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Skate park closer SEE PAGE 8 FOR DETAILSREAD PAGE 16 FOR NEWS ON Prefab Homes

News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Spring 2015

Front cover shows children enjoying time at a skate park consultation

housing mattersRents: A year ago when council house rents werereviewed it was agreed the rent rise would be inline with the Government’s guideline increasefigure. It was also agreed for 2015/16 that rentswould increase in line with the Government’sguideline rent rise figure applicable from thisApril. That guideline figure is 2.2%. This is theincrease being applied. It averages £1.79 a week.The Housing Revenue Account is self-supporting;all expenditure has to be met from rents. We havea responsibility to today’s tenants and futuretenants to ensure we balance the books - whichwe do - and that we meet our commitments tomaintaining, improving and investing in ourhousing stock - which we will.These commitments include:

• attaining the Ipswich Standard for all ourhouses, including prefabs at Rushmere beinggiven a new lease of life;

• providing, where practicable, energy-savinginsulation improvements;

• building new homes such as those alreadycoming onstream at Bader Close to help meetthe considerable and growing need foraffordable homes.

Our tenants will continue to receivegood value-for-money ascomparisons with private-rentedhomes demonstrate.Councillor John MowlesHousing Portfolio Holder

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Housing matters 2

Tenant Scrutiny Panel election 3

Bader Close new homes 4

ASPIRE - Constable Masterpiece 4

Tenant awards 5

Voices4 Gainsborough Library 6

Karibu celebrates 10 years 7

Easter activities 8

Ipswich Gets Active 9

Free Youth activities 10

1,000 smokers wanted 11

Recipe 12

Tenant Q+A 13

Illegally sublet/abandoned homes 14

Open fire conditions 15

New refurbishment areas 16

Free collection of unwanted items 17

Easter waste/Spring Clean 18

Ipswich HEARS 19

Measuring up 20

Useful Contacts 20

Tenants’ editorial panelAngela Griffiths, Pamela Pamment,

Brian Laffling and Derek Rusher

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Tenant scrutiny panel

After being voted onto the Tenant Scrutiny PanelI felt very honoured to be part of a positive groupthat exists only to ensure the best possible servicefor Ipswich Borough Council tenants.

It has taken me a while to learn the basics frommy experienced colleagues Brian, John, Derek,Leah, Sandra and Graham. I have enjoyed my firstyear with the Panel. Now I feel I can make a long

term difference for tenants.

Thank you all for voting for me and I hope toserve you well in the future. The panel is currently

holding an election so I encourageyou to vote and help bring aboutpositive change. Shayne PooleyTenant Scrutiny Panel Member

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel is a group of nine tenants set up to check how the Council performs as alandlord. Members volunteer their time to examine how well the Council delivers its services to tenantsand whether services are value for money. Four places on the Panel are open for election.Please vote for your preferred candidate - only one vote will count per registered household member.Choose who will represent you by contacting Tenant Participation team on 01473 433313, e: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk or return this page with your vote to Ipswich Borough Council,Grafton House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE. Voting closes 31 March. Please � your choice

Derek Rusher �“I have been a Tenant Scrutiny Panel member since it formed, and before that theManagement Board, Ipswich Borough-wide tenant panel, North West Housing Panel,Tenants Anti-Social Behaviour Panel. For the past 20 years I have represented my fellowtenants and have garnered a wealth of experience.”

Jo Mays �“Despite being disabled, I have worked with the Tenant Scrutiny Panel as minute-taker forsome time. Before I retired I was a Sheltered Scheme Manager with the Council for morethan 20 years. I hope my experiences will be of use to the Panel and to tenants.”

Leah Jordan �“I have been involved with tenant panels for many years. I also work with the SuffolkCoalition of Disabled People. I’ve worked with children, mental health service users, adultswith learning disabilities and with dementia. I have enjoyed my time with the Panel andwish to continue ensuring all tenants are represented.”

John Steward �“I believe I would bring a positive impartial attitude, experience, good communication skills,and knowledge of tenant/landlord issues. I want to be part of a proactive team making theCouncil accountable and delivering a good service to its tenants. I am not afraid to voiceconcern and I understand that some tenants are. I will speak up to represent those tenants.”

John Wragg �“I have served on the Scrutiny Panel since it began, this last year as Vice-Chair. I haveenjoyed my three years which have been interesting and rewarding. I hope to be elected so I can continue to press the Council to give a better service to tenants."

�

Tenants are now enjoying life at Bader Close

The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Bill Quinton, welcomed five families to theBorough Council’s latest council house development in the south east of thetown.

Work is continuing to complete the other 103 homes, which will be occupiedthis year. The Council is committed to building council homes and hundredsmore are planned over the next few years.

Six of the bestMaintenance and Contracts Team has maintained its Grade A accreditation from the ElectricalContracts Association (ECA), the UK’s leading trade association representing the interests ofcontractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment andservices.This is the sixth year that the Maintenance and Contracts team have achieved this recognition and thelatest award follows a day-long test by supervisors David Birtles and Ashley Rayner.

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The famous work was secured for theBritish public through the HeritageLottery Fund (HLF), The MantonFoundation, the Art Fund (with acontribution from the WolfsonFoundation) and Tate Members.

The display is part of Aspire, a five-yearpartnership project between fivepartner institutions supported by theHeritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fundto enable the work to go on almostconstant view across the UK.

It will be at Christchurch Mansion for ayear. Entry is free.

Constable’s masterpiece is here!

Museums Service Manager Bill Seaman shows the painting to

Caroline Collier from Tate

One of the greatest masterpieces of British art, John Constable’s Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows1831, is on display at Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion as part of a UK-wide tour of galleries and museums.

Bader Close new homes

first families move in

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Tenant awards

The Mayor, Councillor Bill Quinton,Housing portfolio holder Councillor JohnMowles, staff and tenants came togetherto recognise tenants from across thetown for their selfless volunteering andthe huge difference they have made totheir neighbourhoods.

Young Council Resident of the Year waswon by Kirsty Long, a 19 year-oldvolunteer. Her work helping; youthgroups, community café, GainsboroughLibrary & Summer Art Project, the

People’s Health Trust, All Hallows Church singing group and the Girl Guides, marked her out as a trulyremarkable young person. Bethany Lloyd was runner-up for her work with younger children and her caring responsibilities.Kelvin Cracknell scooped the Tenant Representative award for throwing himself into every involvementand training opportunity, supporting the Silver Surfer programme and his work with the DisabilityAdvice Bureau. Pamela Pamment won Tenant of the Year award for the tireless support she gives her neighbours andthe wider neighbourhood through the Chantry Resident Association. Maureen Abbott was runner-up for her contribution to community life at her sheltered housing schemeand the ActivLives singing group.

GardeningGlory

Are you a keen gardener or know atenant who is? Then enter our gardencompetition.

Many tenants toil their own gardens as well ascommunal gardens, making a more colourfulneighbourhood for everybody.

This competition recognises the green-fingeredheroes in your street.

There will be a prize for the winning gardenand communal garden in each housing area ofthe town: North West, South West and East.Entries are open until 30 April. Judging is in Mayand all winners will be featured in SummerTenants Times.

Now is the time to get planting, good luck!

For more information ring 01473 433313or e: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

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Meeting place open for all

The former Whitehouse Community Centrebuilding has re-opened as the Meeting Place, nowrun by Wot’s Up social club.

It hosts a café Mondays to Fridays from 10am-3pm. The café is open to everyone and providestwo- course meals for just £5. The venue can alsobe hired for meetings, birthday parties, dancegroups and bingo nights.

The Wot’s Up social club for people with learningdifficulties helps run the community space. ClubDirector Mags Fortune said: “It is very easy forpeople with learning difficulties to feel excluded

Voices 4 GainsboroughCommunity LibraryWhy not get involved at GainsboroughCommunity Library.

V4GCL are looking for volunteers to join theircommittee and work in their community café.They meet at the library on the first Wednesdayof each month at 6pm and would love to see newmembers and volunteers to enable them to carryon their good work. If you would like to find outmore ring 01473 260888 or email:v4gclcommitee@yahoo.co.uk

GAINSBOROUGH COMMUNITY LIBRARY EVENTS

Suffolk Libraries Bookfest 6-22 March

Family Bingo from 7pm 12 March, 23 Apriland 4 June

World Book Night 23 April

Summer Reading Challenge All of August

GAINSBOROUGH COMMUNITY LIBRARY GROUPS

Adult Art Group Mondays10am-Noon

Top Time (Over 55’s) Mondays 2-4pm

Club 4 Teenz Mondays + Fridays(Activities for young people after schoolincluding pool, Xbox, boxing and crafts)

Writing Group Tuesdays 2-4pm

Sharing Stories (for people Wednesdayswith disabilities and carers) 10.30am-Noon

Scrabble Club Wednesdays 2pm

Singing for the Soul Fridays 11am-Noon

from the widercommunity andthis centre willbe really goodfor people tofeel part of thecommunity”.

Do you live in the IP3 area of Ipswich? Would you like to support your community to grow?

The centre islooking forvolunteers tohelp withactivities and administration. For more information on the Meeting Place orvolunteering call Mags on 07926 428 432.

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Maidenhall ResidentsAssociation operatesfrom a shop unit at 21Maidenhall Green.

The CommunityCentre opens Mondaysto Fridays 10am-2pm(closing at noon onTuesdays) for tea andcoffee, nearly newshop and officefacilities for thecommunity.

If you need photocopying or would like to take a basic computing course,the Association can help you out.

The Association has joined with Stoke Green Baptist Church to provideshoeboxes filled with toys as part of the annual Children in Need “MustardSeed Mission”. The gift shoeboxes require a £3 donation and will be sent toless fortunate children worldwide. The Association will always be glad toreceive your toys, boxes or donations in the shop and are always keen towelcome volunteers.

If you are interested in joining membership is FREE and any offers of help iswelcome.

Just pop into the shop to find a bargain or a new hobby.

Karibu Support Groupwas set up to help afew African womenaround Ipswich andhas since grown into ahub for not justAfrican women andtheir families butminority ethnicwomen in and aroundSuffolk as well. Thecharity has manyevents planned in2015 to celebrate itsfirst ten years.

The first of theseevents began inJanuary with a visit bythe Mayor, CouncillorBill Quinton, to theiraward-winningsupplementary school.

Karibu celebrates 10 years

Maidenhall residents

For more information about Karibu please contact Lara on 01473 289330 or 07751 660833.

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New skate park

nears completion

Plans for a new skate park on Whitehouse Parkare nearing completion.

In December a taster event took place at WhittonChurch Hall to involve young people in thedesign stage.

More than 30 people had a go on the pop-upskate park and filled in the survey to decide whattype of equipment was required.

These results have been used to create the firstfull designs for the park.

If you or your family are likely to use the skatepark and would like to be part of a small focusgroup to discuss the designs please get in touchwith the Communities Team email:communities@ipswich.gov.uk

Tuesday 31 March andWednesday 1 April

EGG-STRAVAGANZA!Drop-in: 10.30-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pmExplore science, history and crafts allon an egg theme - you’ll be aneggs-pert by the end of the day!

Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 AprilEGYPTIAN FUN DAYS

Drop-in: 10.30-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pmHieroglyph trails, Egyptian-themed

crafts, sandpit digs and more.

The Town Hall welcomes backACCESS ALL ARTS on Sunday 12April. Another busy craft marketis expected from ‘IMakeFunStuff’,along with various familyactivities and entertainment.

If the weather is fine why notmake use of the outdoor tabletennis tables at Christchurch Park?The tables, funded by the CentralArea Committee, are great, freefamily fun - don’t forget your bat!

School holidays are a great time for family activities in Ipswich.

Ipswich Museum will be hosting childrens’ workshops and £3 buys a stamp card which covers all theactivities.

Easter activities

www.ipswich.gov.uk

New ‘ActivIpswich’ project

The project is focused on those who don’t currently take part in regular physical activity but would liketo. Most of us have reasons not to take part in sport “I haven’t the time”, “I’m not fit enough” “I can’tafford it”. The ActivIpswich project will help you overcome these barriers by:• providing free, safe, easy taster sessions and courses led by qualified instructors• aimed at those with low (or no) levels of fitness• held at local venues that are easy to get to• you will not need any special equipment or kit• activities include: walking football, badminton, short tennis, indoor athletics, curling, bowls, table

tennis, “Walk to Run” and swimming. Project Co-ordinator Mike McCarthy said “The sessions for over 45s who do not currently take part inregular sport. We are finding there are lots of local people who would like to take part in regularactivity but who aren’t sure how to get started. This is where we can help.” For bookings or to find out more ring Mike on 01473 345350 or email: mike@activlives.org.uk

gets Ipswich active

A new project is making it easier for over 45s to get involved in regular physical activity. The partnershipproject between local charity ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council is funded by the National Lotteryand Sport England. A sports programme with a difference - it isn’t for the ‘sporty’!

17 March-21 AprilThursdays 6-8pm

We’re Not SportyFree taster course

Greenfinch Church Hall,Greenfinch Avenue, IP2 0SQ

Booking required

5 March-9 AprilThursdays 11am-Noon

Walking Football 6 WeekFree beginners tastercourse (for beginners orthose out of practice)

Gainsborough SportsCentre, Ipswich, IP3 0SPBooking required

Every Thursday 3-4pm

Walking Football ‘Pass and Move’

Gainsborough SportsCentre, Ipswich, IP3 0SP

£3 a session, first sessionfree. Walking pace for moremobile

Every Friday 10am-1pm

Curling Club

Ipswich County LibraryNorthgate Street IP1 3DE£2.50 a session, firstsession free. Like the Winter Olympicsbut without the ice! A game everyone can enjoy.

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Free youth activities

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There are lots of great activities to choose fromand all are completely free to join in. Contact paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk to find outmore.

Adult Mental Health Football Project... appeals for new members

Health Kicks, funded by the East of England Co-operative Society, is run by Inspire Suffolk to encouragethose with a variety of mental health issues to join in weekly activities across the county. Jason Hadley,Sports Development Officer for Inspire Suffolk, leads the project. He explained: “We have space for moremembers and will be creating additional football sessions aimed at bothpreventing the cause and managing the effect of mental health issues.” The sessions deliver six to ten week coaching as well as monthly five-asideteam fixtures at St Clements Hospital and at Inspire Suffolk’s headquartersin Lindbergh Road.

Health Kicks hopes to improve the lives of those with mental healthissues by improving their independence and aiding their transition from ahospital environment back into their local community. If you’d like to know more about Health Kicks email Jason at:sdo1@inspiresuffolk.org.uk or call 07568 107878.

Suffolk Positive Futures

and Catch22

run free activities for

young people across

the town.

FOOTBALL MASH UP (13-17 years) Tuesday Suffolk New AcademyFootball’s best bits. Skills and tricks with an FA coach 5.30-6.30pm Sports Centre

FOOTBALL (10-16 years) Wednesday Whitton Sports CentreSmall matches and tournaments on AstroTurf 4pm

BOXING PROGRAMME (13-19 years) Wednesday Westbridge PRUin partnership with Suffolk Police 5.15-6.15pm London Road

GIRLS-ONLY SPORTS SESSIONS (13-19 years) Wednesday Suffolk New AcademyBasketball, badminton, boxing and more 6-7pm Sports Centre

SPORTS PROJECT (13-19 years) Friday YMCA, Norwich RoadSmall matches in the indoor sports hall 5-6pm

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www.ipswich.gov.uk

1,000 Smokers Wanted

Are you a smoker whohas tried but failed tokick the habit?

Discover how you could stop smokingonce and for all and potentially savethousands of pounds in the process ...

In Ipswich there are anestimated 26,000 smokers. Live Well Suffolk is aiming tohelp 1,000 of them quit. Youcould be one of them. As thehealthy lifestyles service forthe county, all of Live WellSuffolk’s help is completelyfree. They will work with youto find out what the best wayof quitting is going to be foryou. They can help you choosethe nicotine replacementtherapy that’s going to bemost suited to you and alsooffer practical information ondealing with cravings, avoidingweight gain, and managingthe habitual ‘hand-to-mouth’action that comes withsmoking.

Their support is delivered byspecialist stop smokingadvisors and clients can chooseto take part in regular groupsessions or one-to-onemeetings at a time andlocation to suit them. You’refour times more likely to quitwith the support of Live WellSuffolk than you are if you goit alone.

Two Ipswich people whom Live Well Suffolk has helped to quit areDiane and John Preston. They saved a whopping £3,000 in just threemonths after deciding to give up smoking. The couple said theywouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of Laura, aLive Well Suffolk Community Health Coach who they saw forone-to-one stop smoking support. Diane explained: “Having thesupport from Laura really helped us. As well as talking to her abouthow we were getting on, we also had to have regular carbonmonoxide breath tests. This helped, too, because if you felt weakand fancied having a cigarette, the test would pick up on it. It keptus motivated.”

Since January, as part of their current ‘1,000 Smokers Wanted’campaign, Live Well Suffolk has been working with Town 102 radioDJ, Tony Horton. Tony had smoked for many years and tried to quitcountless times without success. He’s been having one-to-oneappointments weekly on air andis encouraging fellow smokers inIpswich to join #TeamTony andthe 1,000 Smokers Wantedchallenge. Tune into Town 102on Wednesdays to listen to howTony is getting on - his lastappointment will be on 25March. You can also listen to hisprevious appointments on theTown 102 website(www.town102.com). If, like Diane, John and Tonyyou’d like Live Well Suffolk tohelp you stop smoking, call01473 229292, text QUIT to80011 or visitwww.livewellsuffolk.org.uk

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Recipe (from tenant Shayne Pooley)

MethodBoil a large pan of water, reduce to a simmer. Use a heatproof bowl that fits snugly over the pan. Add the cold water, lemon juice and yolks to the bowl and stir, add the butter, spices, salt and pepperwhen it starts to simmer.Lightly oil the dish, place cod at the bottom of the dish. When the sauce has thickened pour half overthe fish.Steam or blanch the spinach, drain, lay over top of the fish. Slice potatoes to half a centimetre thickness, lay on top of the spinach. Add cream to remaining sauce,pour over, lay grated cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven 180º for 50 minutes or until goldenbrown.

Cod and Creamy Potatoes

250/300 g cod1 tbsp lemon juice250 g peeled potatoes120ml water2 egg yolks 100 g grated cheese 70 ml cream

2 pinches: mixedspices/salt/pepper/chopped parsley40 g butter 50 g spinach20ml olive oil

Amount per person

Pet corner - reptilesIf you plan to keep reptiles there are some importantthings you need to know. Reptiles vary widely so it is crucial to researchrequirements of your specific species before youcommit. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Housing: starter kits are available from larger petstores to re-create a natural habitat.Heating: reptiles are cold blooded so must have aheat source, usually through a combination ofheat lamps, heat rocks and/or heat mats.Lighting: it’s important to get correct lighting asUV radiation is vital for their health.Nutrition: many species require living foods, butpellet foods are also available. Vitamin supplements may be used to ensureproper nutrition.Cleaning: a dirty environment can cause sicknessand disease so weekly cleaning is recommendedwith daily ‘spot cleaning’ to remove waste.Provided you research and get the rightequipment, keeping reptiles needn’t be difficultand can be extremely rewarding.

FEED BIRDS NOT THE RATS. Feeding birds is valuable to wildlife but can attract vermin. Please use bird feeders witha catch tray to stop food falling on the ground rather than scatter food on the garden. Site feeder in an open areato discourage vermin. If you do see vermin near your property stop putting food out for at least a fortnight.

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Private Samuel Harvey enlisted and served sevenyears in India, proceeding into The Reserve justbefore WW1. He went out with the ExpeditionaryForce and was wounded twice. At the Battle ofLoos men were trapped on the frontline withoutprovisions and with poor communications. Sam’sunit was ahead of the “Big Willie trench” usingMills bombs to hold back advancing Germans. Itwas clear his unit would run out of bombs soSam’s commanding officers asked for a volunteerto fetch more. Sam set off through muddytrenches choked with dead and dying but realisedit would take too long to return the same way sohe took a dangerous short cut across openground. He carried more than 30 boxes (12 bombsper box) before being shot in the head. Hisheroism enabled his comrades to hold off theenemy and later charge with bayonets fixed. If

Sam had not taken the risk his unit would havebeen cut off, resulting in a large area beingretaken and changing the course of the battle.On 24 January 1917 at Buckingham Palace, KingGeorge V awarded Sam the Victoria Cross. As hedid so, our hero turned to The Queen, winkedand said “Mine’s a pint!” The Queen's reactionwas not recorded but shortly afterwards a pintwas produced. Sam continued active service,again being wounded. After the war he returnedto Ipswich, despite the VC, life was hard. He livedat the Salvation Army hostel and died penniless inSeptember 1960, aged 79. His only possessionswere a group of miniature medals next to hispillow.

Sam’s medals are on display in a free WarExhibition at the Town Hall, 24-26 April 10-5pm.

Ipswich historySamuel Harvey VC 1881-1960

article researched by Andrew Beal, Town Sergeant

TENANT Q+AContact tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk if you have a question we can answer here so other tenantsmight benefit, however we cannot print private information.

I called with a bathroom repair but couldn’t answer all the questions so had to call back. Annoying! What information do I need ready? Steven, GainsboroughPlease gather as much information as possible, this helps the repair to be completed on time and thetradesman to bring the correct parts. Please check:Loss of electricity: Have you checked the fuse board? Do you have credit on your electricity card?

Is there power in the street?Taps: Are they plastic, stainless steel or chrome? Mixer taps or level taps?Leaks: Where is the leak coming from? Waste pipe or fresh water, internal or guttering?

I’m moving in with my partner. How much notice do I need to give before I move out? Tom, MaidenhallYour tenancy runs from Monday-Monday. To end your tenancy you must give us four weeks Notice to Quit,ending on a Monday. You will be responsible for rents, reporting repairs and other conditions of your tenancyuntil the date your tenancy ends. Download a Notice to Quit form from www.ipswich.gov.uk or request onefrom Customer Services.

My neighbour always annoys me with loud music, and shouting and fighting outside the flats. Who should Italk to? John, WhitehouseContact the Housing Anti-Social Behaviour hotline on 01473 433325 or email: housingasb@ipswich.gov.ukfor advice. For low level nuisance have a polite word with your neighbour as they may not aware but for morethreatening behaviour get in touch with us or if you are in danger the Police.To have your housing questions answered here or join our Facebook group email:tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk or ring on 01473 433313

www.ipswich.gov.uk

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Illegal sublet/abandoned

homes recovered by Council

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Over the past two and a half years 18 tenants have been evicted or returned their keys because theCouncil is determined to ensure that social housing goes to people in genuine need and is not sublet orabandoned.

It costs councils an estimated £18,000 a year to provide temporary accommodation to a homeless family.The properties recovered in Ipswich equate to a saving of £324,000 but, more importantly, 17 morehouseholds could be allocated a home.

It is illegal to sublet a social housing property without permission and Council investigators have thepower to access personal information of tenancy fraud suspects. People found guilty can also be madeto pay to the Council any profits they have made from the transaction.

Other examples of housing fraud include obtaining social housing by deception (giving false informationto obtain a property) and falsely claiming a succession when a tenant dies.

Housing fraud deprives honest people and families of a home, so what can you do about it?

If you suspect someone is committing housing fraud call 01473 433999. All information we receive willbe treated as confidential and you do not have to provide your name or details.

What to look out for:• a house or flat that has been standing empty for long periods• tenants of a house or flat keep changing• an individual regularly collecting rent from neighbours• you believe a person has given false information to obtain a property or has another home elsewhere

SNAP debt and tenancy drop inSpeak to an advisor on Tuesdays 10am-2pm and Thursdays 2-4pm

at SNAP Sudbury House, Dencora Business ParkWhite House Road, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 5LT

Facing eviction or need help managing your tenancy?Advice and support regarding Housing Benefit changes

and Council Tax reduction• Are you receiving all the benefits due to you?

• Do you, or does someone you know need supportto live independently?

• Are you over 16 and able to access public funds?

Free housing related support call SNAP on 01473 767727email: admin@snappartnership.org www.snap-cara.org

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Open fire at home?conditions apply

If you are considering a fire or solid fuel appliance(such as wood burning boiler) there are someconditions to keep in mind.You must have written permission from theCouncil’s Tenancy Services team before works arecarried out at the property. You must also contactthe Local Area Building Control Officer on 01473432953 for consent and approval prior to any newinstallation or replacement of a solid fuelappliance and again when the installation iscomplete.

Useful information for you to consider:• agreed works and any remedial works must be

paid for by you will be responsible for on-going maintenance/servicing of any installation

• you will need a registered HETAS engineer to a. carry out a survey to check work is possibleb. carry out the installation and subsequent

maintenance and servicing; and

c. write a Safety Certificate for the installation(and for any maintenance and servicing) foryou to give Tenancy Services.

You may only burn carbon neutral fuels (eg woodfuels)• you must install and maintain a carbon

monoxide alarm; and • you must arrange for the chimney/flue to be

cleaned at least once a year.

A back boiler allows water heating from a solidfuel fire. If a unit is exposed, removal and disposalof the unit, flue lining and any associated pipework or fittings will be your responsibility and atyour expense. The removal must be carried out bya HETAS engineer 0845 634 5626 and you mustprovide a safety certificate for the removal toTenancy Services.

Home security tipsAs it warms up you can open windows or patio doors forthe first time in months but be careful they are shut andlocked afterwards. Every year, burglaries are reportedwhere small open windows have been used to break in.Burglars may reach through to open bigger windows,wrench the window off or even climb through the smallgap to gain entry. If you’re outside do a quick check noitems are lying around to aid someone breaking in. If youare going on holiday put lights on timer, ask a trustedneighbour to keep an eye on your house, pick up post oreven park on your drive. If you have a NeighbourhoodWatch scheme in your road ask them to keep an eye out. Ifthere isn’t one, why not think about starting one? For further advice on home security please contactIpswich Crime Reduction team on 01473 613888.

Renting a council property does not automatically cover you for break-ins, fire or damage. A homecontents insurance scheme specifically designed for Ipswich Borough Council tenants is available from aslittle as £1.09* a week (depending upon age and your postal code area). To receive an application formcontact Customer Services on 01473 433370. *Standard cover for £9,000 of contents. Lower rates available for over 60’s.

New refurbishment areas

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Every year the Council’s Maintenance and

Contracts Team undertakes refurbishment work

to ensure tenants live in well maintained

properties.

The Council surveys areas for the exteriorcondition of the property and decides on thenecessary refurbishment; improvements towindows, doors, brickwork, paths, fences anddecoration. Please always ask for identificationbefore allowing anyone entry into your home.

After completion each home has a questionnairewith return post prepaid. This enables you tohave your say about the standard of work carriedout. Comments are collated and help the Councilto provide an even better service in the future.

The April 2015-March 2016 Planned Maintenanceareas have been selected and these include: sometown centre areas, Chantry and Gainsborough.

To find out if your street is on the upcomingPlanned Maintenance please visitwww.ipswich.gov.uk/content/planned-maintenance

New roofs for PrefabsMore than 120 council homes have new roofs - thanks to a maintenance project completed byIpswich Borough Council. The prefabricated homes in the north east of the town also have new insulation to cut theirenergy bills and the new materials will ensure the roofs will be quieter when it’s raining. The work to the 127 properties has taken six months and the Council has reported 100%satisfaction from tenants.

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Free collection

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Drug litter reportingDrug litter is equipment used for taking drugs including needles orsyringes, silver foil, spoons, bottles used to make ‘bongs’, and gascanisters.

If you see any of these items discarded about the town please ring theCleaner Ipswich Hotline immediately on 01473 433000 with details andthe location for collection and safe disposal.

See www.ipswich.gov.uk/drl for more information

Brown bins for green gardenersThe brown bin scheme is a hit with Ipswich residents and covers nearly 46,000 properties across thetown. Around 10,000 tonnes of garden waste, veggie peelings, apple cores, tea bags and coffee grindsin the brown bins were sent for processing in 2013/14.

All the waste collected in the brown bins is taken to the Anglian Water site at Cliff Quay where it isturned into compost and re-used locally.

For just £45 per year the Council will provide a second standard household brown bin (240 litres), whichwill be collected on the same day as your current brown bin. Please call the Waste and Recycling teamon 01473 432099 for more information or visit www.ipswich.gov.uk

of unwanted itemsThe Ipswich Furniture Project is a charity offeringa collection service for household items offurniture, metal and electrical appliances. Itemssuch as fridges, freezers, washing machines andcookers can be collected too, even if they don’twork - they will be repaired or recycled!

Please don’t dump them!Arranging a collection is easy, ring IpswichFurniture Project on 01473 404004 or email:service@ipswichfp.org

All soft furniture donations must have a current fire warning label still attached.

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More than 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated annually just from Easter egg packaging! That’s 4,370tons of card, 3,470 tons of plastic and 160 tons of foil.

You can help protect the Easter Bunny's natural environment by remembering the three Rs

REDUCE • RE-USE • AND RECYCLE

Reduce: Avoid Easter eggs over-packaged with lots of different materials especially excessive plastic packaging. Bored of buying chocolate? Why not make your own homemade Easter treats. Go paperless - send friends and family an Easter e-card.

Re-use: Say NO to single-use carrier bags this Easter and use “bags for life” when yougo shopping. If you receive flowers this Easter, don't forget to compost them after they wilt.

Recycle: Recycle as much Easter egg packaging as you can, even the foil can be madeinto new products. Easter cards can go in your blue bin.After Easter lunch most food packaging can be recycled; glass, cans, plasticbottles, aluminium foil and trays.

Spring clean is hereIpswich Borough Council has up to 25 litter kits,comprising of litter stick, hi-vis vest, handy hoop andbags (if needed), ready to loan to groups andindividuals wishing to spruce up theirneighbourhood. If you love where you live andwould like support the Spring Clean Campaign hereis what to do:• Let us know when and where your litter pick will

take place• How many kits are required. We will supply the kits

and arrange to collect larger quantities of bagsfrom group events.

Contact Glynis Wood, Waste Services on 01473432994 or email glynis.wood@ipswich.gov.uk

Now is the perfect time to join the SpringClean Suffolk campaign. It’s a really good way to benefit from thegreat outdoors and make a difference to anarea near you.

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Peace of mind

at the touch of a buttonThe Home Emergency Alarm Response Service (HEARS)is a personal alarm service that has been established formore than 25 years. Ipswich HEARS enables peopleneeding support to live as independently as possible intheir own homes, for as long as they are able and wishto do so.

The service works by providing a personal mobilebutton, which can be worn as a pendant or wrist strap.An alarm unit is also provided and this is connectedthrough a home telephone socket to the Ipswich based24-hour control team. The alarm can be used in anaccident or emergency, such as a fall. At the touch of abutton you will automatically be connected to the24-hour control team where an operator will be ableto speak to you through the powerful loud speaker onthe alarm unit.

The control team will automatically know who and where you are, whether to inform your friends,family, HEARS response team or the emergency services. HEARS provides two options - a full responseand monitoring service for £4.99 a week or monitoring only for £2.49 a week. The service is available topeople living in Ipswich and the surrounding area - to anyone who wants to live independently butwould like the option of asking for help when they need it. More than 1,100 customers are alreadymembers of the “HEARS family”. If you have family or friends who might benefit from the service pleaselet them know and give piece of mind to you and them.

For more information about HEARS please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/HEARS or call the 24 hour controlteam on 01473 433236.

ShopmobilityLimited mobility? Shopmobility offers FREE use of a wheelchair or battery poweredscooter to get you around the town centre.

Call in and see us at Ipswich Shopmobility at the ButtermarketShopping Centre on the lower ground (LG) car park level*

Monday - Saturday 9.30am-4.15pm. Two hours free parking for Shopmobility users.

Visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility or call 01473 222225

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

You can contact us on 01473 433370

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

(including out of hours emergency repairs)

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

01473 835145

Environmental Health (for noise problems) 01473 433015

COMPLAINTS 3 complaints about Tenancy Services. All received a full response withindeadline of 20 working days. 0 were upheld.

ALLOCATIONS On average it took 11 working days to process a housing application. Target <20

RENTS At the end of January £710,891 in rent payment was outstanding which is1.98% of the total due for the year. Target <1.95%

TENANCY We averaged 15.05 days between a tenancy ending and the next onestarting. Target < 15 days

COMMUNITY CARETAKERS 516 pledge visits/876 minor repairs in communal areas were completed.

GAS SERVICING At each month end all our properties should have an up-to-date gas safetycertificate, at the end of January 2015 2 services were overdue.

REPAIRS 4743 repairs were raised of which 96.6% were completed on target. Target >98.5%

CUSTOMER SERVICE Of 18,812 calls made to Housing and Repairs 82.4% got through to an agentbefore ending the call. Target >90%

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR 41 open anti-social behaviour cases at the end of January

Update on housing performance - Period covering November 2014-January 2015

REUSABLE RECYCLING BAGSort it, Store it, Recycle it! Do you live in a flat or share a communal recycling bin?The handy reusable blue bag may make it easier to sort, store and carry yourrecycling out to the bin store. Make sure your recycling is clean, dry and loose (only textiles need to be bagged) Please contact the recycling team to request a handy bag. e: recycling@ipswich.gov.uk t: 01473 432099

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