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Page 1: Tenants times summer 2013

tenants’ timesTwitter @IpswichGov facebook/IpswichGov www.ipswich.gov.uk

News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Summer 2013

Page 2: Tenants times summer 2013

Tenants’ editorial panelAngela Griffiths Pamela Pamment

Brian Laffling Derek Rusher

Front cover: shows Ipswich Borough Council Leader

David Ellesmere starts work on the first council houses to

be built in the town for more than 20 years.

housing mattersNew Council Homes - May 2013 was a very specialtime for Ipswich Borough Council as far as housingis concerned. Work started on-site to prepare tobuild new Council houses for the first time in morethan 20 years. Two small sites - at Whitton ChurchLane and Coltsfoot Road - are underway and aplanning application has been submitted forbuilding more than 100 homes at Bader Close.These developments will provide affordable homes;much-needed jobs; and boost the local economy,too.

Empty Houses - While new homes are a priority,another is to get long-term empty houses back intoresidential use. The considerable work being putinto investigating such properties is alreadybringing positive results. Some renovation work istaking place while agreement has been reachedwith other owners to bringdilapidated houses into fit conditionfor re-occupation.

Councillor John MowlesHousing Portfolio Holder

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2

Housing matters 2

Tenant Scrutiny Welcome 3

New Council Homes 4

Loan shark week 5

Benefit changes 6

Teamwork 7

Recycling facilities 8

Noise action week 9

Pensioner powerhouse 10

Rolling in Clover 11

Get help in the garden 12

Tenant Q&A 13

Puzzle corner 14

TSP focus ... 15

Housing performance update 16

Important funding announcement 17

Invisible Killer 18

An extra Monday 19

Useful Contacts 20

Page 3: Tenants times summer 2013

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

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New housing officersHelen TowersHelen is originally from Manchester and had been living and working in the East Midlandsfor 20 years before coming to Ipswich. She has previously worked in Private LettingsManagement and Housing Options for Melton Borough Council. Helen is the housingofficer covering Maidenhall area (round 6).

Tom OrrIpswich-born Tom spent three years in Sheffield studying for a degree. On his return, hebegan a career in estate agency. He has been working as a housing officer in TenancyServices for just over four weeks and is enjoying the challenge. Tom covers Stoke Park areawith Eleanor Fisher (7) and the Birds and Plants area of Chantry with Nicki Baker (16).

Katie ForemanKatie joined Ipswich Borough Council as a housing officer job-share with Charlotte Mayand Kelly Hayes to cover Gainsborough (3) and Greenwich (4) areas. Katie has come from a housing association background within Ipswich and also worked forSuffolk County Council highways department.

Dear fellow tenants,I am very pleased towelcome you to thissummer edition.

Recently the panel hasbeen looking at CustomerServices and CommunityCaretakers. You can read aboutthese projects on page 15. Wewill publish our findings soonbefore moving to TenancyServices. We have alreadypublished our report andrecommendations on ‘kitchenand bathroom refurbishment’.This report was widelywelcomed and we thankeveryone who participated. Thereport was summarised in thelast Tenants’ Times and isavailable in full on our page of

the Ipswich Borough Councilwebsite; www.ipswich.gov.uk

Since the last edition Panelmembers also received housinglaw training and met withCambridge City Council tenantrepresentatives to discuss bestpractice, exchange views andcompare scrutiny work. We areplanning to meet with Welwyn,Hatfield and Waveney ScrutinyPanels for a similar fact-findingmission later in this year.During May 2013, after some

three years, Tenancy Servicesnow has its full complement of20 housing officers.

We now look forward totenants receiving the samestandard of service as when thearea housing offices closed in2009 and we will look at thisstandard later in the year.

Wishing you all some warmsummer days.Brian LafflingChair, Tenant Scrutiny Panel

WelcomeTENANTscrutinyPAN E L

Page 4: Tenants times summer 2013

Works starts

Work has begun on the construction of the firstnew Council houses to be built in Ipswich for morethan 20 years.

The Council is building seven homes on two smallsites in Coltsfoot Road, Chantry (two 3-bedroomhouses and one 2-bedroom house) and WhittonChurch Lane in north-west Ipswich (two 3-bedroomhouses and two 2-bedroom houses). Thedevelopments will take around 34 weeks tocomplete.

We are working in partnership with Orwell HousingAssociation, with building work is being completedby local firm RG Carter and the Council estimates atotal of 70 people will work on the project fromdesign to fitting out.

The Leader of the Council, David Ellesmere, said: “This is an important milestone - the start of workon the first new Council houses in Ipswich for morethan 20 years. Our programme will provide muchneeded affordable homes for local people and givea job boost to the Ipswich economy.” CouncillorJohn Mowles, Housing portfolio-holder, added: “We are looking forward to completion of thesehouses in north-west Ipswich as the first stage in our

promise to help people find a home. Homes andjobs are the cornerstone of this Council’scommitment to the development of a fairerIpswich.”A much bigger scheme for more than 100 Council

homes in Bader Closesouth-east Ipswich is alsoplanned. This will be thebiggest Ipswich Councilhousing scheme for 50years. Plans of this areshown above.

Dawn Edwards and WendyEvans of Orwell HousingAssociation with Cllr ColinWright, Cllr David Ellesmere,Leader of the Council andPortfolio Holder for Housing,Cllr John Mowles as workstarts on site at WhittonChurch Lane where the firstCouncil houses are being builtfor more than 20 years.

on new council homes

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

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Page 5: Tenants times summer 2013

The outgoing Mayor joined Councillors, police officers, caretakers, housingofficers, Trading Standards and local groups to launch the week at the CastleHill Community Centre. Over the week, representatives fanned out into thecommunity to talk to parents, community groups and the public about thedangers of loan sharks, and involved many local schools, children’s centres,church groups and organisations. Councillor Albert Grant, Chair of IpswichBorough Council’s North-West Area Committee, said: “Many people whoborrow from loan sharks are subjected to threats and violence. We want toalert residents to the dangers with this new campaign.”

North West Area Committee member CouncillorChris Stewart added: “Anyone who has been thevictim of a loan shark can report it in confidence.They are not the criminal - the loan shark is! Thevictim can get help and we can ensure action istaken against the illegal money-lender.”

Illegal money lenders, more commonly known as loan sharks, operate outside the law. They add on exhorbitant

Shark hunting

During the week more than 400 loan sharkawareness quizzes were completed.

The winner, Fiona Foster, is pictured with IanBlofield, Head of Housing Services receiving a£100 voucher prize at the community playbus.

amounts of interest and might use threats andviolence to frighten people who cannot pay backthe money they borrowed.

If you are experiencing financial problems don’tbe tempted to borrow from them; if you do it islikely you will be trapped into spiralling debt andwill be subjected to harassment.

Anyone who has been affected by this crime isurged to report it in confidence. 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222Text: ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003e: reportaloanshark@stoploan sharks.gov.ukPrivate message:www.facebook.com/stoploansharksprojectIf you are in immediate danger phone 999.

For information on illegal money lending contactEngland Illegal Money Lending Team onCommunications Officer t: 0121 693 1030/ 07881617119

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants Page

5

in north west Ipswich

Loan Shark

Awareness Week

13-19 May

Page 6: Tenants times summer 2013

Need help with

The Government changes tobenefits have left many peopleworried about the impact ontheir finances. If you are one ofthe 1,600 residents in Ipswichaffected there is help availableto understand changes and somesolutions.

What you can do• finding work could mean you

no longer need benefits.Information is available atwww.direct.gov.uk/jobseekerson looking for work, updatingskills, writing a CV, applyingand preparing for interview.

• are you claiming all thebenefits you are entitled to? Contact Citizens AdviceBureau, t: 01473 219777www.ipswichcab.org.ukShelter t: 0808 8084444www.england.shelter.org.ukCheck out www.dwp.gov.uk. Turn2us is dedicated to

helping people handle theirbenefits and understand thechanges. Check their benefitcalculator www.turn2us.org.uk

• consider a lodger. They areentitled to their own bedroomand most of their rent is nottaken into account on yourbenefit claim. A Governmentfactsheet is available atwww.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/lettingrooms

• consider a smaller home, go towww.houseexchange.org.ukto find suitable smallerproperty for a home-swap.Also register onwww.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk which advertises upcoming empty properties.

• get money advice to help withyour budget. StepChange adebt charity give free adviceon debts based on what’s bestfor you t: 0800 138 1111

www.stepchange.orgthe Government-fundedservice National Debt Line0808 8084000 offers financialtelephone advicewww.nationaldebtline.co.uk

• can you can get DiscretionaryHousing Payment (DHP)? TheCouncil has limited money tohelp people who have a goodreason why they cannot move,or need to live in a largerhome. Ring 01473 432700 foran application form orwww.ipswich.gov.uk/benefitsclicking on ‘claiming yourbenefits’.

If you don’t have access to acomputer you can use one at theCustomer Services Centre in theTown Hall or discuss yourconcerns over the telephonewith your housing officer on01473 433370 or arrange anappointment to talk face-to-face.

benefit changes?

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

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Page 7: Tenants times summer 2013

Ipswich Borough Council’sCommunity Caretakers havebeen working with HousingOfficers to tackle parkingissues around Portman Road.

Cars driving on communalgrass areas to park wascausing a mess. It wasdecided to install parkingbollards to prohibit furtherdamage. Tenants andcouncillors on the AreaHousing Panel voted to fund the work.

Tenants were very happy with the finished project explaining this should stop unauthorised cars parking.

Teamwork pays off

at Portman Road

The North West Area Housing Panel approvedfunding to transform an area of open groundbehind Council properties on Defoe Road into anorchard for local residents to enjoy. Funding up to£3,000 was committed and housing officersGeorgina Armstrong and Charlotte McEnerycoordinated work. The Community Payback teamcleared overgrown brambles and rubbish fromthe site ready for planting. The SuffolkTraditional Orchard Group kindly advised on thebest mix of fruit trees and canes for the spaceand helped on planting day. Pictured are PaulReed from the Orchard Group, Georgina, TenantRep Angela Griffiths and Trevor Goodrich fromParks Service who all came to lend a hand.Thanks to the panel and everyone’s hard workDefoe Road residents have a great space to enjoyplums, apples, quince, raspberries andgooseberries for years to come. For more aboutTenant Panels phone Simon on 01473 433291.

Tenant panel bearsfruit

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants Page

?

Page 8: Tenants times summer 2013

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see the video and find out more at www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk

New glass recycling facilitiesNew glass recycling facilities have been installedat three more sites in Ipswich:Matalan, Ranelagh RoadThe Dales public house, Dales RoadThe Rosary Club on Bramford Road

All clean glass bottles and jars can be recycled inthe bright red wheelie bins. The Council’s Wasteand Recycling team continue to identify sites andinstall new glass recycling points but we needyour help. If you can identify a suitable locationnear where you live contact us on 01473 432099.

QUICK TIPForget which bin needs to go out for collection?Download your collection day calendar byvisiting www.ipswich.gov.uk/bincollectiondays It includes collection arrangements for bankholiday periods.

Page 9: Tenants times summer 2013

Noise action week

As part of Noise Action Week, Hawke Roadhosted a Family Fun Day.

Noise Action Week is a nationwide initiativerun by Environmental Protection UK. Eventsacross the country provided advice on avoidingnoise problems. At the Ipswich Fun Dayinformation was available from the Police andCouncil officers on how to deal with problemnoise.

Environmental Protection Officers rancompetitions for the loudest child, adult anddog. The loudest children received a cinemavoucher the loudest adult got two tickets tothe Film Night Spectacular concert hosted byBrian Blessed in Christchurch Park.

The Council also ran free micro-chipping andgave advice on how to help deal with noisy

dogs. Despite alittle rain facepainting, balloonmodelling, bouncycastle, childrenscentre giveawaysand BBQ run byCommunityCaretakers madefor a lot of fun forlocal residents.

noisy fun for all the family

Noise in the wrong place at the wrong timeaffects the quality of life in ourneighbourhoods and a common cause ofdisputes. It can also impact health andwellbeing. If you’re planning parties or BBQsthis summer• try to tell your neighbours in advance. Betterstill invite them!

• set a finish time and try to stick to it• if you’re playing music keep speakers awayfrom open windows and adjoining walls

If you have a noise complaint please callEnvironmental Protection for advice on 01473 433115

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants Page

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Page 10: Tenants times summer 2013

Mrs Edna Bussey of Cumberland Towers has receivedrecognition and thanks from Age UK for long serviceof 20 years. Mrs Bussey’s achievement is all the moreremarkable because she began volunteering in theAge UK shop on Upper Orwell Street in 1991 afterretiring as a journalist’s assistant for the East AnglianDaily Times aged 75!

Mrs Bussey, known to her friends as “Tidge”,received a Volunteer Service Award for her work forthe charity and still works in the charity shop everyweek.

It was through Mrs Bussey’s work on the Green ‘Unfootball pull-out that she first became involved with Age UK. Each Saturday she would go to footballwith her sister-in-law and on the way would call into the Age UK shop on the look-out for bargains.Tidge’s outgoing nature soon got her chatting with the staff and it wasn’t long before she was on theother side of the counter. Mrs Bussey is still a lynchpin of the shop and her commitment is applauded byall who know her.

Cracking hatsDundee House once again made the most of Easter withtheir Easter Bonnet Party. Residents at the sheltered housingscheme turned out resplendent in some fabulous headwear.The occasion included a buffet meal and a sing along withmusical accompaniment. A good time was had by all andthanks go to all who helped, including Margaret Green for organising the event. To find out more about sheltered housing phone Beryl on 01473 433326

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants Page

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Pensionerpowerhouse

Page 11: Tenants times summer 2013

Since moving to liveat Broke Hall HouseNesta Clover(pictured left) hashad her life turnedaround. She hadbeen at a low ebb,feeling quiteisolated in herbungalow and theworry was a strain

on her daughter, Melanie Druce.Since arriving Nesta has made many friends andsays it can take an age to make it down to coffeemornings simply because of chatting to her newfriends on the way. She describes her new homeas “Grand. I wouldn’t have believed there was aplace like it” adding that the change was “like aweight coming off my shoulders”.

Melanie is pleased, too knowing there is a dailycheck for her mum and when there is a need thescheme will arrange the doctor’s appointmentand keep her informed.

Rolling in clover

The Council’s longest residing sheltered housing tenant has accepted herfirst upgrade after 37 years!

Mrs Olive Horseman of All Hallows Court has had her original kitchensince moving in in 1976. It is still in immaculate condition and she doesn’t

want a new one! But she is now accepting abathroom upgrade. Olive was one of the very firsttenants to move into All Hallows Court after herhusband, Ted had a stroke aged 49. They were givena new lease of life, enjoying many happy yearstogether including their 50th wedding anniversary in1992. Olive’s son, Steven, even moved into thescheme when he retired, before sadly dying laterfrom a brain tumour.

Olive has been a staple of the scheme for manyyears, cherished by staff and residents and she stillfeels the same way about her home when speakingof life in sheltered accommodation she said “I loveit.”

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

one of the newest

one of the first

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Olive gets best out of kitchen

Page 12: Tenants times summer 2013

Get help ...in the garden

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

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Free stopsmokingsupportavailable

Are you a smoker struggling to kick the habit?Is your will-power slipping as you try to avoidthe temptation of a sneaky cigarette?

Our trained advisors offer a county-wideservice of free stop smoking advice. If you areready to quit, you can join either a regulargroup session or get one-to-one intensivesupport. Along the way we will offer you tips,advice and support and by taking part you areeligible for over £100 worth of free nicotinemedication (prescription charges may apply). We can also provide educational information

It’s the time of year again when the garden needscutting and trimming. All tenants have anobligation to keep their garden tidy.

Ipswich Borough Council understands some olderor disabled people are unable to do this forthemselves and may have no one else to helpthem. That’s where the Assisted GardeningScheme comes in. Your grass can be cut up to ninetimes a year and hedges trimmed twice a year.

To qualify you and members of your householdneed to be:65 years old or over and in receipt of housingbenefit or in receipt of mid or high-rate Disability Living Allowance

To apply you need to complete a form which isavailable from your housing officer, our website,

by ringing the Customer Contact Centre on 01473433370.

If you are requesting grass cutting, you mustensure the grass is clear of obstructions such astoys or ornaments when our gardeners call. Theywill not cut grass areas which have been fouledby pets. Due to high demand the scheme cannotinclude weeding, work on borders or shrubberyor the clearance of grass cuttings.

Please contact us if you already receive help andyour situation has changed (if you no longerreceive housing benefit or someone has moved inthat can help with the garden) because you nolonger qualify for assistance. This can free thegardeners to give more help to someone ingreater need.

about the effects thatsecond hand smoke canhave on your familyand we also have aservice for mums-to-bewho smoke. You’ll befour times more likelyto succeed with us thangoing it alone.

We also provide adviceand support to help you and your family loseweight, do more physical activity or learn tocook and eat healthier food and all of ourservices are free of chargeFor more information t: 01473 229292, visitwww.livewellsuffolk.org.uk or find us onFacebook and Twitter

Page 13: Tenants times summer 2013

TENANT Q+A“I remember there used to be a scheme tohelp older people with the cost ofdecorating. Is this still running?”Pamela Pamment - Tenant Rep

Yes Pamela, the Internal Decorationvoucher scheme is still running. Tenants who are over 60 or receivedisability benefit (DLA/DWA) can alsoget additional paint vouchers every twoyears. Additional vouchers are £30 to beredeemed at Homebase, JohnstonePaints, Wilkinsons or Richardson’sHardware. To request an application form call theContact Centre 01473 433370

Is it possible to arrange automatic weeklypayments for my rent? Lots of tenantsbudget weekly and could find weeklyeasier.Darrill Lawrence - Tenant Rep

Hello Darrill, you can arrange a weeklystanding order with your bank. Youneed to tell them how much to pay eachweek together with Council accountdetailsAcc. name: Ipswich Borough CouncilSort Code: 08-90-83Account no. 61109458

Make sure you include your rent accountnumber in the payment reference or thepayment will not credit your rentaccount.

To have your housing question answeredhere contact Simon 433291 or [email protected]

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

13

Live in or around the Triangle

Hadleigh RoadLondon RoadChantry Park

help your community and join up.

We’re looking to rundiscos, fun-days, table top sales and eventsfor the neighbourhood to get together.Ring Val Peacock on 01473 432224

Page 14: Tenants times summer 2013

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

14

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Puzzle corner

ACROSS1 Frightens birds from crops (9)5 Beer (3)8 Top of room, upper limit (7)9 Game of collecting numbers read by a caller (5)11 Remain (4)12 Annoy, irk (8)13 Author ‘Origin of the Species’ (7,6)16 Images (8)18 Mail (4)19 Physical competition, wear (5)20 Without artificial alteration (7)21 Colouring (3)22 Flavoured frozen sweet on a stick (4,5)

DOWN2 Speedy big cat (7)3 Baton passing running race (5)4 One hundredth of a metre (10)6 Illumination (5)7 Coldest season (6)10 Attendant to bride (10)14 Come back (6)15 Establish in place, load software (7)17 Suggest indirectly (5)18 Former ninth planet (5)

FREE JUNIOR SWIM VOUCHERAdmits one child free of chargeMust be used before 31st August 2013

crown poolsFREE SWIM

Bring the family this summer for a splashing time at Crown Pools

Leisure, teaching and competition poolFun inflatable slide and Freddy the Frog slide

Wave machineSwimming lessons

Profiles GymAqua classes

Sauna and steam room

All normal opening times andconditions of use apply

UNDER 3’S SWIM FOR FREE

Page 15: Tenants times summer 2013

TSP focus

We looked at the Customer Services Centre and Customer Contact Centre.When the area housing offices closed, contact with the Council was offeredthrough the service centre, by setting up the call centre and homeappointments with housing officers. The service centre receives between2,500-5,000 monthly visits, with enquiries on benefits, housing, repairs andnon-Council related matters. Initially, a full-time housing officer was stationedat the service centre but withdrawn following fewer than expected tenancyenquiries. The centre is open from Monday to Friday.

The Customer Contact Centre shares 25 staff with the Contact Centre andincorporates the Repairs Service. It handles over 25,000 monthly repair calls.Monday morning is the busiest when demand can exceed supply and delays andcall loss can occur. Most customers prefer telephone contact although onlineenquiries are growing. The central contact number 01473 432000 replacedmany individual numbers (Repairs is also contactable on 01473 432100). Formobile users local call rate is cheaper than 0845 numbers and for many users0800 is not free. Customer Services Manager Paul Farrer is addressing the peakdemand and tenants’ concerns over delays at peak times. We thank Paul for hispresentation and answering our questions and concerns. If you have commentfor us about these or other services please email [email protected].

... on caretaking

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

15

... on customer services

We have been looking at the Community Caretaker Service, observing themat work, chatting with tenants about the service and putting ourquestionnaire to them. The experience has certainly been eye-opening. Ithas been shocking to see the reckless discarding of needles, fly-tipping andpets fouling communal grass areas. On the plus side we have seen manymore tenants who look after their neighbourhood and nurture acommunity with fellow tenants. Some issues came up which we will look atin our report, such as storage of buggies and bikes in communal areas. Thiscan be a fire risk and impede escape. We also have concerns about thecommunication between the services that look after the spaces around ourhomes.

We congratulate the caretakers for their hard work during their pledgevisits (mopping, cleaning, litter picking, removal of fly-tipped items andgeneral clearing up) and their community work in the afternoons (repairs atsheltered homes schemes, bbqs at tenant fun days and evening anti-socialbehaviour patrols). We noted the caretakers keep up their valuable worksometimes under threat and intimidation.

TENANTscrutinyPAN E L

Page 16: Tenants times summer 2013

update on housingperformance

february-april 2013

HomeGas Servicing% of stock with annual gasservice at end of January.

Target 100% 99.9%

Repairs% of repairs completed ontarget within period

Target 98.5% 98.7%

EmpowermentComplaintsFull response within 20 working days100%

Customer Service% of calls answered (contacts)Target 95% 87%

Neighbourhood and CommunityAnti Social BehaviourTotal number of tenants evicted for ASB 1

Community Caretakers% minor repairs in communal areas completed on time at end ofyear 2012-13 period - Target 95% 97%at end of April - Target 95% 100%

TenancyAllocations - average number of working days to process housingapplication - Target 20 days 15.3 days

Average number of days a property is empty between tenancies

Target 15 days (year to date cumulative average) 15 days

At end of April 17 days

Rents

Year end arrears as % of total rent for the year 2%

Arrears as % of total rent for the year at end of April 2.04%

Home Improvement% of houses rated 'Poor' and 'Fair' that improved a rating(Target is 10% improvement by year end)At end of year 2012-13 20.8%At end of April 0%

Measuring up

Would you like the opportunity to meetother Family Carers?Suffolk Family Carers Mental Health and WellbeingService run a series of 6 wellbeing sessions forFamily Carers, which are FREE!

To access these coursesemail:[email protected] or call Louise or Bev on 01473 835420

Courses running very regularly - so do call!

Are you a Family Carer?Do you help to care for a friend or family member?Are you experiencing difficulties with your emotional wellbeingand sometimes feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed?Do you feel ready to change and take some steps to improve how you feel?

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www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

Page 17: Tenants times summer 2013

important funding

The Big Local Trust’s Community Chest is openagain.Voluntary and community sector groups canapply for grants of up to £500. Projects mustbring about a direct benefit to people living innorth-west Ipswich.

We have approximately £10,000 to give awayand funding can be used for either revenue (egstaff wages, venue hire etc) or capital(equipment, materials, etc) costs. Some ideas ofprojects we are seeking to support can be foundin the Big Local Plan.

For more information on the Big Local Plan,guidance notes and an application form, pleasego to the North West Ipswich Big Local Trust atwww.nwipswichblt.co.uk and click on theCommunity Chest section.

Free, one-to-one advice, guidance and supportis available to help you shape your ideas and ifyou would like to discuss making an application,please contact Leah Douglas, Big Local TrustOfficer telephone 01473 261111 or mobile:07976 565 329. Application closing date is: 5pm,23 September 2013.

announcement

Coming soon

Community Pets

If your pet is ready for its close-up we want tosee the photo here.

Get your preening pooch or photogenic feline

in print. All varieties of pet are welcome.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants Page

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Crossword answersACROSS:1 Scarecrow 5 Ale 8 Ceiling 9 Bingo 11 Stay 12 Irritate 13 Charles Darwin 16 Pictures 18 Post 19 Sport 20 Natural 21 Dye 22 Iced lolly

DOWN:2 Cheetah 3 Relay 4 Centimetre 6 Light 7 Winter 10 Bridesmaid14 Return 15 Install 17 Imply 18 Pluto

Send entries to

simon.lanning@

ipswich.gov.uk

Page 18: Tenants times summer 2013

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can kill withoutwarning. Make sure your family is safe. Carbonmonoxide is produced when a gas appliance(s)does not burn properly which can happen if it isnot properly installed or maintained. Carbonmonoxide is colourless, odourless, tasteless and canbe deadly. Annually 30 people die from COpoisoning.

The safe working of your gas appliances isparamount so we as your landlord, regularlyconduct gas safety inspections of boilers and anygas appliance we own. If you have a gas fire,cooker or other gas appliance we stronglyrecommend you arrange a Gas Safe registeredengineer to check them annually. Gas fires are oneof the higher risk domestic appliances.

Smoke detectors will not alert you toCO levels

A CO alarm that lasts up to seven years costs£15-20 and can be purchased from your localhardware store or superstore.

How to spot thesymptoms of COpoisoningheadaches | dizziness | nausea breathlessness | collapsing | loss of consciousness

Signs your appliance may be faulty:The flame on your cooker should be crisp andblue. Lazy yellow or orange flames mean you mayneed to get your cooker checked Dark staining around or on appliances Pilot lights that frequently blow out

Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu. If youfeel unwell at home but better when you leave thehouse it may be a sign of high level carbonmonoxide in your home. If you suspect this gooutside into fresh air and seek medical attention.To confirm CO poisoning, a blood test is necessary,to be carried out immediately by medicallyqualified staff (eg your own doctor). If you suspectthere is a gas leak or carbon monoxide in yourhome ring National Grid Gas Emergency 0800 111999.

invisible killer

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

18Help with minor repairsGenerally speaking, tenants are responsible forminor repairs and decoration to the interior oftheir property. The Council is responsible forrepairs to the outside and property structure.However, if the tenant is elderly (over 60) ordisabled (in receipt of DLA/PIP) it is reasonable forthe Council to carry out some of these repairs forthe tenant if requested.

Examples would include clearing surface water gullies or fitting replacement toilet seats. Changing lightbulbs inside the property is the tenants’ responsibility however some enclosed light fittings installed byus mean that if the tenant is elderly or disabled (as above) it is reasonable for us to carry out theserepairs if requested. (Pendant light fittings remain the tenant’s responsibility in all cases).

If you are struggling with repairs at home speak to the Repairs Centre to see if you qualify for help01473 432100.

Page 19: Tenants times summer 2013

Most years have 365 days - 52 weeks and one extra day. Every fewyears the one extra day falls on a Monday, the rent payment day. Thisfinancial year (2013-14) has 53 Mondays.

How does this affect your rent?Rent is charged for full weeks only, but the extra day each year is notrent free. Every seven years the 'one day' falls on a Monday and youpay for all those 'one days' as an extra week.This financial year has 53Mondays so there are 53 weeks to pay. If you pay weekly, once thetwo 'rent-free' weeks are taken into account you will need to pay rent51 weeks of the year. In this financial year this extra week is 31 March

to 6 April 2014. What you need to do• If you pay weekly, continue to pay each week as usual • If you pay monthly we suggest taking the extra week into account ( rent x 51 weeks ÷ 12 months). Forexample, if your rent is £100 weekly, your monthly rent would be (£100 x 51 ÷ 12 =) £425.

• If you pay by direct debit you don't have to do anything as we will make the change and remind youto make sure you know how much to pay.

If you need to discuss anything to do with your rent please call the Customer Contact Centre on 01473433370.

An extra Monday

Direct debitscheme winnerEvery quarter one tenant paying by directdebit receives a £25 reward prize.

Winter’s winner, Mrs Cynthia Mensah ofDowning Close is pictured receiving hercheque from Housing Portfolio Holder,Councillor John Mowles.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing Page

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53 rentweeksin 2013

Paying your rentwith cashYou can pay for your rent using cash at the PostOffice or at any of the Payzone points across thetown, often in your local newsagent orsupermarket. Just take along any of your rentletters and use the barcode on the letter to paymoney onto your rent account. If you don’t havea barcode please telephone the Contact Centreand they will arrange to send one to you.

We will not be issuingnew plastic paymentcards but you can carryon usingyourexistingone.

Page 20: Tenants times summer 2013

Remember if you or anyoneyou know requires thisnewsletter to be provided inlarge print or audio format,we need to know. Please contact Simon on01473 433291or alternativelycontact your Housing Officerto register your requirementsand we will be pleased tohelp you.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERSYou can contact your housing officer on 01473 433370To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry 01473 432100To order a gas repair or gas service 0800 533 5630 or 01473 835145For out of hours (5pm-8.30am) Emergency repairs only 01473 432100 select option 1, then option 4)

CUSTOMER SERVICES CENTRE OPENING TIMES Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm

See your free child swim voucher at Crown Pools inside