issue 94 • spring 2014 openhouse · the rebate will also help tenants manage an average annual...

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OpenHouse

Cash back and freeze

for council tax

see page 2

Croydon Stars

see page 5

The newsletter for Croydon Council tenants and leaseholders

ISSUE 94 • SPRING 2014

New repairs contractor appointedResidents can look forward to a new repairs and maintenance service, following the appointment of contractor Axis Europe.

Axis will be replacing Mears, who covered the north and central parts of the borough, and

Mitie, who operated in the east and south.

As well as providing essential repairs and maintenance services, there is a host of plans

in the pipeline for the company to get involved with the community.

Find out about the benefi ts you can expect to receive on page 3.

Council tenants who contribute towards their rent are to benefi t from two weeks of not having to pay – leaving the average household that pays its rent in full £220 better off.

In the fi rst fortnight of April, tenants’ rent will be paid by the

council, unless it is met by housing benefi t.

The council wants its tenants to benefi t from the effi cient

management and good performance of its housing fi nances.

It recognises some households are facing increased living

costs such as higher energy and food bills, and wants to help

those not supported by housing benefi t manage their fi nances

and keep debt to a minimum.

The rebate will also help tenants manage an average

annual rent increase of 4.9%, a proposal recommended by

the government to all local authorities, based on the national

formula for social housing rents (for full story turn to page 4).

Thanks to savings made, the council has been able to

increase the reserve of its housing revenue account more

quickly than it had originally expected.

This is enabling the council to give tenants two rent-free

weeks, which would be in the weeks of 31 March and 7 April.

It will mean the average household that pays its rent in full

will have an extra £220 a year.

Councillor Dudley Mead, the council’s cabinet member for

housing, said: “We are in this position thanks to the strong

management of our housing revenue over several years.

“We have achieved, and continue to meet, the decent

homes standard and our cash reserves are in good health.

“We recognise that household budgets are already

stretched with high living costs, and that tenants would

welcome the extra money in their pockets.

“Therefore, we are giving tenants two weeks off from

having to pay their rent in April.”

Both the proposed rebate and rent increase are due to be

recommended at the tenants and leaseholders panel on

5 February before going to full council on 24 February.

If approved, the rebate will be credited to tenants’

rent accounts.

Tenants to get

two weeks’two weeks’rent breakrent break

Croydon Stars

Illegal subletting amnesty

see page 3

February Amnesty

C h b k d f

OpenHouse Spring 2014 | Issue 942

Your Housing Your Questions

The welfare reforms and new housing allocations scheme were among the topics that were discussed at the most recent Your Housing, Your Questions event.

The two-hour session gave tenants and leaseholders the chance to hear what

senior council offi cers have to say about the housing services we provide and to

ask questions about issues that concern them.

November’s event was held in the conference suite at the council’s new

offi ces at Bernard Weatherill House.

Offi cers presented key information about the benefi t changes and housing

allocations scheme, before fi elding a range of questions from the audience.

Attendees learnt about the support the council can provide on money

management and budget planning to those experiencing fi nancial diffi culties.

They also heard about how the new allocations scheme will provide housing

to those in greatest need.

Residents were keen to know about what the impact of the new scheme

would be on those looking to move.

A surgery was provided for residents to speak to offi cers about any personal

issues and concerns they might have.

They also had a sneak preview of the council’s new My Croydon app for

reporting environmental issues, as well as the new My Account online system,

which enables residents to access housing and other services at the click of a

button. Turn to page 8 for more on these.

The next Your Housing, Your Questions event is scheduled to take place in

the Community Space at Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk,

Croydon CR0 1EA on 19 March.

This event is open to all council tenants and leaseholders, as well as any

local resident who has a question about housing services provided by the

council. Residents will be able to talk with senior managers, in an informal ‘round

table’ setting.

You can ask questions at the event about any council housing service,

from caretaking to repairs, or from anti-social behaviour to rents.

If you would like to attend, simply turn up on the night – booking is

not necessary.

For more information visit www.croydon.gov.uk/yhyq, or contact the

resident involvement team on ☎ 020 8726 6100,

email [email protected]

Residents are asked not to raise personal issues in the open part of the

event, so a pre-event surgery has been arranged for those who want to discuss

matters of a personal nature.

The surgery starts at 6.30pm and the main session begins at 7pm.

Refreshments are provided.

Tenants come togetherto celebrate ageResidents came together to celebrate the achievements of older people during Celebrate Age week.

Various events took place across the borough including tea dances, badminton,

swimming, ballroom, Latin-American and line dancing, exercise classes, computer

classes, family history online sessions, library activities with grandchildren, Wii

games, coffee mornings, crafts and card-making.

They were designed to bring people together socially to reduce any sense of

isolation or loneliness.

At the over 50s club in Fieldway, nearly 60 residents enjoyed a cream tea

party with scones and sandwiches.

They also rolled back the years with a

chorus of songs from the 1940s and 50s, led

by entertainer Jamie Steen.

One of the residents attending, Iris

Deadman, celebrated her 99th birthday

at the event and was presented with a

beautiful birthday cake.

Meanwhile the Pop-In club in New

Addington hosted a lunch for older people,

hosted by Ruth Symes from the Pop-In and members of

the New Addington Pathfi nders community group.

An audience of more than 80 people were treated to entertainment from

Gordon Bennet.

A choir of schoolchildren from Rowdown Primary

School in New Addington also provided singing and

dancing entertainment.

Events mingling different generations together

were also held by Play Place on the Tollers Estate in

Coulsdon, and Longheath in Ashburton.

Celebrate Age week ran from 30 September until

Silver Sunday on 6 October.

If you are a Croydon Council tenant and would like

to set up a community club for older people, please

contact Theresa Rogers on ☎ 020 8726 6100.

Cash back and freezefreeze to cut bills for all council taxpayers The council is proposing to give the borough’s council taxpayers £25 off next year’s bills to help support households and boost the local economy.

As well as the one-off payment, Croydon

is planning to freeze its part of the council tax

for the third time in four years.

And with the Mayor of London’s proposed

1.32% reduction in the GLA’s precept, council tax

bills in Croydon are set to be lower than they were last year.

It means that the average Band D household would see a 2% decrease in their

bills, and pay almost £30 less.

Councillor Mike Fisher, leader of Croydon Council, said: “We’ve been working

hard to protect things that matter most to local residents in very diffi cult fi nancial

circumstances. This responsible management of our budget means we have, for

the third time in four years, been able to ensure council tax bills will not rise.

“But we understand how tough times are for many families at the moment and

we want to help as much as we can. That is why we are going a step further this

year and offering all council taxpayers a discount on their bills.”

If approved, bill payers would see the discount, which has been possible due

to prudent fi nancial management, credited against council tax bills in April – the

start of the new fi nancial year. Those with less than £25 in total to pay will have

their bills reduced to zero.

The proposals are part of the 2014/15 budget due to be presented for

approval by the council on 24 February.

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Iris Deadman celebrates her 99th birthday

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Spring 2014 | Issue 94 OpenHouse 3

Tenants ‘over the moon’ with new repairs provider Residents are set to reap the benefi ts of a new repairs and maintenance provider.

The council has awarded a contract for the service to Axis Europe.

Previously this was provided by Mears in the north and central parts of the

borough and Mitie in the east and south.

The new contract, which starts in April, means residents will receive:

• a contact centre managed by the contractor, available 24/7 all year round;

• a more fl exible booking system for appointments; and

• better customer access using latest technology which in the future will include

online reporting for repairs and the ability to monitor existing repairs.

The new contract also offers the opportunity for a long-term relationship

with a partner committed to putting something back into the community.

It will provide 10 apprenticeships a year, adult training, work placements and

jobs for local people.

As part of the deal, Axis will also be engaging with the community through

repairs surgeries, a handyman service, fun days, and access to funding through

the contractor’s charitable foundation.

More than 14,000 tenants and 2,100 leaseholders will benefi t from the new

contract.

Currently, nearly 70,000 repairs are carried out each year.

The council invited residents to take part in the process of appointing a

new contractor.

Workshops were held across the borough for people to identify what

improvements they would like to see in the new contract.

A core group of fi ve residents attended sessions and evaluated the

different bidders.

The new contract will run initially for seven years with a view to two further

extensions of four years, meaning it could be for a total period of 15 years.

It will also bring savings of more than £2 million a year on the existing

contract, which will be reinvested in the council’s housing stock.

Joint chair of the tenant and leaseholder panel, Marilyn Smithies, who lives in

Fieldway, said: “I was delighted to be one of the fi ve residents to play a key role

in the process of awarding the contract to Axis.

“It was very interesting and rewarding for the residents to be closely involved

and we thank the council for giving us this opportunity. We will also be able to

monitor the new contract.

“The new contract will see jobs being done correctly fi rst time, prompt call

answering, an improved out-of-hours service, a robust complaints procedure, and

much, much more.

“Our repairs services are in good hands.”

Heathfi eld Gardens resident Stephen Pollard said: “I am over the moon that

Axis has been confi rmed as the preferred bidder.

“I feel absolutely assured that they were the best of the three fi nal bidders and

feel 100% confi dent that they will deliver a quality service that all tenants want.”

Tenants illegally subletting their homes are being offered a month-long amnesty.

They will be allowed to hand back their keys during February, with the promise

that no action will be taken against them by the council.

This is part of a drive to crack down on tenancy fraud, the majority of which is

illegal subletting.

The amnesty campaign is to warn people that illegal subletting is now a

criminal offence punishable by a prison sentence and a fi ne.

Tenancy fraud costs the taxpayer £90,000 per property when taking into

account the potential housing benefi t fraud and the cost of keeping other

households in temporary accommodation.

It is estimated nationally that around 98,000 properties may be subject to

tenancy fraud, at a cost to the taxpayer of £900m a year.

The council wants residents to come forward and report any suspected

illegal subletting.

Tell-tale signs include post being delivered to properties that doesn’t display

the named tenant; different people seen coming and going; or locks fi tted on

internal doors.

Those wishing to take up the council’s offer of an amnesty should contact their

tenancy offi cer, housing standards team or the anti-fraud hotline (number below).

Councillor Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said: “With a shortage

of housing for those in greatest need of it, fraudsters who illegally sublet their

homes are depriving struggling families of the right to a

suitable home.

“This is a criminal offence, and while this amnesty is

a chance for those who are breaking the law to think

again and do the right thing, we will be coming down

strongly on those that ignore it and think they can get

away with it.

“It’s only a matter of time before we catch up with

you. The warning is loud and clear – hand back the keys

or you could face a prison sentence.”

To report any suspected illegal subletting, call the anti-fraud hotline on

☎ 0800 328 9270.

February Amnesty

Council offers amnesty Council offers amnesty for illegal sub-letters for illegal sub-letters

How can I prevent pest problems?• Report any pest issues as soon as you notice them

• Keep all areas inside your home as clean as possible

• Keep your garden tidy – otherwise this creates the perfect

environment for rats to live

• Report any issues such as gaps in brickwork which could give

mice or rats access to your home

• Book an inspection or ask for advice

• Report fl y-tipping in your area


Tenants have been keeping a close eye on the running of the council’s housing income service, which collects rent and supports those struggling to pay.

The housing scrutiny panel, made up of specially trained

tenants, was particularly keen on seeing if the service was providing

the best possible support to those affected by the welfare reforms.

The panel looked at the information provided to tenants, shadowed offi cers,

interviewed tenants who had used the service, mystery-shopped the service and

reviewed performance data.

Its fi ndings are detailed in a report that can be found on the council’s website at

www.croydon.gov.uk/housingscrutiny

The report, which contains 21 recommendations for service improvements, was

presented to senior managers in December.

All recommendations were agreed and these have been included in an action plan.

This is now being implemented and will be monitored by the panel.

The recommendations include more home visiting, a possible evening and

weekend service and more welfare reforms training for offi cers.

Gary Allen, one of the scrutiny panel members, said: “It was a lot of hard work

but I found it very interesting and, hopefully, our report

will result in an improved service for all council tenants in Croydon.”

The panel members have decided that this year they will scrutinise the

neighbourhood warden service and hope to present their report in April.

If you would like to see a housing service scrutinised, please tell the resident

involvement team.

If you think that you could commit the time to join the scrutiny panel,

please contact the resident involvement team on ☎ 020 8726 6100 ext. 60463

or email [email protected]

Tenants are set to see an average rent rise of 4.9% from April.

This increase will mean average rent

goes up by £5.19 a week to help the

council fund the continued improvement

and modernisation of tenants’ homes

and estates.

The money will also help pay for

responsive repairs, neighbourhood wardens, tenancy management and

caretaking, and estate-based environmental work.

The rents rise will ensure the council is able to continue investing in

high quality housing, with plans for £6m investment per year for the next

fi ve years.

The proposals are in line with the national formula for social housing

rents, which was introduced to keep rents affordable and comparable

across the social housing sector.

To help manage the changes to rent, the council is proposing to pay

all tenants’ rent for two weeks in April, unless it is being met by other

means, such as housing benefi t (see front page story).

Councillor Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said: “We

realise nobody wants to see their rent go up, but it is necessary so that

we can continue maintaining and improving tenants’ homes, and ensure

they receive an excellent housing service.”

The rent increase was recommended to the Tenants and Leaseholders

Panel on 5 February, with fi nal rent levels to be approved at a full

meeting of the council on 24 February.

Keeping pests under controlThe council has been working with Southwark Pest Control to tackle infestations and recurring pest problems since November 2011.

Feedback from the fi rst year of working with Southwark in 2012/13 has

seen a 98% customer satisfaction rate.

The hi-tech service uses real-time mobile technology in the form of digital

pens to record notes, which update the database with their reports.

Residents can book an appointment through the council’s contact centre via

Southwark’s fast and convenient booking system.

Two-hour slots are available to ensure you don’t have to wait in all day.

At weekends, morning and afternoon slots are available instead.

If you receive certain benefi ts you may qualify for a 25% discount.

You can also request a pest control visit by completing the form at

www.croydon.gov.uk/pestcontrolform or by calling the contact centre’s

environmental team on ☎ 020 8726 6200 between 9am and 5pm.

ons

Tackling infestation in a block of fl atsSometimes it can be necessary to treat entire blocks. This happens when an infestation affects 10% of the total number of properties or when there are recurring problems. When block treatment needs to be carried out, a letter is sent to residents two weeks before the treatment.This explains what is going to happen, gives a date when pest control will visit and warns that the team must be allowed access to the property. You will be able to call Southwark Pest Control to re-arrange the date and time if it is not convenient.If the team cannot gain access, as a last resort, it will apply to the court for a forced entry warrant, to grant it the legal right to enter your home.Therefore, it is important that you do not ignore any pest control letters.

For block treatment to work effectively, we need all residents to cooperate with the pest control team and allow access so that an inspection and where necessary, any treatment can be carried out.For example, if the team can access only half of all homes, the treatment is likely to be unsuccessful.Once you receive a forced entry letter, you can call Southwark Pest Control on ☎ 0800 052 6247 to arrange immediate access to your home and stop the forced entry from taking place. Forced entry can be stopped at any time – even after a warrant has been granted by the courts.If a forced entry procedure has to be carried out at your home, the locks may have to be changed. Information relating to the reasons for forcing entry, the result of the inspection and instructions to collect new keys will be left at the property. The premises will be left secure against trespassers.

Tenants put the council under scrutinyRent rise will improve Rent rise will improve

tenants’ tenants’ homeshomes

To fi nd out more about the pest control service,

☎ 020 8726 6200 or visit

www.croydon.gov.uk/pestcontrol

trained

e was providing

elfare reforms.


Call for residents to get involvedinvolvedGet involved and have your say on improving your estates and communities.

Whether it’s fi lling in a monitoring form or attending regular meetings and

playing a part in the decision-making process, there’s a role for you.

It means you can help make things better in your area, meet new people, learn

how the council works and gain valuable experience which boosts

your employability.

We will be here to help you and train you so you gain the relevant skills.

You will also be entitled to claim expenses, such as travel.

If you don’t have a lot of spare time, but would still like to be involved, why not

consider becoming a neighbourhood voice?

As a neighbourhood voice, all you need to do is check the services provided in

your local area and complete a simple monitoring form.

It is easy, should take only 20-30 minutes, and can be done at a time that

suits you.

If you’re interested in becoming a neighbourhood voice, or taking part in

any of the wide range of activities, panels and groups managed by the council’s

resident involvement team, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/housinginvolvement or call ☎ 020 8726 6100 for more information.

The hard work and achievements of council tenants and leaseholders was celebrated at a residents’ awards ceremony.

Croydon Stars, organised by the council’s resident involvement team, is held

each year before Christmas.

The event recognises the effort people put into making their communities

better places to live, whether that involves improving services or housing estates.

A special buffet was laid on for residents at the Clocktower Café in Katharine

Street, Croydon, as a “thank you” from the council to those who have regularly

taken part in activities organised by the resident involvement team.

Of course the highlight of the evening was

the presentation of the awards by the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Yvette

Hopley.

People were nominated for awards in four categories by fellow residents,

councillors and offi cers.

And the winners were:

OUTSTANDING RESIDENTS GROUP

Winner: North Downs Residents’ Group The North Downs Residents’ Group was set up in New Addington in 2000,

when households came together to try to identify solutions to the diffi culties

they were facing at the time, such as antisocial behaviour.

The group holds regular

meetings where residents can

discuss ideas with councillors,

council offi cers and other

local partners. The group has

also raised funds for local

improvements. In addition,

summer outings have been

organised, which have provided

a chance for local people to

meet and socialise with

one another.

LONG SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Winner: Peter Mason

More than 10 years ago, Peter Mason became involved with the resident

association at Cedar House, where he lives. He provided support to

vulnerable residents and was chair of the group for many years. He also

agreed to attend other local meetings to represent the residents in his block

and was duly elected as chair of

the New Addington Community

Housing Panel in 2005. Over

the years, Peter joined various

working groups and panels

and has taken an active part

in discussions around a wide

range of housing-related topics,

where he is always keen to

represent the interests of

older people.

MOST INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY

Winner: The responsive repairs re-procurement project team, consisting of Stephen Pollard, Sheila Mitchell, Sheila Howard, Michael Hewlett and Marilyn Smithies

When the council decided to appoint a new contractor to carry out

repairs, we wanted residents to be at the centre of decision making. In July

2012, a core of fi ve residents came forward and began working with council

offi cers on the project, and started a programme of training to ensure they

were equipped with the skills required to take on a project of this magnitude

and complexity. It also gave them an insight into the legal framework that is

applied to the tendering process. Each of the fi ve residents gave up a huge

amount of time to study performance information, carry out site visits and

evaluate each of the three tender submissions. The group worked effectively

as a team and with staff at all levels of the council, as well as taking an

active part in high-level discussions with senior managers from outside

organisations. This team of volunteers carried out their work with the

utmost professionalism and integrity.

RESIDENT OF THE YEAR

Winner: Joan Smith

Joan has been resident in Cedar

House sheltered housing unit for

about fi ve years. During that time,

she has provided practical help

and support to some of the more

vulnerable residents living there.

Joan admits she is not as fi t as she would like to be but still manages to

do washing and shopping for some of her neighbours. This year, she was

selected as chair of the residents’ association and she hopes to become a

member of the sheltered housing panel to better represent the needs of older

people living in the area. So it looks like Joan has another busy year ahead!

Councillor Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said: “Congratulations

to all our 2013 award winners. Your efforts ensure resident involvement continues

to make a difference. And thank you to all those residents who have taken part in

the past year, for the hard work you have put in to help your community.”

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Over the past few months, they have been

identifying fl y-tipping hot spots in the borough to

catch offenders.

In the past year, the council’s waste and refuse

contractor Veolia has removed, on average,

11 fl y-tips a week from housing estates.

A fl y-tip is dumped waste that not only creates

problems for the local environment but encourages

others to dump their rubbish.

Typically it includes mattresses, electrical

items, bags of rubbish and small-scale building or

garden waste.

However, there have also been instances of

large-scale fl y-tipping which involves lorry loads of

construction and demolition waste.

Councillor Dudley Mead, the council’s cabinet

member for housing, said: “Fly-tipping is an eyesore

as well as a health and safety matter.

There’s nothing worse than seeing this as you

leave your home.

Keeping our streets and estates clean has been

identifi ed as a priority by residents, and this is

why we're taking action.

But doing this is a two-way thing, and we need

your help to tell us about any fl y-tips.

And if you see someone dumping rubbish in

your neighbourhood, let the council know straight

away with as much detail of the offence as you

can safely gather.”

With Christmas all but a distant memory, the

start of the new year can be a tough time for families

struggling to pay bills and living costs.

However, help is at hand with a few money-saving tips from the council,

including budgeting, getting a cheaper energy supplier and fi nding a new job.

BUDGETBUDGET – Review and set your budget – and stick to it. Check the Money

Advice Service website for help www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

ENERGY BILLSENERGY BILLS – Check you are on the best energy tariff and consider

switching supplier. Visit the Money Advice Service website to fi nd out how.

Check you are using energy effi ciently at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or

call ☎ 0300 123 1234. Visit www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator to see if

you are entitled to any energy grants or additional help with your heating costs.

NEW JOBNEW JOB – Get help fi nding work from Jobcentre Plus

www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus and Groundwork www.groundwork.org.uk

TRAININGTRAINING – Learn new skills to help you fi nd work by signing up to training

courses. See what’s on offer at www.calat.ac.uk

MOVE HOMEMOVE HOME – Struggling to meet high rent and council tax costs? Consider

fi nding a new home with HomeSwapper. Visit www.homeswapper.co.uk

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Neighbourhood wardens have teamed up with their environment colleagues at the council to crack down on fl y-tipping.

The council has developed

a new smartphone app which

makes reporting fl y-tipping

simple and straightforward.

Initially aimed at Apple

and Android-based phones,

the app is available via the

usual online stores or by

clicking on the appropriate link at

www.croydon.gov.uk/app

Alternatively, you can report street

cleanliness issues in your area quickly and

conveniently, at www.croydon.gov.uk/reportit

Use the e-form to report litter, dumped

rubbish, fl y-posting, dog fouling or simply report

an area that you think needs cleaning.

For more details on the app – see page 8.

FLY-FLY-TIPPING How to reportFLY-TIPPING

Want to make your home your own? Bigger discounts under the Right to Buy scheme could make a real difference.

ammiliessss

G£T H£LPG£T H£LP managing your moneymanaging your money

Financial help is at hand for tenants lookingto start or grow their businessGLE, one of the UK’s most active supporters of small business and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, are hosting free, informal business fi nance advice drop-ins every Wednesday.

It offers you the opportunity to:

• fi nd the most suitable sources of fi nance for your business;

• fi nd out if the Croydon Enterprise Loan Fund, offering loans of up to £25,000, could be for you;

• defi ne your action plan for raising fi nance; and

• strengthen your business proposal and get to grips with lenders’ needs.

Founded in 2008, the Croydon Enterprise Loan Fund was set up to support Croydon businesses that may not have been able to access fi nance from banks.

Over the past fi ve years, £1.6m has been loaned to more than 150 businesses and 100 jobs have been created as a result of the fund.

The ICAEW Business Advice Service is an easy way to access specialist guidance and reassurance on how to plan, start, manage or grow your business.

Come along from 10am to 1pm on the fi rst and third Wednesdays of the month at Matthews Yard, 1 Matthews Yard, Croydon CR0 1FF.

And on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Weatherill House, New South Quarter, 23 Whitestone Way, Croydon CR0 4WF.

Alternatively, call to arrange a one-to-one meeting on ☎ 0845 603 2820.

For more information on loans for Croydon start-ups and growing businesses, visit www.gle.co.uk/croydon

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Since the top Right to Buy discount was increased last year, 32 more council tenants have bought their homes.

In London those discounts have just been made even bigger. If you have been

a tenant for fi ve years or more you could now get up to £100,000 off the value

of your home. So now may be the perfect time to fi nd out if you’re eligible and

whether buying your home is the right choice for you.

Your home could be an asset and an investment for years to come, for you

and your family – giving you the security that home ownership can bring. And

the money raised through extra sales is going straight towards building new,

affordable homes.

Remember, buying is a big decision, and you should always get fi nancial and

legal advice before deciding whether it’s the right choice for you.

We’re here to helpIf you’d like more information about buying and whether you’re eligible for a

discount of up to £100,000 simply visit our website or phone our helpline below

and one of our team will be able to help you.

If you’ve already started the Right to Buy process and need help, get in touch

and we’ll point you in the right direction.

For more information call ☎ 020 8726 6100 ext. 65702 or visit

www.croydon.gov.uk/housing/righttobuy


Fixed penalty noticesThe neighbourhood wardens play a key role in making areas safe, clean and tidy.

In December last year, the wardens’ powers were increased to allow them to issue fi xed penalty notices (FPNs) for

spitting, fl y-tipping and urinating on council land. This is in addition to existing powers where they can issue FPNs to dog

owners for the following offences:

• Failing to clean up dog mess

• Not keeping a dog on a lead

• Not putting and keeping a dog on a lead when requested to do so by a council offi cer

• Taking a dog onto land where dogs are not allowed

• Having more than four dogs under one person’s control

These powers have already led to a large reduction in the number of dogs running loose on communal lands, dog

fouling and litter dropping.

The fi ne for all offences is a fl at rate of £75.

If you would like to share with us any information on people carrying out any of the offences above,

call ☎ 020 8726 6100 and ask to speak to the neighbourhood warden manager for your area.

You can also visit www.croydon.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwardens to fi nd out more about the neighbourhood wardens and enforcement.

Green fi ngered tenants and leaseholders are invited to show off their horticultural skills by entering the annual council gardening awards.

The winners will each receive a £30 voucher to spend at Purley Way Garden Centre and a

certifi cate, with runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers and certifi cates.

Award categories open for entries are:

• Best garden

• Best vegetable garden

• Best communal garden around blocks of fl ats

• Best hanging basket

• Best young gardener (under 18)

Early entrants will receive a free packet of seeds.

The competition, which has been running for six years,

received nearly 20 entries last year.

Judges selected winners based on visual impact and

choice of colour, quality of plant, design and presentation, and environmental responsibility.

Among the winners were Leonard Plummer, Tahira and Mujeeb Mirza and Paula Thornton.

How to enterComplete and cut out the entry form (right) and return it to: Croydon Landlord Services, tenancy and

neighbourhood services team, Bernard Weatherhill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA, by

20 June 2014.

Judging will take place in the summer and the panel will include representatives from the tenants and

leaseholders panel.

You can also apply online at www.croydon.gov.uk/housingbestgardening

I would like to enter or nominate:

First name

Surname

Address

Postcode

Tel. no.

Email

My details (if different from above):

First name

Surname

Address

Postcode

Tel. no.

Email Please tick category entered:

Best garden

Best vegetable garden

Best communal garden around a block of fl ats

Best hanging basket

Best young gardener

Housing garden competition 2014

Closing date for entries 20 June 2014

✂✂

New neighbourhood warden team on the beatA new neighbourhood warden team is patrolling housing estates to crack down on antisocial behaviour.

The team, launched in October, is led by Stanley Enyinnaya and consists of

four wardens.

It will work in areas referred by the tenancy

team and will work closely with the antisocial

behaviour team, local communities and the police.

Stanley said: “This new team will bring all the

know-how and experience to areas that may have

suffered from anti social behaviour such as youth-

related issues or dog fouling.

“We are determined to bring communities

together through activities and events as well as

tackling antisocial behaviour.”

The aims of the new team are:

• to extend and enhance the existing neighbourhood warden services;

• promote community safety and reduce the fear of crime by providing a

reassuring high-profi le uniformed

presence on our housing estates;

• help develop community spirit by

assisting existing local projects; and

• to deliver excellent and high-quality

service to customers and resolve issues

promptly.

To fi nd out more about the warden

service, please call Stanley Enyinnaya on

☎ 020 8726 6100 or visit

www.croydon.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwardensardenstt

ttStanley Enyinnaya

s and enforcement.


Housing disability panel 12 March 2014 2pm - 4pm Bernard Weatherill House, Room G.05, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA

Your Housing, Your Questions 19 March 2014

7pm - 9.15pm

(pre-meeting session

6.30 - 7pm)

Community Space, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA

Sheltered housing panel 25 March 2014

2pm - 4pm


1.30 -2pm)


Housing services forum 25 March 2014

7pm - 9pm


6 - 7pm)


Tenants and leaseholders panel 1 April 2014 6.30pm Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon CR0 1NX

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2014

130958

Always check to confi rm dates and venues, as these can change at short notice. You may also be able to reclaim travel costs to meetings by completing a claim

form (supported with receipts). For any further information, or to confi rm meeting details, contact the resident involvement team on ☎ 020 8726 6100 ext. 62954.

To keep up to date with what’s going on, subscribe to the Your Croydon eBulletin and receive a free monthly email that’s full of news and information

about your borough. Go to www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe

My Account – your easy accessTenants can now access housing and other council services all in one place.

Aware that everybody today leads a busy life, the

council realises the importance of making it as easy as

possible for residents to get in touch.

Whether it’s to pay rent, contact your income

offi cer, report a housing repair or check your position

on the housing register, this can now all be done with

the click of a button.

Known as My Account, this online tool makes it

easier for residents to contact the services they use.

Part of the council’s Faster, Smarter, Better

programme, My Account couldn’t be easier to set up.

Just go to www.croydon.gov.uk/myaccount

click on the ‘Create account’ button and complete the

online form.

Once you have set up your My Account you can

access a range of other services for example:

• Report a missed bin collection

• Order a bulky waste / white goods collection

• Report antisocial acts–such as graffi ti or a fl y tip

• Order a recycling box or lid

New smartphone app for New smartphone app for reporting issues to councilreporting issues to councilThere is now a faster and easier way to report issues to the council thanks to the launch of a new smartphone app.

The My Croydon app allows you to report to the council a variety of problems, such as:

The app, which is compatible with iPhone and Android devices, can be downloaded

from www.croydon.gov.uk/app. For iPhone you need to have iOS6 upwards.

If you see a problem, all you need to do is follow these simple steps:

If you don’t have a smartphone you can report issues using the council’s

website by signing up to My Account. For more details see below.

Alternatively call ☎ 020 8726 6200, text “ENV” followed by a description of

the problem and the location to 60660, or visit Access Croydon at

Bernard Weatherill House, Mint Walk, Croydon.

• Abandoned vehicles

• Blocked drains and

gullies

• Dead animals

• Defects to the highway

• Dog fouling

• Fly-tipping

• Graffi ti

• Illegal encampments

• Illegal street trading

• Pavement defects

• Skip issues

• Street furniture

problems

• Damaged trees

• Select the issue that you want to

report (such as graffi ti) from a drop-

down list

• Add any other relevant information

you think we need to know

• Take a photo of the problem

• Tag it with your location

• Submit your report

The council then does the rest.

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issue 94 • spring 2014 openhouse · the rebate will also help tenants manage an average annual...

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