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your news & views

your news & views

Spring/Summer 2014

Celebrate with us! Suffolk Housing is now 40 years old!

32

Spring/Summer 2014

Give three words that best

describe you:

Happy, Helpful, Knowledgeable.

What super power would you

like to have?

Time travel.

Your favourite fi lm:

Shawshank Redemption

(released - September 23, 1994).

Your three favourite songs:

Under the bridge by the

Red Hot Chili Peppers,

Knee Socks by the Artic Monkeys

and Tokyo by the Wombats.

What was the last book your

read? Barca - The making of the

greatest team in the world.

(a good book if you like football).

What three things are most

important to you?

Family, health and football.

Where do you see yourself in

10 years:

Running the company! Seriously I

would like to have a permanent job

at Suffolk Housing in the future.

Headlines in BriefStill Young at HeartYour Tenant Liaison Offi cer, Martin Barnes-Smith celebrates his 50th Birthday by giving AFC Bournemouth Manager Eddie Howe some tips.

STAR Survey Prize Draw WinnersSTAR (Survey of Tenants and Residents) is a way Suffolk Housing and many other Housing Associations fi nd out how satisfi ed tenants are with the services provided. It gives a way of benchmarking satisfaction results with each other. To encourage the completion of this important survey a competition was held. The winners were: 1st Mrs Nelson, Debenham, 2nd Miss Bragg, Bury St Edmunds and 3rd Mr & Mrs Rubin, Ipswich

NOVUSA contractor used by Suffolk Housing ask tenants to complete a similar survey, and also offered a prize incentive. The winners of £100 Tesco Vouchers were: Mr & Mrs Baldry of Shotley, Ipswich.

Estate Improvement Scheme Supports New ProjectsSuffolk Housing pride themselves in having schemes that look nice as well as areas which are a great place to live. To help with this Tenants Voice manage a fund which can allocate monies to tenants in order to carry out work or purchase equipment for their community. These are some of the projects:Parkway House - Green House, to help grow vegetables for the residents. Field View - Garden Furniture, so residents can enjoy the communal garden. Emily Frost Close - Rose bushes to enhance the communal garden.

Resident Inspectors help Customer Service ReviewSuffolk Housing called on its Resident Inspectors, a small team of tenants who work with Suffolk Housing and the Resident Scrutiny Committee to fi nd out how things are going, Pam & Rosey contacted tenants and carried out a quick telephone survey to establish the performance in this area of business.

your news & views

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Co

nte

nts Headlines in brief 2

Getting to know the staff 2

Tenants Voice 3

Resident scrutiny committee 3

Designated panel 3

Major investment 4

Bury Town Football Club 4

Residents lend a helping hand 5 Welcome new staff 5Dates for your diary 540 years, 40 schemes -On yer bike! 6Who wants to make a will? 72014 gardening competition 8Suffolk Housing needs you 8

Dylan Waters,

Business Support Apprentice

Getting to know the staff

Winter is over, and I for one am looking forward to some warmer, drier weather!

I hope you all liked your Tenants Voice calendar and fi nd the tips and articles useful. Although it is a long time off, we are looking for ideas for next year – so if you think

of anything we can include, please let us know.

Tenants Voice has been busy looking at various issues, including Anti Social Behaviour policy, and Estate Improvement Applications. We have also been able to recruit some new members, as well as attending training days and networking evenings. We hope that these will help us in making sure Tenant Involvement works for you. Several of our members have

been out and about with Housing Offi cers on their site visits and with Martin our Tenant Liason Offi cer on ‘Have Your Say Days’- this give us the opportunity to meet some of you face to face, and listen to your experiences on being a SH tenant, and to talk to you about the many ways you can get involved. So if you see us please say ‘hello’, and have a chat.

Susan Feary Chair Tenants Voice

The Resident Scrutiny Committee published its report into Grounds Maintenance in October 2013. We made a number of recommendations and many of these have been adopted by Suffolk Housing.

To write the report we asked a lot of residents what they thought of and wanted from a grounds maintenance service. Here is a list of some of our recommendations along with Suffolk Housing’s response. One thing we found out is that there is a difference between a gardening service and a grounds maintenance service. Our service charges only pay for grounds maintenance (cutting the grass, trimming hedges etc) and few tenants would pay more to get a gardening service.

Suffolk Housing have introduced a new complaints policy, designed around the changes brought about by the Localism Act.

Tenants now play an important role in resolving complaints. Suffolk Housing’s new procedure has embraced the change in the Localism Act of resolving

the issue early and learning. I have been part of a panel prior to the change and this highlighted the need to look at solutions earlier and work with all those involved. I see the designated panel doing just that. Suffolk Housing provided joint staff and tenant training giving everyone an understanding of early resolution and

their role in bringing this about. To sum it all up, we all should learn from issues, deal positively, give support and improve for the future.

Designated Panel

Ian Warner

We said

Residents should have a guide to what to expect from their grounds maintenance service. It should include pictures of ‘good’ grounds maintenance.

Tenants should be able to report issues with grounds maintenance easily.

Tenants should be able to know what their service charge pays for in relation to grounds maintenance.

Even if contracts end residents should receive a good service right to the end of the contract.

Estate walkabouts should continue and will assess residents’ satisfaction with Grounds Maintenance.

Residents should be involved in the sign off on grounds maintenance activities where possible.

Suffolk Housing should be able to log and use effectively information tenants give them about Grounds maintenance.

Contractors on site should display information showing they are working for Suffolk Housing.

Suffolk Housing Did

SH will be publishing or sending you a guide to what the grounds maintenance in your area should look like. This is linked in with ‘Estate Walkabouts’, by staff and contractors (May – Aug 14).

SH are developing an app on android and iphones so that tenants can send in pictures of issues. Use will be extended to contractors to log and report issues promptly.

SH are working to be able to show you in more detail what your service charge payment pays for regarding grounds maintenance.

SH extended the Countrywide contract until October 2014 and are meeting with contractors regularly to be sure that Countrywide keep to a good standard of grounds maintenance until then.

SH booking in dates for the summer, so by then you should have seen what to expect from Grounds Maintenance where you live. Judge for yourself whether you think you are getting what you are paying for. Housing Offi cers should be getting your views on Grounds Maintenance.

SH will use more ‘tenants friends’ to sign off on the work done, if you are interested in being a tenants friend contact Martin Barnes-Smith.

SH have a new IT system that they are using to monitor complaints or comments about Grounds Maintenance and will also use that to contact Countrywide (or a new contractor) to pass on problems and get them resolved.

This is being progressed through Eastern Procurement who are developing the new contract for Suffolk Housing. This will be introduced with the new contract.

ResidentScrutinyCommittee

54

Major investment sees Suffolk Housing expand

Residents at St Mary’s Mildenhall give a helping hand to a friend in need

Arguments about whether the ball has crossed the line have become a thing of the past in Bury St Edmunds thanks to a generous donation which has seen

Suffolk Housing make its mark on its local football club’s pitch. The housing association stumped up £200 towards the £380 cost of a line-painting machine for use at Bury Town Football Club after tenant and long-standing supporter Charlie Knights asked for help. Disappointed with the way the pitch had been marked previously, the 71-year-old volunteered to do the job himself. But his good intentions were brought to an abrupt halt when he discovered the club’s line painting equipment had seen better days. Charlie, who lives at Suffolk Housing’s Parkway sheltered scheme in Bury, took matters into his own hands and decided to approach local businesses and raise the money himself.“I’m a life-long football fan, and really enjoy going to watch Bury Town play,” said Charlie, a retired engineer who also volunteers as a pitch marker in Great Barton. “But I thought the lines really let the club down and gave the wrong impression to supporters

coming from elsewhere. I offered to

mark them myself, but then found the

machine was broken and we had no

money to buy another. I decided to

raise the funds myself and got support

from some local businesses. When

Suffolk Housing said they’d give me the

remaining £200, I was absolutely over

the moon.

When I do a job, I want it done right, and

the new line painter will help me do just

that. Everyone at the club is delighted

and the new machine is making my life

much easier. It’s fantastic.”

Martin Barnes-Smith, Tenant Liaison

Offi cer with Suffolk Housing, said: “We

were only too happy to help when

Charlie told us about his predicament.

Local football clubs are part of the

lifeblood of our communities. We are

really pleased that we’ve been able to

give Bury Town our support and hope

that players, fans and offi cials all enjoy

making the most of the new-look pitch.”

Suffolk Housing has become landlord to scores of extra tenants after investing £2.7m in buying 50 additional affordable homes in Ipswich.

The mix of houses and fl ats in Dandalan Close off Bramford Road have been transferred from London-based housing association L&Q. The purchase comes less than a year after Suffolk Housing invested in 428 additional properties across Norfolk and Suffolk from social housing provider Riverside. It takes the total number of homes managed by the Bury St Edmundsbased housing society to more than 2,700. Ian Winslet, Suffolk Housing Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased that we

have completed this deal with L&Q. Not only has it increased our total housing stock, but it has also cemented our role as one of the region’s leading housing providers. The purchase forms part of an ambitious expansion programme we have planned which will see us provide an increasing number of affordable

homes for people in housing need all across the region, and not just in Suffolk.We are now looking forward to getting to know our new tenants in Ipswich and fi nding out more about their needs so that we can make sure we continue to provide them with fi rst class housing services into the future.”

One of a number of swans living on the river at the back of the scheme, got itself into a spot of bother. As a really friendly neighbour it would often wander up to the door of the scheme (some would say looking to join in the regular coffee mornings held at St. Mary’s!).

One morning, a while ago the swan was seen sitting on the grass looking distressed. As this was so unusual some residents went out to see what the problem was. It was discovered that his legs had become entwined with wire restricting his movement.

You can only imagine what pain and discomfort this would have caused him. Being worried for his welfare, something needed to be done -and quickly.

The scheme got in touch with a swan rescue centre who came to the scheme to see what they could do. Because of the injury caused by the wire, the swan had to be taken away to be treated and after a few weeks of rehab has now been returned to St Mary’s as good as new. As can be seen from the picture, he is back to his regular visits to the scheme.

Dates for the diaryThursday 23 June 2pm - 7pm. Mutual Exchange Event, Ipswich A joint event with Flagship, Orwell, Sanctuary Housing and Ipswich Borough Council. If you are considering a mutual exchange and would like to attend please contact our Ipswich Housing offi cer Mark Always.Thursday 31st July2pm - 4pm. Cream Tea / Garden Party Field View, Thurston For more information call Carolyn Laws, Field View Scheme Manager.

Suffolk Housing makes its mark on Bury Town FC

Welcome to New StaffA warm welcome to the 3 new scheme managers who joined the Suffolk Housing Sheltered Team on a permanent basis as of April. First Paula Flynn at Charles Jewson

Court in Norwich. Secondly Kehinde Odunlami and Gill Newark cover both Apple Tree Close and The Venlaw in Lowestoft. This now brings up the grand total of seven scheme managers working across our sheltered schemes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

A warm welcome to the 3 new

Kehinde OdunlamiApple Tree Close & The Venlaw, Lowestoft

Gill NewarkApple Tree Close & The Venlaw,

Lowestoft

Paula Flynn

Charles Jewson Court, Norwich

76

It can be diffi cult to get around to making your will. But if you die without leaving one, your estate will be put into the hands of the State, with consequences you might not have wanted. Of course, if you have close and loving relatives then this may not cause worry, however it’s worth considering that if you die intestate, without a will, the estate is equally shared between certain surviving relatives, it still doesn’t necessarily allow for your wishes to be followed. It is possible that this may raise disputes within the family over personal and cherished possessions.

And if you are on your own but make no will, what will happen to everything you leave behind, who will look after your possessions? The straight answer for the isolated tenant is: It could be your land lord or the local authority. In essence

it means you have no say on how you want your property disposed of. The circumstances of your death will dictate who is responsible for the disposal of your possessions. Whether its your landlord or another agent, your home will be cleared, valuable goods sold and proceeds returned to your estate, which ultimately will go to the state, irrespective of what you actually wanted to happen.

And the cost of probate? On the open market, regardless of whether by a solicitor or a bank, probate can cost over £300 per hour, plus at least £20 per letter, court fees and VAT. And if your estate is less than about £5,000, or less than £12,000 for not more than four items of value not exceeding £3,000 each, probate might not be necessary. So it is worth seeking the advice of a solicitor regards making a will.

Hopefully you’ll live healthily and happily until you’re 183! But in case problems arise, it’s best to deal and communicate sooner and openly with your family says Martin Barnes-Smith.a) 1 in 3 over-65s develop dementia. Unless you’ve a Power of Attorney which allows loved ones to take over your affairs, they need to apply in court, which can be hard and costly. Yet you can arrange a Power of Attorney in Will, just in case, (I have one), without losing control.

b) It’s important to consider making a Will. Make sure assets go where you want.

c) Discuss your preferences, with your family and solicitor

d) Compile a fi nancial fact sheet with info loved ones can access (but no security information) on all the products you have, whether cards, breakdown, mobile, insurance or investments, so you’re not the sole source of information. Advice from the Money Matters website: moneysavingexpert.com

Have the ‘unpleasant issues’ chat, including losing your faculties.Tony Savory, one of our Tenant Voice members was

asked by the committee to look into the diffi culties that arise if you haven’t made a will. Tony has highlighted the issues he feels are important and well worth thinking about.

The message is, don’t put it off.

There are many reasons to make a will, for example: you can be sure your savings and possessions (your estate) will go to the people and causes you care about, it removes any doubt about who you want your estate to go to,

avoiding any disputes between relatives, you may also be able to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay on your estate.

You can make your own will, or you can instruct a solicitor to make one for you. It’s usually best to get advice from a solicitor, except in very simple cases.

There is some good advice on the AGE UK web site:www.ageuk.org.uk

40 Years, 40 Schemes - On yer bike!

Who wants to make a will?

At the end of the annual Staff Conference, I was overcome by a moment of madness. ‘How can we celebrate Suffolk Housing’s 40th’? was the question. Why didn’t I suggest the normal things, like have a party or bake a cake?

I should learn to engage brain before mouth; ‘I know what we can do, why not visit 40 schemes, on a bike’, I announced.

Surprisingly several others didn’t think it was a bad idea. Sue Philp our Operations Director really supported the idea and it’s all systems go. Its been a

little like the planning behind the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012 with routes, support vehicles and participants all being pulled together in the plan. All that is left now is the sore behinds, aching muscles and hopefully money raised for The Special Care Baby Unit (Neonatal Unit) at the West Suffolk Hospital. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause please contact me here at Suffolk Housing, direct dial 01284 715391 – Martin Barnes-Smith, Tenant Liaison Offi cer

Total distance over the two days is 180 miles, give or take a few aching muscles!

COME AND CHEER US ALONG THE ROUTE AND HAVE A PHOTO WITH US!

The start had been selected in Lowestoft, at our sheltered scheme

The Venlaw, as it celebrates its 40th Birthday this year also.

Venue Time

1. The Venlaw, Lowestoft 07.002. Grove End, Stradbroke 09.303. Tacon Close, Eye 10.104. Soames Close, Stowmarket 11.255. Barretts Lane, Needham Mkt 11.556. Broomfi eld Common, Sproughton 12.407. London Road, Ipswich 13.008. Handford Road, Ipswich 13.059. Stevenson Road, Ipswich 13.1010. Bond Street, Ipswich 13.20

Venue Time

11. Risby Close, Ipswich 14.0512. Trafalgar Close, Ipswich 14.1013. Calais St Hadleigh 15.3014. Overign Ave, Gt Waldingfi eld 16.4015. Theobolds Close, Long Melford 17.1016. Crownfi eld Road, Glemsford 17.4017. Rectory Road, Whepstead 18.3018. Nowton Road, Steward Hse BSE 18.55 19. Nowton Road, Jubilee Ct BSE 19.0020. Finish, Old Mission House, H.O. 19.05

Venue Time

1. Head Offi ce, Old Mission House 09.302. Linnet Place 09.353. 28 Cullum Road 09.404. St Stephens Close, BSE 09.505. Wren Close, BSE 10.006. Laurel Court 10.507. 2 Orchard Way 11.108. Field View 11.509. Old Mission House 14.0010. Northgate Street 14.0511. 55a St Johns Street 14.10

Venue Time

12. Parkway House 14.1513. Maltings Way 14.2514. St George Court 14.3515. Gorst Close 14.4016. Oakes Close 14.5017. Meadow Way 15.3018. Cedar Crescent 15.3519. Nunnery Gr 16.2520. Emily Frost Close 16.3021. Hall Close 17.0022. Hornings Park 17.3023. Finish, Old Mission House, H.O. 17.45

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DAY 1 DAY 2

THE BIKE RIDE WILL TAKE PLACE ON: 5 - 6TH JUNE

Martin Barnes-Smith

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Suffolk Housing, Old Mission House,St Botolph’s Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2AXTel: 01284 767224 Fax: 01284 701573Email: offi ce@suffolkhousing.orgwww.suffolkhousing.orgEditor: Martin Barnes-Smith

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Building on last year’s success, Suffolk Housing announces its 2014 competition.

The judging has been brought forward this year, so gardens can be seen in full colour and growth. Judging will take place on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June 2014.

A new category has also been added this year to include residents that grow their own fruit and vegetables:i) Private/Scheme Gardenii) Pots & Planters iii) Vegetable Plot.

The prizes in all three categories are: 1st - £75, 2nd - £50, 3rd - £25 garden vouchers.

To enter and give yourself a chance to win, please contact Martin Barnes-Smith at martin.barnes-smith@suffolkhousing.orgor telephone: 01284 715391.

Suffolk Housing are looking to introduce a Tenant Friend for at least 80% of its schemes by the end of 2014.

This role is in essence to become a ‘good neighbour’ and welcome new tenants to your area. Letting them know of those things that are useful;for example bus routes, bin collection day and local shops. Being that link with Suffolk Housing is not a time consuming activity as it’s up to you how much or little time is spent. Resident Inspector - As Suffolk Housing moves forward with Independent Tenant Scrutiny with our Resident Scrutiny Committee, we need residents to help carry out face to face or telephone surveys. This is an important role which leads to obtaining our tenants views and using them to improve the service Suffolk Housing Provides.

If you are interested please contact Martin Barnes-Smith - Tenant Liaison Offi cer on 01284 715391 or email at:martin.barnes-smith@suffolkhousing.org

2014 Gardening Competition

Suffolk Housing needs you!needs