High Peak Community Housing

Better Homes Better Lives Better Communities

PeakPerformance

Spring/Summer 2012

Tenants and Leaseholders Magazine

The Exciting Community Energy Programme at Gamesley - see pages 10-11

The 2012 Garden Competition is now open! See page 5

Find out about the “Golden Goodbyes” and what this could mean for you. See page 19

Read about important changes with Welfare Reform on page 13

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Hello and welcome to “Peak Performance”, we have lots of exciting things to tell you about in this edition, and lots of opportunities for you to get involved with us at High Peak Community Housing.

Mark Ford Agnes Bradley

MAKE SURE TO FILL IN YOUR STAR SURVEY TO

BE ENTERED INTO THE £100 PRIZE DRAW!

Hello & Welcome

Don’t forget that we welcome your feedback and have a variety of ways for you

to get involved with HPCH, see the next two pages for

more information...

During 2009 we knocked on your door and asked you for feedback as part of the Xpress Tour - we need to update this feedback now, through the star survey and also through some local “roadshow” events where we can meet you in your neighbourhood to listen to your views and show you how we have been using previous feedback.Look out for more information and dates which will be coming to you soon.

On behalf of HPCH staff and board

Coming Soon

Get involved with us at HPCH – Act as if what you do makes a difference, because it does!We have so many different ways for you to get involved at HPCH, helping us to plan for the future, check standards, give your feedback or maybe join the scrutiny group or board?

It’s really easy to get involved, you can do this via www.hpch.co.uk, or call us for more information on 0845 129 8075.

Please tick which of the following you would be interested in, fill in your details overleaf and return this page, freepost to:

‘Getting Involved’, High Peak Community Housing, Freepost SK115, Glossop, SK13 8AF

Why not become a Board Member?

The Board is a group of people who are collectively responsible for managing High Peak Community Housing. This means they, set the strategic direction of the company, monitor performance, set budgets and approve policies and procedures which ensure that the company fulfils all its legal obligations. There are fifteen Board members, of which 5 members are tenants - who are elected by their fellow tenants. We are now recruiting for this role.

Pure Summer (6 week holiday activities)

HPCH undertake an annual summer holiday programme for 9 - 17 year olds. In the past, activities on the programme have included various things such as Sports, Rock climbing, Music sessions, Canoeing, Hair and Beauty, Caving and Arts and Crafts. Activities normally occur Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons for the duration of the holidays. Volunteers are always needed to assist with running specific sessions (should volunteers have specific skills, experience or qualifications) or the voluntary role could be to assist with supervision, collection of attendance registers or within the planning/evaluation.

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel is a group of tenants who evaluate how well High Peak Community Housing performs in delivering services to tenants. This means that they can hold HPCH to account for its performance, look at customer feedback and request service reviews and compare HPCH to other Housing providers. Following their investigations the Scrutiny panel will make recommendations for service improvements to Senior Managersand the Board.

National Neighbours Day

We celebrate National Neighbours Day in our neighbourhoods across the borough in May every year. In the past, celebrations have taken place in Gamesley, Hadfield, Whitfield, New Mills and Fairfield. The volunteer’s roles within this project are varied. Volunteering opportunities may include marshalling, project planning, running stalls or evaluating the project.

Help out with Pure Events?

We work with young people to plan for Pure events - get involved and have your say, helpus plan and check we are doing it right.

Get involved

Help with Neighbourhood Walkabouts

Neighbourhood walkabouts are organised twelve months in advance and dates of which are advertised on the website and in the Tenants newsletters. The walkabouts are led by the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for the area and any resident can get involved. The walkabouts generally find Health and Safety issues, untidy gardens, repairs, litter/graffiti problems, and help us keep checks on ongoing neighbourhood contracts which include the grounds maintenance contract.

Customer Service Review group

The Customer service review group look at service standards, policies and performance. They give us feedback about our customer service and make recommendations on how we can improve our services.

Equality and Diversity group

The purpose of the group is to ensure that everyone is treated the same by High Peak Community Housing, no matter what their needs. The group challenge HPCH if they find any inequality.

One Off Focus Group Meetings

These meetings are held by HPCH to get your views on specific topics and we will ask you to come along as and when required. Topics that we have covered are: Anti Social Behaviour, Transfer Incentive Scheme and Recharge Policy.

Arm Chair Reporters

If you chose to be an arm chair reporter, we will now and again send you surveys, to gain your feedback either about our services or your neighbourhood.

Why not become a Mystery Shopper?

Our mystery shoppers test our services by telephone or visiting our receptions then complete a questionnaire telling us how we handled the enquiry. They will also highlight where we need to make improvements.

Local Action Groups

The local action groups are set up by your area Neighbourhood Co-ordinator to involve residents in solving a specific problem within a specific neighbourhood. Generally there are regular meetings for residents to attend and residents of the neighbourhood can volunteer to undertake roles as part of the action plans agreed at the meetings.

News, Views and Reviews group

By being a member of this group you have the opportunity to have an input into all the HPCH publications, this includes the web-site, leaflets and newsletters. Their aim is to ensure our documents are easy-to read and of interest to customers.

Why not volunteer with our Grounds Maintenance Monitors?

If you have ever looked at the grassed areas in and around your neighbourhood and thought ‘that could be better!’ Now is your chance to work with us to make things better.We are looking for tenants in each of our neighbourhoods to act as monitors to ensure our grassed areas are being maintained to the standard they should be.

Fairfield & Gamesley Bonfires

We undertake annual bonfires in our two largest neighbourhoods. The purpose of theevents are to reduce the need for private fires/firework displays in our neighbourhoodsand improve safety. In order to put on the displays, we are reliant on volunteers to assist with marshalling, building the fire and assisting with clearing up after the event.

Name: ...................................................................Address: ...............................................................Tel: ..........................................................................

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GardenIf you are a tenant or leaseholder of High Peak Community Housing, this is your chance to show off your gardening skills...

Our annual garden competition is run by Tenants for Tenants. HPCH assists us with administration only. Please return your entry from to the free post address below.

The prizes will be vouchers. Other prizes may be awarded at the judges discretion.

Categories are:� Best Garden

� Best Hanging Basket

� Best tub/ standing display

� Best Home Vegetable Garden

� Best Sheltered Block (only one entry per block)

� Most improved garden (to enter this category you enter before 29th June 2012, so we can take the ‘before’ photo)

Terms & ConditionsEntrants must be a tenant or leaseholder of High Peak Community Housing, and not in breach of their tenancy agreement. To enter, please complete the entry form and return to any HPCH office or send to High Peak Community Housing, Freepost SK115, Glossop SK13 8AF. Entry to the most improved garden must be received by 29th June 2012. All other entries must be received by 29th June 2012. Entries received after this date will not be entered into the competition. Winners will receive vouchers, plus a certificate. There will be no cash alternatives. The judges decision will be final. Winners will be invited to attend a presentation event. This competition is not open to employees or Board members of HPCH. Photographs of your entry may be used for future publicity.

A list of winners can be obtained by clicking on www.hpch.co.uk or writing to: High Peak Community Housing, Units 22-24 Calico Lane, Furness Vale Business Centre, Furness Vale, High Peak SK23 7SW

Entry FormPlease complete and return your entry forms no later than 1st July 2012.

Closing Date: 29th June 2012. Judging Dates: 23rd-25th July 2012

Title Mr q Mrs q Miss q Ms q Other qName: ...................................................................Address: ...............................................................................................................................................

................................................................................

Postcode: .............................................................Tel no: ....................................................................Email: ....................................................................

Category: Please tick one or more

q Best Garden

q Best Hanging Basket

q Best tub/ standing display

q Best Home Vegetable Garden

q Best Sheltered Block (only one entry per block)

q Most improved garden (to enter this category you enter before 3rd June 2012, so we can take the ‘before’ photo)

Please complete and return your entry forms to:High Peak Community Housing, Freepost SK115, Glossop SK13 8AF

Competition 2012

Only one entry

per sheltered

scheme

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Great ways to contact us...Our website is proving to be very popular with you – we are getting almost 6000 visits per month which is fantastic! You can let us know what else you would like to see on there by clicking on the “Tell us something” link at the top of the home page, or calling us on 0845 129 8075.

You can follow us on Twitter@highpeakharry

Find us on Facebook High Peak Community Housing

Did you know that you can visit receptions at Glossop Municipal Buildings, Buxton Town Hall, Fairfield Neighbourhood Office (Victoria Park Rd), and the Gamesley Neighbourhood Office (Winster Mews)?

You can call us on 0845 129 8075, or on the local rate number of 01298 28430.

You can text us on 07800 002 264If you would like to use the Minicom service – please contact 0845 129 4876.

Thank you for your feedback!Thank you for continuing to provide us with your important feedback – So far from April 2011 to the end of December 2011 we have received 158 compliments from you and 85 complaints – which have really helped us to learn from our mistakes and avoid making them again.

If you would like to contact us about your feedback – please call us on 0845 129 8075 or 01298 28430.

Delivering information to your doorWe have been out and about delivering the latest tenant handbook and annual report to everyone – if you haven’t had a copy yet and would like one, please call us on 0845 129 8075 and ask for the Communications & Consultation Team.

How you have been contacting us...From 1st April 2011 to the end of December 2011 – you have been contacting us in the following most popular ways:• 4296 Visitors to our Fairfield Office

• 3877 Visitors to our Gamesley Office

• 4,524 Visitors to Glossop Municipal Buildings

• 1,864 Visitors to Buxton Town Hall

• 27,680 Telephone calls to the call centre

• 387 emails to our enquires@hpch.co.uk email address

Who are our customers?In order to meet the diverse needs of our customers its important that we know about you. We have been working hard to increase the information we hold.

We now hold data for 62% of our tenants and from this information we know that:

78 of our tenants prefer to receive this newsletter by email.

We have a total of 5173 Tenants (this includes joint tenants)

We know the ages of 3955 of our tenants and the age range is broken down as follows:

16 - 34 ............... 91035 - 54 ............... 128855 - 64 ............... 570Over 65 ............. 1187

We also know that 971 of our tenants consider themselves to have a disability and that 387 of you are willing to give us your views about our services in the future.

All this information helps us to tailor our services better to the individual needs of each customer.

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Tenant Scrutiny Panel Section

Hello and Welcomeback to the scrutiny page. In this edition, we will update readers on our progress to date, and perhaps even encourage even more applications for membership.

In our first article we wrote about our recent review of void properties, which we would hope that some of our new and transferring tenants would have benefitted from the recommendations that came from the panel and other tenants who contributed to the review. The recommendations made are still being monitored, and we hope that at the end of the monitoring process there will be further outcomes that benefit tenants as a whole, beyond those associated with void properties!

After the void review our attention turned to the repairs service, and especially the communication aspects of it. By looking at this area we hoped to improve the experience of all tenants in what is a highly important area for all concerned. In addition to visits to the call centre and neighbourhood offices, panel members were able to shadow repairs inspectors and hold a number of staff workshops, which gave us a greater understanding of some of the issues relating to the repairs service. However, most importantly, we were able to canvas the opinions and concerns of over 30 tenants, who had agreed to be contacted. We rely heavily upon wider tenant involvement in all our reviews, and would like to thank all those who have contributed to date. One major change arising from the review is the planned reduction of P4 repairs from 16 to 12 weeks; and we hope that you feel that an intended trial of Saturday morning repair slots will be beneficial to those tenants with fixed working hours.

After the repairs review, we turned our attention to the election process of tenant board members, and we hope that some of our recommendations might contribute to increased tenant interest in this important position.

• Over 80% of tenants asked were happy with the repair service they had received.

• 100% of tenants in survey were asked to confirm contact details.

• HPCH has shown year on year improvements in performance.

• Over half of tenants would have liked a reminder about their repair appointment.

• 60% of tenants asked though that the service could be improved further.

• There was a need to identify and act on additional repairs that are a result of the initial repair being completed.

THANK YOU!Over 50 tenants have so far taken part in telephone

surveys conducted exclusively by the Panel, and we are now also receiving recommendations for future review topics. Thank you for this invaluable

input! Remember, this is your Scrutiny Panel, so please continue to support the work carried

out on your behalf.

Next on the agenda is sheltered housing, and we hope to soon be arranging visits to speak with tenants living in this type of accommodation. This was one of a number of recent recommendations received via the HPCH website from tenants. If you feel there is an area of service that would benefit from scrutiny, please contact Verity Calderbank on 0845 129 8075 and your suggestions will be passed on to the Panel.

We need you!Tenant Scrutiny Panel relies upon voluntary tenant membership. If you feel that you

would like to contribute, please do not hesitate

to contact Verity Calderbank on 0845 129 8075

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DID YOU KNOW that High Peak Community Housing has negotiated a Home Contents Insurance Scheme with Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance specifically for you? If you do not have any Contents Insurance, request a brochure today, payments can be made weekly, monthly or yearly and it includes cover for theft and loss of keys. Call us for information on 0845 129 8075 or click on www.hpch.co.uk

Gas Safety As your landlord, we have a legal duty to carry out an annual gas safety check and maintain the gas appliances we have fitted to your home. This annual check is free of charge and can be arranged for a time which suits you, morning or afternoon appointments are available, and in some cases we can arrange evening or weekend appointments.

By law any gas work which is carried out in your home must be undertaken by a qualified engineer who is registered with Gas Safe. It is extremely important to keep your annual gas safety check appointment and to allow Liberty engineers into your home to carry out this work.

A few months before your annual service is needed, Liberty will write to you with an appointment to carry out this work, please do not ignore this letter. If for any reason you can not keep the appointment, please contact Liberty on 03303 335 772, or us on 0845 129 8075 as soon as possible to re-arrange your appointment.

What happens if the appointment is missed?If the engineer calls at your home and is unable to gain access to your home, a card will be left stating that it was not possible to carry out the service. In this event a new appointment will be allocated and you will be sent a letter with your new appointment date.

If you do not provide access into your home for the annual gas safety check to be carried out, HPCH as your landlord may start legal proceedings and serve an injunction against you to enter your property, or ultimately you may be evicted from your home.

What happens during the safety check?All Liberty engineers are required to attend properties in a company branded vehicle and company uniform, as well as to introduce themselves and present identification upon arrival. The safety check consists of servicing and maintaining all of the gas heating appliances provided by us, this includes the central heating boiler and the gas fire if there is one installed. The engineer will carry out a visual check of the appliances and test for any gas leaks and then service any appliances in the property, This should take approximately 45 minutes.

Once the service is complete, you will be asked to sign a ‘’Landlords Gas Safety Record’’ certificate and you will be provided with a copy of this certificate; please make sure you keep this in a safe place.

Why have a safety check?The safety check ensures that your gas appliances are working correctly and efficiently. Another reason to have the safety check is for the well being of you and your family, without an annual service carbon monoxide can be produced, which can cause serious illness and in extreme cases can be fatal.

Keep you and your family safe and please let us in...

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In March 2011, we did the rent prize draw and are pleased to tell you that Mr Keith Turner from Heath Grove, Buxton won the £250 in High Street Vouchers for having a clear rent account!

Would you like to be in with a chance of winning £250 in High Street Vouchers? All clear rent accounts as at 31st March will be automatically entered into a prize draw!

Just so you know....the next rent free weeks are 19th and 26th March 2012Did you know that we have evicted 7 households in 2011? It is important to pay your rent when due every week. Your home is at risk if you fall into rent arrears. If you are struggling to pay and would like to make a repayment agreement or speak to someone about claiming benefits, please contact the Rents Team on tel: 0845 1298075.

Rents...

Making sure all of our services are fair and accessible is something that we feel very passionately about. With this in mind, we are proud to be launching our “Equality objectives”, which are as follows:

Equality Objectives for High Peak Community Housing

• To ensure that the communities we serve are satisfied that the services and information we provide meets their diverse needs, evidenced by high levels of customer satisfaction.

• To make all of our information and services accessible

• We will endeavour to ensure that all employees, potential employees, clients and customers are treated fairly and consistently with respect to, and in accordance with, the principles of equal opportunities and human dignity

• We will seek to promote equality in all dealings with people

• We will endeavour to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve – to demonstrate the company’s responsibility to maintain fairness within our communities.

Our key priorities for 2012-2016 are:

• To provide training and advice to ensure Board members and employees and all representatives of High Peak Community Housing understand the policy and their responsibilities. 80% of all representatives of High Peak Community Housing will have received training in the first year and 100% by the third year.

• To monitor service usage to identify groups within the community whose needs are less well met, and where our procedures or practices are inadvertently not fair or delivered in an unfair manner. 70% of customer profiling will be held by the end of 2012/13 and will be used to identify service usage.

• To take action to ensure equality of access to all our services. 70% of customer profiling will be held by the end of 2012/13.

• To take action to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of opportunities. 100% of any complaints re harassment are dealt with in the agreed timescales.

• To consult with both service users and people who do not currently use our services, in ways to ensure everyone is treated equally and fairly. To improve our consultation level with those service users who have not previously involved by 20% over 3 years.

• To promote the company as an employer people are proud to work for and actively seek to achieve a balanced workforce which reflects the local labour market. As an employer, we will recognise the value of a diverse workforce across all occupations and levels of responsibility. 100% of all applications encourage applicants from those of a diverse background.

• To make sure that any new policies are checked to be fair and equal before they are implemented and published. 100% of revised policies will have equality impact assessments.

working for our community

Do you already claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit?

Housing and Council Tax Benefit offers anyone on a low-income, help towards paying their Rent and/or Council Tax. Many people, particularly pensioners, are unaware that they are entitled to this help.

High Peak Borough Council will work out if someone qualifies for help, taking into account his or her individual circumstances. This will include their age, income and whether they live alone.

To find out if you are eligible to claim, please call High Peak on 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400 or log on to: www.highpeak.gov.uk/housing/benefits

Don’t forget that if you do receive Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit, the law states that YOU must tell us about any ‘changes in circumstances’ involving you or your family. This is because it may affect the amount of benefit you are entitled to.

If in doubt as to whether a change will affect your benefit, tell us anyway using one of the following methods:

Phone: 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400 E-mail: benefits@highpeak.gov.uk or why not try completing our change of circumstances form online at :www.highpeak.gov.uk/housing/benefits/change.asp

Did you know that you could get help with your Rent and/ or Council Tax?

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There has been a lot of activity in Gamesley over the last few months with the start of a £3.3 million project, delivered by High Peak Community Housing, High Peak Borough Council, British Gas, Casey Group Limited & Climate Energy.

This project has been part funded by British Gas, with a £1.9 million grant as part of the Government’s Community Energy Savings Programme. The Community Energy Savings Programme is a key element of the Government’s £350m Home Energy Saving Programme to reduce fuel bills and shrink carbon footprints by improving energy efficiency nationally.

The Gamesley Project

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The Solid Wall insulation will help with the following:

•Prevent heat escaping so you can keep your home warmer

•Stop you wasting money on fuel bills

•Prevent damp from forming on your walls

•Keep draughts out

•Cut down your carbon dioxide emissions - the biggest contributor to climate change

P Casey & Co are the main contractor on site with subcontractors carrying out scaffolding, window replacement, rendering works and fitting of new fascias and guttering works.

The executive councillor for community services, Councillor Anthony Mckeown says “This important partnership project will achieve warmer homes and lower fuel bills for more than 500 homes. Estimates suggest that the improvements could reduce households’ heating bills by around £200 a year while shrinking the housing stock’s carbon footprint and ensuring that it remains fit for purpose for many years to come. The project underlines our commitment and that of our partners to ensuring decent, sustainable and affordable housing across the High Peak”.

So far we have been receiving lots of very positive feedback from tenants and residents, which focuses on the savings being made on energy, as well as on the look of the property.

Mrs Hulme was the first tenant to have the work completed and has had new rendering, windows, fascia and guttering. This is what she had to say on completion of the works ...

I am delighted with the work, and the finished job, my house feels much warmer now.

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All new tenants who haven’t transferred and who signed a tenancy agreement from 16th May 2011 are subject to an Introductory Tenancy.

A starter or introductory tenancy is essentially a probationary period for 12 months, after which the tenancy is converted to allow full Secure rights, provided the terms of the temporary tenancy have been adhered to. If not (for example the tenant has caused neighbour nuisance) there is a much simpler and swifter legal process available to end the tenancy. After 12 months, if the tenancy conditions have been met it will automatically convert to a Secure Tenancy. During these first twelve moths the new tenants receive three visits or inspections from the Neighbourhoods team to ensure that they are meeting all their tenancy conditions.

If the tenancy terms are not met, introductory tenancies can be ended reasonably easily by service of a Notice of Possession proceedings and tenants have the right of appeal against the service of these notices as they do not have the automatic right to a Court Hearing as secure tenants do. These appeals are also heard by the Council’s solicitor and the Communities Manager.

As the 12 month anniversary of moving into their home approaches there have been tenancy breaches which are not severe enough to warrant ending the tenancy but which make conversion to a secure tenancy unwise, there is provision to serve a Notice to extend the introductory period for a further six months. Again, tenants have the right of appeal against the service of these notices.

Since 16th May 2011, 172 tenants have been signed to these new agreements.

The overwhelming majority of new tenants are maintaining the terms of the agreement. To date just 4 Notices have been served and one appeal heard. No introductory tenancies have yet to be brought to an end however there are two cases currently progressing through the court system.

We have found these tenancies really useful in dealing with and tackling nuisance and anti-social behaviour and have noticed that the introduction of these tenancies have had a positive impact upon these sorts of issues.

As with any tenancy issue, we are here to help whether this relates to non-payment of rent or neighbour issues. The sooner we are made aware of an issue the easier it is for us to work with you to tackle it – especially in the case of an introductory tenancy where the legal process is much swifter to end a tenancy. If you have an issue regarding your rent please contact the Rents team on 0845 129 8075 or for neighbourhood or other tenancy issues the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for your area.

Introductory Tenancies

In partnership with Nottingham Community Housing Association we have recently taken over the management of four 3 bedroom houses and four 2 bedroom houses, which have been newly developed on Brentwood Close, Bamford.

The first families moved into their new homes just before Christmas. These were all families who met strict local connection criteria and who were in genuine need of a new home in this area.

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You have probably heard about some of the changes the Government are planning to make to the benefits system – but what does this mean for you and your family and what do you need to do?

The Government have suggested that, from October 2013, six currently separate benefits – job seekers allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, income support and income related employment support allowance will become one payment – “Universal Credit”.

At the moment, anyone making a new claim from October 2013 will automatically be put onto Universal Credit with existing claimants being transferred gradually until 2017. The transfer will probably take place area by area and as yet we are unsure when this will happen in the High Peak.

The total value of Universal credit is capped at £350 for single people without children or £500 for families. The idea is that no-one receiving universal credit should receive substantially more money than a similar family that is working and this money will be paid every four weeks.

Welfare Reform

Do you know about the Safer Neighbourhoods Team?Safer Neighbourhoods is all about you having a dedicated local team making your area safer, cleaner and a more pleasant place to live. It may be you are fed up with anti-social and nuisance behaviour, for example. Or perhaps you have concerns about graffiti or vandalism?

Whatever the problem. Safer Neighbourhoods gives you the opportunity to set the agenda in your area and help implement lasting solutions.

Every community across Derbyshire has a Safer Neighbourhood team. Each Safer Neighbourhood team works in partnership with local agencies to address your concerns. In Derbyshire, our partners include all eight district councils, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, the fire service, parish councils, High Peak Community Housing and High Peak Borough Council, the business community and other groups such as Neighbourhood Watch.

If you are of working age and claiming the benefits which are going to become Universal Credit you will become responsible for paying your rent each week from that money. If you haven’t already got one, you may wish to consider opening a bank account which will enable you to easily pay your rent each month and also take advantage of the direct debit discounts many energy providers offer – thus making your money go further.

The welfare reform bill will also look at cases where people of working age have properties that are much bigger than they need for their current household. From April 2013 the Government have suggested that if someone has two bedrooms more than they need the level of assistance towards their rent they receive will be reduced by as much as a quarter of the rent due.

If you think you are going to be effected by this you may wish to consider looking at smaller accommodation. We currently offer a transfer incentive scheme to help people who want to move into smaller accommodation – if you would like more information on this please see page 19 or contact our Home Options team on 0845 129 8075.

These changes have not yet been finalized but are unlikely to change too much. There is no need to panic and if you are going to be effected you will be contacted in advance of any change and offered help and support if needed. However it is handy to know what changes are likely to be coming and to ensure that you are prepared as far as you can be.

How you can take action...• Go to a Safer Neighbourhoods meeting • Report a crime • Join our Key Individual Network (KIN) • Join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme

or start your own. • Get more information about your area with our

Community Messaging Service. • Contact your local council to find out more

about community safety schemes in your area. • Read Derbyshire County Council’s Community

Profile for your area. • Spend a day on the beat with an officer with our

Community Involvement Scheme • Become a Special Constable • Give us feedback on how we’re performing in

your area.

The meetings for your area are advertised on the Safer Neighbourhood website which is www.derbyshire.police.ukAnd you can also call on 101

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Tackling Anti Social BehaviourIn 2010 we began to receive complaints from residents in an area of High Peak regarding an individual causing nuisance and anti social behaviour. The incidents were in particular targeted at vulnerable and elderly residents. We worked closely with Derbyshire Police to try and prevent this individual creating nuisance and worked together to visit residents and reassure them that if they are suffering nuisance they can report the nuisance to HPCH and Derbyshire Police.

Many residents were reluctant to come forward as witnesses, however, after a period of time people began to ring to report the nuisance and we began to log all the incidents of anti social behaviour relating to this individual. Despite efforts to prevent this anti social behaviour the nuisance continued. HPCH and Derbyshire police worked with residents to build evidence to apply for an Anti Social Behaviour Injunction. Many residents did not want to be named as witnesses; therefore, we took statements anonymously and ensured none of their details were evident in the statements HPCH and Derbyshire Police provided to the Court.

Following a hearing, the Court granted a 2 year Anti Social Behaviour Injunction to prevent the individual from entering the area where they had been causing nuisance. Since this Injunction was granted HPCH have received no further reports in relation to this.

Anti Social Behaviour is taken very seriously, and your details and information will always be treated with respect and sensitivity. If you have any queries or you are having any problems you should contact us immediately and in confidence on 0845 129 8075 or call into one of our receptions.

Sadly this isn’t always possible and now and again some people unfortunately have issues with those that live near them. If you have a problem with your neighbour, the best thing to do is to try and talk to them about it directly. Don’t try and do this when you are upset or angry – wait until you can discus the problem, how its effecting you and how you would like your neighbour to help you resolve it calmly-and be prepared to listen to what they have to say. Quite often your neighbour may not even realise they are upsetting you, or there may be a simple solution you can both agree on to stop the problem. If this doesn’t work, or you are too angry to calmly discuss the matter, or don’t feel able to – we are here to help. Our Neighbourhood & Assistant Neighbourhood co-ordinators deal with these problems every day and will be able to give you help and advice based on your particular situation.

When you are reporting a neighbour problem it helps us if you can have as much of the following information to hand:-

•Whocausedtheproblem •Whenitwas•Howlongitlasted •Whathappened•Whoelsewasinvolved •Whoelsesawit

We will usually ask you to keep a diary of any further problems (we need this if we have to take legal action later on) and will explain and agree with you what we are going to do now. In some cases we may wish to install our specialist noise monitoring equipment to gain more evidence of the problem. We may advise you to consider mediation –this is a process whereby you discuss the issue with a third-party organisation who is also working with your neighbour and between you agree a solution or compromise. In some cases we may have to liases with other agencies such as the Police or social services. Most neighbour problems can be resolved reasonably quickly and easily but some unfortunately are more difficult and time consuming especially if we need to take legal action. If this is the case we will keep you informed of progress. The most important thing to do is let your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator know as soon as possible if you have a problem you need our help to resolve as the sooner we are aware of an issue the easier it (usually) is to deal with it.

Everybody Needs Good Neighbours...We all have neighbours, and life is much easier when we can get along with the people we live near and even help out from time to time.

Case Study

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Get involved with our Community Walkabouts in your area...We regularly look around the neighbourhoods that we manage, and check for things like overgrown gardens, grot spots and any problems or local issues. We work in partnership with local police, other local landlords, local councillors – and you to make the areas a nice place to live. The dates for our walkabouts are all online at www.hpch.co.uk under events, and the next few months see us at:

6th March – Old Glossop, meet at 2pm at Blackshaw Rd (Contact Hannah Dyer for info)

22nd March – Gamesley, meet at 2pm at Cottage Lane cut through (Contact Frank Wood for info)

27th March – Hope Valley, meet at 2pm at Peveril Close in Castleton (contact Maxine Collinson for info)

27th March – Hadfield, meet at 2pm on Thorncliffe Rd (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

10th April – Hadfield, meet at 2pm on Merseybank Rd (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

19th April – Gamesley, meet at 2pm at Ashford Bus Shelter (contact Frank Wood for info)

24th April – Whaley Bridge, meet at 2pm on Williamson Rd (contact Maxine Collinson for info)

1st May – Whitfield, meet at 2pm Highfield Rd (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

15th May – Whitfield, meet at 2pm Ebenezer St (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

17th May – Gamesley, meet at 2pm Centurian Bus Shelter (contact Frank Wood for info)

14th June – Tintwistle, meet at 2pm Matthew Close (contact Frank Wood for info)

12th July – Charlesworth, meet at 2pm Church Fold (contact Frank Wood for info)

31st July – Simmondley, meet at 2pm Simmondley Lane (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

16th August – Gamesley, meet at 2pm Hucklow Bus Shelter (contact Frank Wood for info)

21st August – Old Glossop, meet at 2pm Blackshaw Rd (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

21st August – Simmondley, meet at 2pm Simmondley Lane (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

4th Sept – Hadfield, meet at 2pm Thorncliffe Rd (contact Hannah Dyer for info)

13th Sept- Gamesley, meet at 2pm Winster Mews (our office) (contact Frank Wood for info)

Maxine Collinson

Frank Wood

Vicky Cunningham

Hannah Dyer Cassie Forsyth

Jemma Swanson

Meet the team

Team OneFrank Wood extension 3706, covering Gamesley, Charlesworth & Tintwistle based at the Gamesley Neighbourhood Office.

Hannah Dyer extension 3822, covering Hadfield & Glossop based at Furness Vale.

Frank and Hannah are supported by Cassie Forsyth, Assistant Neighbourhood Co-ordinator who works between the two locations and can be contacted using the same extension numbers or on 3825.

Team TwoMaxine Collinson extension 6525, covering New Mills, Chapel, Chinley, Hayfield, Buxworth, Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale & Hope Valley (Bamford, Castleton, Edale & Hope) based at Furness Vale.

Vicky Cunningham extension 4655, covering Fairfield, Buxton, Harpur Hill, Peak Dale & Dove Holes based at Fairfield Neighbourhood Office.

Maxine and Vicky are supported by Jemma Swanson, Assistant Neighbourhood Co-ordinator who works between the two locations and can be contacted using the same extension numbers or on 3825.

Contact any of the team by calling 0845 129 8075 followed by the extension numbers opposite

Money MentorThe “Money Mentor” recently attended a training event and discovered that there will be a Credit Union covering the High Peak Area soon. This is great news as Credit Unions are a safe place to access savings accounts and affordable credit.

Watch our Website for further details which is www.hpch.co.uk

You can also visit our website to find a whole load of information to help you manage your money. With advice on how to open a bank account to the average costs of running your own home, the Money Mentor can help you make important decisions about your money.

There are also useful links to other websites for specialist advice on debt.

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A little help to get your garden ready for summer!We have a tool loan scheme for you to use, to borrow garden tools such as spades, lawn mowers and wheel barrows. The scheme is free to use, and easy to access, you can call us on 0845 129 8075 for more information or to put in a request. Your neighbourhood caretaker will come along and explain how to use the equipment safely to you.

It is part of your tenancy agreement with us that you will keep your garden in a clean and tidy way – the tool loan scheme is a great way to help you with this!

Meet theNEW CaretakerA warm welcome to Simon Basile who has recently joined us as the new Neighbourhood Caretaker – and will be covering the Fairfield area. Make sure to say hello!

If you have ever looked at the grassed areas in and around your neighbourhood and thought “that could be better!” now is your chance to work with us to make things better.

We are looking for tenants in each of our neighbourhoods to act as monitors to ensure our grassed areas are being maintained to the standard they should be.

This shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes every month. Anyone who volunteers to be a monitor will receive a pack with a list of what to look out for and reporting slips to complete together with envelopes to return them in. If you prefer you can email us or input your feedback on-line.

If you would be interested in helping us out please contact your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator or Assistant Neighbourhood Co-ordinator by calling 0845 129 8075.

How does our garden grow?

Where are our houses? Bamford ______________________ 57 Buxton ______________________ 312Buxworth _____________________ 22Castleton _____________________ 23Chapel ______________________ 238Charlesworth _________________ 30Chinley _______________________ 42Dove Holes ___________________ 47Edale __________________________ 6Fairfield _____________________ 558Furness Vale __________________ 63Gamesley ___________________ 697Glossop _____________________ 555Hadfield _____________________ 365Harpur Hill ____________________ 68Hayfield ______________________ 98Hope _________________________ 35New Mills ____________________ 403Peak Dale ____________________ 34Tintwistle ____________________ 104Whaley Bridge _______________ 185

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We have been working with our partners (Police, HPBC & Parish Councils) to tackle anti social behaviour which resulted in the decision to remove a bench on Castleton Road , we hope this has helped combat the problem in this area and improved the quality of life for the residents in this area. If you have any problems, or questions, please contact Maxine Collinson on 0845 129 8075.

We have continued partnership working to tackle the lead thefts in the New Mills area particularly to respond to incidents, keeping people informed and using different methods such as Smart water markers to tackle this in the future and deter future offenders.

We have also been working to combat nuisance in the Chapel area which has involved joint visits with the Police to various perpetrators and victims, installation of additional fencing, Noise Monitoring Equipment Installation, Leafleting the areas to inform residents of who to report incidents to and that continued monitoring of the area was in force, Increased patrols at the times incidents being reported to resolve the issues and referrals to other agencies if necessary. If you live in this area and would like to speak to your Neighbourhood Coordinator, Maxine – please call 0845 129 8075 or email enquiries@hpch.co.uk

GlossopdaleIn February this year, following a consultation with tenants and residents, HPCH began work to improve Unity Walk in Glossop.

The area had a large area of concrete space, which residents found to be an eye sore and there were also complaints that it was being used as a football pitch. Following the consultation residents agreed on a plan and the area was improved to include raised grassed areas to prevent ball games and areas where plants and shrubs have been planted to improve the look of the area. To the rear of flats on Crosslands Close and Uplands Road in Glossop complaints were regularly received about the difficulty gaining access to put out bins as there was no path for residents to move bins which were stored on the grass and extremely difficult to move in wet weather. Following consultation, paths have been put at the back of these flats with gates added to ensure residents have a place to store bins and are able to move bins out easier for collection. This has also improved the look of the area.

GamesleyJust so that you know.....the car parks in the area that are due to be completed in the Spring are: Matlock Gardens, Combs Gardens, Rowsley Close, Callow Green, Tideswell Bank and Litten Bank.If you have any queries about this, please contact Frank Wood on 0845 129 8075 Did you know that we recently landscaped the rear of the flats at Woodlands Close in Tintwistle? This has helped with security and health and safety. We have been working closely with Derbyshire County Council recently, who have now completed over 40 dropped kerbs in the Gamesley neighbourhood – which is allowing for easier access for wheelchairs and prams.

They have also removed 2 remaining sets of steps in the Combs and Longnor areas to make access for wheelchairs users and prams.

They are currently working on the annual plan of taking up flags where they have been identified as a trip hazard and replacing with tarmac.

Other work has included the installation of drop down bollards, in liaison with the Fire Service to prevent vehicles going onto the main pedestrianised area at Winster Mews. We have had 2 bids for funding approved through the tenant community fund, and you will soon be seeing the removal of broken flags at Winster Mews, which will be replaced with tarmac and also the wall of the car park at Hurdlow Mews will be repaired. Find out more about the tenant community fund on the page....

Central AreaWe have been making environmental Improvements across the central area, planning permission was granted to improve the parking on Parsons Gate Bamford, Derbyshire County Council are due to start these works for us in April 2012 which should improve the parking and visual appearance of this area.

We are going to be making improvements to the lighting of the bungalows in chapel- we have consulted with residents and as a result we applied to the Tenants Community Fund for this project to move forward, we are really pleased that this bid was approved and works will be starting shortly.

Area Round up!

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You said......you would like to be given an appointment for your repair when you first report it to us. We have.....Invested in a new system which means that the call centre will be able to give you an appointment date when you first call us. The appointments can be morning / afternoon or all day. You are likely to get an appointment sooner if you are at home all day and can pick this one as your choice.

Did you know that by using our new appointment system, we have reduced our repairs waiting time by a full day, providing a quicker service for you.

You asked us....to complete work quicker at your home. We have....invested in “multi-skilling” the majority of the workforce, so that they can offer more than one trade, such as joinery and plumbing – which means they can do more than one job at your home.

Your feedback about our repairs service really helps us to improve our services to you – we are really proud that between January 2011 and January 2012 you have given us 36 compliments for the work we have completed. Thank you for letting us know when you are happy with our work. If you would like to compliment the workforce, please tell us on the follow up survey, call us on 0845 129 8075 or email enquiries@hpch.co.uk

Overall satisfaction with the quality of our repairs work is 93.2% between January 2011 and January 2012 You told us....you wanted us to keep our work area in your home clean and tidy....We have...bought dust sheets, shoe covers and carpet protectors for all our workforce and we promise to always remove any rubbish / waste that has come from our work.

Repairs

So far the Neighbourhoods team have visited 480 of our 4200 properties (up to the end of December) to complete the Tenancy Health Check. If you have not yet had yours,

you will be contacted in writing to advise you when your check will be completed.

The Tenancy Health Checks also help us to identify those of our tenants who are the most vulnerable, e.g. the elderly, disabled, young families, etc ,enabling us to make the necessary referral’s to our partner agencies, such as Social Care and Family Intervention Programmes (which are proving to be a great success) to offer additional support where identified.

We have been able to provide advice to families about smoke alarms and fire prevention, along with general health and safety information for the home.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding these checks then please contact your Neighbourhood Coordinator for more information on 0845 129 8075.

A Tenancy Health Check is carried out so High Peak Community Housing can help with any issues or queries that our tenants might have.

This may be in relation to repairs or nuisance problems. We will also be able to ensure our records are up to date with your information and we will also complete a home fire safety check, ensure your smoke detectors are working and give health and safety advice regarding your home.

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Have you heard about our new pilot scheme?We have been trialing this scheme in Fairfield – to encourage people to leave their home in a clean and tidy way when they are leaving. This scheme was designed with tenants to reduce our costs when homes become empty. Initially this is a pilot in Fairfield and if successful we will look to extend this across the borough.

If you have lived in your home for more than 12 months you could receive up to £200 when you move out, if you leave your property clean, tidy and in a good condition.

We want to ensure that all our properties are clean, tidy and in a good condition before a tenant moves in. Sometimes the outgoing tenant may leave the

Golden Goodbye

Moving Home?Don’t forget to book your pre termination inspection before you move, the inspector will advise you of any repairs you need to carry out before you leave and will also agree what can stay, this way you won’t end up with a bill you hadn’t bargained for.

Call 0845 129 8075 or email enquiries@hpch.co.uk

property in a poor state of repair, or leave rubbish behind. We then have to spend money on clearing the property and repairing any damage. This in turn causes a delay in re-letting the property to a new tenant. Mrs Mckenzie was the first tenant to move out of her home, and take advantage of this new and exciting scheme. If you are thinking of moving home- please contact us to check that you are eligible for the scheme on 0845 129 8075.

Transfer Incentive Scheme What is the Transfer Incentive Scheme?There is a shortage of family-sized properties available within High Peak. The Transfer Incentive Scheme is a way of rewarding and assisting tenants who areprepared to “downsize” – say move from a three-bedroomed house to a one bed roomed bungalow – and so free-up desperately needed family accommodation

Who qualifies?If you are currently a tenant or joint tenant of High PeakCommunity Housing and live in a family property (2 or more bedrooms) that is bigger than you require or in awheelchair adapted property that you do not requirethen you are eligible to apply.

What happens?When you apply to the Home-Options scheme, we willidentify you as potentially qualifying and will arrange for someone to visit you at home and discuss your housing needs and requirements. Once you are registered under the scheme on Home-Options you will usually be placed in a Band A to release two or more bedrooms or Band B to release one bedroom.

What benefits are there for me?Once you have been offered a property through ourHome-Options scheme and qualify under the TenantIncentive Scheme you will receive the following:

• A named person to guide you through the process• £250 once you have moved (subject to all arrears

and rechargeable repairs being cleared)• Free “Carelink” Installation and complimentary

“Carelink” service for the first three months of tenancy

• The cost of post being re-directed for 12 months for the tenant

Additionally, you can select one item from the following list:-

• Assistance with arranging and paying for removals with an approved remover OR

• A further payment of £350

Also you will choose one item from this list for everybedroom you are losing (so someone going from a four bed roomed house to a one bedroom bungalow will have 3 choices):

• Decoration of one room (tenants choice of room and colour)

• Carpet fitted for one room (tenants choice of room and colour) (upper limit on cost applies) £150

• Help from a caretaker for half a day (four hours) to hang pictures, curtain rails and similar small jobs (this excludes decoration)

• Plumbing in of cooker and white goods (up to two appliances)

• Assistance removing unwanted furniture

If you are currently in a family sized home and are thinking of downsizing, why not call us for a chat? Contact us on 0845 129 8075.

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During the summer High Peak Community Housing carried out an extensive ASB Diversionary programme. There were static summer holiday activity programmes in Fairfield and Gamesley a mobile that conducted activities in Whaley Bridge, Chapel en le frith, New Mills, Fairfield and Hadfield, sports sessions conducted by Gamesley Villa and Buxton Juniors and a series of trips out that included Rope Race and Ice skating. These activities were attended by over 2000 young people aged between 8 and 19 and was the most well attended summer holiday programme across the High Peak. Reports of ASB in our neighbourhoods during the summer holidays were down again on the previous years.

The Community partnership Team worked with a number of other agencies on this programme and as a result were able to make significant savings on the cost of the programme. Dave Longbone Senior Community Partnership Co-ordinator said “I am really pleased with the Pure summer programme. I am particularly pleased that the programme has positively impacted on reports of ASB in our Neighbourhoods. My Team managed to make massive cost savings on this years programme and still provided young people living within our communities with quality activities that kept them occupied all summer. My Team have already started work speaking to attendees of the 2011 programme and getting them involved in shaping this years programme.”

After a successful pilot project in Fairfield during 2010 / 2011 High Peak Community Housing’s Community Partnership[ Team have successfully set up two further “worklessness” projects in the Gamesley and Hadfield Neighbourhoods. 65 young people have been actively involved in the work projects that has seen the youngsters tidying untidy gardens, maintaining and repainting childrens park areas, community clearups, litter picking, planting bulbs and numerous other jobs in the neighbourhoods that they

Pure Summer 2011

Gamesley Rangers / Hadfield Rangers (formerly Dreamscheme)

live. In return young people have been rewarded with trips out and celebrated membership at a Rangers Christmas party and disco in December Young people are now beginning to buy in to the notion that ‘it pays to work’ Young people are also taking greater ownership of the community that they live.

The Community Partnership Team are starting some mentoring work with some of the older young people raising there aspirations and getting them ready for Further Education / work.

Neighbourhood Bonfires Nearly 2000 revellers enjoyed the two Neighbourhood bonfires and firework spectatculars at Fairfield and Gamesley. Statistics for unplanned bonfires / calls to the fire service in both neighbourhoods were down again this year. Comments captured from revellers at both events were really positive.

Dear Residents,I am delighted to be able to tell you

about all of the excellent work that

the Community Partnership Team

have been delivering during 2011, we

are really seeing a difference in the

communities we manage and hope that you are

too. Our plans for 2012 will concentrate on partnership work with

stakeholder groups, such as community groups, the Police and

local residents working and living in our communities.

Both existing and new projects that the team are working on

will aim to create better communities and better lives.

There are many opportunities for you to get involved in all of

the projects that the Community Partnership Team lead on –

why not give it a try?

For more information or a volunteers pack please contact the

team on 0845 129 8075.

David LongboneSenior Community Partnership Co-ordinator