Spring 2012
Olympic legacy gold! Berrygrove School pupils get first look at new fitness and play area. Watford has the UK’s first Sports Legacy Zone, designed with the help of British Olympians Steve Backley and Roger Black. In March pupils from Berrygrove Primary School were given a hands-on tour of the construction site for this innovative new play and fitness area at Meriden Park, which formally opened over Easter.
The scheme features 23 pieces of equipment across six ‘zones’, plus a fitness trail which runs half the length of the park. It is intended to become the centre for all the community’s play and fitness needs. Tyler, 11, told us:“It’s good because we’ll finally have a really good place to play, and it’s really close to
my house. It looks adventurous!” The Sports Legacy Zone is a joint project between Watford Community Housing Trust and Watford Borough Council. It has been specially designed by Proludic, one of the UK’s leading providers of outdoor play and sports equipment, as well as the two British Olympians.
Money saving tips
Get ready for our gardening competition!
What’s inside Two big dates for your diary Page 3
Page 5
Page 13
Gateway News
Chair’s welcome
Welcome to the Spring edition of Gateway News.
By the time you read this, tenants will have moved into the Trust’s second development of new homes, on the former site of Yeatman House in Foxhill. We were also able, through the Better Communities Fund, to carry out a project to improve the ‘look’ of the area as requested by residents already living there. If you have any ideas about how to make your neighbourhood a better place to live, why not get in touch?
TV switchover If you experience problems with your television reception this month it could be because of the digital TV switchover. The switchover is happening in two stages. On April 4th, the transmitter for analogue BBC Two was turned off. On April 18th, the remaining analogue channels – BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five – will be switched off. To be able to watch these channels (and many more extra channels) you need digital TV, and there are a number of ways you can get this. For example, you can buy a Freeview digital box for a one-off payment of around £20, or you can subscribe to a service like Sky or BT Vision. Even if you already have digital television, your equipment might need retuning after the transmitters are shut down. Call Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50 or visit their website at www.digitaluk.co.uk for information and advice.
Before Easter, I visited the site of the Sports Legacy Zone in Meriden Park while it was being built. Designed with input from Olympians Roger Black and Steve Backley and funded by the Trust and Watford Borough Council, this is the first of its kind in England. This is a brilliant play and fitness facility for everyone in Watford, do pay it a visit. More news about the community event of the year on 21st July – we have a great addition to the programme. Together with the Purcell Music School and other housing associations in Hertfordshire, we are involved in a project to help residents find their ‘inner musician’ and some of them will perform at the event. Read all about the ‘Five Gold Rings’ on Pages 8 and 9. Following a successful recruitment process we now have a group of community minded people who want to represent you on the new Gateway Committee. They are preparing for the elections in the Summer, when we will also be electing tenant board members. You need to be a member of the Trust to vote, so if you haven’t already joined, now would be a great time to sign up! Diane Lee, Chair of the board Watford Community Housing Trust 2
New affordable homes for Croxley View We have received planning permission to build 16 new affordable homes on three of our garage sites at Croxley View. Not only will this enable us to provide much-needed housing for Watford, it will also address some of the problems of nuisance behaviour which the garages attracted. For more information on our plans for our garage sites, turn to Page 12.
Spring 2012
Get ready for fun! Two dates for your diary SATURDAY
19 MAY 2012
Community Champions Awards Saturday 19 May Holywell Community Centre, Chaffinch Lane, off Tolpits Lane, Watford WD19 9QD
SATURDAY
21 JULY 2012
Watford 2012 Saturday 21 July Knutsford Playing Fields, Radlett Road, Watford WD24 4LL
At this fun-filled event, we will not only be celebrating the unsung heroes who go out of the way to help their neighbours – we will also be throwing a party for the whole community! Join us for live entertainment, street magic, bouncy castle, face painting and body art, and much, much more!
We are working with our Community Action Group to stage Watford’s biggest ever community event! There will be a big top hosting live music from local bands and performers from the Five Gold Rings (see Page 8), plus food stalls selling cuisine from around the world, fairground rides, a family sports day and chances to win prizes.
STOP PRESS: Horticulture courses available for just £10!
this summer between April and July, for as little as £10 (to cover registration). We are also seeking volunteers to help grow produce to sell to the local community. There will be a launch event in June and we will send out more details nearer the time but now is the time to register for courses! For more information please call Joanne Burnham on 01923 805 741 or at joanne.burnham@hertsmindnetwork.org.
We’ve got together with Herts Mind Network to start a social enterprise business called the Green Canteen based in the Meriden. The Green Canteen is a horticultural training centre and a shop selling fruit, veg and plants. If you are interested in horticulture then you can sign up for a tutored course running
Helping you to get connected We have made partnerships a key theme of our work this year, so we will do our best to provide information in Gateway News about other local organisations that can provide advice, support or services. Wherever you see this symbol in the magazine, you’ll find contact details for another service provider who can help you. 3
Gateway News
Update on the Gateway We had a really fantastic response to our request for volunteers to come forward for our new Gateway Committee at the start of the year.
In July we will be holding elections for a leadership team, made up of nine people, and all our members will be able to vote, with results to be announced at our AGM on Monday 10 September.
Over 50 people applied to get involved in our work, meaning that we now have a new group of residents who will be working with us, representing your views and helping to ensure that tenants’ voices are always at the heart of our decision making.
Meanwhile, our other newly involved members will be working with us in groups looking at key areas of our work: Neighbourhoods, Communications, and Making Membership Meaningful.
We were really pleased to receive applications from people from a wide range of different backgrounds – young and old(er!).
And there are many other opportunities to join in with our work and help us make our services better, even if you don’t have much time to spare. To find out more, contact the Community Empowerment team on 01923 209 183 or at communityempowerment@ wcht.org.uk.
Want to have an even bigger say in how the Trust is run? WHY NOT STAND FOR OUR BOARD? Our Board of Management, which is made up of tenants, independents and local authority nominees, sets the strategic direction for the Trust and works with the Executive Management Team to make sure that we are meeting our aims and objectives.
• are able to spend up to two days per month to help improve the well being of residents of Watford and Three Rivers …then this could be the role for you!
We are holding elections for three members (tenants or leaseholders) to join the Board. If you:
Though the role is unpaid this is a great opportunity to get involved right at the heart of decision making at a £25m business – whether you are looking to build your experience or simply want to do your bit for the community.
• are good with numbers and interested in how businesses work
If you are interested, please contact Karen Airey on 01923 209 061 or at karen.airey@wcht.org.uk.
• are good at communicating your ideas and views
Elections will take place in July and results will be announced at our AGM on Monday 10 September.
How are we doing? Repairs We completed 4093 repairs between October and December 2011. Of these, 75% were completed ‘right first time’, and we are working to improve this. Repairs July/September Performance Repairs completed right first time 76% Average time to complete non urgent (routine) repairs 14 days Average cost of repairs, per property £81
October/December Performance 75% 14 days £82
Have we improved?
Spring 2012
Money Matters Help us catch the housing fraudsters Housing fraud can include: • Subletting your Trust home without permission • Providing false information in your application for a Trust home • Wrongly claiming succession when a tenant dies – for example, saying that you lived with the tenant before they died, when in fact you were living elsewhere • Having a Trust tenancy when you are actually living elsewhere
What can you do to help? We are working hard to track down housing cheats and ensure that those living in our homes are entitled to them. If you suspect someone is a housing cheat, let us know. It could make a real difference. Contact Sean Hurley or Carole Walker, Area Managers, on 01923 209 000 or email us at enquiries@ wcht.org.uk, or tell any of our staff. Anything you tell us will be held in the strictest confidence, and all reports can be made anonymously.
Rent increase We have had to increase our rents again this year to cover the rising cost of repairing, maintaining and improving your homes and neighbourhoods. We did this using a formula set by the Government, which is used by all social landlords (and which would have been used by Watford Borough Council if it still owned the housing stock). Though our rents are still around half of what is charged in the private sector, we do understand that the current financial climate is hard for many of you. If you have any difficulties paying your rent, it is important to let our Rent and Income Team know as soon as possible as they may be able to help. They can help you to manage your outgoings and point you towards benefits you may be entitled to. Contact them on 01923 209 111.
Switch and save For most people, the recent price cuts by the big six energy suppliers will have little effect on their bills compared to the saving they can make by switching to a cheaper tariff or supplier. Try a website like www.uswitch.com. A typical household could save up to £300 a year on their energy bills by changing to a cheaper tariff. So anyone who has not changed in the last year should compare and switch now. Comparing and switching supplier and tariff is very easy. The more accurate information you input the better the result. See the Trust’s new energy handout: Every Penny Counts, which is available from www. wcht.org.uk and at our office. If you have any questions or feedback please email energymatters@wcht.org.uk
Are you getting the money you are entitled to? Make sure that you are getting the right benefits – even if you are in full time employment you may be entitled to help. Use the following site to check: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666 5
Gateway News
Young at Heart News New lift for Rutland Lodge
Dale Court and Lincoln Court – now flexi care schemes
Tenants at our flexi care scheme Rutland Lodge celebrated the installation of their brand new lift in March. Here’s Rutland Lodge tenant Ken formally declaring the new lift ‘open’, pictured with our mascot Trusty House.
The Trust is working with Hertfordshire County Council to provide a flexi care service at two of our sheltered housing schemes, Dale Court and Lincoln Court. Flexi care housing is similar to sheltered housing in that tenants live in a studio flat with their own front door, but with the added benefit of having 24 hour care support available onsite. For more information, contact us on 01923 209 236.
Donation to armed forces charities During the armistice week last year, tenants from three sheltered schemes and staff at Gateway House raised £900 for the British Legion, Help for Heroes and SSAFA. The donation was presented to representatives of the charities at a special ceremony at Croxley View in March.
Olympic celebration for the sheltered schemes Dave Smith and Norman Hayward, who live in Northcotts, are holding a Nintendo Wii tournament at the end of May to celebrate the Olympics. Because you can connect Wii players over the internet they are hoping that other schemes and community groups can join in too. If you’ve never played a Wii before they are simple and fun to use, whatever your age! Dave and Norman would love to hear from you if you’re interested in getting involved. Email Dave at dave. smith@wcht.org.uk.
Open days – find out more about sheltered housing See for yourself what our sheltered housing schemes have to offer at one of our open days! If you cannot make the times below, call us on 01923 209 236 and we’ll try to accommodate you. Monday 23 April, 10am-12pm: Swanston House, Whippendell Road, Watford WD18 7NY Tuesday 24 April, 10am-12pm: Cussans and Colborne, Croxley View, Watford WD18 6PJ Wednesday 25 April, 2pm-4pm: Summer Place, High View, Watford WD18 6NW Thursday 26 April, 10am-12pm: Northcotts, Long Elms, Abbots Langley WD5 0PD Friday 27 April, 2pm-4pm: Horwood Court, Hillrise Avenue, Watford WD24 7NG 6
Helping you to get active!
Fund Update
Work is now well underway on a new play area for South Way, Abbots Langley, which is jointly funded by Three Rivers District Council and the Trust’s Better Communities Fund. More time to invest in The Better Communities Fund’s community projects contribution to the project was made possible by a funding application submitted by Hillside Residents’ Association.
The new play area, which is being installed following consultation with local residents, will boast a wide range of new equipment for children, as well as an outdoor gym for adults. South Way is one of three new sports and fitness areas to benefit from Better Communities funding this Spring. As reported on Page 1, we have also provided the Sports Legacy Zone in Meriden in partnership with Watford Borough Council. And we are working alongside Watford Borough Council and Hertfordshire Police on an exciting new Multi-Use Games Area at Radlett Road.
When we took over the Council’s housing stock in 2007, the £9m Better Communities Fund was established to improve our estates and create long term projects that stand the test of time. In line with our other Transfer Promises the money was due to be spent by September 2012. But now our Board, with support from Watford Borough Council, has agreed to extend this until 2015. This is great news as it gives us more time to work with communities to invest in projects that will really improve the quality of life around Watford and Three Rivers. So if you have an idea for a project that will benefit your community, get in touch! Please call us on 01923 209 142.
Super caretakers! One of our Promises made at the time the Trust was formed was that we would carry out a review of the cleaning and caretaking services and employ a new team of ‘super caretakers’. In November 2011 we sent surveys to the residents of our flat blocks seeking their views, and we had an excellent response with lots of useful comments. We have also held a residents’ focus group on this subject this Spring. In line with residents’ views, we have now developed a new ‘Super Caretaking’ service. This is in many ways similar to the previous caretaking service provided but has more responsibilities which will benefit all residents whose blocks our caretakers visit. The Super Caretakers will now carry out minor communal repairs such as replacing light tubes, boarding up broken windows, easing stuck locks and unblocking external drains and gullies. They will also work later in the evening one day a week during the summer, particularly where there are litter problems or anti social behaviour, helping to make where you live a cleaner and safer place. If you have any queries or comments about our communal cleaning and caretaking service, please contact either Jane Pursey or Marcin Dankiewicz on 01923 209 000; we are always happy to hear from you.
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Gateway News
Five Gold Rings This year we have started a brand new project with the Purcell Music School called ‘Five Gold Rings’. The Purcell Music School, based in Bushey, is a school for talented musicians from around the world. In the Five Gold Rings project, the school is linking up with five housing associations across Hertfordshire, including the Trust, to help residents discover their musical talents! The Trust is taking part in this project in a number of ways:
Singing in the Schemes – a community choir for our sheltered schemes This is a chance for tenants in our sheltered schemes to start a new community choir, with expert help from the Purcell School.
The Impulse project with Westfield Community Technology College, Holywell Purcell students will be providing workshops for Westfield students, helping them to create their own compositions and stage their own performances.
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Saturday 21 July Knutsford Playing Field
Watford 2012 – our biggest ever community event
On July 21st, we are holding a huge community event at Knutsford Playing Fields, organised with the Community Action Group. The event will feature live music from the residents who’ve taken part in our Five Gold Rings project.
A fanfare for Watford We have asked Edward Longstaff, the Purcell School’s Assistant Director of Music, to compose a special fanfare just for Watford! You’ll be able to hear it being played live in Watford town centre on 21st July, the day of our big community event. On the opposite page, we chat to Edward about where he gets his inspiration from! We will also be sending people who have taken part in Five Gold Rings to perform in a live showcase, representing the best of the project from right across Hertfordshire. This is taking place at Broxbourne Civic Hall on 3rd July. Plus, we have more exciting activities lined up. Watch this space! We are looking for volunteers to get involved, especially for Singing in the Schemes. If you live in sheltered housing and love singing, even if you have never sung in public before, get in touch! Speak to Alison Cox at Purcell Music School, on 07816 103 194 or at hertfordshires5gr@btinternet.com.
Spring 2012 Before
A fanfare for Watford Edward Longstaff, Assistant Director of Music at the Purcell School, is writing Watford’s Olympic fanfare! We caught up with him to find out how he tackles a composition like this. So, a fanfare for Watford. Where do you start?
audentior ito’, which means ‘do not give in to evil, but press on more bravely against it’. So I began to think about the town going forward bravely, full of optimism. The next part is hard to explain. I just got a little riff going, some repeated notes, and started to develop it. That’s how it usually starts: with a musical phrase that sets something off, and you see where it takes you. Over time you build it up and a little idea becomes bigger.
So have you finished the piece now?
Pretty much. I haven’t got it down on paper but it’s mainly there. But the writing is the easy bit – now we need to get everyone on board and fit this bit of music to the band that will be playing it. I want to find a brass band, and also a samba band to add a lot of percussion and give it a multicultural feel. I started by thinking of what a fanfare sounds like – that da dadada dadada dadadum. It’s very exciting to be asked to do this. It’s a request unlike any I’ve had before! I can imagine the theme from Rocky… Find out how we helped a community music group The theme from Rocky was more than just in the back of my head! It’s got to have speed, it’s got to be uplifting, in Garston – turn to Page 11. it’s got to be in a major key. It has to somehow sum up the spirit of Britain in the summer of 2012 and the Olympics.
Where else did you take your inspiration from? Another thing I started to think of was the Watford motto,‘Audentior’, which comes from a line by the Roman poet Virgil:‘Tu ne cede malis, sed contra
How are we doing? Rents and Lettings • Rent arrears are rising and we are not meeting our targets. To improve this, we have employed a full-time Financial Inclusion Assistant who can help you if you are in financial difficulty. If you are having problems paying your rent, call us on 01923 209 111. Rent and Lettings Sheltered properties occupied Permanent re-let times Rent arrears
• Sheltered housing: the Trust has 540 sheltered properties in total and our target is for 513 of these to be occupied. In October-December 2011, 493 of our sheltered homes were occupied – this is below target, but it is an improvement on the previous three months.
July/September Performance 487 20 days 3.17%
October/December Performance 493 20 days 3.33%
Have we improved?
9
Gateway News
Pick up your dog waste Residents in Hillside have noticed an increasing amount of dog mess since dog bins were removed from the area recently. Remember, if you are a dog owner, it is your responsibility to clean up after it – and bagged dog poo can be put in ANY litter bin including your own wheelie bin at home. So please continue to clean up after your dog, as dog poo is not only offensive but can be very dangerous, carrying a risk of disease and illness. To report any problems with dog waste, contact Watford Borough Council on 01923 235 946 or Three Rivers District Council on 01923 776 611. You may also wish to speak to your local councillors about the issue, especially if there is a particular problem with dog mess in your area or if you know of a repeat offender. If a case goes to court the offending owner can be fined £1000.
You said, we did: Sign Language Two of our members of staff are learning sign language so they can communicate with tenants who are hard of hearing. Shirley Chan, who is a rent officer, and Jean Milsom, a customer service officer, attend a course every week at West Herts College and hope to complete Level 1 in sign language in June. Jean has already put her new skills into use:“I was on the bus one day when I recognised one of our tenants who is hearing impaired, so I started talking to him through sign,” she says.“The next day he came into the Trust to report a repair, and he asked for me because he knew we could talk to each other.” “We have a lot to learn and we’re still quite slow at the moment, but it’s a lot of fun and it’s really rewarding,” adds Shirley.
Interested in taking up sign language? West Herts College is running a beginners’ course from 19 May. Go to www.westherts.ac.uk for more information.
How are we doing? Tenant Satisfaction • Anti-social behaviour: 91% of our tenants were satisfied with the way we handled their anti-social behaviour cases. However, recently we have received fewer satisfaction surveys back from you. Your feedback is very important to us because it helps to improve our services. • Satisfaction with overall services increased to 83%. Satisfaction
Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Are we Performance Performance improving?
Satisfaction: anti-social behaviour
90%
91%
Satisfaction with attitude of staff
83%
84%
Repairs and maintenance
91%
90%
Satisfaction with overall services
81%
83%
On target or exceeding target Below target 10
Almost on target
Spring 2012
Hitting
Do you know the services we provide?
the high notes A community music group in Garston is going from strength to strength after the Trust paid for some new instruments. Trust tenant John Brighton (pictured, third from the left) runs self-supporting music sessions at the Herts Mind Network, based at the Wellbeing Centre near the Dome roundabout, every Thursday and Saturday. The group started out with second hand instruments, donated by John and the other service users, but the Trust has now provided funding for a new guitar, banjo, keyboard and recording equipment. John, who is a tenant of the Trust, said:“We’re overwhelmed with
our new equipment, it’s fantastic. It’s really going to help the group to grow and improve. We have to thank Watford Community Housing Trust for the support they’ve given us, and I’d also like to thank Ford and Pete at the Music Department shop in St Albans for giving us advice and a great deal on the gear.” The group could use some more volunteers to share their expertise so if you sing or play an instrument and have time to spare on Thursdays or Saturdays, why not get in touch?
Last year we carried out a quick survey of our tenants, asking how much they knew about the services we provide. Ninety percent of the people we spoke to believed we did not provide any services to them, apart from their home. In fact, in our areas and homes we provide over 20 different services including grounds maintenance, cleaning of the communal areas, caretaking, legionella testing and many more.
Ever thought of installing a water meter? It could save you money! If you don’t have a water meter you are charged a standard amount that is based on the value of your property. This means you pay the same amount, no matter how much water you actually use. This could mean that you are paying for more than you need! If you would like more information about having a water meter installed, call Veolia water on 08457 823 333 or text ‘meter’ to 07781 486 721.
Cost comparison
The music workshops take place on Thursdays from 2pm-4pm and on Saturdays from 2pm-5.30pm at Herts Mind Network, the Wellbeing Centre, 501 St Albans Road, Watford WD24 7RZ. Entry is £1 to cover the cost of tea and biscuits. Enrol via Herts Mind Network, 08444 77 22 12 (Option 3).
We are now able to look at how the amount we spend on services such as repairs, grounds maintenance and re-letting properties compares with similar housing associations around the country. If you are interested in this information, contact our Business Improvement team on 01923 209 128. 11
Gateway News
Decent Homes
update High rise
United House continue to make good progress with the improvement works to the Meriden flats. In February all of the works to the flats in Munden View were completed. This work included switching the whole block over to a new heating system. At the same time works started in Abbey View and we are still on track to complete all works as promised by September 10th. Over recent months we have consulted with residents in both blocks and invited them to choose colours for the communal corridors and stairs. We have had some good, positive feedback from the residents and we would like to thank them for their continuing patience while the works continue.
Improvement Programme It has been a busy year for everyone working on the Improvement programme and we are delighted with the progress so far. In particular we are pleased that: • All internal works on the Boundary Way estate have been completed six months ahead of schedule • All windows and doors in the south area have been completed six months ahead of schedule • We have completed three new lift installations in our sheltered schemes – we only planned to do two. Tenants in Summer Place, Swanston House and Rutland Lodge are all now benefitting from modern, reliable new lifts.
Garages As promised we have completed works on the following sites: • Combewood sheltered scheme – demolition of garages and provision of extra parking • Waterman Close – demolition of some garages, refurbishment of the remainder and improved security • Hollytree House/Gammons Lane – refurbishment of all garages In addition, we have brought forward and completed two further sites: • Hillside Close – demolition of garages and provision of extra parking • Haines Way – demolition of six garages and the provision of ten parking spaces Next stop – Croxley View: following consultation with residents, work is due to start in May.
Gas contractor Tenders are now out for our new gas servicing contract. We will let tenants know when we have appointed a new contractor. In the meantime Carillion continue to be our contractor and we would like to remind everyone how important it is to keep gas servicing appointments – it’s for your safety after all!
How are we doing? Decent Homes • By the end of December 2011, 21% of our properties failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard, but we remain on track for all our homes to meet the Standard by September 2012. • 96% of our tenants are satisfied with the Home Improvement Programme.
Spring 2012
Get ready
Tips to help you make the most of your garden this Spring and Summer…
for the gardening competition! It’s that time of year again. Our gardening competition will be open for entries from 11 June until 6 July, and our judges will be visiting shortlisted entries on 17 and 18 July. Watch out for more details from us shortly. In the meantime, to give you some inspiration, we’ve asked our very own gardening enthusiast, estate services officer Jane Pursey, what she’s planting at this time of year.
Is there anything new you will grow this year? I have a dark blue Dwarf Iris, 20cm, flowering July-Sept, that I am going to plant close to an area where I have a large pale yellow Iris that has done really well over the last three years. So I am hoping the new one will do as well and give contrast in size and colour.
What are you looking forward to this year in your garden? I have tried something for the first time. I have a metre-high terracotta pot that I love and always feel disappointed that whatever I grow in it looks to small, so I have planted some Gladioli Peters Pears in it, 120cm, July-Sept flowering. The soil is good, well drained and fertilized with slow release granules. The mixed colours Gladioli look great in borders. For the best effects, plant in small groups. If you plant plenty then you can use some for cut flowers.
Could you give an example of something you would use in a hanging basket? For a really showy basket you can use some Begonia non-stop, 20cm, flowering July-Sept. Hanging baskets look their best when they are packed full of plants, even if you go for the same plant type you can still have various colours.
Most garden centres have all the kit you need if you are having a go for the first time. Think about where and how you will hang your finished product and remember it needs to hang far enough away from your wall or fence so that you can enjoy the blooms all the way around the basket. When you have finished planting up, sit the basket in the top of a bucket to soak it thoroughly and do not let it dry out.
Do you have a favourite thing to grow each year? I really enjoy growing herbs so that I can use them in cooking. I buy the small pots that are already established, then pot them up into a larger more attractive pot. I use the pots time and again with different plants each year, renewing the compost and cleaning the pots before I put a new herb in. I will grow each type in their own pot in the garden close to the kitchen door so they are easily accessible. I will grow sorrel, parsley, mint, chives and basil. Put some snips of each herb with some spinach leaves and you have a salad bowl.
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Gateway News
Your views on Gateway News We received over 50 responses to our readership survey last issue. If you responded, thanks so much for taking the time to give us your feedback. It really helps to know what you think of the magazine. Out of 54 responses, 47 said the magazine was ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’, six said it was ‘average’ and one said it was ‘poor’.
we are performing on things like repairs, rent arrears and re-letting properties. We will continue to report on these.
Most of you (44 readers) said you want Gateway News to include information about our plans for your area. Meanwhile 33 of you said you still want updates on how
Around half of you said you want us to provide advice about how to save money, and the same number suggested we include recipes in the magazine. In future we’ll try
Noticed regarding gas checks item last issue that you mention flues are checked. Does this include chimneys? It does not say in the article. The annual gas check should check for carbon monoxide/dioxide coming through cracks in chimney walls from adjoining properties.
We check all flues to make sure they comply with regulations. Any chimney used for a gas appliance will be lined and it is this lining which is checked. The condition of the chimney itself is not relevant to this unless it is structurally unsound and affects the flue liner. As part of our improvement programme and standard maintenance, chimneys are refurbished and repaired as necessary. If a resident reports a potential problem or concern, we will investigate as normal and take appropriate remedial action.
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Thank you!
to combine the two and provide recipes that are good for your budget. Below you can read some of the other comments we received.
Thank you very much Gateway News, you are doing a good job – well done and do keep up!
No word about the state of people’s gardens being kept in good state – surely that is as important as the house itself.
See previous page for some gardening tips from our very own Jane Pursey!
Congratulations! Well done to Joy Merriman, who sent us her Gateway News survey and was successful in our prize draw for a £50 Harlequin shopping centre voucher.
I live in Coates Way, which because it is a very small estate seems to be regarded as the tail end of the empire! You are always saying what is going on in Meriden and Holywell, but I don’t know if we are lumped in with Garston.
We try to cover all our areas and will bear this in mind. We do consider Coates Way to be part of Garston and will be coming to you for our ‘What Watford Wants’ options study later this year. Watch this space!
Spring 2012
Estate services
what to expect from us – your handy cut out and keep guide. We provide a range of ‘estate services’ across our housing stock. These are: • Communal cleaning inside designated flat blocks
If you notice that the standards on your estate do not match up to the good standards shown below, please contact our estate services staff on 01923 209 000.
• Caretaking, for our larger designated estates • Grounds maintenance to all communal land which is owned by the Trust.
Caretaking Caretakers should litter-pick their designated estates on a daily basis and deal with removal of any dumped items or fly tipping. Good caretaking
Bad caretaking
Good cleaning
Bad cleaning
Good grass cut
Bad grass cut
Communal cleaning The inside of most of our flat blocks receive communal cleaning every week. All floors should be swept and mopped (or vacuumed where there is carpet floor covering). Handrails and balustrades should be wiped and dusted and cobwebs removed to ceiling level and around all entrance doors. All skirting and ducting should be damp wiped and any marks on the walls that can be removed, should be.
Grounds maintenance Grounds maintenance is provided to all communal land owned by the Trust. The main tasks are grass cutting and shrub bed maintenance. Communal grass is cut at intervals of approximately 10-14 days between April and October. The main shrub pruning season runs from November to March. Shrub bed maintenance includes ensuring that the shrubs are pruned and the bed is weed and litter free, although any substantial shrub growth, weed growth that takes place through the summer and spring months will be tended to on an as required basis, as will any smaller problems.
Good Bad Thank you for taking the time to complete it bed shrubthis bedsurvey. Please return shrub to us using the Freepost envelope provided by Monday 27 February. 15
Gateway News
Contact us
How to contact the Trust In person or write to us: Gateway House, 59 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 1LA
Rent enquiry:
01923 209 111
Disabled adaptations:
01923 209 220
Home ownership:
01923 209 216
Telephone us: Customer Services 01923 209 000 Email us: enquiries@wcht.org.uk Visit the website: www.wcht.org.uk
Community empowerment (resident involvement):
01923 209 183
Neighbourhood team (tenant issues):
01923 209 148
Useful contacts General Enquiries:
01923 209 000
Grounds maintenance (communal areas):
01923 209 055
Repairs Freephone:
0800 218 2247
Anti-social behaviour:
01923 209 198
Repairs line:
01923 209 247
Don’t forget you can check your account online. Simply go to www.wcht.org.uk and click ‘See my account’.