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 20 – Spring 2012
Spring into life!
Levi Court Security Cameras Page 4
Fairfields Wednesday Page 3
Handy Person Scheme Page 3
Contents
2 Estate Walkabouts/Complaints/Our Services to You 3 Handy Person Scheme/Fairfield Wednesdays 4 Levi Court 5 Group Pages 9 County Training/Community Careers 10 Tarca Update 11 Asbestos Update/Are You Being Served? 12 Competitions
How to contact us If you require this document in audio, braille, large print, or if English is not your first language, then please 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 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
4 3 Estate Walkabouts 2012 5 6 A new schedule for estate walkabouts has been agreed for this year. The schedule is available on our website or from customer services.
The areas covered are: Hodnet, Manor Place, Ellesmere, Dudleston Heath, Wem, Cockshutt, Burlton, English Frankton, Myddle, Baschurch, Whitchurch, Woore, Norton In Hales, Adderley, Whixhall, Stanton, Shawbury, Prees, Calvehall, Ash, Moreton Say, Darliston, Childs Ercall, Hinstock, Cheswardine, Market Drayton.
1 3 4 5 6
Complaints
We value your input and would like to hear what we can do to improve our service to you. Community Housing Officers are based in the community and rarely return to the office. This led to delays in answering enquiries made by the tenants they meet.
We re-arranged the teams and we now have Tenancy Management Officers for each of the areas covered by the Community Housing Officers, who are officebased and are able to answer day-to-day enquiries much more quickly.
OUR SERVICES TO YOU Our regulator, The Tenants Services Authority, has asked all social landlords to produce local offers through six standards that cover the services we provide. Our current offers are set out in the Tenants Report 2011, available on our website. All updates on the local offers will be marked with the appropriate sticker (see below) for the standard it applies to.
2 1 1 1 2 2 1 12 2 3 3 4 1 32 3 43 4 54 6 4 5 5 3 54 5 6 6 6 6 5 6 Tenant Involvement and Empowerment standard
Neighbourhoods and Communities standard
2 | Meres News Spring 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1109
Home standard
Value for Money standard
Tenancy standard
Governance and Financial Viability standard
1 2 3 4 THE HANDYPERSON SERVICE 5 6 IS NOW AVAILABLE from TRL! As part of our commitment to delivering a superior, quality service, we have now introduced a handyperson service that can be booked to carry out those simple, small jobs. • Decorating • Replacing tap washers • Gardening • Rubbish clearance (up to an equivalent of 5 standard rubbish sacks/bags) • General DIY works
To book this service, contact us on 0300 303 1190 (option 3) to make an appointment that is convenient to you.
This service is available to anyone at reasonable rates.
£15.00* per hour (inclusive of travelling time)
Our handyman will call at a convenient time to carry out those tasks that just don’t seem to get done.
*This does not include costs of any materials used. Materials used will be charged in addition to the hourly rate.
Our Rates
TO B O O K SERVICE THIS CONTACT U S N OW !
0300 303
1190
Fairfield Wednesdays A New Year! A New You! • Are you looking for a new direction? • Want to try something different but don’t know where to start? • Unemployed and needing some free advice? Drop in at Charter Court on a Wednesday to meet the Fairfields team: Paul, Di and Louise. There will be refreshments, a friendly face and time to chat. The team will be at Charter Court every Wednesday, between 9.00 am and 3.00pm.
For further information contact: 01691 661722 www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Spring 2012 | 3
The Levi Court Residents group raised several hundred pounds to purchase and install CCTV at their sheltered scheme in Ellesmere. The group raised the cash by holding coffee mornings and social events in the community room. It was a lengthy process but they persevered and the CCTV is now up and running. It has reduced the fear of crime and they feel that if a crime is committed they will have the evidence they need to follow it up.
Also at Levi Court... Levi Court residents also held an official opening of their Community Room office which will house a computer and storage for personal information of residents.
Residents, Shropshire Housing Group staff and other local service providers attended the event for a ribbon cutting and handover of a cheque for new carpets by Steve Davenport from the Local Joint Committee. Susan Jardine represented the residents in applying for the funding by attending a meeting of the Committee to put forward their application. Steve Davenport said she had done an amazing job.
4 | Meres News Spring 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1109
Get Ahead of the Game! BENEFIT CHANGES From 2013 the Government will be making major changes to housing benefit. Along with Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Disability Living Allowance these benefits will be paid to you in one lump sum, monthly in arrears. It will be called Universal Credit. The Universal Credit will include any housing benefit you are entitled to. At the moment in most cases the Council pays it directly to us. Universal credit will only be paid into a bank account.
How to make paying your rent easier • A Direct Debit will ensure your rent is paid, and make sure you don’t get behind with your rent. • If you don’t have a bank account, get ahead of the game and go in to your local bank or talk to Just Credit Union. A BASIC BANK ACCOUNT allows you to set up Direct Debits. • We will be keeping you up to date over the coming months on how the changes will affect you. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Terry Tombs on 01588 676213.
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www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Group News Spring 2012
Rent
1 2 4 3 I n c r e as e Explain 5 e6d
The Boards of Sh ropshire Housin g Group have deci • T he value of ho using in the area ded that rents w ill be increased on payment plan an 2nd April 2012 • d advice. You ca T he average earnings by a n maximum of 6. in al th so seek indepe e ar ea 1% plus £2 a w nd co ent advice and mpared with the eek. national average help with manag Government guid ing debt from yo ance allows us to Rents are used to ur local Citizens Ad cover the costs increase rents an vi ce Bureau. nually to a maxim of repairs and m aintenance of th um of inflation + 0.5% You may be enti e tled to housing properties, the m + £2 per week. Th anagement of e inflation rate is ta benefit. If you want advice on ken from last ye tenancies and lo ar’s an repayments of September figur applying for be th e e which was 5.5% nefit, contact us or ig in al costs of the build . . ings. This is the targ If yo u ar e on ho et rent formula us We cannot take ing benefit we wi set personal or finan ll by the Governm let your housing cial ent to bring all benefit office kn circumstances of ow in di vidual tenants landlords rents that your rent ha in one area into s increased. into account wh en setting rents. line. This formul a reflects: For any other qu If you are having estions you have , difficulties • The location of please contact the property and us pa . yi ng your rent or arre th e number of bedroo ars, contact us as so ms on as possible. We can help wit h a personal
1 2 3 g 4 n i c i v r e S s Ga 5and 6use) Regu lati ons 1998 Und er the Gas Safet y (insta llati on d in your home. Safety checks are carried We have to carry out an annual gas safety check to the appliances installe safety check is due, you will receive a letter out by our contractors, Total Response Ltd at no cost to you. When your tors are on hand to book an appointment that from us telling you when the operatives will be in the area. Our contrac is convenient to you.
Perf ormance Info rmati on Gas Serv icing (Apr il-Dec 2011 ) MMH A SSH A 99.8% of homes have a valid gas safety certificate.
99.6% of homes have a valid gas safety ceritificate.
95.8% of tenants allowed access for the service at the first visit.
88.1% of tenants allowed access for the service at the first visit.
Group News Spring 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1109
Sheltered g in g n a h c is g in s u o h • In the Centre by Severnside,
completely from their rent
There are going to be accounts. Self-funders will see ciation with Drapers. asso in way the in s nge significant cha their weekly costs fall quite ire er psh old for Shro ed by th vid Nor pro is the t n I por • sup significantly. Council Landlord Services Team people living in sheltered • Continue to pay service in association with Shropshire housing in Shropshire from charges for scheme upkeep Rural, Guinness and Equity. April 1st 2012. in
These changes are: • Sheltered housing tenants will no longer receive services automatically. • Support funding will only be available to assist those who are eligible and those who need help to become independent. This means that support services to older people living in sheltered schemes will no longer be provided by their landlord. The new Sustain Consortium includes sixteen support providers from across Shropshire. They will be responsible for sheltered housing support services throughout Shropshire, and will be coordinated: • In the South by Shropshire Housing Group.
The Sustain Consortium have listened to feedback from tenants who told us that they want more flexibility in sheltered housing, so they can opt in or out of services as their needs change.
The Sustain Consortium are also developing a landlord service for sheltered tenants which will ensure that they stay Safe And Secure. Community rooms and common services will be maintained as promised when tenants first moved into sheltered housing.
and services. Included with this will be the Safe and Secure service charge. This will be eligible to be paid for by Housing Benefit.
• Opt to buy additional services to help them in their day-today lives. We will be offering a choice of these services, and will also ensure our tenants are aware of other service providers. We look forward to working with tenants to develop our sheltered housing offer even further over the coming years.
From April 2012, sheltered tenants living in our homes will: • Continue to pay their rent. • See their Supporting People service charges disappear
www.shropshirehousing.org.uk| Group | GroupNews NewsSummer Spring 2012 www.shropshirehousing.org.uk 2011
We have recently launched our new website at
www.shropshirehousing.org.uk
The new site is easier to navigate, provides more succinct information and conforms with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This means that it is readable and understandable by people regardless of language, background, social circumstances or disability – whether it is sight impairment, learning difficulties, dyslexia or mobility impairment. We would really appreciate your feedback on the website so please visit, look around and fill in the online feedback form.
Coming Soon –
Look at your rent account and report repairs online.
1 2 3 4 Ways to get involved... 5 6 The table shows the different ways to get involved and have your say. For more information please contact the
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Sheila Standley, Resident Involvement Officer (MMHA) Tel: 01939 238851
Michael Cotton, Resident Involvement Officer (SSHA) Tel: 01588 676264
www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Group News Spring 2012
Would you like a career that benefits your local community?
Shropshire Housing Group is an excellent employer in North and South Shropshire. We can offer opportunities across a variety of levels in housing management, housing development, sheltered housing, asset management, customer service, housing support, finance, IT, HR and various trades (electrician/plumber/builder/ carpenter/gas engineer). Our workforce has grown significantly over the past few years as the Group extended the range of work we do, providing more job opportunities, including apprenticeships, across the County. Shropshire Housing Group continually trains its staff to extend their knowledge and experience. We also support staff in studying for additional
qualifications by providing 'on the job' practical experience and help with coursework. To view all the benefits, opportunities and vacancies available in the whole of the Shropshire Housing Group visit www.shropshirehousing.org.uk.
www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Spring 2012 | 9
TARCA Update www.tarca.org.uk tel: 01630 652953 mobile: 07530 002771 email: tarcashropshire@yahoo.com Here are some of the residents from Millington Close, Baschurch, with TARCA members John Higginson and Graham Stockton, They are some of the first tenants receiving their waterbutts from TARCA and MMHA. The water butts are being paid for by money recommended by TARCA and approved by the board of MMHA. If you are a MMHA tenant and would like a waterbutt for your garden please contact Graham Stockton on 0753 000 2771 or email tarcashropshire@yahoo.com
✃
CALLING ALL GARDENERS Get your entries in now for the 2012 TARCA garden competition Sponsored by MMHA. There are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category Name
Categories
Address
front garden
back garden
senior citizens garden
vegetable garden
wall planter
best pot
best basket
Postcode Telephone No Closing date for all competitions: Monday
30th june
Send all entries to:
Vicki Coleman, Communications Officer, The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms SY7 9BW.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Asbestos Awareness What is asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally found material which is mined in a similar way to coal or other natural building materials. It was used extensively in the construction industry between 1900 and 1999 for its fireproofing capabilities.
Where would I find asbestos? Asbestos can be found in many different building components – for example loft insulation, rainwater gutters, soffits, roofing sheets, cavity closers, flues and decorative finishes.
What are the dangers? If asbestos-containing products get damaged or broken they release fibres
into the air and if these fibres are inhaled they can cause health problems. This is why we undertake surveys before any refurbishment works are carried out. By letting us survey your home you are helping us to protect the health and well-being of our contractors, employees and most importantly, our tenants. If material is damaged or needs to be removed for refurbishment work to take place we will remove it. However, if the material is in good condition and there is no risk of the material becoming damaged we will leave the material in place and monitor its condition on a regular basis. These surveys enable us to record where the material is and helps our contractors undertaking future repairs to your home.
SURVEY
ARE YOU BEING SERVED? A county-wide survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people (LGB) called Are You Being Served? has been launched. The survey is being conducted by Rights and Fairness Telford (RAFT) for a number of agencies across Shropshire to gain a better understanding of the experiences of the LGB community
in this area. It also aims to look at attitudes and perceptions of the LGB community and how these affect Public Bodies and Charities in providing the best possible services to all people living and working in Shropshire.
Landlord Services, Wrekin Housing Trust, Terence Higgins Trust, West Mercia Police, Shropshire PCT, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils, Victim Support, the CAB, the prison service, and the Fire Service.
The survey includes funding from Shropshire Housing Group, Severnside Housing, Shropshire Council’s
To take part in the survey, go to www.staw-lgbt.co.uk
www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Spring 2012 | 11
A D U LT S C O M P E T I T I O N Shropshire Towns Wordsearch Y
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Find all the words listed for your chance to win £30 in Love To Shop vouchers
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SHREWSBURY WHITCHURCH LUDLOW WEM CLEE HILL BUCKNELL
Address
WORTHEN ELLESMERE CRAVEN ARMS MARKET DRAYTON HADNALL PREES
KIDS COMPETITION SPOT THE DIFFERENCE! Spot the 10 differences between the two pictures below and write your answer for a chance to win a £30 toy voucher. Name Parent/Guardian Name Address
Postcode Telephone No Closing date for all competitions: Monday
16th April
Send all entries to:
Vicki Coleman, Communications Officer, The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms SY7 9BW. 60634: 01/2012