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housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders
6% Rent Increases, but Government rules causes cutbacks for tenants am, Richard Both rd lo d n La Head of es Servic
The City Council has been forced to set an average rent increase of 6.14%, whilst making cutbacks in its repairs and renovations programme to meet shortfalls in Council housing budgets. Councillors reluctantly agreed to reduce the modernisation plans after hearing the Council was still required to give over £9m to the Government in “negative” subsidy despite a £2.7m shortfall in its own budget. Cllr Tony Coates, Winchester’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, has condemned the policy in a letter to Margaret Beckett, the Minister for Housing. (see page 2) Members of the Council’s Cabinet were told [in December 2008] that Winchester’s Councillors, Officers and Tenants had asked the Government to give them more local control of rents and warned:
inside this edition: G G G G
Two new contractors Garages available Avoid rent debt New wardens in Winchester
“Without this, it is difficult to see how a Council Housing service can be maintained in Winchester.” The City Council needs a minimum repairs budget of £9.8m to maintain the current repairs programme or a budget of £13.4m for an enhanced programme. In reality, the budget is £7.1m. The main areas affected by the budget short fall are: G
Gas Fired Heating Systems
G
Disabled Adaptations
G
Inflation Adjustment
G
External Repairs & Painting
G
Internal Redecoration
G
Kitchen & Bathroom Programme
G
Reinstatement Of Void Properties
G
Pvcu Window Replacement Programme
Tenant News, produced by Tenants efor d iTenants t i o n 1can be found at the back of this edition
Cllr Tony Co ates Portfolio ho lder for Hou , sing
Cllr Coates said: “We are in an impossible position – between the proverbial rock and a hard place – and the system is grossly unfair. “We don’t have enough money to spend on our own homes yet the Government still expects us to pay more than £9m to pay for council houses elsewhere in the country. “I apologise to our tenants who will not get a modern kitchen, bathroom or boiler as a result of Government policy which penalises well-run councils.” continued on page 3
edition
13
March 2009
thebigword telephone interpreting service The Council uses a 24-hour Telephone Interpreting Service, which also provides written or recorded translations including audio tapes and CDs. If you, a relative or a neighbour would like to talk to the Council through an interpreter, please contact your Area Housing Manager on 01962 840 222.
get it taped If you would like any of the information in on the house made available in large print or audio format, please call Glynis Cole on
Freephone 0800 716 987
TEXTPHONE This facility is available for readers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please telephone 01962 878 982. If you have any particular needs which affect how you are able to use or be involved in our services or how you would like to receive information - for example translation, interpreters, Braille, audio tape, large print, sign language - please contact the Customer Service Centre either by telephone: 01962 840 222 or by email: customerservice@ winchester.gov.uk Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ. telephone 01962 840 222 fax 01962 841 365 email housing@winchester.gov.uk website www.winchester.gov.uk Telephone calls may be recorded. Printed on 75% recycled paper.
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Dear Readers gives me the chance to meet so many of you and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
My goodness what a cold January we had! I hope you are feeling much warmer now and looking forward to spring. As you will see on page 3, this spring sees the launch of Hampshire Home Choice – a new way to help you find a home. The City Council has been working in partnership with East Hampshire and Havant to give you greater choice when finding a new place to live in.
Finally, I was very sad to hear that Bertha Parry – one of our centenarians – died at the end of 2008. She had been ill for some time and died peacefully at a nursing home near Winchester.
Spring is once again the time to get outside and get our gardens back into shape. Don’t forget about our annual Garden competition – it
Best wishes
Glynis Cole
ett, MP 2008 et Beck and Planning r a g r October a M t g v . o n in s G o u l H The Rt of State for Ho nities and Loca social Minister ent for Commu n Place funding s and to h c a Departmouse, Bressende e ro r vic app using se re local Eland H SW1E 5DU for a mo ined to fund ho t n n e o m d u Lon e arg ts being reta irs ister ports th its Repa uch sup chester residen Dear Min m y r e ven thensidy” taken fromme v e in il d c W . n te a u y p o b e C are co acc sub The City , with rents paid homes in the rental in egative lthough 2005, a that period, “n nnum, whereas properties in g housing new affordable in s ur ce ou er a ents of o hat is tain its h r £8m p nded. Sin building ted to reicantly under fu £6.2m to ove h so many elem£3m short of w p o il c n The Cou me was signif s increased fromme period. Wit ourselves over nants. programster tenants ha £1.7m in the san, we now find s to its te e id v . e a ro e ly h p p c y it on mm lifes Win well ser vices ased by on, energ s progra of their housing ing rent collecti nd repair costs has increching the end asonable repair f o ty li a a a e qu areas includ anagement now re to sustain a re ud of th y m l tfully proartile” for manand maintains ion. needed h g hich wil ri is g u il c q n re n o t mme, w p u ti s o c ra a to C “ g e fa s y ro in th ti it p h a u C s it e o 9. anc The s well wairs and tenant y and for the s pril 200 mainten It per form rep s on its tenants from A onall d ti re n a u a n s s y by the c th re t iate p e ser vices to efficien e average bo t abou nce d h e g m u im ro c b ou nan es cing ties below th will ann y chang l mainte ncil is fa inequali the Cou cuts in essentia current current reviewncerned that an under the r, e e th v e s s w e re rs co Ho r y direct d to add two yea te that th m ver y mean ve is neede ime. I appreciaar, although I a ly do not have n o ti c a g p t e sim ce re r tha ew Y sentially It is clead housing finanhange in the N chester tenants place es om our c in te r in W a fo in td t. s a u n n o m ar fr pleme endatio m will re each ye view recomme two years to im que systeasing amounts ment of the re a p o k d n ta e a c re n c ir u will in fa o n n . e an tak is u rules ction, th from the nuing to current nts. urgent a re years, conti have elapsed re o our tena m is t o rden on gin to tackle th Withou ed for two m e years would u b ir fa n g e re e . u n v b e th a c ie e h n h ld la c th c a u un ce ho ld a ld take p More th t to redu (DCLG) s ich wou could tenants. ny change wou vernmenal Government ent system wh . Consultation o G a m o re c rr fr rs o u a L c n e o befo e d y ti n c th two is a ies a ures using needed the next mmunit s What is artment for Co ising new mea vernment over er. The Dep ss now by dev nts paid to Go al in Novemb unfairne ns in the amou posals as norm reductio ce on those pro take pla hfully
it Yours fa
Coates lor Tony g Council r Housin Holder fo o li fo rt Po
Councillor Tony Coates sent this letter to Minister of State for Housing and Planning last year and is still waiting for a reply.
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New home finder service for tenants
Have your say about standards in social housing The Council’s homes are set to be regulated by a new authority from spring 2010. The Tenant Services Authority (TSA), which already regulates Housing Association homes, will draw up new standards for all social landlords, like Winchester City Council.
Tenants looking for a new council or housing association home will benefit from a new service due to be launched in April 2009. Hampshire Home Choice has been developed by Winchester City Council in partnership with East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council. Under this new system – known as Choice Based Letting – all social housing will be advertised online at
www.hampshirehomechoice.org.uk.
The TSA has launched the National Conversation to hear directly from tenants about what matters to them and want the standards they want.
Applicants on the waiting list will be able to bid online for available properties in the areas they would like to live. You can also listen to adverts and bid by using the automated telephone line or ask another person to bid on your behalf.
If you like to organise your own local conversation you can order a resource pack from the Tenant Services Authority on 0845 230 7000 (Option 1), or get more information on the website: www.nationalconversation.co.uk
For more information please visit our website on www.winchester.gov.uk/hampshirehomechoice or contact Customer Services on 01962 840 222.
Two new contractors The Council has recently appointed two new contractors to deliver important services to its tenants. 1st Saxon-Clenmay will take over the Term Maintenance Contract for Gas and Solid Fuel Heating and Hot Water Systems from Nationwide while City Cleaning will be assuming responsibility for the cleaning in all blocks where there are Communal Areas and Common Rooms. These changes will take effect from 1st April 2009. These companies have excellent customer service records and the Council looks forward to forging solid partnerships with both of them. Look out for further details in specially designed information leaflets which will be dropping through your door shortly.
on the house
The TSA will measure landlords on how they meet these standards and will take action if they fail.
For more information, contact Glynis Cole, Tenant Involvement Manager on free phone 0800 716 987 or email gcole@winchester.gov.uk continued from page1 TACT (Tenants and Council Together) has backed the Council’s comments but says it cannot endorse the cutbacks. TACT’s full response is in Tenant News. Councillors approved the revised maintenance scheme and also agreed to an average rent rise of 6.14 per cent from April 2009, in line with Government guidelines.
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Save time and effort: pay your rent by Direct Debit Paying your rent on time each week can take a lot of time and effort. If you don’t get around to it you may receive one of those annoying arrears letters.
Fortunately there is an easy way to avoid this. If you have a bank or building society account why not let them do the work? Direct Debits are processed automatically each month. You will be told in advance if the amount changes because of a rent increase or change in your circumstances, and
guaranteed to receive a refund if we or your bank make a mistake. Direct Debits also save money for the Council compared with other payment methods, which means that more money can be spent in maintaining your home and providing a better service for you.
Don’t get into arrears
get help!
If you don’t already pay by Direct Debit, more details are available on our website, www.winchester.gov.uk or from our Rents team on 01962 848 216 or 01962 848 332.
GARAGES TO LET The council has garages available to rent in the following areas:
All tenants have a duty to ensure their rent is paid and Winchester City Council is legally obliged to recover all the rent it is owed.If you are having difficulty paying your rent please get help – do not wait for the arrears to get out of hand.
If you have an outstanding balance on your rent account please ensure that you clear this during the “rent free weeks”. if you are under a Court Order or arrangement you must continue to pay as normal during these two weeks.
Abbotts Barton
Otterbourne
Old Alresford
Sparsholt
Bishops Waltham
Stanmore
Curdridge
Swanmore
Denmead
Weeke
Highcliffe
Wickham
If you do not pay your rent, you are in danger of losing your home.
Your Area Housing Manager will be able to provide some advice and can help you work out a sensible repayment plan and establish whether you are claiming all the benefits that you may be entitled to. Contact them on 01962 840 222.
Kings Worthy
Winnall
Since April 2008, in the Winchester area, there were:
595
Notice Of Seeking Possession served
37
Possession Orders obtained in Court
8
Evictions carried out
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The garage rent for tenants is £7.87 per week and more information is available on www.winchester.gov.uk/garages If you are interested in renting a garage please contact Steve Machen on 01962 848 148 or smachen@winchester.gov.uk.
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The Neighbourhood Warden team: (pictured from left) Lydia Thompson, Clive Elliston, Lesley Batchelor, Trevor Lynas and Hannah Beech.
Trio join Neigbourhood Warden team Three new Neighbourhood Wardens have joined the Council bringing the team back up to full strength. Clive Elliston, Neighbourhood Warden Supervisor, and wardens Hannah Beech and Lydia Thompson are pictured above. Clive has considerable experience in this field having worked for Portsmouth City Council where he set up a team of Community Wardens in the heart of the city. Hannah was a warden in Boscombe, near Bournemouth, and Lydia was a Special Constable and former teacher. Hannah and Lydia are based in Stanmore. Lesley and Trevor, continue to work in Weeke, Highcliffe and Winnall areas. Look out for them in their distinctive new blue uniforms and silver vans. Clive said: “Neighbourhood Wardens work closely with community groups and service providers on a range of issues including graffiti, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, drug litter and noise nuisance.
“They also work on a variety of community projects, such as the Christmas Clear-out in Winnall” pictured above. “The innovative Jingle Bells scheme, which involved giving people small bells for their bags and purses, was even featured on BBC South!” Hannah and Lydia hold Neighbourhood Drop-ins at Valley Court, Stanmore. All residents of Stanmore are welcome to attend and discuss any concerns they may have over tea and biscuits with Hannah and Lydia.
The Neighbourhood Wardens can be contacted on freephone 0800 389 6274 or by email neighbourhoodwardens@winchester.gov.uk
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Satisfaction with the repairs service remains high
Winchester City Council is pleased to hear that tenants continue to be happy with a service they value. Tenants who returned their questionnaires in the recent satisfaction survey said their satisfaction levels remain high with repairs and maintenance. This is of particular significance as repairs got the highest number of responses from both general needs and sheltered tenants when they were asked to choose which service was most important to them. Other headline results are:-
Advice on rent payments highly rated High levels of satisfaction with how general enquiries are dealt with Car parking the biggest neighbourhood issue for both tenants of general needs properties and sheltered accommodation. Satisfaction levels were generally lower for those who had reported problems with anti-social behaviour. The alarm call service and the services provided by scheme managers highly rated.
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Satisfaction levels with the service overall continue to be high with both general needs tenants and sheltered tenants being satisfied with the service provided by Winchester City Council. Janette Palmer, Project Co-ordinator, said:
“
A big thank you to
those of you who received a questionnaire and took the time to complete and return it. The information is invaluable in helping to
understand the areas of our service where you would like us to make improvements.
�
Future editions of on the house will provide more detail about what action we will be taking to address some of the issues that tenants tell us are important to them.
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Creating a
Culture of Respect “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to tackle anti-social behaviour across the district and our ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life for our residents whilst creating a culture of respect.” Further information can be obtained from the Respect Task Force at: www.respect.gov.uk
Winchester’s Landlord Services has signed up to the Government’s Respect Standard for Housing Management, which strives to tackle bad behaviour and encourage a culture of respect. The Respect Standard for Housing Management is built around six core commitments: 1. Accountability, leadership and commitment 2. Empowering and reassuring residents 3. Prevention and early intervention 4. Tailored services for residents and provision of support for victims and witnesses 5. Protecting communities through swift enforcement 6. Support to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour Richard Botham, Head of Landlord Services, said: “The Respect Agenda builds on good work by officers in Landlord Services and provides a benchmark for best practice.
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The city council has an excellent track record in tackling anti-social behaviour. The home pictured above was used as a crack house and was closed down by a team involving Winchester City Council officers, police and local Highcliffe residents. If you are concerned about an anti-social behaviour issue in your neighbourhood please contact the Customer Service Centre on 01962 840 222.
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Get Gardening this spring! Calling all green fingered tenants! Get ready for this summer’s annual Gardening Competition. After the success of last year’s competition, Winchester City Councillor Rob Humby, a nursery man from Owslebury, near Bishop’s Waltham, will be this year’s judge. Entry forms will be published in the June edition of on the house and once again the categories will be best front garden, best balcony, best newcomer and best sheltered housing scheme.
Caption: Photographs show Garden competition winners from 2008
Now turn the magazine over to read page
8
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