housing matters issue 64

www.swindon.gov.uk/housing 1

Housing Matters

Housing

Inside this issueOpening time changes to theContact Centre and One Stop Shop page 3

What's it like being a Neighbourhood Warden? page 8

Interested in a career in Housing? page 11

Win a family ticket to see Wind in the Willows page 22

The magazine for Council

Tenants and Leaseholders

Issue 64

Spring edition 2013

Join our new Facebook page!Housing at Swindon Borough Council

Come and find out about:• Events that are happening in your area• News and informationJoin in:• DebatesanddiscussionsoncurrentaffairsHave your say:• On matters that concern you!

NeedahandgettingstartedonFacebookthencontactSharonNorcliffetel:01793464427oremail:[email protected]

www.swindon.gov.uk/housing 32 www.swindon.gov.uk/housing

Contact details

Sharon NorcliffeCommunications Officer, HousingTel: 01793 464427Email: [email protected]

Arthur BransomTenant from WroughtonTel: 07902 836 989

John JefferiesTenant from RodbourneTel: 01793 430008Email: [email protected]

Paul BurgessTenant from PenhillTel: 07904 557 989

Phil LawrenceTenant from Park NorthTel: 01793 485127Email: [email protected]

Peter ArmstrongTenant from Park NorthTel: 01793 539580

Melvyn WrightTenant from RodbourneTel: 07895 989 248Email: [email protected]

Leaseholder editor vacancy:For more information please contact:Sharon NorcliffeTel: 01793 464427Email: [email protected]

Swindon Borough CouncilTel: 01793 445500

All Housing and Repairs enquiriesTel: 01793 445503Email: [email protected]

Neighbourhood WardensTel: 01793 464081Email: [email protected]

Get Involved – Tenant ParticipationTel: 01793 463673 / 463677Email: [email protected]

StreetSmart – WasteTel: 01793 445501

Residential ParkingTel: 01793 445506

Rent payments by phoneTel: 0845 603 5058

Useful contact details

My Housing TenancyMy Housing Tenancy is an online service which you can register for and then view your account details.

You’ll be able to see a rent balance, who your Neighbourhood Housing Officer is, request repairs and view/update your personal details.

To register simply have your tenancy/rent reference number and follow these steps:

1. Go to www.swindon.gov.uk/myhousingtenancy

2. Click on the ‘My Housing Tenancy’ link within the page, which will redirect you to

3. The register/login page

4. Click on ‘Register’ in the left hand side menu

5. You’ll be asked to enter your name, date of birth and reference number and create a User ID and password for logging in at future visits.

Once you have registered, you can login at future visits using the User ID and password you have created.

If you forget your User ID or password, please re-register by doing the same process as above.

Spring has arrived

Every year in February, Councillors meet to make a decision about the budget of the Council.

The main decision is about the level of Council tax and what to spend the money on. This year there was a unanimous vote by all Councillors to keep Council tax at the same level. This means that there will be no increase in your Council tax.

For Council tenants, the Council also had to make a decision about how much rent to charge for Council housing. All Councillors voted to increase rent at the level of inflation. This is sometimes referred to as the Retail Price Index or RPI. This means that rents will increase on average by approximately £1.93. Even after an increase in rent, Council rents will still be 50-60% of market rents, so I believe that tenants will still continue to receive affordable rents.

I would like to explain why it is necessary to increase rents. In Swindon we have about 13,000 tenants living in 10,500 houses. There are 14,000 people on the waiting list. 42% of the Council stock is pre-fabricated housing which can cost more to repair and there are a large number of sheltered housing schemes which need updating. I know that many of you would like new kitchens and bathrooms and I am very aware of rising energy prices and I would like to look at what we can do to make homes more energy efficient. I also need to think about people who are on the waiting list by buying or building

new homes. All of these things cost money but the Council is limited by what it can do by how much rent we receive. The Council receives £46million in rent and service charges but it has to spend £5million a year in interest on the money it borrowed to pay off the debt it was allocated as part of the change from the subsidy to the self-financing system.

I know that different people have different views about the rent increase. I am very conscious that tenants voted to stay with the Council and as such I wanted to have a rent increase that could be supported by all Councillors. I am grateful, as always, for all the tenants who took time to attend meetings, contact me and join in the discussions on the Housing at Swindon Facebook page. I am conscious from the discussions I had with tenants that there was a feeling that an increase at the level of inflation was appropriate.

I am aware that many people have concerns about the upcoming changes to the benefits system. I want you all to know that I will do everything I can to assist tenants during this time of change. It is really important that if you having problems with paying your rent or you have concerns about your financial situation, then please let a Housing Officer know as soon as possible. I know it can be difficult telling someone that you are struggling but asking for help is a sign of strength because it puts you in a position to get control of your situation. The sooner we know that someone is facing difficulties the sooner we can

make arrangements to help. There are some funds available called “Discretionary Housing Payments” to help people in exceptional circumstances.

I do want tenants to know that Councillors and Officers really do want to do the very best we can to provide high quality services to tenants and to take steps to assist those on the waiting list as well. But this is not something we can do on our own. I am aware of a very wide range of exceptionally good work that takes place across the estates and I am grateful for all the efforts that are being made. If you have an initiative that you would like some support to get going, please get in touch to see what the Council may be able to do to help.

Best wishesRussell

For more information on getting involved please email: get [email protected] tel: 01793 463577 or 463673.

Greetings from Councillor Russell Holland

Mike AshHead of Housing ServicesCouncillor Russell Holland, Cabinet member for One Swindon, Localities and Housing

Follow Swindon Borough CouncilVisit the Swindon Borough Council (SBC) Facebook page - don’t forget to like the page.

Follow SBC on Twitter and get all the latest news, events and important information at twitter.com/swindonnews.

For further information on SBC and the services it offers visit www.swindon.gov.uk.

twitter.com/swindonnews

facebook

Changes to opening times of the Contact Centre and One Stop Shop

The opening hours for Swindon Direct, One Stop Shop and Contact Centre are now 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

Calls to Homeline and Council Tax & Benefits will not be affected by this change.

For further information on how to access our online services please visit us; www.swindon.gov.uk/customerservices


From April 2013 Swindon Borough Council has introduced a new scheme for Council Tax Support that replaces the Council Tax Benefits system. Since the Council is receiving less grant from the Government the amount of assistance it is able to award under the scheme is less generous.

You will not be affected if you are:

• A pensioner• In receipt of a disability

allowance or premium• A War Widow(er)• A War Disablement Pensioner

All other claimants:

• Will receive a maximum support of 80% of the Council Tax bill (you will have to pay at least 20%), and any support awarded will be based on 80% of the full Council Tax bill

• Will not receive support if they have savings over £6,000

• Will have any Child Benefit payments included as an income in the calculation

• Will see any non-dependant deductions increased by £5 per week

• Have any second adult rebate payments withdrawn

• See Council Tax Support capped to that payable in respect of a Band D property

More details and an online calculator, that gives an indication of any entitlements, are available on the Council’s website www.swindon.gov.uk, Council Tax Support pages.

If you feel that you are not going to be able to afford to pay the Council Tax, we strongly urge you to contact the Council Tax team email: [email protected] or tel: 0345 302 2316 stating your address and Council Tax account number, a daytime telephone number (ideally a mobile number) in case we need to contact you about your request or other matters relating to your Council Tax.

If you are affected you may be able to spread your Council Tax bill over 12 monthly instalments instead of ten. Although the total amount of the bill won’t change, the monthly payments will be lower.

To contact the Council to discuss your Council Tax tel: 0345 302 2316 or email: [email protected]

Are you claiming Council Tax support?

Important changes ahead - how will this affect you?

April2013 ?

You can register

online for FREE at

www.HomeSwapper.co.uk •  Over 246,000 homes advertised •  Automatically receive matches of homes right for you •  29,000 households swap every year •  Many swap in only three months

Want to move home?

Swindon Borough Council has a dedicated mutual exchange team that are here to help you move and stop you losing money for under-occupying your property.

Did you know that a mutual exchange allows you…

• To choose the property you wish to exchange into

• To move properties within a relatively short period of time

• To choose the area, countrywide, in which you wish to live

• Free access to HomeSwapper, an online mutual exchange service that allows you to identify exchanges across the country. HomeSwapper currently has over 840 landlord partners, of which 275,000 (75%) tenants are actively looking/searching on HomeSwapper at any one time.

“I have moved away to start a new life and I now know I am safe and secure. Thank you HomeSwapper” – KG“I would just like to thank HomeSwapper as without you I probably would not have got my new home. Thank you again.” – SS“This swap site did me good, I found a swap and I’m moving next week. It’s all worth it, thanks. “ – AE

For further information on HomeSwapper, and to find out whether you are eligible to apply for a mutual exchange please go to www.Swindon.gov.uk/Exchanges or contact New Tenancy and Exchange Officers Kerry Willis on 01793 463288 or Bea Sturgeon on 01793 464309.

1. What will under-occupancy mean to me if I have a spare room(s)?If someone is considered to be under-occupying their accommodation there will be a reduction in the amount allowed for rent and any service charges of:• 14% if they are considered to have one extra bedroom• 25% if they have two or more extra bedrooms 2. What if I’m a joint tenant?The under-occupancy rules will take into account everyone living in the property when calculating how many bedrooms Housing Benefit should be paid for. If it is decided that the accommodation is under-occupied, a percentage reduction will be taken off the rent for the household and Housing Benefit will be paid on the basis of the proportion of the rent the claimant is liable to pay.

3. I have an overnight carer; will I have to pay for the additional room?If care is frequent and you are on the middle to higher level of DLA/AA or you can evidence a requirement for an overnight carer from a GP or medical professional, you may be eligible to have the additional bedroom covered by your Housing Benefit. You would need to complete an overnight carer form and submit to Housing Benefit.

4. I’m divorced from my partner but we share the same house?In this circumstance as you are divorced and do not have any spare bedrooms you would not be affected by the under-occupancy.

5. What if I need to sleep in a different room from my partner because they snore loudly or they have a disability?There is currently no provision set out by the Government for this type of circumstance, so the under-occupancy would apply.

6. I share the care of my children with my ex partner, are we both entitled to a room for them?If your child spends equal time with you and your partner, then the home of the person who is claiming child benefit is their main residence. This means that if you have a room for them, as the main residence, it will be included in your Housing Benefit payment and you will not be subject to the under-occupancy for their room. This is applicable even if your child has special needs.

7. Can I apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)?Yes you can if:• You are disabled and living in accommodation that has

been substantially adapted for your needs, including new builds

• You are a foster carer, including those in between foster placement

• You live in accommodation which has been specifically modified for your needs

8. My child has a disability and is not able to share a room; will I be allowed an extra room for them?

There is no provision set out by the Government for this type of circumstance, so the under-occupancy would apply, however you can apply for a DHP.

9. My child attends University – how will I be affected? (You can apply for a DHP).Households where a room is kept for a student studying away from home will not be deemed to be under-occupying if the student is away for less than 52 weeks (under Housing Benefit) or 6 months (under Universal Credit). If you have any additional rooms which are not occupied then your benefit will be assessed accordingly under the under-occupancy rules.

10. What options do I have?If you cannot cover the additional rent for your spare room(s) then you may have to look at the following actions:

Move – you may decide to move to smaller accommodation either by a mutual exchange for bidding for an empty property. For further advice speak to your Neighbourhood Housing Officer. You may decide that moving into the private rented sector would be appropriate. You can get advice on this from the Housing Options Team. It may be possible to help with moving costs through a DHP payment.

Ask other adults to contribute – if you decide to stay in your current accommodation and make up the shortfall in rent yourself, you may wish to ask non dependants (other adults in your household) living with you contribute to the additional rent costs.

Take in a lodger – taking in a lodger to fill the extra bedroom may be a good option. The lodger would be assessed as part of the household, meaning that Housing Benefit would no longer consider the room to be spare. To discuss the financial implications of this talk to Housing Benefit.

Take a job – if you are not currently in employment, finding a job could help you pay the additional rent. This may also change the amount of Housing Benefit you get. Contact the benefits service for more information.

Increase hours of work – if you are working you may wish to consider increasing your working hours if possible to make up the shortfall in rent.


Last winter the Neighbourhood Wardens in partnership with Age UK held Later Life Winter Advice Events, offering advice on how to keep warm in the winter for the over 55s.

There was also the chance to meet:

• Local police• Handyvan fitter• Mobile library• Citizens Advice Bureau• Housing Officers• Age UK representatives

Team 1 held their event at the SureStart Children’s Centre, Penhill. Local tenants said what an excellent idea it was and they enjoyed it very much.

The Wardens laid on a buffet lunch of sandwiches, homemade soup and cakes, followed by a few rounds of Bingo. There was a raffle with a selection of gifts and vouchers from local businesses for the winners.

Attendees were able to speak to various agencies such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Age UK to discuss heating bills and staying warm throughout the winter period.

Team 2 held their event at Pinetrees Community Centre, Pinehurst where a Christmas lunch for 27 local people was provided. After dinner a raffle was held and everyone attending received a prize, which were donated by local shops and businesses.

The feedback from tenants was that everyone enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people from their area, and to take away lots of information on keeping warm.

They all thought the food was amazing and that the Wardens are very friendly.

Team 3 and 26 local residents attended the event at Lydiard Park. Asda Community Life Champion, Jan Kilby supplied most of the food and refreshment for the event. There was a raffle and bingo with PC Steven Yates as bingo caller.

All the residents expressed their thanks to the Warden Service for putting on such an event where they could have access to a wealth of information under one roof and having CAB to answer any concerns/issues was an added bonus.

Team 4 held their event at Buckhurst Community Centre, Walcot. The local residents enjoyed the chance to meet old and new friends.

A buffet lunch was provided with bingo and a raffle afterwards.

What residents thought...

“The event was excellent from start to finish, the Wardens are fantastic”

“The information booklets, advice on Benefits and Finance, anything you wanted to ask about”

“Very enjoyable, met many people had a very interesting informative day, thank you to all”

“Very friendly and a good day, useful information and very good raffle prizes. The Wardens work hard and do a lot for the community nothing is too much trouble for them”.

Neighbourhood Wardens In partnership with Age UK

Are you aged 7 – 11 years? Do you like to learn new things, make new friends and have fun?

Location Contact name Mobile Email

Penhill Nick Brock

Claire Melrose

07740 037 358

07824 537 704

[email protected]

[email protected]

Highworth Warrick Lynham 07919 111 463 [email protected]

Freshbrook Lorna Brown 07584 151 297 [email protected]

St John’s Church, Park South

Joan Woods

Eddy Bamber

07974 450 172

07557 541 744

[email protected]

[email protected]

Housing was alerted to fly tipping by an observant resident, the information was passed on to the police and led to the perpetrator having to pay an £80 fine and a warning that any repetition would lead to prosecution and possible eviction proceedings.

If you are aware of any fly tipping then please telephone the StreetSmart Team on 01793 445501 or alternatively to report fly tipping online visit www.swindon.gov.uk and search fly-tipping.

Fly tipper caught and fined Street meetingsFrom April through to September, the Neighbourhood Wardens will be arranging ‘street meetings’ aimed at connecting with tenants and promoting our service. We will be visiting as many streets as possible during the spring and summer, usually between 4pm and 6pm, to make sure tenants know how we can help and how you can contact us when you need to.

If you’re keen to have a Neighbourhood Warden street meeting where you live, then please get in touch!

Phone Pete Holohan tel: 01793 46 4425 or email: [email protected]

From 1st August the Neighbourhood Wardens are running the Young Wardens scheme in Penhill, Highworth, Park South and Freshbrook for children who live in Council Housing.

You’ll take part in weekly three hour sessions during the summer holidays, to help your community, to learn new things and best of all - make new friends and have fun! This may include helping the Neighbourhood Wardens keep the areas safe, clean and tidy as well as learning about personal safety, recycling, meeting Police and Fire teams and lots, lots more!

If you are interested in becoming a Young Warden then please contact:

Ruskin Primary School and the Neighbourhood Wardens are building a greenhouse

Can you donate any 2 litre plastic bottles?

The Neighbourhood Wardens are working together with the pupils and teachers from Ruskin Primary School in Stratton, together they plan to build a greenhouse from 2 litre plastic bottles. They will also work together planting and growing vegetables to give to older local people.

If you would like more information please contact Nick Brock tel: 07740 037 358 or email: [email protected].

If you would like to donate your 2 litre plastic bottles can you please take them to: Ruskin Junior School, Wordsworth Drive, Upper Stratton SN2 7NG

Beryl, Carl and Andrew are all residents of Chippenham Walk, Penhill; Beryl having lived there for 30 years. They all help, once a week, along with Carl’s wife, Joanne with cleaning the communal areas, bin shed and maintaining both front and back gardens.

When it snowed, they ensured that the paths were clear and unblocked the leaves from the rain water channels when they flooded.

There is a real sense of community within the block and they join together for barbeques in the summer, Beryl gets out a large paddling pool and the children are able to play in a clean, safe environment.

Beryl said that she cleans the communal areas because “I have pride where I live and I don’t want to live in a mess”. Karl too said, “I get satisfaction in making the place where my family and I live look nice”.

If you live in a block that has become too difficult to keep clean the Neighbourhood Wardens can help you clean up initially. All the tenants must then agree to work together to keep it clean.

However, if you are proud of your block and work hard to keep it looking nice, we would be keen to know all about it!

And just to remind you keeping communal/shared areas clean and tidy are part of your Tenancy Agreement: you and every person living or visiting your property must keep the halls, staircases, landings, lifts, passageways, gardens etc. in a clean and tidy condition and free from obstruction.

To contact the Neighbourhood Wardens:Pete Holohan tel: 01793 464425 or email: [email protected].


Taking pride in where you live

Jason O’Sullivan along with his six team mates works in the Penhill and Stratton areas of Swindon. Jason has been a Neighbourhood Warden for two years and previously worked as a Resettlement Officer for Threshold Housing, a local homeless charity

The team provide services to approximately 2400 tenants and leaseholders, who live in a mixture of houses, low level and hi-rise flats and bungalows.

On a day-to-day basis the Warden teams work with various partners such as the Police, Environmental Health, Dog Warden, Youth Offending Team, Social Services, Schools and local businesses.

The main duties of a Neighbourhood Warden are:

• Maintain a friendly and visible presence on the estates

• Remove litter, fly tipping and graffiti

• Participate in community projects and encourage residents to care for their neighbourhood

• Inspect communal areas of blocks of flats monthly, on behalf of tenants and leaseholders

• Help tenants by removing unwanted items

• Listen to tenants and ensure they get appropriate help and advice

• Engage with children, in schools and through the Young Warden Scheme

So Jason, what qualities do you need to be a Neighbourhood Warden?

Good sense of humour and strong community values.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Meeting and helping all the different people in the community of Penhill and Stratton, feeling part of the community and helping people understand what the Neighbourhood Wardens do; some of the locals are sceptical and mistrusting, it’s good to be able to get rid of any worries they have and build up trust. I enjoy being a link between tenants and the Council – front facing.

And your least favourite?

Dog mess and aggressive people.

What about your team mates, do you all get on?

Yes, the team get on really well – there is a good team spirit. The team is usually split into two, who then go out in the two vans. Occasionally we go out individually but we make sure we keep in touch with other team members.

Your strangest call for help?

A five foot long lizard had escaped and my team and I had to help other agencies look for it – it was found eventually!

What's it like being a Neighbourhood Warden?

New fire safety notices Residents of flats will have seen these notices appearing in hallways and landings of Council blocks over the last couple of months.

They aim to reinforce Housing’s continuing commitment, along with Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Service, to keeping the communal areas of all blocks free from any potential fire hazard or obstruction.

The notices also point out that residents who persist in leaving either personal belongings or unwanted goods in communal areas will have them removed by the Council and will be charged the cost of disposal or storage. The minimum charge will be £50.00.

For further information about this, please call Pete Holohan on 01793 464425, or e-mail [email protected]

Students, Tenants, Wardens and paintbrushesEight New College students volunteered to help tenants and Neighbourhood Wardens to paint the walls and brighten up the communal area of Carstairs Avenue, Park South.

The students were buzzing with enthusiasm and the Wardens reported:

“What a great job the students did. They should all be very proud of themselves in what they achieved, the communal area looks brilliant!!”

“A big THANK YOU from the Wardens, we look forward to working with you and the students again in the near future”.

Important Fire Safety Notice

Internal communal areas must be kept completely clear at all times.

Any items left in this area will be removed and the cost will be charged to residents.

If you have any concerns please telephone Neighbourhood Wardens on 01793 464425.


Over the past two years we have taken on Housing apprentices who work in a variety of roles, while they study for Housing qualifications.

Our first group of apprentices have now completed their Level 2 qualifications and were presented with their certificates on 31 January at a special event called Backing Young People, hosted by Swindon Borough Council's Chief Executive, Gavin Jones.

The event was about encouraging managers across the Council to consider apprenticeships and other opportunities for helping young people access employment opportunities. The event was opened by one of our apprentices Miranda Wigmore-Dixon, who is now in a permanent role as a Housing Needs Advisor. Miranda explained how she became interested in a career in housing, what getting the apprenticeship had meant to her and how it had led to her getting permanent employment. Several of our other apprentices also spoke at the event. Here are some of their stories:

Matthew Bennett, aged 20, was unemployed and desperately applying for jobs for nearly a year before he came to Swindon Borough Council under the Future Jobs Fund before being successful in his application for the apprenticeship scheme.

Matthew said: “I love it. I started working as an Assistant Neighbourhood Warden, which involved anything from picking up rubbish to talking to residents and helping solve problems. I’m now working as a Technical Support Officer, which is developing my office-

based skills like using spreadsheets and managing budgets. Everything about it is brilliant and I’m so grateful for the opportunity not only to develop myself but also help others – that’s what makes it feel so rewarding.”

Dominic Gordon left university because his course wasn’t focused on a specific career and he didn’t want to be

saddled with big debts.

20-year-old Dominic said: “I settled in really quickly and haven’t looked back. I work in the Voids Department, which is all about getting empty properties re-let as quickly as possible. Processing forms, liaising with contractors to sort out repairs are all part of the job. It’s

great to be given so much responsibility – I’m so busy the day

flies by and I’m getting so much out of it. My mum was really worried about what I was going to do with my future, but now she’s really chuffed and can see how much I’m enjoying it.”

Lauren Coward, aged 19, from Liden, was working as a supervisor in a restaurant before embarking on the apprenticeship, which is proving the perfect springboard for her career.

She said: “I work as a Neighbourhood Housing Officer, which is so varied. It’s

great being the first port of call for all sorts of problems from repairs to rent arrears. I’m gaining so much experience and every day brings a new challenge, which keeps you motivated.”

Getting turned down for jobs was becoming depressing for 20 year old Zara Jones, who had been out of work for three months before her luck took a better turn.

Zara said: “I work as a garage officer, which involves dealing with arrears,

new lettings and mutual exchanges. I’m also offering to help in other roles to broaden my experience. One minute I could be helping the public, the next I’m taking minutes at a meeting – it’s fantastic. I’ve gained so much confidence and get real satisfaction from providing a great service.”

Initially our apprentices are offered a 12 month training contract and are allocated a role within Housing. During the year they work to gain Level 2 certificates in Housing from the Chartered Institute of Housing and Level 2 NVQ in Housing from City & Guilds. This is delivered in partnership with Swindon College.

If the first year goes well, we can offer the opportunity to do a second year apprenticeship, during which they complete Housing qualifications at Level 3.

Throughout their time with us, apprentices are encouraged to apply for permanent vacancies and secondment opportunities. If however, at the end of their apprenticeship, they have not been successful in finding a job with us, they do at least have experience and qualifications which make them attractive to other employers.

Recruitment for the next intake of housing apprentices will start the next few weeks. If you would like to find out more information about the programme, please email: [email protected]

Helping to build bright futures for young people in Swindon

We are now recruiting 1st year apprentices to start in September 2013.Get paid work experience in our busy Housing Service while achieving qualifications in; CIH, Level 2 certificate and NVQ Level 2

Are you?

• Enthusiastic• Self-Motivated• Good Communicator• Discreet• Professional• Team Player• Hardworking

Whether you currently rent from the Council or other Landlords, or own your own home (over 60s only) you can apply for Sheltered Housing providing you are either over 60 or over 50 and on Disability Living Allowance and have no pets.

• Do you want your own flat with your own front door?

• Would you like a warm centrally heated flat?

• Would you like to feel secure in your own home?

Then Sheltered Housing is for you!

Please visit www.swindonhomebid.org.uk for a list of sheltered housing schemes, contact numbers and to complete an application form or telephone the Housing Needs department tel: 01793 445503.

Housing for older people

Interested in a

career in Housing?

An apprenticeship

could be for you!!

You’ll need... GCSE English and Maths Grade C (above or equivalent).

Vacancies for the 2013/14 schemes will be advertised on www.swindon.gov.uk and National Apprenticeship website (www.apprenticeships.org.uk) in the next few weeks.

Interested? Email [email protected] or phone 01793 464440.


Dear Tenants,

At the beginning of the year Tenant Scrutiny Panel scrutinised the

Neighbourhood Warden Services. The Panel examined the services

thoroughly, in order to give a fair evaluation of the services and to

provide appropriate recommendations where necessary.

A sample of tenants who had used the Neighbourhood Warden

services were then telephoned by members of the panel (tenant to

tenant) and asked to complete an over the phone survey. Those that

agreed to the survey where then entered into a prize draw to win a

£25 voucher.

Mid February the Panel called on tenants who had not actively

contacted the Neighbourhood Wardens for a service. The Panel

collected their feedback and compared the differences on their views.

In March the Panel surveyed tenants to see which areas in Housing

they would like to see scrutinised. The Panel are still collecting this

information, but once evaluated will present the findings to the Mike

Ash, Head of Housing.

Tenant Scrutiny has also started a project of reviewing other Housing

Services provision for tenant satisfaction; again this information is still

being collected.

Starting in April the Panel will be taking up a role in the Housing

complaints procedure as the Tenant Complaints Panel. In a nutshell,

this means ensuring that tenants' complaints have are being dealt with

in a fair manner.

All in all, this has provided the Panel with enough work for this year

and beyond. So, a lot to do to keep us busy plus keeping Swindon

Tenants Voice updated along with the Tenants Association of

Sheltered Housing!

For more information on the Tenant Scrutiny Panel visit www.

swindon.gov.uk and search Tenant Scrutiny Panel or email Kevan

Colanis, Chair on [email protected].

Kevan ColanisChair, Tenant Scrutiny Panel

Housing Participation

On Your DoorstepIf you live in Penhill you very well might have been recently visited by our Housing Participation Team. They have been out and about, knocking on doors and visiting tenants, asking them if they would like to be better informed about Housing related topics that are relevant to them. This is a long term project and will continue across the borough throughout the year.

If you are interested and would like to request a visit then please email: [email protected] or alternatively, you can phone Stuart Hook on 01793 464286.

New Chair for Tenant Association for Sheltered Housing (TASH)

Lynda Barber (Gladys Plumley Gardens), who held the role of TASH Chair since September 2011, left TASH and Swindon on 28th January. Lynda married and moved to Oxford.

Her successor is Phil Lawrence (George Selman Gardens), who was the group’s Vice Chair and will automatically move into the position of Chair filling Lynda’s departure.

Members of the TASH appointed Graham Overbury from Markham Place as the temporary Vice Chair. Graham will also take up the vacant place available on Housing Advisory Forum.

The group is currently undertaking its annual membership review to reconfirm existing Elected Representatives and Observer Members, alongside recruiting new members into either role. Once this process is complete, the Chair and Vice Chair for the group will be confirmed at the AGM on 10th June.

Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP)Would you and your neighbours like between £5,000 and £10,000 to spend on improving your neighbourhood?

Tenants, leaseholders and neighbourhoods can apply to the council to carry out works to improve their local environment; make their neighbourhood safer, tidier and cleaner and encourage community participation.

Does your community need...

• Additional fencing and/or paving?• Shared garden or open space clearing?• Landscaping?• Raised flower beds in communal gardens?• Improved lighting or signage?• A recycling area?

Tell us about your idea or proposed scheme and what you think needs to be done, how it will improve your

neighbourhood, why your community will benefit and who supports the scheme and a rough approximation of how much you think your bid may cost the Council to do.

For more information and an application form visit www.swindon.gov.uk or telephone Stuart Dark 01793 464370.

A number of options for new housing and some retail units have been explored for the site. Some of the proposals have included the redevelopment of the industrial units on Seymour Road.

This features a convenience store and attached smaller retail units (including a community space) on the corner of Queens Drive and Somerville Road (the old Bulldog site), with new housing on the site of Sussex Square and some of the industrial units along Seymour Road.

The intention is to consult local residents on their views on the proposals late late April to early May 2013. Residents will be notified as soon as a date and venue has been confirmed.

Regeneration of Sussex Square, Walcot

SBC reacts to the concerns of Facebook membersAs a result of our tenants posting their mould and condensation issues on the Housing Facebook site, the Council have recruited a Handyperson to enable the Repairs Team to respond more effectively to mould and condensation concerns. If you would like to report a mould and condensation complaint or to report any other repair please telephone 01793 445503 or to report a repair online visit www.swindon.gov.uk and search Repairs and Improvements.

Any further queries should be sent to Tony Currivan email: [email protected] or post: to Tony Currivan, Senior Design Architect, Property Services, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon SN1 2JH

T E N A N TS C R U T I N Y


Competition Time!

Love Where You LiveThey say ‘a picture paints a thousand words’, so this summer we’re asking you to get out there with your cameras and paintbrushes to capture an image of what it is that you really ‘love’ and feel proud about the area where you live. What’s more, there are some great prizes on offer for the winning entries and a chance for others to enjoy your work. So, whether you’re 6 or 60, we’d love to see what you can do!

This might be a favourite view, community event, your home, or even someone or something that makes it a special place for you to live – please also tell us briefly about why you have chosen your particular subject and what it means to you.

How to enter … & what you can WINThe competition is open to all Swindon Borough Council Housing tenants, leaseholders and children living with them.

There are 2 separate categories for which prizes will be awarded to the winning entries – ‘Best Painting’ and ‘Best Photograph’ – each of which will be divided into the following age groups:

• Adults £50 Argos vouchers• 11-17years £25 Argos vouchers• 10 years or under £25 Argos vouchers

All winners and runners-up will also receive a framed certificate.

You can email your photos to us at [email protected]

Alternatively, hard copies of photos and entries for the painting competition should be posted to: ‘Love Where You Live’ Competition, Housing, Freepost SN178, Swindon SN1 2BR

Or drop your artwork off with your local Neighbourhood Warden (telephone first to check opening times)

Closing date for entries is Friday, 23 August 2013

Don’t forgetMake sure you include your age, name, address and contact details with your entry, so that we can credit your photo / painting and contact you if you win! Please also remember to include a few words about your chosen subject and what it means to you. Good luck!

Tenant Garden Competiton 2013

Good Neighbour Awards 2013Do you know someone who is an unsung hero in your community?

Should someone you know be recognised and rewarded for their good works?

This is your opportunity to show that person how much they are valued, by nominating them for one of the Good Neighbour Awards.

Nominations can be made by tenants, residents or members of staff, but those nominated for awards must be tenants of Swindon Borough Council.

There are two categories:

• The Caring Neighbour - this person will have been helpful and supportive to a neighbour who is less able to do things for themselves, for reasons that are of a temporary or permanent nature. Perhaps helping out with shopping, household chores, gardening, etc.

• The Community Neighbour - this person will be seen to take responsibility for some aspect of community living, such as keeping a communal area clean and tidy, working on a communal garden to improve the environment for

others, running a residents group either locally or within a sheltered scheme which benefits others etc.

Prizes • £50 in vouchers of your choice to

the winner of each category

• £20 in vouchers of your choice to the person who nominates the winner of each category

Finalists will be selected from total entries received, with an interview and evidence based judging process, for this final stage, taking place during August. Deadline for receipt of entries is Friday 19th July, 2013.

If you know someone you would like to see honoured in this way, call us today for an application form.

For terms and conditions and to obtain an application form please contact Shelley Slater on tel: 01793 463673 or email: [email protected].

If you are a tenant of Swindon Borough Council, this is your opportunity to show others your pride and joy.

If you have a lovely garden, or are particularly clever with hanging baskets or tubs – this is the competition for you.

There are four categories:- 1. House garden

2. Communal garden

3. Patio, small space or balcony garden

4. Hanging basket or tub

In addition, there will be a ‘Grow the best Sunflower’ competition in two age ranges for children and young people:-

• 7 years or under • 8 – 16 years

Only plants from provided sunflower seeds will be considered contact Shelley Slater for the seeds tel: 01793 463673 or email: [email protected]

Prizes:- • £50 gardening vouchers for

the winners of the House and Communal categories

• £25 gardening vouchers for the winners of the patio or basket categories

• £20 Argos vouchers for winners of each age group in the sunflower competition

Judging will take place late June or early July, the date for which will be notified to entrants nearer the time.

Deadline for entries: Friday 14th June 2013 If you would like to enter, please contact us today for an application form. Contact Shelley Slater tel: 01793 463673 or email: [email protected].

Housing Sounding BoardCould you be the 500th member of the Housing Sounding Board and win a prize?

Join the Housing Sounding Board (HSB), and have your say …. in a way that suits you!

Pat from Penhill was awarded £30 of vouchers when she joined the Housing Sounding Board as the 400th member, after talking to the Housing Participation Team, as part of an ‘On Your Doorstep’ call to her home.

If you only have limited time, but would like to give your views on the Housing Service – then the Housing Sounding Board is just right for you!

You can hear about opportunities available on a regular basis, and take part in any that interest you. Involvement will be offered in the form of short surveys (online, text, telephone or paper based), once only focus groups, short pieces of work that require more than one session, a Readers Panel (to give a tenants view on proposed leaflets etc.) – all requiring minimal time commitment from HSB members.

Join today by:-

• Telephoning the Housing Participation Team on 01793 463673

• Email: [email protected]• Text: 07769 281 643

Get your artwork to us!

For terms and conditions and to obtain an application form please contact Paul Wilkins on tel: 01793 463677 or email: [email protected].


Tenant properties - the Council arranges insurance cover for damage to your building which includes: ✔ fire ✔ aircraft ✔ explosion ✔ earthquake ✔ storm ✔ flood ✔ burst pipes ✔ impact ✔ riot and civil commotion.

Tenants must arrange their own contents insurance.

In the event of any valid claim arising, the Council will carry out repairs and replace the damaged items to the same standard as originally installed. This means that if any tenant has fitted their own property or made improvements, they should notify their own contents insurer and make arrangements to cover these improvements. This would include items such as: ✘ fitted wardrobes ✘ fitted kitchens ✘ fitted bathrooms ✘ burglar alarms

It should be noted that the Council does not install laminate flooring as a standard item of any property and if laminate flooring is fitted, it is the tenant’s responsibility to arrange the cover for this.

Leasehold properties - the Council arranges insurance cover for damage to your building including: ✔ fire ✔ aircraft ✔ explosion ✔ earthquake ✔ storm ✔ flood ✔ burst pipes ✔ impact ✔ riot and civil commotion.

In the event of a valid claim arising, the leaseholder should inform the Council and obtain estimates for repair. These will be forwarded to the Council’s Insurance department and agreed prior to any work being undertaken.

The Council buildings insurer will only pay to put the building back to the same standard as the original building. Therefore any improvements made by the leaseholder must be insured under the leaseholder’s own contents insurance. This would cover such items as: ✘ fitted wardrobes ✘ fitted kitchens ✘ fitted bathrooms ✘ laminate flooring ✘ burglar alarms.

Contents Insurance The Council has in place a scheme for tenants to insure their contents. Premiums are competitive and cover can be arranged contact Ann Tanner tel: 01793 464456 or email [email protected].

Buildings insurance - what you are covered for

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK...

Councils across the country, including Swindon, are facing considerable challenges. For example, did you know more children are being taken into care, the number of people living in residential care homes is set to rise dramatically, and funding has also fallen?

We are inviting everyone to find out more about these pressures, so people can have a better understanding of the growing demands on our services and the fewer resources we have to deliver them.

Called the Big Conversation, Swindon Borough Council wants the information to reach as many people as possible, raising awareness and stimulating debate. You may have already seen an illustrated presentation on display at libraries, leisure centres and community centres which shows the facts and figures in a way that is easy to understand. The infographic is available online and so far more than 1,000 people have viewed it. We’re also sharing real stories to bring the issues to life and generate discussion.

The impact of an ageing population, increasing demand across the board and reduced funding means things will have to be done differently. Improving awareness of what the Council does, how much it costs and the bigger picture will help people to understand why this is happening. There will be difficult decisions, as well as new opportunities to get involved.

We also need to get better at listening and understanding what really matters to people in the places they live. Better communication will help us to develop stronger relationships with people, so we can work together and support each other more effectively now and in future. Ultimately the ambition is for conversations to lead to positive choices and action in our communities.

To view the infographic and find out more see www.swindon.gov.uk/bigconversation. Getting feedback is vital, so please share your views by talking to your Ward Councillors or emailing [email protected] . You can also tweet about it, using the hashtag #Bigconversation, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/swindonbigconversation - ‘like’ the page to receive regular updates

Join in Swindon’s Big Conversation

We are continuing to provide a repairs service that is to the highest standard along with an external planned maintenance programme that is carried out with the aim to keep homes in good condition.

We also have a programme of works to improve the energy efficiency of homes and maintain them to the Decent Homes Standard.

The breakdown of the budget is as follows:

Repairs & Maintenance £8.1millionPlanned Maintenance and Improvements

£14.8million

Total £22.9million

The repairs and maintenance budget of £8.1 million has been set aside for day to day repairs, vacant property repairs, essential maintenance such as gas servicing and electrical testing programmes and specialist services such as minor adaptations.

The budget of just under £14.8 million has been set aside for planned maintenance and improvement works. External planned maintenance continues to be targeted towards 3-storey blocks of flats alongside a new 10-year programme to houses and flats. It also includes internal and external planned maintenance to 4 sheltered housing schemes.

Officers and tenants have worked together to prioritise where works are to be carried out.

We will make sure that tenants are notified when improvement works are due to start on their home. We will also let them know what the work involves and try to keep the disruption to an absolute minimum.

If you would like to know more about the proposed programmes of work to be undertaken or have any other comments please contact:

For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk search Improvement Programme or contact Brian Skeffington, Improvements Manager tel: 01793 463440 or email: [email protected]

Improving and maintaining homes 2013-14

Refurbishment and thermal improvements 41 properties

Renewal of pitched and flat roof coverings 130 properties

Installation of new PVCu windows 110 properties

New front entrance fire doors to blocks of flats 480 properties

Replacement external doors 100 properties

Upgrading central heating systems 440 properties

Electrical upgrades 450 properties

Installation of carbon monoxide detectors 4,500 properties

Modernising kitchens 400 properties

Modernising bathrooms 200 properties

Heating and energy conservation upgrades 2 sheltered schemes

Environmental improvement programme Tenant led schemes

Major aids and adaptations To make everyday living easier for those with special needs

The most significant programmes of work to be undertaken include:


Team Supports Independence Not everyone is aware but Housing's Homeline team now provide a range of specialist services known as Homeline +, building on the team’s extensive expertise with community alarms.

Nicola Woodruffe is the Council’s Telecare Support Officer located within the homeline team, “My post started four years ago when the government provided a grant for Councils to develop Telecare services. Since then the service has grown and we now have nearly 200 service users, however there have been hundreds more that have had the equipment but only for brief periods of time.

Homeline+ isn’t specific to Council tenants and can be provided to all, a simple phone call is all it takes.

Our aim is not only to support independent living to the service users but also help relieve some pressure that carers and families may be under. Not only does the service allow independent living, Homeline+ can also help reduce hospital stays as well as prolonging admissions to care homes. We achieve this by providing a range of

technological solutions including bed and chair occupancy sensors, fall detectors, smoke detectors, epilepsy sensor and medication dispensers to name but a few.

Many of our service users have complex needs including dementia and we personalise the equipment to take account of this. Being part of the Homeline team also means that service users’ still have the invaluable service of the Homeline Response Officers to assist in emergencies.

Homeline and Homeline+ really can save lives, I am proud to be working alongside such a strong, life-saving team.”

Charges for Homeline+ vary depending on the combination of equipment that is required and in some circumstance the cost can link into existing care costs.

For further information on Homeline+ please call Nicola Woodruffe on 01793 466711.

Homeline and Homeline + community alarms

Housing has a good record of engaging with tenants and leaseholders but there are instances where tenants felt that they would like more consultation on certain issues.

With this in mind a Housing Consultation Protocol has been produced with approval from Tenant Groups. It explains; what the Council will consult on, how the Council

will consult with tenants, the consultation process and how the evidence will be reported.

If you would like a copy of the Housing Consultation Protocol then contact Sharon Norcliffe tel: 01793 464427 or email: [email protected]

Housing Consultation Protocol

Consultations for 2013 Date Lead Officer

Rent Consultation November - February Stuart Hook and Finance Officer Tenant Participation Strategy November/December Stuart Hook

Allocations Policy Consultation March Carole CretchleyNeighbourhood Warden Street Meetings

April – September Pete Holohan

Young Warden Scheme August – October Pete HolohanSchool Assemblies Various, when invited Pete HolohanCommunity Fun Days Various, when invited Pete HolohanHousing Strategy September Alan WyldeHomelessness Strategy September Alan WyldeTenancy Strategy April Alan WyldeAnti-Social Behaviour Policy and Procedures

Spring Barry Rees

Tenancy Fraud Spring Barry Rees

Do you care about children and want to help them through a difficult time in their lives? Do you have a spare room? Are you at least 21 years old? Then fostering could be for you.

Foster Carers come from all different backgrounds, can be single, married or in same-sex partnerships, some have children of their own living at home, some don’t. Fostering with Swindon Borough Council offers a range of fostering options.

You will be allocated your own Supervising Social Worker,

who guide you throughout the process, provide ongoing support and supervision. We offer an extensive and ongoing comprehensive training programme. There is someone available to talk with 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are regular support groups and activities.

Please consider fostering as we need a diverse range of people to come forward to meet the needs of children and young people in care.

Swindon Foster Carers Needed

Homelessness is much more than providing a roof over people’s heads and often homeless people will have complex underlying problems that can be made worse by living rough or in insecure accommodation. This is why Swindon Borough Council and our partners are working together to improve the housing, health and support options to people who have no home or place to stay.

To enable us to understand local issues, we are asking you, the community, for help in identifying anyone in your local area who is sleeping out at night. This could be in a tent in the local park, squatting in a garage, sleeping behind the community hall or in a car park.

To report a rough sleeper please visit www.roughsleeperhelp.co.uk or alternatively you can call on (Freephone) 0800 917 7765.

Working in partnership to end

rough sleeping

Contact the Family Placement Team for more information tel: 01793 465700 or email: [email protected].


Greens’ – quick to rot and provide nitrogen and moisture

Browns’ – slower to rot, provide carbon and fibre and allow air pockets to form

Keep this out! Certain things should never be placed in your bin

Tea bags Cardboard Meat

Grass cuttings Egg boxes Cooked vegetables

Vegetable peelings, salad leaves and fruit scraps

Scrunched up paper Dairy products

Old flowers and nettles Fallen leaves Diseased plants

Coffee grounds and filter paper Sawdust Dog poo or cat litter

Spent bedding plants Twigs, branches and bark Nappies

Rhubarb leaves Perennial weeds or weeds with seed heads

Young annual weeds (chickweed)

CompostingWhy compost? Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It’s easy to make and use.

Setting up your bin – ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably sunny site on bare soil.

Using your compost – before starting, you’ll probably want to find out if it actually is ready to go! You can do this by making sure your compost is dark brown and smells nice and earthy. It should be slightly moist and have a crumbly texture.

It probably won’t look like the compost you buy in the shops and it’s very likely that yours will still have twigs and eggshell in it.

Don’t worry – it’s still perfectly good to use. Simply sift out any larger bits and return them to your compost bin.

Your fresh compost is nutrient-rich food for your garden and will help improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels and

keep your soils pH balance in check while helping suppress plant disease. It has everything your plants need and will improve our soil’s condition and your plants and flowers will love it!

And if you’ve got space have two compost bins Then when one is full you can start filling the second bin leaving the first to turn to compost. When the first bin has turned to compost empty and use as you wish, when the second bin is full leave to compost and start filling first bin and so on.

Only having one bin can make things a bit messy as you are trying to fill and compost at the same time.

Local Offers Refresh – have your say about Service Standards!Local OffersThe establishment of Local Offers was a requirement of the Localism Act and during 2011, we developed Local Offers in Swindon by asking tenants and leaseholders to tell us their priorities for Housing Services and listened to what was important to them. We have been monitoring these Local Offers (Service Standards) and reporting back the performance to tenants each year through the Annual Report. We want to make sure that Local Offers are still relevant to tenants and reflect current priorities. We would like your help in shaping future Local Offers by letting us know your views on Housing services that you receive.

Current Local Offers - you've already told us it's important

1. Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard

Customer Service• When you make contact with us

by phone, letter or by email, to respond promptly

• When we visit you at home we show you our identification badge

• When we receive complaints from you, to fully investigate and respond to you promptly and publish details of your complaints

Tenant involvement• To offer you a wide range of

involvement opportunities• To receive regular feedback about

the difference your involvement has made

Meeting the needs of all tenants• Give you choices on how you

prefer us to communicate with you

• To provide you with additional services if you have higher needs

• To offer additional services to help you in your home if you are older or disabled

2. Home Standard• To provide you with

quality accommodation by continuously carrying out work to Council homes to ensure that they meet the Government’s minimum standard, known as the Decent Homes Standard, and carry out work to meet your needs

• To improve your home to a Decent Homes ‘Plus’ Standard. This will measure the quality of what you already have in your home against modern day standards by looking at the following elements – roofs, walls, windows, external doors, electrics, central heating, kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas.

3. Tenancy Standard• To offer you choice when we let

our properties• To let our properties in a fair

and open way to those most in housing need, including adapted properties for those that need these properties

• To provide housing options advice to tenants who wish to move

• To reduce the amount of time each property is empty between tenancies

• To provide a specialist service to work with tenants who may need extra support to maintain their tenancy

• To provide you will the information you need including a

Tenants Handbook and Tenancy Agreement and regular updates to ensure all rights and responsibilities of being a tenant are known.

4. Neighbourhood and Community Standard

Anti-Social Behaviour• To investigate all reports of anti-

social behaviour as fully as possible, including noise nuisance, neighbour disputes, domestic violence, all forms of harassment

• You can report safely and in the strictest confidence your concerns via a range of methods including in person, telephone, email and via the website

• We continue to contact you whilst we investigate your complaint and provide a clear outcome on conclusion of the investigation

• We ask you to tell us if you are satisfied with the service we have provided

• Legal action is taken against the perpetrator where evidence is available, which could result in eviction or imprisonment

• We work with all agencies, including the Police to resolve anti-social behaviour and use the most appropriate solution to resolve issues

Neighbourhood management• Tenants and stakeholders can take

part in the estate inspections• Communal areas in blocks of flats,

maisonettes and high rise blocks will be regularly inspected

• Gardens and open areas are maintained to a good standard

5. Value for Money Standard• To inform you of service charges

and how they are agreed• Setting the annual budget for

repairs and major works• To keep performance and costs of

our services comparable to services across other social landlords

If you would like to know more about our local offers or wish to be more involved please contact Arlene Griffin Head of Business Development by email: [email protected] or tel: 01793 464387

After

Find out if it is safe to return to your property by monitoring the media and local authority website – check falling river levels via the Environment Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

Ring your insurance company as soon as possible and follow their advice. If you can access your property, take photographs for evidence.

Check the Environment Agency’s website for more advice on what to do before, during and after a flood. The HPA website also has advice relating to health matters www.hpa.org.uk.

22 www.swindon.gov.uk/housing

Name:

Address:

Email:

Telephone No:

Please add me to the e-Housing mailing list Would you like to be more involved in having a say about what we do in Housing?

Yes No

Please write in this space provided:

This section is for you to ask us questions, make suggestions or to pass on your comments and responses to articles.

! Simply complete, tear off, fold and seal in half and post – no stamp required.

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Data ProtectionThe information you provide will be used to improve our services and answer your questions. It may be shared with other departments in the council to make the necessary improvements.

Swindon Arts Centre

Spring is a time of new beginnings and experiences so, if you’ve not visited the Swindon Arts Centre before (or you haven’t been for a while), here’s a little reminder of what we can offer Swindon residents.

The Arts Centre is a welcoming, vibrant venue running a packed programme of shows, as well as hosting the Old Town Library, the Studio Café/Bar and The Landing Arts Gallery. This friendly community venue is the perfect place to pop into during the day to indulge in delicious cakes and coffee in the Café, browse the library shelves for an absorbing literary delight, view the local artist’s exhibition displayed on the Landing and chat to our Box Office staff about the fantastic shows you can come and see.

This season promises a wonderful combination of shows including toe-tapping rock n’ roll, captivating drama, gorgeous shows for younger audiences and nostalgic classics.

What’s on next...

2nd May Don’t miss The Ultimate Louis Armstrong Show with the award-winning Swindon based Bateman Brothers Jazz Band

4th May The irrepressible Showaddywaddy are back

28th May Lovers of English folk rock will enjoy Fairport Convention

29th May You can watch a musical production of Wind in the Willows

30th May Enjoy a trip down memory lane with Happy Days Are Here Again

1st June Grammy-award winner Albert Lee will delight with his guitar playing

12th July For fans of Cliff Richard, The Hollies and Roy Orbison, you can see Peter Howarth Sings The Hollies Unplugged

31st JulySing along to your favourite nursery rhymes at Marty MacDonalds Farm

Flooding – are you prepared?Have you been flooded or at risk of flooding? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then the following information and contact details will be useful. More information can be found on the Council’s website www.swindon.gov.uk/flooding

Before

Get an ‘Are you ready Brochure’ and create a household emergency plan visit www.wiltshireandswindonprepared.org.uk.

Ensure that you know your property’s risk of flooding. To assess your risk from river flooding, visit: www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188. Check your contents insurance policy to confirm you are covered for flooding and to check you have not underestimated the value of your home contents.

SBC has an arrangement with RSA (Royal and Sun Assurance plc), who can provide contents insurance for our tenants. For information to apply for or claim on RSA contents insurance, please visit www.swindon.gov.uk/homeinsurance, email: [email protected], or phone 01793 464657.

During

Tune in to your local radio station, or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to get the latest information.

Report property flooding or river blockages to the Environment Agency incident hotline tel: 0800 80 80 60.

If safe to do so, turn off gas, electricity and water supplies before flood water enters your home.

If your home has been flooded you are advised to move your family and pets upstairs, or to a high place with a means of escape.

Be aware of the dangers of walking or driving through floodwater.

Before During After

Competition time:

Win a family ticket (for 4 people) to see Wind in the Willows (Wednesday 29 May 2pm)

This is a wonderfully vibrant musical production (and workshop) of this classic tale with the exuberant Mr Toad and Mole, Ratty and Badger. This is family theatre at its very best.

To win a family ticket (for 4 people) to see this delightful show, draw or paint a

picture of your favourite character out of Wind in the Willows.

Send your pictures to:The Picture Judgec/o Swindon Arts CentreDevizes RoadSwindon SN1 4BJ

The winner will be selected at random. Closing date is Friday, 3rd May 2013.

You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter and keep up to date with all our shows and competitions or visit our website, www.swindon.gov.uk/artscentre. To book for any of our shows, call the box office on 01793 614837 or book online at www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre.

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Washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher We would like to remind residents to follow some simple safety advice when using tumble dryers, washing machines or dishwashers.

General safety• Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or

dishwasher running overnight or while you are out. They are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors.

Tumble dryer safety• Remove the lint from the trap after every load of

clothes dried

• Do not cover the vent or any other opening

• Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way

• Only used recommended vent pipes, and not improvised ones

• Only vent the warm air to the outside of a building

• Do not put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids

Signs that your tumble dryer is not properly ventilated• Clothes take a very long time to dry, especially heavy

articles of clothing such as towels or jeans

• Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle

• The flapper on the vent hood remains closed when the dryer is on

Safety tips

housing matters issue 64

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