects of the work we l al r ve co at th s rd da stan Group
Housing ces you want Shropshire Local offers are the servi t in r current service is set ou to offer in the future. Ou . the Tenants Report 2010 the local offers on how we are shaping We will give you updates be highlighted letter. The updates will ws ne ur yo of ue iss ch it applies to. in ea e right) for the standard (se er ck sti ate pri pro ap with the
Tenancy standard
Value for Money standard
We have had re ports of bogu s callers in the North S hropshire area . Bogus callers
use a variety of ways to gain access to a pe rson’s home in order to steal. They may pose as officials fro m the council or gas/electri city/water com panies, with a plausible exp lanation for n eeding to ente your home. r
Bogus callers co mmonly prey on vulnerable, old or disabled peop er le. Make sure in y our own mind callers are who that they claim to be by following th simple steps: ese
• Think before you open the door – use a ch or spy hole if ain you have one or look out of window to see th e if you recognis e them • Ask callers for proof of id entity, genuin contractors sh e ould carry an identification card with the ir photograph on it carefully, and if you are unsu . Check these re telephone the
Home standard
Neighbourhoods and Communities standard
Governance and Financial Viability standard
company the caller claims to be from usi telephone nu ng a mber from a d irectory, and the number th n ot ey may give y o u . • Beware of ca llers who atte mpt to distract you by claimin g they have se en something untoward tha t may encoura ge you to leave your home. Th ey may be dis tracting you fo someone else r to enter your property. • If you are n ot convinced of the identifi of the caller, d cation o not let them in. Ask the ca to come back ller later and arra nge for someo to be there wit n e h you when th ey return.
“caTuretioant eavnedrynestvraernoger with
pen the door u do not know
to someone yo
”
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Not only will these energy champions benefit from lower fuel bills, but also from an improvement in their skills. They now use a real-time energy monitor, and log onto www.wesave.org.uk to see what effect their behaviour change has had on their energy consumption. Every family member is involved in this project and the younger you start, the easier it is. These energy champions will be able to share their experience and knowledge with neighbours, relatives and friends; the wider community will also benefit from their learning.
The project started in November 2010 and is delivered by Marches Energy Agency, a local charity and social enterprise which works with a wide range of individuals, businesses and public bodies, to help them understand and reduce their energy use.
Four eco-families are taking part in a pilot project, with the aim to demonstrate that “real people” can engage with the issue of sustainable energy. Each household has received an energy report highlighting where they can make savings by changing the way they use energy within their home. For one of these families, a change of behaviour could also translate into savings of up to £176 per year. In other words, lower bills and more money to spend on the children, whilst helping the planet; it can only be good! The families decided to join this pilot project for different reasons. For Debbie and her family, it is about reducing their carbon footprint. “It is our planet and by looking after it, we look after the future generations.”
Although we have regular contact with our tenants, it is important that there is a programme of routine tenancy visits is in place.
1 2 3 4 5 6
This will ensure that tenants are able to talk to someone about their needs, ensure that we are doing everything we can to support them, and that the information we hold about them is correct.
The visits will be carried out by Community Housing Officers over the next three years, and will also give tenants the opportunity to ask questions, report repairs, and give feedback about the services we offer.
If you would like more information, please contact customer services.
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Group News
eir annual tenants’ day. th g in ld ho e ar p ou Gr g Housin es Once again, Shropshire ts of events and activiti lo th wi y Da n Fu ily m Fa ga ry This year we will be havin will be held at Shrewsbu y Da n Fu ily m Fa e Th . mily to entertain the whole fa ay 13th August. Sports Village on Saturd ming your way soon! co n io at rm fo in e or m r Look out fo
Meet the Resident Involvement Team The resident involvement team encourages tenants to become involved in shaping our services to you.
Mike Cott Involveme on - Resident nt Offic er (SSHA )
The team also plans events and supports the residents groups, TARCA and TASS. To find out how to get involved, please contact them on 0300 303 1190.
t tmen Plat Involve h a Sar ident Res
ager Man
Sheila Standley - Resident Involvement Officer (MMHA)
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Changes to Welfare Benefits Non-Dependant Deductions to Housing and Council Tax Benefit What is a non-dependant?
What can you do?
A non-dependant is someone who normally lives in your property but who are not dependent on you financially. These can include:
It is important that you take advice before taking any rash steps. In particular, it is important to think carefully before you ask any non-dependants who may be living with you to leave home, in order to avoid the non-dependant deduction being applied to your benefit. This is for two reasons:
• Your children over the age of 18 • Other relatives living in your household • Anyone else that lives in your household that is not related to you Any non-dependant that lives with you can affect the amount of housing benefit and council tax benefit you are entitled to. Deductions are usually made from your benefit for non-dependants over the age of 18. No deductions are made if you or your partner are registered blind or get Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance. If you have more than one non-dependant living at home then a non-dependant deduction will apply to each of them.
1. The non-dependant may struggle to find somewhere to live with 8,000 households already registered on Shropshire Homepoint’s waiting list. Housing benefit is also going to be restricted for single people aged under 35 from April 2012. 2. From 2013 the Government plans to limit housing benefit to the number of bedrooms a household needs. So, any household that under-occupies a property will lose housing benefit for every unoccupied bedroom.
The amount of deduction is increasing in April 2011. This means that the amount of housing benefit you receive will go down and you, as the tenant will have to pay more rent directly to Shropshire Housing Group. If you believe that you may be affected by these changes we suggest that you need to think about taking the following steps: • Visit a benefits advice agency to establish how much money you will lose each week. • Talk to the people who live with you and explain that they will have to pay you a contribution each week, in return for living in your home, to make up for the reduction in your benefit.
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Deductions to Housing Benefit
Weekly deductions: 2010
Weekly deductions: 2011
Aged 25 & over, and on: Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based) or Main phase Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related) Or aged 18 or over & not in paid work
£7.40
£9.40
Deductions to Housing Benefit
Weekly deductions: 2010
Weekly deductions: 2011
Gross income (before tax & deductions) less than £122.00 per week
£7.40
£9.40
Gross income is £122 to £179.99 per week
£17.00
£21.55
Gross income is £180 to £233.99 per week
£23.35
£29.60
Gross income is £234 to £309.99 per week
£38.20
£48.45
Gross income is £310 to £386.99 per week
£43.50
£55.20
Gross income is £387 & above per week
£47.75
£60.60
Deductions to Council Tax Benefit
Weekly deductions: 2010
Weekly deductions: 2011
Gross income (before tax & deductions) is under £180.00 per week
£2.30
£2.85
Gross income is £180 to £309.99 per week
£4.60
£5.70
Gross income is £310 to £386.99 per week
£5.80
£7.20
Gross income is £387 or more per week
£6.95
£8.60
Others aged 18 or over
£2.30
£2.85
Non-dependant’s income if on benefit
Non-dependant’s income if aged 18 or over and in paid work
Non-dependant’s income if aged 18 or over and in paid work
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SHG and You We want to provide the best possible service we can to all our customers, whoever they are and whatever their needs.
To enable us to do this well, we need to have detailed, up-to-date information about you, the people we’re working for. We will shortly be sending out a questionnaire to all our tenants and customers. By completing this questionnaire you will be helping us ensure you get the service you need.
You don’t have to answer every question if you don’t want to. It will help us, though, if you answer as many questions as you can.
By returning your form quickly, you will be automatically entered into a free draw with a choice of prizes worth £100 each. If you have any questions please contact the Resident Involvement team on 0300 303 1190.
Decent Homes
Re-letting our homes
All social landlords had a responsibility to reach the Governments Decent Homes standard by December 31st 2010.
When a tenant moves out of their home, Shropshire Housing Group then starts work on it, to make sure it is up to our lettable standard to be re-let to someone else. We try and carry out this work in the shortest time possible, to reduce the waiting time for the new tenant to move in.
Meres and Mosses and South Shropshire Housing Associations have reached the target. The Decent Homes Standard is only a minimum standard and both Association’s are targeting a higher Shropshire Housing Group Standard. The higher standard will include fighting fuel poverty, agreeing communal area standards and working towards Decent Estates. Plans for the new Shropshire Housing Group Standard will be discussed with tenant groups over the coming months resulting in a new Shropshire Housing Group Investment Plan from 2013.
Please contact us if you would like to become involved
We monitor the time this work takes as part of our performance monitoring programme. The results below show the average number of days properties were empty for, from the end of one tenancy to the start of the next.
Target SSHA January MMHA January
25.3 days 27.9 days 24.1 days
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TARCA UPDATE www.tarca.org.uk Tel: 01630 652953 Mobile: 07530 002771
email: tarcashropshire@yahoo.com
Smart Water
Calling all gardeners
TARCA are investigating the use of Smart Water as a crime deterrent.
It’s that time of year again for all you keen gardeners to enter the TARCA garden competition Sponsored by MMHA. There are categories for; Best Front, Back, Environmental and Group dwelling gardens, also best pots and baskets. A best overall winner will be picked from all entries.
Smart Water can be used to invisibly mark your property so that it can be detected if ever it is stolen. Almost anything you can think of can be marked with Smart Water. Each bottle of Smart Water is individual and can be traced back to the user like a DNA system, therefore if something in your home is marked with Smart Water, a UV torch can be used to show a code to tell the Police, shopkeepers and scrap dealers that the item has been marked and is probably stolen. The Police can then find out by the code exactly where it came from. If you would like more information on this, or to register your interest in having Smart Water for your belongings, please contact us. The more households that become involved, the less the scheme will cost.
Comfy seats for reading Longlands County Primary School, Market Drayton applied for a grant from MMHA’s Community Development Fund for seating in their reading areas, the children are over the moon as it gives them somewhere to sit comfortably and read. They are seen with Lin Sherwin Vice Chair and representative for Wem.
The photo shows last years overall winners Mr and Mrs Edwards of Baschurch with one of our TARCA representatives for Wem Mrs Shirley Ellis.
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Calling all ga rdeners CUT OUT HERE
Garden competition entry form Name: Address:
Telephone No.:
reading r o f s t sea Comfy
Towns
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Category: front garden
back garden
environmental garden
group garden
pots
baskets
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1 W2hat you said about our services 3 4 5 6
n survey. m our 2010 customer satisfactio We’ve recently had the results fro tional independent organisation, the Na The survey was carried out by an sing hou vices on behalf of a group of Housing Federation’s Feedback Ser sses Housing Association, Meres and Mo organisations – South Shropshire e Housing. Housing Association and Severnsid
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our a big improvement in satisfaction with We are pleased that there has been tion sfac sati 8 and that, for all tenants, overall services since the last survey in 200 associations across the country is as good as that for the top 25% of the top 10%. and in some areas as good as100
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General Housing
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General Housing
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Sheltered Housing Sheltered Housing
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Said their rent is value for money
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2010
100 100 100
87%
85%
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90%
60 60 60
84%
2008
2010
Whilst we are pleased with the results overall, there are areas of our service that we need to improve. For example, we know that many tenants are not satisfied with the way in which we deal with anti-social behaviour. We have already invested in a new system which will help us to monitor action we take. We are working with the Council to look at ways to make reporting anti-social behaviour easier and to provide extra staff training.
40 40 40 20 20 20 00 0
2008
2010
Thought MMHA took account of their views
100 100 100 80 80 80 60 60 60
93%
0
2008
Tenants felt that MMHA kept them informed
80 80 80
89%
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85% 76% 71%
69%
40 40 40 20 20 20 00 0 100 100 100
2008
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Tenants are also not very satisfied with some of our grounds maintenance services. We will be working with you over the coming year to find out what you want from this service and how we can improve it whilst keeping an eye on costs. Satisfaction with some aspects of our customer service has dropped slightly – for example, a slightly smaller number (76% of tenants compared with 77% in 2008) found it easy to get hold of the right person. We have made some changes to how tenants contact us and over the coming months will work with you to make sure you know how to contact us and that our staff are able to deal with your enquiries more effectively. We also know that younger tenants, leaseholders and those people who occupy shared-ownership properties are generally less satisfied with our service and will be digging a bit deeper to find out the reasons for this and how we can improve.
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Competition Winners The winner of the Christmas Quiz was Mr J Busby from Whitchurch who won a £30 ‘Love to Shop’ voucher. The Childrens competition was won by Finnley New from Ellesmere who won a £30 toy voucher.
Adults Competition Find the words listed below for your chance to win £30 worth of ‘Love to Shop’ Vouchers. A S C A G I P R Q U B A L W O M S N S S O E M H S E S T R S
T L N I I B I N I R D O B T G
APRIL ANIMALS BIRTH PLANTING BUDS THAW
R L S N N Y T E A R A U L R N
O A P R I M S L P R A W A I T Y G N E R Y O T X A A N I M A D H N T L S R G F L R O L S E E I N H R H Y T L B T W R S M O O M S U M W E B D I N E D R
GARDENING GROWTH MILD BLOSSOMS SHOWERS FLOWERS
L I H E N L H O T G I D A L A
N O M I B N G B E I T H E S R T S A E D D H E N S S O A D S E W S W U W E R S S I R C E H T S I T M S G R H T L I M A R B T L E A V E H O U G A D A Y
BABY BIRDS MAY BLOOMS RAIN EASTER UMBRELLA
hurch Finnley N ew from m Whitc usby fro Ellesmer Mr J B e
Kids Competition for under 16s Design a Thank You card
Shropshire Housing Group would like to have a Thank You card designed and printed. The cards would be used for many different things, including thanking tenants for a particularly well looked after garden or for tenants who have gone ‘the extra mile’ to help someone in their community. If you would like to design a thank you card, please draw your design on an A4 piece of paper and send it along with the entry form to the address below.
Enter now for your chance to win a £30 toy or games voucher. Name Parent/Guardian Address
Name Address
Postcode Telephone number
Postcode Telephone number
Please send all entries to: Vicki Coleman, Communications Officer, The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms SY7 9BW by Friday 15th April.
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