do you want to have more of a say on our services or what

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larkfield newscreating a better neighbourhood

SUMMER 2019

Do you want to have more ofa say on our services or whathappens in your local area?

If so, why not sign up to become a member ofLarkfield Housing Association?We are a community-based organisation, and want you to beinvolved in the running of our services. As a board member, you willattend seven meetings per year, and can assist in:

• Ensuring Larkfield is run effectively • Monitoring performance and quality of our services• Approval of borrowing/funding and managing risk• Setting our future goals • Considering new community projects

We can also help you access training and development opportunitiesto support your new role.

Welcometo the summeredition ofLarkfield News.

Inside you willfind information

on our new plannedmaintenance programme forthe year, summer tea event,annual general meeting andmuch more!

On behalf of all the staff and management committee,we hope you have a lovelysummer!

Sheralee MillerChairperson

OFFICE CLOSUREPlease note, our office will beclosed on the followingpublic holidays:

Friday 30 August 2019 Monday 2 September 2019

If you are interested in joining our board, please contact our Area Manager, Lynne Griffin on01475 630 930 or email: [email protected]

www.larkfieldha.org.uk

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Smoke alarmupgradesTo ensure we comply withnew Scottish Governmentlegislation, we will beupgrading existing firealarms and fitting additionalequipment to living roomsand kitchens within all ourproperties.

Works will be carried outthroughout the year.

£500,000 investmentfor Larkfield homes

Our external decorationcontract is due to start thissummer, with worksplanned for 255 homes inthe following areas:

• Burns Road• Banff Road/Place• Berwick Road/Place• Nairn Road• Caithness Road• Angus Road• York Road• Chester Road• Westmorland Road• Cumberland Road• Durham Road

Works will include:

• Paint work to previouslypainted external surfaces

• Gutter clearances whererequired

• Porch window upgradeswhere required

• Roughcast cleaning to 125 properties

• Fascia/soffit replacement to 25 homes

ARE YOUR HOME CONTENTS

PROTECTED THIS SUMMER?

Would you like peace of mind knowing yourfurniture, belongings and decorations areinsured against theft, fire, flood, water damageand other household risks?Larkfield has joined with Thistle Tenant Risks to offer tenants andleaseholders the opportunity to insure the contents of your home in an easyand affordable way. There are many benefits and it’s easy to apply.

To find out more, or to request an application pack, call Thistle Tenant Riskson 0345 450 7286 or visit www.thistletenants-scotland.co.uk.

Exclusions and limits apply.A copy of the policy wording is available on request.

Thistle Tenant Risks a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 310419. Lloyd’s Broker. Registered in England under No. 00338645.Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW.

01475 630 930 [email protected]

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Remember, rent first!Don’t struggle in silenceYour rent is due on the 1st of every month andyour rent account should be one month inadvance, as detailed in your tenancy agreement.

If you were a tenant prior to 2015, this may be only a week.The rental charge is based on a12-month cycle – there are no“free weeks”.

We require your rent accountto be in advance for variousreasons:

• It is part of your tenancyagreement with us

• If you have a change incircumstances, such asbecome unemployed ormove onto benefits, theremay be a shortfall in yourrent payments

• If you want to move to anew house, you need togive 28 days’ written notice.If you were one month inadvance, this wouldpotentially mean your rentaccount would be clear onthe day you move out

If you don’t pay your rent, wewon’t have money to provideand improve our services.

If you’re struggling with money,our staff can provide you withadvice and support. Our housingmanagement team can help youset up an appointment with therelevant local agencies for abenefit health check.

If you would like to speak tous about your rent, pleasecontact 01475 630 930or [email protected].

FREELARKFIELDDIGITAL SPACESKILLS DROP-IN

Free digital skills classesand one-to-one supportis available at YouthConnections, BurnsSquare, Greenock every Monday from 10am to 1pm.

The learning sessions arefree, flexible and open toall to all learners.

Larkfield Digital Space isfunded by The NationalLottery Community Fund.Other times and sessionsare also available.

To find out more, get intouch with [email protected] call 01457 795 727.


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BBQ safety

A barbecue should be a safe andenjoyable experience, but it can be easyto get distracted when you have friendsand family around whilst cooking.

To avoid injuries or damage to yourproperty, please follow these simpleprecautions:

• Make sure your barbecue is in goodworking order

• Ensure the barbecue is on a flat surface andaway from sheds, trees and shrubs

• Keep children, garden games and pets awayfrom the cooking area

• Never leave the barbecue unattended

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby foremergencies

• Ensure the barbecue is cool beforeattempting to move it

Charcoal barbecues

• Use only enough charcoal to cover the baseto a depth of about 50mm (2 inches)

• Only use recognised fire lighters or starter fueland only on cold coals – use the minimumnecessary and never use petrol

• Never put hot ashes straight into a dustbin orwheelie bin – they could melt the plastic andcause a fire

Gas barbecues

• Make sure the tap is turned off beforechanging the gas cylinder

• Change cylinders outdoors if possible or in awell-ventilated area

• If you suspect a leak to the cylinder or pipework, brush soapy water around the jointsand watch for bubbles – tighten to fix but donot over tighten

• After cooking, turn off the gas cylinder beforeturning off at the controls to ensure anyresidual gas in the pipes is used up


Strawberry Tea Pink Day!To support Breast Cancer Awareness Day, we will be holding a Strawberry Tea in our office on Friday 19 July, from 10am to 3pm.

We will be serving sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffeethroughout the day, and would be grateful if you could comealong and support this worthwhile cause.

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Join in the fun at our summer event We’re hosting morning andafternoon sessions atRavenscraig Sports CentreSoft Play on 24 July for tenantswith children or grandchildren upto age 12.

The events give the children achance to enjoy soft play, whileyou will have the opportunity toprovide feedback on ourservices and new tenant app.

Sessions will run as follows: Morning – 10am to 12 noonAfternoon – 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Places are limited and you mustbook in advance by calling ourhousing management team on01475 630 930.

18 SEPTEMBER – SAVE THE DATE!This year’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 18 Septemberat Larkfield Community Hall, Lothian Road, Greenock.

All shareholding members are invited to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.


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Please don’t feed the birds! It’s that time of year again when ourfeathered friends will be visiting ourgardens, and although it is tempting tothrow bread and other food into the gardenfor them to feed on, doing so can attractvermin such as rats and mice.

Discovering a rat infestation can be distressing -rodents can carry a wide range of diseases andparasites such as fleas, ticks, lice and mites.

They can also cause a great deal of damage toyour home by chewing on the eaves of roofs,destroying electrical wires and damaging wasteand water pipes, which is why it’s important to doeverything possible to prevent an infestation.

RODENT PREVENTIONTOP TIPS

• Store rubbish appropriately by avoiding a build-up, placing bags in bins with thelid secured and place food waste insealed containers

• Avoid letting your garden becomeovergrown or cluttered which couldprovide rodents with shelter and areas to hide

• Do not throw food into your garden

• If feeding the birds, make sure all food ison a bird table, bird feeders or off theground and clear up any spillages

• Dog fouling can attract pests includingrats, so it is important to pick up afteryour dog and keep your garden clear of it

• Doors should be free from any gaps andany holes in walls/around pipes shouldbe sealed to prevent entry

• If you have a compost heap, don’tinclude organic food waste as this willattract them


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Congratulations!Congratulations to Sheralee, our chairperson, on her recent marriage to her partnerRobbie. Our staff and committee wish you a lifetime of happiness!

We’d also like to congratulate our housing officer, Jackie Inglis on passing her CIHLevel 5 qualification in housing – well done!

Farewell to Jim CanningIt’s well and truly the end of anera as Jim Canning, the longestserving member of ourcommittee of management, retires after 27 years of serviceto the Larkfield community.

Jim was initially a member of the Larkfield AreaRepairs Board (as it was called in 1992). He joined the Steering Group, which was tasked with putting together abid to Scottish Homes for the transfer of its Larkfield stock.

Larkfield Housing was established in 1996 and since then, Jim has beena dedicated member of our committee of management, guiding us andhelping to deliver core services to our tenants and owners.

Jim has had taken on various roles within Larkfield, including formerchairperson and vice chair, chair of the housing management andmaintenance subcommittee, member of our health and safety committeeand supported our numerous community events and projects.

Most recently, Jim worked with his colleagues on the committee topursue the development of new affordable housing options for olderpeople within our parent company, Link’s new Juno Terracedevelopment.

On behalf of the committee and staff, we want to thank you for your 27years of dedication and support and wish you a long and happyretirement!


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Complete our word search to be in with the chance towin a £25 shopping voucher!To be entered into our prize draw, simply complete the word search, fill in your details and send it back tous. Good luck!

E J B S T C I Y S P O X P D AM L Q A I R L S U N S H I N EO M T N R L M I D G E S R B SQ F C S O B B S O E G I T W UO I V L A O E V Z B N S Y D IP C E T R C S C J I I O A B TY C L X F U D H U G N B D F CI S H F N I P N S E E E P E AH C L B F M C V A Y D A U G SQ B U A E E U S Z S R C M E EY R Y A D I L O H Q A H N A YN B N L P N R H O O G F X H LD B O Q S V A U Q B R E Y B KI Z P E H W U S X F Z T J Y HS E S S A L G N U S J M S V Y

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Address..........................................................................................

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Contact number ............................................................................

14 Lothian Road, Larkfield, Greenock PA16 0PGt: 01475 630930 f: 01475 636111e: [email protected]

Office opening hours:Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 4pmWednesday 9am – 12.30pm. Closed Wednesday afternoon

Larkfield Housing Association will produce this information on request in Braille, Audio Tape, Large Print and Community Languages.Larkfield Housing Association Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, RegisteredNumber: 2509 R(S), Registered Office: 14 Lothian Road, Greenock PA16 0PG. It is a Charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number:SC032418; a Registered Social Landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator, Registration Number: HCB 293; and registered as a PropertyFactor Id: PF000279. Part of the Link group © Link Group Ltd 2019.


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