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News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council Spring 2016

tenants’ times

Tenants’ new homes honourlocal soldiersREAD MORE ON PAGE 3

housing mattersRentsWhen the Council’s housing account becameself-financing, Government required us to have along-term Housing Business Plan. This wouldshow how anticipated spending on items such asrepairs, improvements, management costs andloan charges would be met by rental income.

Rents were based on Government guidancefigures which provided for yearly increases. Thisyear we understand the Government intends toimpose a reduction instead. While any rentreduction is welcome in principle, this will besmall (insignificant for those on Housing Benefit)and year-on-year reductions of this kind wouldultimately mean the Council has less money tolook after your council home.

Higher rents for some?The Government has proposed a ‘Pay to Stay’policy for council tenants on higher incomes.Consultation is taking place and we await details,such as what level higher incomes would be takeninto account, and the percentage of market rentsthat would be charged.

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Councillor John Mowles, Housing portfolio-holder

Don’t lose your vote

As I will not be seeking re-election to theCouncil when my term expires in May this willbe my last contribution to Tenants’ Times asHousing portfolio-holder.It has been an honour and a privilege to holdthat position, as housing has been my maininterest during the whole of the time I’ve beena councillor.Good quality, well-maintained accommodation,affordability and secure tenancies make forstable and strong families and communities.That has always been my driving force andwith the commitment and competence ofHousing staff, backed-up by the support andinvolvement of our tenants, Ipswich BoroughhCouncil has a widely-held and well-earnedreputation for being outstanding in thehousing service it provides. Long may thatcontinue.

The Government is prioritising ‘starter homes forsale’. We want to see more truly affordablehomes for sale and for rent. In presentcircumstances that makes the Council’shouse-building programme essential.

Some people also register because they want to apply for credit becausecredit reference agencies use the register to confirm where somebody lives.It’s not too late to register for this year. You can register online atwww.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting Ipswich Borough Council on 01473 432533.

A call is being made to Ipswich residents to make sure they are on the Electoral Register.

The Borough Council carried out a comprehensive campaign with its 2015 Annual Canvass, where formswere sent to every house in Ipswich. There are still a large number of ‘Invitation to Register’ formsunreturned which must be completed to ensure registration. Everybody in the UK mustbe registered to be able to vote in local and national elections and referendums.

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

The development honours two Ipswich soldierswho died in action - Private Gary Barnes, who waskilled in Northern Ireland in 1979, and PrivateAaron McClure, who died in Afghanistan in 2007.Both families and former colleagues in the ArmedServices attended the official opening of thedevelopment by the Mayor of Ipswich.

Aaron and Gary both attended Westbourne HighSchool and representatives from the school werealso in attendance.

Pictured on the cover is new tenant AndrewMartin.

Tenants’ new homes honourlocal solidersSoldiers honoured at Barnes Square and McClureWayIpswich Borough Council has built 22 flats on thesite of derelict garages behind the shops in UlsterAvenue, totally transforming the area. The first tenants moved in in November

Before

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The Ipswich Waterfront is set to come alive withphotography this summer as a new visual artsfestival, PhotoEast, is launched.

A festival highlight is an Ipswich Borough Councilfunded project to create a photographic portraitof the town, taken from the top deck of anIpswich bus. Photographer George Georgiou willbe in residence on Ipswich Buses and theexhibition will feature on the Waterfront in May.

PhotoEast will also see the launch of JulianGermain's 'Generations' project, with portraits oflocal families who can boast four or five livinggenerations. Germain, originally from Ipswich, isone of the UK’s leading documentaryphotographers. We are looking for families whowould like to be photographed. To qualify, familymembers should be direct descendants (i.e.grandparent, parent, child, grandchild) with some

New photography festival for Ipswich: PhotoEast 24 May - 25 June 2016

or all of the family living in Ipswich and thesurrounding area.

If you know any families who would beinterested in taking part, please get in contact.

Send an email to ben@photoeast.co.uk or visitwww.photoeast.co.uk

14th May ­ 5th June

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Awards celebrate Ipswich CommunityIn December the North West Ipswich Big LocalTrust (BLT) celebrated the achievements ofgroups it has supported within Whitton,Whitehouse and Castle Hill over the past threeyears.The first annual celebration evening at theMeeting Place community centre showcased localprojects, including the Skatepark in WhitehousePark, and was attended by more than 30organisations, schools and groups. Prizes wereawarded to local people for their individual andgroup work including fundraising for sickchildren, creating nature areas, helpingneighbours, improving facilities for football clubsand helping local groups to grow and thrive.

We are pleased to report that planned maintenance is moving on to Whitton, Castle Hill, Maidenhalland The Triangle estates for 2016/17.

Ipswich Borough Council’s Planned Maintenance Team is completing works around Nacton and parts ofthe Chantry estate. These works include:

• new roofs • external painting/rendering to individual properties • new front doors • electrical rewires• general building work to communal areas

If your property is to be included we will write to you shortly giving you details of the works to beundertaken.

Planned maintenance at

Whitton, Castle Hill, Maidenhall& The Triangle

Entertainment was provided by TommyBradshaw, who, at 12 years old, is one of thecountry’s youngest puppeteers and youngestrecipients of a BLT grant for his Punch and Judybooth. If you have a project to support the youngor old, or have an exceptional skill to develop inNorth West Ipswich the BLT may be able to help.

Visit www.nwipswichblt.co.uk for moreinformation.

Above: Rev Jutta Brueck presenting award toLeah DouglasOpposite: Invited guests at BLT celebrationevening

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The Palace has launched a national campaign of community pride in partnership with Keep Britain Tidyas part of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations. Ipswich Borough Council is supporting this nationalinitiative and is encouraging its residents to join the Ipswich Clean for the Queen campaign on 4-6March.

For more information including how to arrange a litter picking kit for this event go towww.ipswich.gov.uk/cleanforthequeen or telephone 01473 432994.

Is your garden ready for spring?

Disposing of largeritemsThe Ipswich Furniture Project may be able to help

Unwanted household electrical items i.e. fridges,freezers, microwaves and washing machines canbe collected free of charge, whether they work ornot. Last year 4,371 items (195 tonnes) ofunwanted appliances were collected for recyclingby Ipswich Furniture Project on behalf of IpswichBorough Council.

They may also be interested in your old furniture,if in reasonable condition (soft furnishings musthave a relevant fire safety label attached).

To arrange a collection ring 01473 404004 or email service@ipswichfp.org Please include acontact telephone number so they can call youback to arrange collection.

If the Ipswich Furniture Project is not able toassist, the Council offers a collection for up to

Gardeners may like to prepare for a busy springclean by ordering an additional brown gardenwaste bin. For £46.50 per year, per bin, theCouncil will deliver an additional bin to help withgrass cuttings, light prunings, plant/flower tops,garden vegetables and fruit.

No soil, stones, turf or animal waste of any kind please.

To order a second brown bin go to www.ipswich.gov.ukor call 01473 433090.

five large items (i.e. bed-base, mattress, roll of carpet, bookshelf, chair).To arrange a collection go to www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/bulky-collection or telephone 01473 433090.

Join the national tidy up

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Kurling at Cumberland TowersOwen ‘Mr Reliable’ Elvin, pictured here with his wife Sally and MikeMcCarthy from ActivLives, received an award for 100% attendance atthe scheme’s weekly Kurling sessions. Owen was also the first to signup for the first ever Ipswich Kurling Competition last year.

ActivIpswich held taster sessions in ten of our sheltered housingschemes and with its support, Stratford Court, Morecambe Court andCumberland Towers now run their own weekly sessions. “I’ve neverheard so much laughter, people are really enjoying themselves!” saida Cumberland Towers tenant at one session.

Some 1,000 Ipswichresidents are movingmore with ActivIpswichThe aim of the ActivIpswich project is to enablepeople aged 45+ (there is no upper age limit),who don’t currently play regular sport, to getinvolved in an activity they can enjoy in a socialand friendly environment.

“We have reached the 1,000 new participantstarget much sooner than we had expected”, saidMike McCarthy from ActivLives. “We are alsoclosing in quickly on 10,000 attendances atActivIpswich sports sessions since September2014. These results are testimony to how muchreal interest there is amongst local people to getinvolved in playing sport.”

ActivIpswich delivers fun, easily-accessible sportsto suit all fitness levels including walking-football, kurling, boccia, short mat bowls,badminton, walking for fitness and table tennis.The partnership project between ActivLives andIpswich Borough Council is funded by SportEngland’s Community Sport Activation Fund.

ActivShedsActivSheds - a new garden project based aroundcarpentry, construction and DIY (rather thangardening) is part of an international movementMen in Sheds. Based at the CRESS Pavilion, thegroup has begun its first project renovating theshed with timber donated from B&Q. They planto build a Selfie Station at the Suffolk Show withtheir funder, the East of England Co-op. The teamhas already made garden sofas from pallets and agreenhouse from plastic bottles. ActivShed’sparticipant Tony says he is enjoying working withothers to problem-solve and overcomechallenges.

ActivSheds runs from 10am on Friday morningsat the CRESS Pavilion shed in Halifax Road. The grand opening will be on Friday 18 March. Just pop along or contact Jo atjo@activlives.org.uk or 07760 583950.

ActivLives

To get involved with ActivIpswich please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or e: mike@activlives.org.uk

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How it works:You can now upload evidence from home or on the move using your mobile, tablet, or PC. You can takepictures of your documents using your smartphone or camera.

Simply go to www.ipswich.gov.uk/benefitsClick on Online formsSelect Evidence Submission Form

Then just fill in the simple form and upload each document using the button “upload and attach file”.Review your documents by clicking Show/Hide Attachments then you are good to go.

Also, reporting a change of address for Council Tax purposes is much easier online too. Simply go towww.ipswich.gov.uk and select on Council Tax change of address from the Top Tasks list.

The easy way to pay billsIt’s now easier to make payments online. You canpay council tax, business rates, BusinessImprovement District (BID), housing rents, benefitoverpayment, Parking Penalty Charge Notices andinvoices.

To save time and make life easier you can also usedirect debit to pay council tax bills, housing rent,business rates and some regular invoices.

Find out more at www.ipswich.gov.uk

Avoid queueing by using self-service:Do your own Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction scanning using the evidence upload form now available on the Ipswich Borough Council website.

DIY with self-service

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Limited mobility?

SHOPMOBILITYoffers FREE use of a

wheelchair

or battery

powered scooter to

get you around the

town centre

All equipment to be returned by 4pm

*two hours free parking for Shopmobility users

www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility

t: 01473 222225

Call in and see us at IPSWICH

SHOPMOBILITY at the

Buttermarket shopping centre

on the lower ground (LG)

car park level*

Monday - Saturday 9.15am-4.15pm

Free sports sessionswww.ipswich.gov.uk Pa

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for young peopleDuring the spring and summer term the Positive Futures project will be running free activities acrossIpswich. Young people aged 10-19 can simply turn up and join in; there is no charge to take part.

Football Chantry Sports Centre Tuesday 5-6pm

Football Whitton Sports Centre Wednesday 4-5pm

Boxing YMCA Wednesday 5-6pm

Girls Only Chantry Sports Centre Wednesday 6-7pm

The project is managed by national charity Catch22 and funded by the Suffolk Police and CrimeCommissioner. It also works in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

For further information please contact paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk

FABULOUS, FASCINATING AND FREE!IPSWICH

MUSEUMS

An exciting range of children’s workshops take

place at the Museum and Christchurch Mansion

during the school holidays as well as regular

activities for youngsters, including the Saturday

Art Club at the Art School Gallery.

Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich IP1 3QH

Christchurch Mansion, Soane Street, Ipswich IP4 2BE

Ipswich Art School, 1 Upper High Street, Ipswich IP1 3NE

Entry to all three facilities is free

Keep up to date with the latest news @IpswichGov IpswichGov www.ipswich.gov.uk/museums

Ipswich Museum in High Street is home to perennial favourites such

as Rosie the Rhino and Wool-I-AM the mammoth but also has an

intriguing Egyptian Gallery and tells the fascinating story of Ipswich

f

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Please feed the garden birds not the rats

So do the right things and always:

• feed with bird food• sweep up waste regularly• obtain permission from your landlord if your

garden is shared by others• talk to your neighbours - they may enjoy more

birds in the neighbourhood if mess is kept to aminimum

Never provide food waste! Birds eat seed, grain and small grubs -bread, cake and table scraps can makebirds ill.

Millions of people enjoy attracting birds to their gardens however it’s important the food you put outfeeds the birds and not the rats.

Anyone who has a bird table knows that birds are messy. They drop seeds and casings under everytable or feeder, and this debris can attract rats. Not something anyone wants to tempt into theirgardens. The risk is far greater when you throw out large quantities of unsuitable food.

Phot

o by

Par

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Mat

t Ber

ry

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Smoked pork sausage stewINGREDIENTS:

1 large or two smallsmoked pork sausages500g vegetables (suchas 3 carrots, 1 largepotato, 2 celery stalks,garlic, 1 onion, 1 leek)a perfect recipe to useup those slightly softspecimens from theback of the fridge1 handful of pearl

barley (anypulse/bean evenbaked beanswork) 1 stock cube 2 litres of liquid Salt, pepper, herbs to taste

Holi, the Hindu festival welcoming spring, issymbolic of victory of good over evil. Peoplecelebrate by throwing coloured powder andwater. Traditional bonfires are lit with roastinggrains, popcorn, coconut and chickpeas thrownon. People gather around the bonfire andcelebrate with singing and dancing. Bring family and friends for lots of fun!• Cover each other with paint and coloured

powder• Enjoy the bonfire• Music, singing and dancing• Henna hand painting• Indian food stallsColoured powder is provided. Feel free to bringcoconut, popcorn or grains to throw on thebonfire. Please wear old clothes (or bring achange of clothing) if you are actively going tojoin in the spirit of Holi.

Holi at Holywells(The Festival of Colours)

Myrtle MeadowHolywells ParkCliff LaneIpswich, IP3 0PGEntrance via Myrtle RoadParking on Duke Street(Ipswich Waterfront)

Admission FREESunday 3 April, 20161400-1600

Total cost £3.64, equivalent of 61p per portion for 6 adults

METHOD:Heat water in your pan, add your veggies (but not potatoes) and choppedsausage. Stir. Add your stock cube, pearl barley (or alternative) and seasoning.Once this boils turn the temperature right down.Put the lid on and leave for an hour and a half. Add the chopped potato, cook for another half an hour. If you want to make dumplings then do this now and add to the pan. If you think the stew is too thin then thicken with cornflour and water, if it is too thick then add extra water. That’s all!

Can you beat the £5 challenge?

Email your recipes to: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

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Talking to your landlord

Most people (89.6%) we spoke to were happy or very happy with the serviceand said the Council listens to tenants and acts on their priorities (77.2%).

The responses suggested we need to do more to promote opportunities tohave a say in housing. We also talked to tenants who are already involvedand asked what they would like us to do more of (or stop doing). Theywanted to be more ‘hands on’, to be empowered to help theirneighbourhoods and to be able to organise more events.

The message from all tenants we surveyed was to make our involvementoptions more personal and less formal, either face to face or by telephone, orif more convenient, online or by email.

We are improving howwe work to reflect thisfeedback.

To find out moreabout being involvedcontact Simon t: 01473 433291 or e:tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk.

Recently we asked tenants online and by phone about our services and the ways to become involved inhelping us improve them.

In the last 12 months, the Council has:

• emptied more than four million bins

• sold nearly 300,000 tickets for shows at the Regent and Corn Exchange

• kept us safe by monitoring 200 CCTV cameras

• provided more than 500,000 swims at Crown Pools

• built more than 100 new council homes

• welcomed 30,000 visitors to a Constable exhibition at the Mansion

• dealt with 1,257 planning applications

• greeted around 200,000 customers at the Tourist Information Centre

• cut 1,100 acres of grass in parks, open spaces and on verges

• awarded £1 million in community and arts grants

• made 122,000 personal visits to sheltered scheme residents

• helped 46 organisations through our Area Committees with funding

totalling £130,000 and generating another £500,000 in match funding.

TheCouncil innumbers

Ipswich BoroughCouncil delivers awide range ofservices, fromemptying bins toputting on hit showsat the Regent Theatre.Here’s a snapshot innumbers ...

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Get the Olympicspirit with a

new sport

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The 2016 Rio Olympics are just around the corner

The 2012 Olympics inspired millions of people totake up new sports (or dust off old ones). Getahead of the curve and take up badminton orshort mat bowls with ActivIpswich.

ActivBowls takes place every Tuesday (11am-12.30pm) at Gainsborough Sports and CommunityCentre. This session is for complete beginners,with all equipment provided; just wearcomfortable clothes and shoes. You need to beable to bend and stretch.

ActivBadminton is held everyTuesday (2-3.30pm) at WhittonSports and Community Centre.These sessions are also for beginners with all equipment provided. Wear non-markingindoor trainers and comfortable clothes.No need to book, just come along and give it ago.

If you would like to find out more about any ofthe ActivIpswich programmes, please call 01473345350 or e: mike@activilives.org.uk

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USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

You can contact Housing Services on 01473 433370

To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry 01473 432100

(including out of hours emergency repairs)

To order a gas repair or gas service 0800 533 5630 or

01473 835145

Environmental Health (for noise problems) 01473 433015

RENTS At the end of January £656,528 in rent payment was outstanding, which is1.80% of the total due for the year. Target <1.95%

COMMUNITY CARETAKERS 96.7% pledge visits and 3,157 minor repairs in communal areas werecompleted so far this year. Target <95%

COMPLAINTS 4 complaints were received about Tenancy Services. All 4 received a fullresponse within 20 working days deadline and none were upheld.

ALLOCATIONS It took 20.33 working days to process a housing application. Target <20

GAS SERVICING At each month end all our properties should have an up-to-date gas safetycertificate, 2 services were overdue at the end of January 2016.

REPAIRS 5,201 repairs were raised of which 96.03% were completed on target. Target >98.5%

CUSTOMER SERVICE Of 19,365 calls made to Housing and Repairs 86.8% got through to an agentbefore ending the call. Target >90%

TENANCY We averaged 23.1 days between a tenancy ending and the next one starting.Target <15 days

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR There were 50 open anti-social behaviour cases at the end of January

Update on housing performance - period ending November 2015-January 2016

WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED?

JOIN THE TENANT FACEBOOK GROUP

www.facebook.com/groups/IBCtenants/

Measuring up