open house winter 2011

Places are limited. Please let us know by 17th January to ensure your place isreserved. To book your place or for further information, contact the tenantinvolvement team on freephone 0800 1830454 or 01827 709260 or email:[email protected]. We look forward to seeing you on the day

Winter 2011

www.tamworth.gov.uk

Housing Services

In this issue:-

Fire Safetywhen celebrating

Page 2

Customer DashboardVisit online for the latest performance indicators in housing: www.tamworth.gov.uk/housing

Christmas RentCampaign

Page 6

Gas Safety

Page 7

ControllingCondensation in

your home

Page 8

12-1.30pm – Guest Speakers – Book your place now

1.30-2pm – Buffet lunch for those who attend from 12

2-7pm Exhibitions and drop-in for everyone

You're invited to

the First Annual Tenants Conference 2012

Tamworth Assembly Rooms Thursday 26 January 2012

Tamworth Borough Council Landlord Services

Whyl Get to know our customersl Hear our guest speakers on latest

developmentsl Have your sayl Hear more about our servicesl Have your housing queries

answeredl Put questions to our guest panell Comment on our business plan

prospectus

Whol All tenants and leaseholders

are welcome

Conference includes:l Entry into prize draw for everyone

who attendsl Information across landlord

servicesl Information from our partner

services l Lots of exhibition standsl Enjoy a fabulous buffet lunch

while networkingl Another great chance to voice your

opinion and be heardl This is your opportunity to ask

questions and put forwardsuggestions for improving theHousing Service

l Free advice and lots of goodies

Invitedl Chief Executive of new repairs

contractorl Tenant Services Authorityl TAROE – Tenants & Residents

Organisations of Englandl Tenant Consultative Group

Come along and you will automatically be entered into a Free PrizeDraw to win: l 32-inch HD television l 2 £100 decorating vouchersl Free days with our Caretaking Team l MANY MORE great prizes

Newfor2012

It’s all aboutyou and yourhome!

The conference is completely free toattend and free transport is available

for those who need it.Childcare allowance can be

payable if required.Places are limited so

to guarantee a seat,book your place/s todayor simply come along tothe drop-in between2 and 7pm.

Fantastic

FreePrizeDraw

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It’s that time of year again when we go to lots of parties, decorate ourhouses and invite round friends and family for some fun and festivities.Christmas is an important time of year for lots of us. Take a look at the 12 steps below to ensureyou have a safer Christmas. Celebrate safely this year and have a safe and happy Christmas.

On the 1st day of Christmas

Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use a residual currentdevice (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off power) on outdoor electricalequipment.

On the 2nd day of Christmas

Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings.

On the 3rd day of Christmas

Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in anemergency. Make a fire escape plan

On the 4th day of Christmas

Decorations can burn easily – don’t attach them to lights or heaters.


Never overload electrical sockets. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch Christmaslights off and unplug them before you go to bed.


Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greaterafter alcohol is consumed


Most fires start in the kitchen – never leave a cooker unattended


If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions,never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.


Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished before going to bed.


Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean itand remove dust.


Keep candles, lighters and matches out of the reach of children. Never leave burning candlesunattended.


Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours thisChristmas – make sure they are fire safe.

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Fire Safetywhen celebrating

Crown copyright Product code: FS022

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An award-winning telecareprovider has secured thecontract to deliver the wellknown and highly valuedLifeline service in Tamworth.

Welbeing is one of the fastestgrowing companies in the sector,supporting nearly 30,000 peopleacross the UK and answering600,000 calls a year.

The Tamworth service includes 24-hour, seven day a week contactcentre support to customers in

sheltered and supportedaccommodation.

Managing Director at Welbeing,Mark Bannister, said: “I’m veryproud of the service Welbeingprovides and pleased that localresidents in Tamworth arebenefiting from the experience,skills and dedication our staff bringto work every day.“We recently celebrated our 25thanniversary and are lookingforward to many more years ofproviding round-the-clock supportto our customers.”

Having taken over the Lifelineservice from Tamworth BoroughCouncil, Welbeing is compliant withthe Telecare Service Association

Code of Practice which requires98.5% of calls to be answeredwithin 60 seconds. Most recenttests show Welbeing answers 99%of calls within 60 seconds.

Mark added: “I’d like to remind allour customers to keep Welbeingupdated with any changes in theirpersonal data, such as a change ofdoctor or key-holder. Customersjust need to press their pendant tobe connected to one of ouroperators who will be pleased totake down the new information.”

If a customer is moving or no longerrequires the service, they will needto telephone Welbeing on 08450766515 to make arrangements tocollect the equipment.

Tamworth Welcome for Welbeing

Tamworth Information Centre

01827 709581/[email protected]

l Visit, phone or e-mail the friendly, award-winning team in the Philip Dix Centre

l Get full details of where to stay, where toeat and what to do in the Tamworth area.

l Get help with that special occasion, plana day trip, book coach trips, buy ticketsfor theatre and Tamworth Castle events.

l Wide variety of local souvenirs and giftsavailable

Monday to Friday 9.00am - 7.00 pm Saturdays 9.00am - 5.00pm

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Pathway Project –Contact Us Your Way

Pathway Project provides support, accommodationand services to people suffering domestic and sexualviolence and abuse. In the last ten years, the way wecommunicate with each other has changed dramatically.For us, as a charity working to help people, this has meanttrying to keep up with the changes. You can now speak tous in lots of different ways, at a time and in a way thatsuits you.

You can visit us at www.pathway-project.co.uk. You canalso send us e-mail messages this way if you click on the‘talk to eve’ button.

You can contact our 24-hour helpline at any time, and willalways get a response from a well-trained and verysupportive team member who will be able to respond toyour needs very quickly, with appropriate access to theservices that you need, including emergencyaccommodation. If you want to ring and just talk, that isfine. We are here to listen on 01543 676800.

If you prefer to speak face to face, you can do that too.We have a drop in centre, based in Lichfield, only a veryshort walk from the bus station. The Hope Centre is open8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Please call on 01543 442610 for more details.

And finally we can’t fail to mention Facebook and Twitter.We are available on both and you can look us up andfollow us.

On Facebook our group is called Pathway ProjectTurns Victims Into Survivors.

On Twitter you can follow us onHayleyCliff@PathwayHayley.

Whichever way you like to communicate, if you need ourhelp please feel free to contact us. We will be delighted todo all that we can to help you.

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Est

ate

Man

agem

ent T

eam

ESTATE WALKABOUTS

Estate walkabouts give residents and staff the chance to work together tomake estates a better place to live.

From Tuesday November 8, communitiesacross Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent nowhave access to 101, the national non-emergency telephone number for the policeservice in England and Wales.

While 999 is a well-recognised number used to reportemergencies, the 2010 British Crime Survey foundthat only 54% of the public know how to contacttheir local police if they want to talk to them aboutpolicing, crime or anti-social behaviour. Theintroduction of the 101 number will helpcommunities to keep their neighbourhoods safe bygiving them one easy way to contact their local policeforce to report non-emergency crime and disorder.

Calls to 101 will cost 15p per call, no matter how long

you are on the phone. This applies to both landlinesand mobile phones.

In an emergency, the publicshould continue to call 999, suchas when a crime is in progress,when there is danger to life orwhen violence is being used orthreatened.

The current number (0300 123 4455) willremain in place while our communities and partnersbecome familiar with 101.

Further information can be obtained byvisiting www.staffordshire.police.uk/101

Deputy Chief Constable Douglas Paxton

National non-emergency telephone number for the Police

101

Graffiti was reported at all fourEstate Walkabouts.

Tenants reported that an overgrown area

of shrubbery at Nemesia was a hot spot for

ASB. Tenants would like to see shrubbery

cut down to ground level.

Complaints were received about communal

areas being churned up by residents parking

on the grass.

Fly tipping reported around the estates.

You saidThe Estate’s Caretaking Team targeted

areas where graffiti is a problem and have

drawn up a graffiti removal schedule.

We did

Two days after the walkabout the

shrubbery was cut back by the Community

Payback Team.

Letters were sent out to residents to

remind them not to park on thegrassed areas.

Rubbish was removed within five working

days of the walkabout.

If you would like torequest an estatewalkabout in your area,contact free phone 0800183 0454 or 01827 709448

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The Borough Council is launching the Rent Firstcampaign offering help and advice to people whomay be facing difficulties paying their rent over thefestive period.

On Tuesday 29 November, Borough Council Housingstaff will be running a stall on Tamworth’s Market.This will be packed full of useful informationincluding how to make payments and where to getadvice and information.

Representatives from the Credit Union andStaffordshire Fire Service will also be on hand to

offer advice on their services. There will be anothermarket stall run by the Housing staff on Saturday 3rd December.

The main aim of the campaign is to make sure everyone is aware of the payment optionsavailable. This can help reduce the likelihood of court action and evictions.

Tenants who have concerns about paying their rent, or who want more information abouthow they can pay, can visit the market stall for an informal chat, or phone the BoroughCouncil on 01827 709709.

Help is at hand with the Christmas 2011 Rent Campaign

The procurement of a responsive repairs andinvestment service directly contributes to thecouncil's new strategic priorities. Investing inthe local economy by encouraging local labourand providing a decent home helps lead tohealthier, safer and better lives.

The current contracts the council have for repairs andgas servicing come to an end in March 2012. Due to thesize and value of these combined contracts the council isrequired to follow procurement regulations in relationto renewing these contracts.

The procurement process, which tenants have beeninvolved in, is now well underway and we will shortly beevaluating the tenders which have been submitted.Once the tender process is fully completed we will beable to announce who are the successful contractors arefor the repairs/investment and gas contracts.

Repairs \ Investment and Gas Contracts

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As your landlord, Tamworth Borough Councilhas a legal responsibility to make sure thatall gas appliances, fittings and flues ownedby us are safe. The law states that every 12months we must arrange gas safetyinspections to be carried out by Gas Safe-registered engineers.

It is important that you allow access for gasinspections to take place so that we can ensure youand your neighbours are kept safe and our appliancescontinue to work properly.

What do you check? All gas appliances will be checked, for exampleboilers, gas supplies and gas fires, whether installedby us or not. However, if an appliance installed orowned by you is found to be faulty, you will beresponsible for making arrangements for the repair tobe carried out at your expense.

Our contractor will service our gas appliances toensure they are working efficiently and will continueto work effectively over the next 12 months.

What will happen if I don’t let you carryout the gas safety check? A minority of our residents do not give us reasonableaccess to check their gas appliances. We make everyeffort to arrange suitable appointments, but if we arenot given access, we will take legal action to forcethese residents to give us access to check the gasappliances. Ensuring that our tenants’ homes are safeis critically important to us. If you fail to keep anappointment and the annual safety check and serviceis overdue, we will take legal action to gain access toyour home and complete the service. If this happens,you will be charged for the costs incurred.

Thank you for helping us to ensure yourhome is safe.

Gas Safety

8

Controlling condensationand mould in your home

What causes condensation?There are three main causes of condensation:

l Too much moisture production in your home

l Insufficient ventilation

l Cool temperatures.

Everyday activities such as bathing and showering, cooking, boiling the kettle, drying clothes indoors,topping up fish tanks etc add moisture to the air. Moisture is added to the air just by breathing.

During the winter months (October – April) internal surface condensation may become more prevalent asthe cold external temperatures have a knock-on effect on the external structure of the building, creatingcold surfaces ideal for condensation and subsequent mould growth. Mould growth can be an all-yearproblem if air is not allowed to circulate within the property.

Portable gas and paraffin heaters should not be used under any circumstances. Apartfrom being forbidden by your tenancy agreement, they are a health and safety hazard.

If you would like any more information sent out to you either by post or email, pleasecontact Jan Jones on 01827 709403 or email [email protected]

How much moisture can be produced in your home in a day?

Two people active for one day 3 pints

Cooking and boiling a kettle 6 pints

Having a bath or shower 2 pints

Washing clothes 1 pint

Drying clothes 9 pints

Total amount of moisture produced in your home for one day 21 pints

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A new national home swap schemehas been launchedA new nationwide scheme was announced by the Housing Minister Grant Shapps this October.

The new nationwide scheme `HomeSwap Direct` will allow social housing tenants to swap homes to becloser to new jobs or their families. The scheme will give online access to available properties acrossthe UK.

Tamworth Borough Council tenants that have already registered with our mutual exchange provider`HomeSwapper` will automatically benefit from the new nationwide home swap scheme `HomeswapDirect` - and you can too by joining today.

Do you want to Move Home?HomeSwapper is a service to help you swap your home with another council or housing associationtenant anywhere throughout the UK.

You can search for potential home swaps at www.HomeSwapper.co.uk or by viewing the`HomeSwappers Mutual Exchange List` available at Reception Area at Tamworth Borough Council,Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7BZ.

Don’t Forget! You must not exchange properties with anyone without first obtaining written permission from bothlandlords to exchange.

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This scheme will save us time and money in gettingthe property ready for the next tenant, which in turnoffers greater value for money for our customers.

To receive your reward you must;

l Give the appropriate notice to end your tenancyas stated in your tenancy agreement. The noticeperiod is usually four weeks

l Have been a tenant for six months or more

l Have a clear rent account when you hand the keys in

l Have an approved property inspection carried outduring your notice period

l Leave no outstanding repairs or damage causedwhich is your responsibility

l No rubbish or unwanted furniture is left in theproperty

l Hand in a full set of keys anddoor entry fobs (where expected)on time and

l Provide a forwarding address

You do not have to apply for this reward scheme asall tenants who are leaving us will automatically beassessed to check if they are entitled to the rewardpayment. If you do we will send you a £50 chequeto your new address or make a credit to your bankaccount if you have given us your bank accountdetails. We aim to do this within 28 days of youmoving out.

If you have any queries or would like a copy of thefull terms and conditions of this scheme, pleasecontact the Void and Allocation team. Telephone01827 709520 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) oremail [email protected]

During 2010/2011 the Tenant Involvement Team saw 30 new recruitswanting to get involved and have a say in the way their housingservice is delivered.

The majority came from the annual recruitment drive which saw theteam out and about around the borough, at the four communityhubs, at Tamworth market and in Marmion House reception.

Why get involved?Because we need you! You are important to how we deliver and develop our service.It’s up to you how much time you want to give. Please visit our website atwww.tamworth.gov.uk for further information or telephone 0800 1830454.

Recruitment Drive

End of TenancyReward schemeWhen you move out of yourCouncil home, you couldqualify for a rewardpayment of £50.

Congratulations to Mrs Cowell ofLeyfields who was the lucky winnerof the Spot the Differencecompetition in the Summer 2011issue of Open House. Enjoy yourprize!

Thanks to everybody who sent incompetition entries!

Spot the differencewinner!

Spot the difference to win!Tamworth Borough Council is offering you the chance to win £20 if yourspot the difference competition entry is selected from our prize draw. There are just two competition rules:

l You have to be a tenant of Tamworth Borough Council.l You have to circle three differences between these two photographs.

Once you think you’ve found all three differences, circle them clearly, fill inand cut out the entry form and then return it by Friday 27 January 2012to:

Diane Hughes, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, LichfieldStreet, Tamworth Staffordshire B79 7BZ.

All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw and the winner notifiedsoon after the deadline. The competition is open to Tamworth BoroughCouncil tenants only. Good luck!

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Telephone No:__________________________________________________________

What’s On

See website for more events and details:www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk

www.tamworthcastle.co.uk

11

Evening Tea DanceFriday 16th January.Tickets £6.50Doors 7pm for a 7.30pm startPre-booking essential

Tamworth PantomimeCompany- Aladdin15th-22nd January.Tickets £12 and £8 concessionsGroup booking rates apply*

Guitar Anthems Friday 27th JanuaryTickets £16, £14 concessions Doors 7.30pm for 8pm start

All Star 60s Show Thursday 2nd February Tickets £18.50, £16.50Doors 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

Roy Orbison and Friends “75special” tribute Saturday 4th February. Tickets £18 Doors 7pm for a 7.30pm start

Gerry Cross the MerseyFriday 10th February.Tickets £17.50 Doors 7.00pm for a 7:30 start

Marty Wilde & The Wildcats Saturday 18th FebruaryTickets £18, £17 concessionsDoors 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

Battle of the Bands LaunchThursday 23rd February

Celtic Dream Monday 27th February Tickets £19.50 and £17.50Doors 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

A Psychic Night OutFriday 2nd February Tickets £19, £17.50 concession sDoors 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

Those Were the Days Wednesday 7th February Ticket £12, £10 concessionsDoors 2.00 for a 2.30pm start

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Alternative Formats

If you would like this document in a different form, forexample audio CD, large print or Braille, please contact theTenant Participation team on 0800 1830454.

Designed and Produced by Tamworth Borough Council

Tamworth Borough CouncilMarmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ.

Enquiries: (01827) 709709 . Main Fax: (01827) 709271

If you would find it easier to talk to us in your own languageplease ask an english-speaking friend or relative to contact0800 183 0454. We can arrange for an interpreter to contactyou to discuss any translation you need.

If you would like to getinvolved then contactTamworth Borough

Council’s TenantParticipation team:

Other useful numbers:

Tamworth Borough CouncilCustomer Services(01827) 709709

Benefits(01827) 709540

Council Tax(01827) 709530

Housing Advice01827) 709459

Housing Office Enquiries (01827) 709491

Tenant Participation(01827 709374)

Rent Enquiries (Income team) (01827) 709514

Estate Management Team(01827) 709491

Allocations and Voids(01827) 709520

Leanne AllwoodTenant Regulatory andInvolvement Manager

01827 709448Diane Hughes

Tenant Participation Assistant01827 709260Helen Rich

Customer Service Assistant01827 709260

Ann SummersLandlord Improvement and

Project Officer01827 709374

email us:tenantparticipation@tamworth.

gov.uk

open house winter 2011

Documents