hometalk magazine - spring 2011

HometalkSpring 2011

www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

-see inside

one of these

Easter eggs!

The magazine for Cannock Chase Council tenants

Hey Kids -

Eight- year- old

Caitlin from Cannock

displays the Easter egg prizes for our Children’s

competition. Unfortunately, she

can’t enter - her dad works for the Council

- but tenants’ children, grandkids, nieces and nephews can. Full details are on

the entry form inside.

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Questions Frequently Asked by Tenants

Q: How do we change the bulb in our bathroom light fi tting?

A: Here’s a really useful tip, supplied by a Council tenant, to help people change the bulb in the bathroom - and it only costs tuppence!Many Chase Housing properties have bathroom

light fi ttings like the one pictured here and some tenants fi nd it diffi cult to get the cover off.The solution: a two-

pence coin inserted and twisted at the point shown, which is right by the lettering on the fi tting. Changing the bulb is then straightforward, just remember to take the normal safety precautions.

Q: How do I reset the trip switch in my electricity meter box?

A: There is a pull-out-and-keep guide on what to do in with this edition of HOMETALK. Please follow the instructions carefully and DO NOT TAMPER WITH ANY OF THE WIRING.

Turn to Page 6 for a special feature on Home Safety & Security for Tenants.

Feed

Back

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Benefits Service has tenants’ green light

The graph charts showing Cannock Chase Housing Service’s performance will be included in the next edition of HOMETALK. In the meantime, they are on display in the main Housing Offi ce at The Bungalow, Beecroft Road, Cannock and in the Council’s One-Stop Shops in Hednesford and Rugeley.

Colourblind!

The colour scheme for the Wordsearch competition in the last edition of HOMETALK has left us with red faces.

While the dark blue background looks nice, we forgot that people had to write their name and address over it. Oops!

However, we were gratifi ed that so many of you still took the trouble to take part, including using silver pens and sticky labels to get round our oversight.

You can be assured that ALL entries were legible and went in to the hat for the draw as per usual. The winner’s name is on Page 7.

We’ll make sure the competition entry form is as clear as daylight in future!

The Council is proud of the

Housing Service it provides for its tenants, even though there is always room for improvements.

Tenants themselves seem to share that view, judged by the many complimentary letters and emails received compared to the very few complaints that are lodged.

And when a complaint is found to be justifi ed, the Housing Service holds its hands up and apologises and does its best to rectify things as quickly as possible for the tenant.

Many tenants are impressed by the quality of the upgrades to their homes and the effi ciency of the work

people carrying them out. Here are some recent examples from the mailbag:

After having a new kitchen fi tted, Ms C of Rugeley wrote; “I am delighted with the workmanship and all workmen were very polite.”

When the home of Mrs C of Cannock benefi ted from an electrical upgrade she said:

“The two gentlemen who did the work were a credit to the company and the Council”

When it was time for Mrs

E of Hednesford to have her gas

service carried out she said how pleased she was that she could agree an

appointment which suited her.

Tenants and residents have given a massive ‘thumbs-up’ for the Council’s Housing Benefi t service.

In a survey of people in the Cannock Chase district, the overwhelming view is that the service is effi cient, clear and with high standards of customer care.

The results of the housing benefi t customer survey just published reveal:

• 93% of respondents said the speed of service is satisfactory or quick

• 97% rated the standard of customer care as satisfactory or good

• 88% rated the quality of information received as accurate and clear.

The Council is not resting on

its laurels, however. In June, the appointments system was extended

to make it easier for people to claim housing and council tax benefi t

and to notify the Council of anychanges in circumstances.

Personal appointments can now be made at a set

time to see a customer services adviser at Hednesford library and other venues around the District. Evening home visits can also be

arranged for anyone with mobility problems or

not able to make it during normal offi ce hours.

To book an appointment, call the Council on 01543 462621 or email: [email protected]

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We’ll pay for Bright Ideas!

If you

think you’ve got a

Bright Idea, to benefit

the Housing Service,

contact Trish Griffiths.

Text Message her on:

07 814 758558;

Phone her on:

01543 464757;

E-mail her at:

trishgriffiths@

cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Write to her at:

The Civic Centre,

The Bungalow Annexe,

PO Box 28,

Beecroft Road,

Cannock WS11 1BG.

Or use the suggestion

forms available in Local

Council offices.

We’ll pay for Bright Ideas!

3Estate walks Prize Drawfor tenants!

New homes for oldThe Council and their development partner, Waterloo Housing Association have reached the final stage in planning the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Road Area.

Demolition of the first vacant properties began in late February and a start on site of the construction works for the first of the 150 new homes is expected in March 2011.

They will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses for rent, shared ownership and outright sale

and are due for completion in spring next year. The new homes will contain a number of energy saving and eco-friendly features.

The new estate has been designed to create a traditional street layout, with a variety of car parking solutions, as well as two cycle parking spaces per dwelling.

A new children’s play area and landscaped public open space will be a feature of the new estate.

Starting in April any tenant who takes part in an Estate Walk will be entered into a quarterly prize draw and could win £25 worth of shopping vouchers.

Look out for the Estate Walks Programme which will be delivered to every Council tenant at the beginning of April. It will tell you when walks are taking place in your neighbourhood and everything else you need to know.

Estate Walks are YOUR opportunity to go around with Council Estate Officers and other agencies to look out for

any problems, so that they can be sorted out.

Would you like the chance to put your Housing Service under the microscope?

Cannock Chase Council tenants of all ages and backgrounds are invited to join the new Resident-led Scrutiny Group to check the service and see if any

improvements which don’t cost any cash, can be made.

Support and training will be given and free transport and refreshments made available.

All you need is a willingness to spend time looking in depth at procedures and concentrating on available information.

The group will be quizzing Council officers, checking up on performance and discussing new ways of getting the job done more efficiently.

YOU could be part of the team that keeps an eye on YOUR Housing Service. Contact Trish Griffiths, Community Development Officer for more information and a friendly chat. Call 01543 462621

Email [email protected]

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Could you be a Housing Watchdog?

FREE rent calendarThere’s a handy rent calendar for you inside

Hometalk

P H Jones, ContractorsPlease see the important message

from P H Jones the Council’s gas

contractor, which is inserted with

this edition of Hometalk.

An artist’s sketch of the new Elizabeth Road estate

Pat Green is pictured checking over Council

documents.


1Who wants a sheltered residence?We find somesatisfied customers…

3. Coffee and toast

for Audrey Blaydon at a Grace Moore Court coffee

morning, organised

by residents themselves.

1. Days usually start with an early morning visit from the scheme manager, here Jean Beardsmore calls on Longford Court resident Nellie Payton.

2. A special lunch time at

Longford Court.

4. Crafts keep Caxton Court residents Gwen Hancox and Edie Raybold busy during the afternoons.

1. Days usually start with an early morning visit from the scheme manager, here Jean Beardsmore calls on Longford Court resident Nellie Payton.

Longford Court.

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GIMMESHELTER!1

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Sheltered housing is designed to meet the needs of older people who want

some extra security yet also want to retain a fair amount of independence and privacy.

There are many reasons why people choose this less-stressful lifestyle in their later years: disability, poor health, concerns over isolation - or just the satisfaction of looking after themselves in a smaller property.

Cannock Chase Council operates fi ve sheltered schemes across the district.

Residents have their own fl at with their own front door, they can come and go as they please, but there is a Scheme Manager on duty Monday to Friday 8.30

– 4.30 to call on for support if needed.For extra peace of mind there is a pull-

cord alarm system to speak directly to the Scheme Manager, when on duty, or to the Council’s Central Control Team providing round-the-clock cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Council’s Sheltered Housing Schemes are open to people aged 60 and

over. They offer independent living in comfortable surroundings, with a range of facilities and organised activities for mind and body.

More detailed

information is included in a booklet called “What is Sheltered Housing?” Its available from: Rhona Gudgin, Assistant Supported Housing Offi cer, tel 01543 462621 or email: [email protected]

The information is also included on the Council’s website www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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GIMMESHELTER!

4

65 Eyes down for a full house at

Highfields with caller Dolly Jones.

6. No slacking for St Barbara House’s fitness fanatics in their

communal exercise class.

77. In the gardens at St Barbara House meanwhile, Rita Farmer keeps her hand in tending the plants and shrubs.

8. A shampoo and set for Freda Allen from stylist Mary Strickland in Caxton Court’s own on-site hairdressing salon.

6Right to Buy

A plea to dozy parkers


The Housing Right to BuyInformation to Secure Tenants

(England) Order 2005

RTB_Leaflet_A5_V2.indd 1

11/3/07 11:13:29 am

Tenants who don’t have insurance cover for their personal property

- televisions, washing machines and all their other possessions

- could end up counting the cost.

The Council insures the bricks and mortar of your home against things like fire or flood, but NOT the personal possessions inside

- these are your responsibility.

Cannock Chase tenants have the opportunity to take out

insurance cover with a reputable company through the Council, or alternatively you can make your own arrangements with an alternative provider.

Premiums start at as little as 55p a week for tenants in sheltered

accommodation; it’s 66p a week for tenants aged 60 or over and in receipt of the state

retirement pension. ALL other tenants can arrange

cover for just 99p a week! Just ensure that your belongings are adequately

covered.The Council’s insurance

scheme, which can include cover for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, is available to all tenants. Payments can be made weekly alongside the rent OR by direct debit.

You can download full details and an application form from the Council’s website:

www.cannockchasedc.gov.ukOr email insurance@cannockcha

sedc.gov.ukPhone 01543 462621 ext. 4679;or contact the Housing Office.

The electrical wiring system in every Cannock Chase Council property has been professionally installed and is tested every seven years as part of the Housing Service’s safety programme.

Tenants MUST NOT CARRY OUT ANY UNAUTHORISED WIRING WORK OR INSTALL WIRED-IN ACCESSORIES. It could lead to serious injury, even death!

Testing is carried out to ensure wiring is safe and it identifies any problems.

Any necessary repairs will be carried out by the Council’s contractors at no expense to tenants. Smoke detectors are replaced with new ones that will operate for at least another seven years.

All your electrical installations have circuit protection devices, isolation devices and alarm

systems fitted for safety reasons.If you want to alter or add to the wiring, for example fit new wall

sockets, a shaver point or burglar alarm, you MUST

get permission from the Council BEFORE ANY WORK IS DONE.

If approved, the work must be carried out by a suitably

registered electrician, such as the NICEIC Domestic Installer Scheme, and may well be

inspected afterwards.

A booklet about the Right-to-Buy scheme for secure tenants has been produced by the Council.

It gives information about the exemptions to the scheme and, for those who are eligible, how to go about it.

There are also explanations about the cost of purchase and the ongoing financial commitments, such as mortgage, Council Tax, insurance and repairs.

A full copy is available for download at the Council’s website,www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Printed copies can be requested at the Civic Centre or any of the Local Housing Offices.

Tenants and residents are being asked to spare a thought for their local bin collectors by parking with care on collection days.

The Waste & Recycling crews are having some difficulties, especially in narrow streets, culs de sac and near islands.

Parking in allocated spaces or areas and away from potential obstructions on emptying days will help.

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D-I - Y danger in the wiring!

Tenant security & safety feature


7

Gas Servicing Draw:NovemberMr.D.Targett, Cannock.Mrs.M.Dando,Hednesford.DecemberMiss R.Robinson,Hednesford.Mrs.V.Riley,Chadsmoor.JanuaryMrs.E.Dunning,ChadsmoorMr.J.Pritchard,Hednesford.

Autumn Wordsearch winner:Mrs Hadlington of HednesfordRepairs Satisfaction Card draw:DecemberMrs D Small HednesfordJanuary Mrs F Middleton RugeleyFebruaryMrs S MansellHednesford

Everyone a Winner!

Cannock Chase tenants with money worries or debt problems can always turn to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help - and it usually works!

The Council has a special arrangement with the local CAB branch to get tenants priority appointments, just by asking their Rent Officer.

From April to December last year, 55 families got priority appointments, with problems like redundancy, low income and relationship breakdown. Their average debts ranged between £3,000 and £10,500.

Forty families were helped to negotiate debt repayment agreements and five were assisted over Housing Benefit issues.

As a result of CAB advice, 18 families had their benefits increased and six families were assisted in making claims for disability living allowance.

The eight families with complex debt problems were referred to a specialist debt caseworker.

Youmighthaveheardthatbeesarefastdiminishinginnumbersacrossthecountry.

Ourgardenscanbecomeahavenforbeeswhicharehappy

tonestinwildcorners,birdboxesandunderneathsheds.Youcanhelpkeepthemhealthybysowingsomeof

theirfavouriteplantssuchas:AlliumHoneysuckleLavender

RosemarySunflowerItiseasytosowafewseedsforsunflowersand

everyonecanenjoytheirshowybloomsandwhentheysetseedsthebirdswillenjoythosetoo.

Access for residents to Caxton Court, one of the Council’s sheltered schemes, has just been made a whole lot easier.

The Housing Service has paid for a special entrance door to be fitted, which is operated by a personal key fob.

It saves residents from having to struggle with keys and push to open the door and will be of particular benefit to people in wheelchairs and those not as strong as they used to be.

At the same time, the new door will ensure security for everyone at Caxton Court, since it has automatic opening and closing.

Pictured above: Caxton residents Irene & Jim Wilson try out the new door system.

Sandra Noskey and

Dorothy Burrows, tenants in Millicent Close made a Minor Works application to get something done in the road where they live. Properties in the road surround a grassed area and vehicles had churned this up to look very unsightly. The solution to this was to widen the road and allow greater passing space, particularly important for access for emergency vehicles.

The application was considered by the Minor Works Focus Group and passed for action .The cost of this work was shared with Staffordshire County Council Highways Department. Sandra said “We are very pleased with the work”

Local youngsters will be able to show whether they are made of The Right Stuff

- by joining a new boxing venture backed by Cannock Chase’s Resident Champions.

The Champions group is putting up £10,000 of its funding to support the boxing initiative, aimed at channelling adrenaline into sport and out of anti-social behaviour and petty nuisance.

In exchange for expert boxing coaching from experienced instructors, youngsters and adults will join in community-based projects.

The focus will be on encouraging good behaviour and self-control to raise self-esteem and respect in its proper sense.

‘The Right Stuff’ boxing initiative has already seen great successes in Stone, Stafford and Huntington - now it’s coming to Chadsmoor.

The project is being jointly launched by the Police, Staffordshire Young People’s Service, the local community including

Cannock Chase Council and partners such as ADSIS.

Estate Management Leader Belinda

Wildey said: “Cannock Chase Resident

Champions have been working with the

Council to tackle and prevent anti-social

behaviour.

“The Right Stuff boxing initiative has

been a huge success in other parts of the

county and I’m sure it will be in Chadsmoor.”

Open sesame!

CAB advice pays off

One good turn…

In your garden

Boxing clever for our kids

A real success story for the local residents!

Published by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL HOUSING DIVISION Editorial Consultants: MID STAFFS NEWS AGENCY 01785 823489 Printed by: GEORGE ST. PRESS LTD. STAFFORD. 01785 258226

Tenants who suspect their electricity meter box may have a

fault or is damaged in any way, are urged to report it to the Council as

soon as possible - phone 01543 456861.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

ContactCentre

Cannock Chase Council website:www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Opening Hours…

Hometalk is available in LARGE PRINT and

ON TAPE. Contact Trish Griffi ths 01543 462621.

The Council’s Housing Offi ce at the Bungalow in Beecroft Road, Cannock, the Local Council Offi ce in Anson Street, Rugeley and the One-stop Shop at the Library in Market Street, Hednesford are all open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. (Hednesford CLOSED 1pm-2pm.)

Diary Dates…

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Writing to us…Cannock Chase Council,Civic Centre,P O Box 28, Beecroft Road,CannockStaffs. WS11 1BG.

Minor Works

Applications must be

submitted by:

6th May.

Closing date for

entries for the Easter

Egg competition is:

15th April.

CHECK THOSE ALARMS!Tenants & all other clients using Cannock

Chase Council’s alarm system are reminded to carry out their monthly check:

ONCE A MONTH pull the cord to alert the call centre. This will test the alarm is working and reassure operators that you are all right.

Housing Enquiries…General enquiries: Tel: 01543 462621

Emergency Repairs…

Repairs Reporting…All repairs: Tel: 01543 456816 or

All areas outside office hours:Tel: 01543 456816

Nuisance Hotline…NUISANCE HOTLINE 01543 462621now operator answered 24/7

Housing and Council Tax Benefitsenquiries: 01543 464292

Benefits Enquiries…

Pay by Phone: 0845 2340080

Rent Payments…

Council Online…

Your name .................................................

Your address ............................................

................................ Post Code ...............

Tel. ............................ I am aged over 16

NB Closing date is: 29th April.(Employees of the Council and their families not eligible to enter)

Housing Services may wish to contact you concerning housing matters. If you do not wish to be contacted, tick this box

A £50 gift voucher S H T B A S K E T UC C T I B B A R E YH R H O L I D A Y DB U C O D L S G A TE H F G C T H G N NI C K L E O M E N US S O R C O L P R HS L I D O F F A D GP O N H G F L M T GA C E P A N C A K E

exclusively for tenants!

Send entries to:Hometalk WordsearchThe Civic CentreBeecroft RoadCannock(or hand it in at your local Council Offi ce).First correct entry drawn out wins the prize.

Find these items in the

WORDSEARCH grid:

Easter Holiday

Pancake Lent

Cross Chocolate

Basket Church

Daffodil Egghunt

Tiebreaker: An animal

associated with Easter is

in there as well:

_ _ _ _ _ _

Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Pay it’

Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Report it’

hometalk magazine - spring 2011

Documents

tenants fi nd

tenants children

chase housing properties

bathroom light fi ttings

edition of hometalk

work people

new kitchen fi

competition entry form