the annual magazine for council tenants and leaseholders ... · 3,511 register for social housing...

the ANNUAL mAgAziNe for coUNciL teNANts AND LeAsehoLDers

H Nome ewsBehind the scenes with your repairs and maintenance team...P12

Service charges being introduced...P11

Kate’S road to worKLocal tenant’s success story. P27

new homeSMore quality new homes for tenants. P4

fun along the StourDiscover free, local nature events. P31

local communities in action From gardening projects to

neighbourhood clean ups. P14

2016/17annual rePort

INSIDE THISISSUE

This publication has been

OCTOBER 2017

Housing Annual Report2016/17

Welcome to our annual report, which gives you a snapshot of how we have performed over the last year. It’s an easyto read summary that highlights our successes and identifies areas where we will make improvements.Tenants and leaseholders work with us to assess our performance throughout the year, by:

• participating in surveys

• attending residents’ panels and scrutinising different areas of the housing service

• carrying out reviews of specific service areas and recommending improvements.

Find out more on page 19 about how you can get involved in the housing service.

In 2016/17 we:

• Spent £6.6 million on home improvements such as new windows, kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, roofs, etc.

• Introduced a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to flat block residents leaving and storing items in corridors and communal areas, to ensure they have a safe means of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency.

• Reduced the turnaround time for re-letting properties.

• Bought 15 properties from the private market to add to our council housing stock.

• Built a variety of 22 new homes - family accommodation, flats for residents with learning disabilities, plus a scheme of shared ownership properties.

• Accessed charity grants and other funding, totalling £54,989 on behalf of tenants facing financial difficulty.

• Supported 42 households to exchange homes.

• Helped 19 households downsize by moving to a smaller home better suited to their needs.

Council housing in Bournemouth

people on the housing register for social housing3,511

leaseholders514

Figures above as at 31/03/17

5,136 properties

audio and onlineH Nome ewsWe can provide Home News as an audio version on CD. Telephone: 01202 458314 for information. You can also read or listen to the magazine online at: bournemouth.gov.uk/HomeNewsHome News is delivered to all Bournemouth council tenants and leaseholders. 6,200 copies are printed.Published by: Housing Landlord ServicesDate: October 2017, next copy sent to you in autumn 2018

Do you have a story, news or feedback for Home News? If so, you can contact us by email: [email protected] or telephone: 01202 458314.

Contents

2

3

It's been a really busy year

in housing, but this has been

completely overshadowed by the

Grenfell fire tragedy in London.

Thankfully our flat blocks are safe

and inspected regularly. No doubt

the inquiry into the fire will make

many recommendations for flat

blocks and, in particular, high rise

tower blocks. We do not have any

of these in our council housing in

Bournemouth.

The General Election and Brexit

has brought uncertainty and delay

around some housing legislation

that was proposed. We will just wait

and see, and I remain confident that

Bournemouth Council can deal with

anything that is required. Our priority

will be to continue to build more

council homes, including shared

ownership homes where possible.

Our housing remit extends beyond

council housing and focus also

needs to be on providing homes for

people on our housing waiting list.

Many of these people are housed

in the private rented sector. We are

working hard to improve housing

standards across all tenures with the

aim of providing as many affordable

homes as we can.

I hope you enjoy reading Home

News. Another year gone by;

and that's 40 years for me with

Bournemouth's housing team.

Gary JoseyDirector of Housing & Communities

In your Home News this issue

Welcome

7

Neighbourhood Services

4-6

Housing News

12-13

Behind the Scenes

8-9

Fire Safety Advice

20-22

Money AdviceAnnual Report

28

Senior Living News

27

Tenant's Story

31

Out and About

30

Get Gardening

Pay your rent online

The Tenancy Advice Teamcan help with rent payment queries on:

bournemouth.gov.uk/pay

01202 451915 2

15-18

housing news

Best service team in Britain!housing news

rent payment books being phased outDid you know that rent payment books are no longer being accepted by the Post Office? Banks will soon stop accepting these as well. If you currently pay your rent using a payment book, then you need to consider an alternative method of payment.

You could make your payment via our website (www.bournemouth.gov.uk/pay) or set up a Direct Debit, Standing Order or make a telephone payment to us using a debit or credit card. We also have rent payment cards which can be used in any Post Office or payzone point – this is a free service.

If you would like a rent payment card or need further advice, contact the Tenancy Advice Team in the first instance on: 08000 281870 / 01202 451915 or email: [email protected]

4 5

We’re delighted to announce that we have won 'best service team of the year’ in the construction and building service category at the Association for Public Service Excellence Awards, held in September.

The awards are designed to recognise excellence in local government frontline services across the UK. This year the awards included 22 categories and we were also shortlisted in the highways, cemeteries and public health categories. We were chosen as winners in construction and building service for many reasons, including our commitment to apprenticeships, quality customer service, quality construction work, our commercial activity and the fact that we do so much of our own work, in-house.

Councillors and staff were on hand to collect the award. Well done to all involved.

Always ask tradespeople knocking at your door for official identification. That’s the message following a spate of bogus callers and incidents of unscrupulous people posing as council staff and asking residents for money.

We carry out all work using registered contractors. All our own staff and contractor teams carry an identification card and are asked to show this to you on each visit. To protect your security and for peace of mind, please do check staff identification and if you

have any doubts about the authenticity of a card, or cardholder, please call us immediately.

If you have a visual impairment, ask us to set up a password for you at the time you make a repair booking. You will then be able to ask the Council tradesperson or contractor to tell you the password, and can then confirm the visit is genuine.

For more information contact Housing Repairs on: 08000 281870 or 01202 458326.

affordable homes for residents2017 sees the completion of new housing developments around the borough. These include council housing projects in Townsend and High Howe. There’s also Cherries Court in Boscombe, which is a low-cost home ownership scheme for local residents.

TOwNSeND AND HIGH HOwe weLCOMe New TeNANTSLocal families on the housing register recently moved into their new homes, following the completion of a new council housing development in Bournemouth.

Five two-bedroom family homes have been built on an area of land in Townsend and now make up 1 to 5 Cheshire Gardens. Built to a high quality, these good-sized homes have achieved the ‘Secured By Design’ Gold Award, which was presented to us in the summer.

Councillor Robert Lawton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Providing more family accommodation in Bournemouth is a top priority for the Council. This new development is really attractive and will positively enhance and contribute to the mix of accommodation type in the area.”

Meanwhile, six flats in High Howe have also been finished and council tenants have moved in.

CHeRRIeS COuRT, BOSCOMBeA mix of 11 two and three-bedroom shared ownership houses with gardens have been built in the heart of Boscombe and are nearly finished ready to hand over to residents.

These part-buy, part-rent homes provide an affordable way for local people to get on the home ownership ladder.

The new homes are funded by the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

This project is part of our dedicated housing work in Boscombe, which aims to increase the supply of new homes, encourage more owner-occupied affordable housing and increase family accommodation.

A further commitment to continue this work and advance with more housing schemes, is the recruitment of a new Housing Development Manager. We welcome Jon Thornton to this role. Jon said: “Bournemouth is one of the most innovative providers of council and affordable housing, owning and managing over 5,000 council homes and delivering a mixed portfolio of new developments. I’m pleased to be part of the team and look forward to working on many more exciting projects.”

Introducing Jon

From left to right in the picture is: Louisa Preston - BBC TV presenter and event host, Gary Powell – Head of Traffic Management, Hugh Lambourne – Head of Construction, Councillor Robert Lawton – Cabinet Member for Housing, Gary Josey – Director of Housing and Communities, Councillor David Smith – Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, and Paul O'Brien - APSE Chief Executive.

Beware bogus callers

FIND OuT MORewww.bournemouth.gov.uk/cherriescourthousing

Shared ownership

homes

New council housing

alwaYS aSK for

Id

housing news neighbourhood Services

6 7

wellbeing in west howe

There’s a cafe in the heart of the West Howe community that’s looking after the wellbeing of residents by providing tasty food at very reasonable prices, along with a range of courses and activities.

Based in the Henry Brown Centre on Cunningham Crescent, the Wellbeing Café is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 12noon.

There’s boxercise, creative writing and photography courses plus a weekly health walk. Find full details of these activities and other West Howe news and information, by:

• Visiting Martha’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ marthasearlewesthowe/ • Signing up to the regular West Howe email news service: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/ emailnews• Looking at the community pages on our website: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/ westhowe

diabetes support group availableIf you have or are at risk of diabetes, a local support group is available to help you through. You may need to talk, want to share your experiences of living with diabetes or perhaps you just want to come along to hear what others have to say.

This is your chance to meet and speak to others, share ideas and find friendship in an informal setting.

Get motivated! Come along to the Wellbeing Café in the Henry Brown Centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. There’s no need to book, just turn up, you could be surprised…

For more information call Alex on: 01202 570077 or email [email protected].

Stay gas safe by having your annual check

Calling all tenants! Don’t forget to book your annual gas safety check with us as soon as you receive your reminder letter. By law we must carry out this important check each year to ensure the safety of all council owned gas appliances (like your boiler) as well as flues and pipe work.

We can arrange evening or weekend visits if that’s better for you. Remember, once you receive your gas safety check letter, make an appointment straight away on: 08000 281870.

All our engineers are ‘Gas Safe’ registered and we are also a CORGI accredited organisation, meaning we maintain the highest industry standards.

did you know?Leaseholders – when you bought your home, the servicing of your gas boiler and appliances became your responsibility. As we retain overall responsibility of the management of your flat block, we can offer you a range of safety checks at competitive rates. Contact Housing Repairs to find out more.

By Pete smith Senior Building Surveyor

If you live in a flat block or senior living scheme, you may have seen our cleaning team going about their work.

Spotlight on cleaning

LIVING WITH DIABETES? NEED TO TALK? WANT TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES? If you have or are at risk of diabetes this group is for you A chance to meet and speak to others, share ideas, share support, share friendship. Get motivated and come along to the Wellbeing Café in the Henry Brown first Tuesday of the month at 10am

No need to book, just turn up, you could be surprised… For more information call Alex on 01202 570077 Or email [email protected]

homelessness– how you can help

There is a distinction between rough sleeping and people begging. Not all rough sleepers beg and not all those that beg are rough sleeping. The Council, charities and support organisations help homeless people year-round.

Anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness should visit our Housing Options Team at the Town Hall. Outreach workers are in daily contact with people rough sleeping, providing support to help them move off the streets.

If you’ve seen a rough sleeper you can help by contacting StreetLink who provide details to local outreach workers who provide support. Contact

There has been a national increase in people sleeping rough. Unfortunately, Bournemouth is no exception.

them: www.streetlink.org.uk or call: 0300 5000 914.

To report street-based anti-social behaviour such as street drinking or abandoned items email: [email protected] This email is monitored during office hours. If someone is begging and has asked you for money call the Police on 101.

MAke yOuR CHANGe COuNTThe money sometimes given to people begging on the street can be used more effectively by donating to a local charity who work with rough sleepers. For more information on this, visit: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/makechangecount

By caroline roundhill Housing Strategy & Policy Manager

Wherever you live in Bournemouth, you won’t be far from a library. You can access information, books, CDs, DVDs, Wi-Fi and computers.

Bournemouth Libraries also provide a range of support sessions, which can help you learn how to use a computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are looking to improve your digital skills, see what regular events take place at your local library.

Here are a few examples of just some of the sessions available:

BoscombeComputer support for the over 50s on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 12noon. Find out more: 01202 452777.

Castlepoint Library Complete beginners or those wanting to improve their skills can attend one-

help to keep

communal

areas clean, tidy

and pleasant for

others to use

to-one support sessions for using a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. These take place on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5pm. Book on: 01202 451900.

Charminster Library ‘Learn My Way’ are IT taster sessions which take place on Fridays from 2pm to 3pm. Telephone: 01202 510379 for details.

kinson HubHaving problems using your iPad, tablet or laptop? For help, come to an advice session on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3pm. Find out more: 01202 452783.

Pokesdown & Southbourne Library Tech support sessions on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm and 5pm to 6pm. Please book on: 01202 428784.

You can find out more online: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/libraries

Improve your computer skills at the local library

Tasty food

West Howe in autumn

They help you to keep communal areas spick and span with their regular cleaning service.

Many of our team have been cleaning all their working life, and are very skilled at what they do. They clean communal areas about every four weeks and do work for other council departments. The team also thoroughly clean empty council properties that have had repairs, to ensure homes are re-let in a good condition. Our cleaning

team are now working on a new rota so please give a friendly hello to any new faces.

DO yOuR BIT You should also help to keep communal areas clean, tidy and pleasant for others to use. We do ask you to clear up any spills or mess you, your pets, your family or visitors have created in the communal areas. For example, pick up litter and sweep up if you have mud on your shoes!

fire Safety advice fire Safety advice

8 9

This summer, the tragic and devastating consequences of fire were seen at Grenfell Tower in London. It’s a sad fact that people who live in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire.

We take fire safety very seriously. As your landlord, we have a legal duty to manage fire safety in council flat blocks and senior living schemes. We have a responsibility for making sure your escape routes are kept clear of clutter. That’s why we have a zero-tolerance approach to items being left in communal areas, such as hallways, stairs, corridors, lobbies and landings. In the event of an emergency, clutter is not only a risk to you, but also your

Earlier in the year we wrote to all tenants and leaseholders, providing you with a leaflet about fire safety for the type of home you live in. Did you read your copy?

family and neighbours in the block. If items are found, they will be removed.

We regularly inspect fire safety in flat blocks. This involves checking and removing fire risks. We check the condition of fire doors, test fire alarms and emergency lights and all tenants' gas appliances. If we identify problems, we carry out repairs and make improvements.

If you are a tenant in a house or bungalow we also have legal duties to help keep you safe, these include providing homes with smoke alarms, checking your electrical installation and gas boiler, if you have one.

fIre!do you know how to keep yourself and your family safe? FIRe PReveNTION

No matter what type of council home you live in, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fire starting in your home. Most fires are preventable. People often put themselves and family members at risk without realising. Some of the common dangers include: • Cooking – never leave cooking unattended, do not cook if you are under the influence of alcohol• Smoking – never dispose of cigarettes in waste paper baskets, put your cigarettes out in water

• Sockets – do not put too many plugs into a socket as this can overload the socket and cause a fire• Candles – put candles in a holder and keep them away from things that can burn, such as curtains and paper• Vapes/mobilephones – be careful when charging these devices as they draw extra current and are a fire risk. With Christmas and other celebrations on the horizon, remember that any fairly lights should be switched off and unplugged before you go to bed or leave the house. Also, keep festive decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters.

kNOw wHAT TO DO IF THeRe IS A FIReThe fire safety leaflets recently sent to you provide advice and information about what you should do if there is a fire in your home or a fire in your building.

Please read the information we have given you. If you live in a flat block, also refer to the information on the back of your flat door and in any communalareas/corridors.

Do not make alterations to your home without permission. Please remember our written permission is needed for any home improvements and alterations. See page 24.

TAke FIRe SAFeTy SeRIOuSLy. IT COuLD SAve yOuR LIFe.

FIND OuT MOReIf you need additional copies of the fire safety leaflet we sent you, or help understanding fire safety information, contact the Tenancy Advice Team on: 08000 281870 or 01202 451915. You can also find information at: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/housing

By max Underhill Senior Building Surveyor

10 11

national housing Policies Service Charges

There are however some key themes that continue to form the direction of travel for central government and these continue to affect us locally.

There is ongoing support across all political parties for the need to build more homes of all tenures and types. Our building of additional council homes is part of this. We are also working with private developers and landowners to encourage the building of new homes in the private sector. The lack of the necessary number of homes across the country continues to keep housing costs high.

Welfare reforms continue and many Bournemouth residents have already been affected by the numerous benefit changes so far. The next big change is the full roll-out of Universal Credit in

There continues to be significant uncertainty with national housing policy. The General Election earlier this year put many things on pause again.

government housing policy update

Bournemouth from November 2017. You will know that we have a Financial Inclusion Officer in place who you can contact for help if you are struggling with managing your money. See page 20 for more details on this.

Homelessness unfortunately continues to rise in Bournemouth, as it does nationally. The Government have introduced the new ‘Homelessness Reduction Act’ legislation which comes

into force in April 2018. Bournemouth Council is already working hard to get everything in place for this. The new legislation will involve us working with people at risk of homelessness even earlier than we already do, to avoid crisis situations and hopefully prevent homelessness.

The financial pressures that the Council and our many partner agencies experience, continues to affect what we do and how we do it.

Amid these significantly changing times, we have taken the opportunity to update our local Bournemouth Housing Strategy. At the time of going to print, this update was due to be approved by Bournemouth’s Cabinet in October and, if approved, we can update you on what this says in a coming edition of Home News.

Challenging but interesting times for Housing….watch this space.

We would like to consult with you about these plans before they are introduced, and have provided some information below.

wHAT DOeS ReNT COveR?The rent that we get from you currently pays for repairs, maintenance and improvement of your home and communal areas and buildings insurance. It also pays for the cost of providing services to you such as arranging repairs.

wHAT ARe SeRvICe CHARGeS?A service charge is a cost for additional services that some residents receive. Examples include: grounds maintenance such as grass cutting, cleaning communal areas, communal lighting, maintaining communal TV aerials, fire alarm systems and emergency alarm systems in senior living schemes, communal electricity and gas charges.

wHy ARe SeRvICe CHARGeS BeING INTRODuCeD? These additional services are currently paid from tenants’ basic rent payments. This means that everyone pays for them even if these services are not provided where they live. Leaseholders pay separately for these additional

Many of our tenants live in properties where we provide services that are over and above what would normally be paid for through their rent. We are reviewing the way that we charge these tenants for providing these services and plan to introduce service charges.

Service charges for council tenants

services but tenants do not. This is unfair. Having a separate charge is more transparent and makes us more accountable.

wHO wILL Be AFFeCTeD?This proposal mainly affects tenants living in flats, maisonettes and senior living schemes but it will also include some houses and bungalows. It will not affect you if you live in a property where these services are not provided.

HOw MuCH wILL THe SeRvICe CHARGeS COST AND HOw wILL IT Be PAID?The costs below are examples only for tenants living in flats. Charges will vary in each block of flats depending on the extent of the communal areas to maintain. The final amount charged may be different from these example amounts.

RentCurrent service chargesNew service chargesweekly total

Bear Cross Townsend west Howe

£79.46£00.00£5.13

£84.59

£81.37£00.00£4.42£85.79

£79.83£00.00£6.29£86.22

By Lorraine mealings Head of Housing & Customer

By seamus Doran Tenancy Services Manager

Service charges will be added to the weekly rent that you pay. Most service charges can be covered by housing benefit or Universal Credit, if you are eligible to receive these.

HAve yOuR SAyWe are consulting with our residents’ panels, so if you’re not yet involved in these then why not join in?

You can also have your say about these proposals at the Annual Residents’ meeting on 6 December at Kinson Community Centre.

To get involved in our residents’ panels or confirm your place at the Annual Meeting, email: [email protected] or telephone 01202 458314.

maintenance & repairs maintenance & repairs

12 13

Home News goes behind the scenes to talk to staff and discover what it’s like to carry out and manage planned maintenance work on the Council’s housing properties. From the kit and clothing used to details of how we’re investing in young people’s futures…

Behind the scenes with your council workforce

Kerry Isom started working for the Council as a trainee painter and decorator nine years ago. She decided to train to become a fully qualified plumber and passed her second apprenticeship earlier this year.

“I work on bathroom refurbishments. All the bathroom fitters started as apprentices and have worked their way up through the organisation. My team mean a lot to me and we all support each other which is nice, we’re like one big family.

“Properties on the same road are often refurbished to allow us to help each other, making sure the work flows more smoothly and efficiently. Different trades are involved in a bathroom refurbishment – a rip out plumber, an electrician, a floor layer, a plasterer, a plumber/fitterandpainteranddecorator.

“The team recently developed a new work programme, this has cut down the time it takes to fit a new bathroom by three days. One plumber does the ‘rip out’ and then fitters come in only when the rooms are clear and

did you know?In her spare time, Kerry is a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and recently went to Vietnam and Cambodia to train with Saigon Sports Club.

re-plastered. We then fit the new bathroom and tile ready for the decorator to finish the job.

“An asbestos survey is carried out before we undertake any planned works. We are trained to work safely with most of these materials, but for some products or large jobs we will bring in specialist contractors. If we’re removing small amounts of these materials or have a need to drill into artex ceilings, we wear protective clothing including cover suits, face masks and overshoes. We will also use special vacuum cleaners and drill bits to ensure dust doesn’t enter your home. This may look scary but there’s no need to worry, we use a wide range of equipment that’s designed to keep us, you and your household safe. The reason only staff wear protective clothing is because we are working with these materials more closely and more often.

“All the trades work together to get the jobs completed to a good standard. I love seeing the difference we can make to people’s homes and we get really good feedback from our residents.”

Jenny Mauger-Garry has been working for the Council for ten years and joined on a voluntary basis for some work experience. She started in the Repairs Centre, taking calls from residents and today is the Building and Maintenance Manager.

“From the first day, I loved working in the housing department. There is something special about having housing that is still council-managed with an in-house workforce. It is a real mix of new ideas, innovation and good old fashioned values.

“My role is incredibly varied. I manage staff and budgets, work to meet performance targets and deal with daily operational issues. It is a fascinating industry, and it’s a privilege to work in an organisation that allows us to operate commercially, but with a social conscience.

“Our main work is on council housing but we also have external clients and corporate contracts. To give you an idea of the scale of our operation, the department has a turnover of around £12 million including our commercial work under the Seascape brand. Any surplus money we make goes back into funding essential council services.

“I have a team of about 110 staff and this includes 21 apprentices, nine of

whom started this year. We work with local youth centres, schools, the children’s social care team and community organisations to provide opportunities to those young people who want and need them. We also offer work experience. For many young people this allows them to get their first employer’s reference.

“I’m keen to promote careers working in the trades and construction. I would encourage anyone to consider this industry, either as their first step into a career or if they are looking to re-train.”

FIND OuT MOReIf you would like to find out more about a career in the construction industry, please email: [email protected]. For all your repair and maintenance reports call: 08000 281870.

Investing in young people We would like to welcome our 2017 intake of new apprentices:

• Plumbers/gas engineers: David Price, Daniel Haynes, Thomas Cross and David Matthews

• Carpentry: Zane Barnes, Richard Macaulay and Dylan White

• electrical: Mathew Puddle

• Painting and decorating: Samuel Davis.

We have a good success rate for training and keeping talented apprentices.

George Smith, one of our electrical apprentices won last year’s Mechanical and Electrical Apprentice of the Year – a national award from APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence). He said: “I would encourage anyone to consider an apprenticeship. You get to earn while you learn and the skills you acquire are 100% relevant to your chosen career.”

meet JennY

meet KerrY

resident Involvement

Ivy by name, ivy by nature

14

Tenants at Ivy House grouped together over the summer bank holiday weekend and set about clearing overgrown ivy from behind the greenhouse in our communal garden and the connecting garden wall to another building. We also trimmed an overgrown hedge in the car park whilst we were at it. Rather than calling in the housing team, we felt that we could take on the job and help save the Council some money for other housing-related work.

Our garden fence was rotten and was due to be replaced, so we got on with

clearing the ivy in preparation for the new fence the surveyor said we needed. We have also requested that we have a chain link fence instead of

the type suggested. We think it will be cheaper for the Council to put up and easier for us to maintain should the ivy grow back.

Volunteers take part in townsend spring cleanDespite some very gloomy spring weather, the ‘Great British Spring Clean’ took place in Townsend earlier this year.

During the morning residents had the opportunity to get rid of unwanted bulky goods and three large skips were filled in just a few hours. As the weather eased we had more residents come out of their homes to help with lifting and carrying. Other volunteers carried out a litter pick of the local

area and 20 black sacks were filled.

The Townsend Youth Centre also took part in litter picking and cleaning up the skate park and play area. Pupils from Jewell Academy focused on picking up litter from the roads by their school.

One volunteer, David, said: “When I first arrived it was cold, raining heavily and there were so many items that it looked like it would take days. As I started moving the first few items and

chatting with other volunteers, my mood started to turn. Straight away I felt a community spirit. The highlight of the day was receiving a sausage sandwich at the community centre.”

Funding for the clean-up was possible thanks to the local action group, The Townsend Together Team, The Townsend Community Association charity and council funding.

To keep up to date with Townsend community news, visit: www.thetownsend.co.uk or www.facebook.com/townsend communitynews

By caroline green Assistant Community Liaison Officer

By mike Ball Local tenant

Housing Annual Report2016/17

Welcome to our annual report, which gives you a snapshot of how we have performed over the last year. It’s an easyto read summary that highlights our successes and identifies areas where we will make improvements.Tenants and leaseholders work with us to assess our performance throughout the year, by:

• participating in surveys

• attending residents’ panels and scrutinising different areas of the housing service

• carrying out reviews of specific service areas and recommending improvements.

Find out more on page 19 about how you can get involved in the housing service.

In 2016/17 we:

• Spent £6.6 million on home improvements such as new windows, kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, roofs, etc.

• Introduced a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to flat block residents leaving and storing items in corridors and communal areas, to ensure they have a safe means of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency.

• Reduced the turnaround time for re-letting properties.

• Bought 15 properties from the private market to add to our council housing stock.

• Built a variety of 22 new homes - family accommodation, flats for residents with learning disabilities, plus a scheme of shared ownership properties.

• Accessed charity grants and other funding, totalling £54,989 on behalf of tenants facing financial difficulty.

• Supported 42 households to exchange homes.

• Helped 19 households downsize by moving to a smaller home better suited to their needs.

Council housing in Bournemouth

people on the housing register for social housing3,511

leaseholders514

Figures above as at 31/03/17

5,136 properties

Annual Report 2016/17 Annual Report 2016/17

Did you know? We're committed to training and providing work experience to local young people. In 2016/17, our housing team had 19 apprentices working for us in a wide range of work areas, including building maintenance trades, grounds maintenance, business administration and finance.

We willcontinue to re-let properties as soon as we can,to ensure rent loss is further reduced and to get people off the waiting list more quickly.

*excludes social services letsdays on average to re-letan empty property.

Some properties are returned to us in a poor state. To increase resident satisfaction andreduce inconvenience to tenants, significant repairs and refurbishment takes place beforenew tenants move in.

As a result

of residents who have recently moved are satisfied

with their new home

We willprovide repairs staff with new technology, which helps them to do their job more efficiently and resultsin better customer service to tenants.

Repairs and home improvements

emails dealt with by our Repairs Centre & Tenancy Advice Team

17,574

average time the Repairs Centre take

to answer phone calls

29 seconds

We willuse the introduction of a new formal complaints procedure as an opportunity to learn lessons from any complaints received, further improving our housing service for residents.

website page views of our housing

information

117,133phone calls handled by our Repairs Centre & Tenancy Advice Team

50,042

customer visits to our Tenancy Advice Team

2,151

Customer service

Neighbourhoods and communitiesWe will

continue to enforce a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to items left in the communal areas of flat blocks, so residents have a safe means of escape in the event of a fire.

930 inspections to our flat blocks, with 573 defects resolved 365 new anti-social

behaviour complaints received and followed up

4 neighbourhood inspections resulting in 234 defects resolved 9 injunctions issued and 1 eviction due

to anti-social behaviour.

tonnes of rubbish removed and two skips of metal recycled as a result of a community clean-up day in Townsend 23.3

282 new tenanciesissued

repairs carried out 20,000

kitchensrefurbished144

bathroomsrefurbished210

238 boilers replaced with high energy efficiency models

window replacement jobs carried out206

282‘disabled adaptations’ such as stair lifts, external ramps and level access showers.

It took

Lettings and tenancies

out of hours call outs - responding to emergencies878

get Involved

19

Join us for the annual residents’ meeting

Housing professionals, including Gary Josey, Director of Housing and Communities, will be on hand to tell you about:

• how we spend your rent• plans to introduce service charges• leaseholder information • what we have achieved over the last year and our plans for next year.

We’ve worked with the residents’ panels to agree a set of service standards, which we call ‘local offers’, so you know what to expect from us. These offers include timeframes for dealing with queries, staff and contractors showing you photo identification when they visit and treating everyone fairly, to name just a few.

The panels are tasked with making sure we uphold these offers. They do this by looking at performance information, customer comments about repairs, anonymous feedback, evidence provided by managers and letting survey results.

We also measure some of these offers by asking residents to complete a ‘service diary’. This is a questionnaire, which is completed each time they contact us. Residents can record how they thought the service performed at each stage of their contact.

If you would like to be a regular service diary contributor, please get in touch.

Contact Resident InvolvementTelephone: 01202 458314 or email: [email protected]

Refreshments will be available whilst you browse our displays and chat to the team.

We may be able to help with transport and other out of pocket expenses, please contact us to find out more.Limited spaces are available. Contact the Resident Involvement Team to book your place.

residents’ Panels are helping us to improveMore residents are attending and scrutinising different areas of the housing service than ever before, thanks to our resident involvement panels. The panels cover two areas of work: • Tenancy and Neighbourhoods • Repairs and Maintenance.

Residents also help us to carry out reviews of specific service areas and then recommend improvements. We call these ‘task and finish’ groups. In

addition, we have a reading and communications panel who review some of our leaflets, letters, Home News articles and other bits of information before we send them to residents.

Contact us if you would like to get involved in any of this work. You will need to have an email address to be part of our reading and communications group.

our offers to you

By Julie Davis Information & Involvement Officer

You are invited to come along to Kinson Community Centre on the afternoon of Wednesday 6 December for the Annual Residents’ Meeting.

Rent, income and how we spend your money

Annual Report 2016/17

We will• continue to provide debt advice, early help and information to tenants who are in arrears.• further encourage residents to make use of the internet, learn basic computer skills and understand how to claim benefits online.

Where the money was spent

Total expenditure £27,591,525

Much of our spend in 2016/2017 went on maintaining, repairing

and improving your homes.

Most of the funding for your housing services comes from the rent that you pay, which is why it is important that rent is paid on-time.

• Our rent collection was 97.97% in the context of a difficult financial climate• Our Money Management Advisor has given debt and benefit advice to over 396 residents in financial difficulty.• 5 evictions took place for rent arrears.

Where the money came from

INCOME SOURCE

Rent and garage charges

Solar PV panels

Other income: chargeable repairs, service charges, leaseholder contributions, top up from reserves

Total Income

2016/17 (£)

23,168,688

717,909

3,704,928

27,591,525

Councillor Robert Lawton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

We remain committed to providinggood quality and well managed homesto residents in housing need. The housing service continues to work more efficiently and carefully spends and reinvests income to ensure tenants and leaseholders receive value for money services.”

Home Improvement Fund

£8,762,743New build homescontribution

£3,470,000

Tenant services and management

£6,510,376Interest payable on previous loans

£2,903,653

Ongoing maintenanceand repairs

£4,848,958Other expenses£1,095,795

32% 24%

18%

13% 11%4%











INCOME SOURCE


Solar PV panels


Total Income

2016/17 (£)

23,168,688

717,909

3,704,928

27,591,525





£3,470,000



£2,903,653


£4,848,958Other expenses£1,095,795

32% 24%

18%

13% 11%4%











INCOME SOURCE


Solar PV panels


Total Income

2016/17 (£)

23,168,688

717,909

3,704,928

27,591,525





£3,470,000



£2,903,653


£4,848,958Other expenses£1,095,795

32% 24%

18%

13% 11%4%











INCOME SOURCE


Solar PV panels


Total Income

2016/17 (£)

23,168,688

717,909

3,704,928

27,591,525





£3,470,000



£2,903,653


£4,848,958Other expenses£1,095,795

32% 24%

18%

13% 11%4%

money advice money advice

20 21

money matters - do you need help or advice?Some of the people I see have lost their job, others have had their hours reduced or seen their benefits cut. For some it’s as simple as living costs have risen and they are struggling to make ends meet.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty you can make an appointment to see me. I can help you to budget

Did you know that we provide an advice service to help you manage your money effectively and keep up to date with your rent payments?

your money and look at ways you could boost your income. For example, by looking at any benefits you may be eligible to receive or financial support, such as charity grants that might be available to you. These could be one off or ongoing payments, payment of travelling expenses, vouchers for food, clothing or other items and much more.

Help is available in a variety of ways and I can provide advice if you’re not sure where to turn. Please do contact me and make an appointment if you are experiencing financial worries. Telephone: 08000 281870 / 01202 451915 or email: [email protected]

five ways getting online can help your finances Did you know that many people don’t have basic computer skills?

It’s never too late to learn how to use a computer and the internet. Bournemouth Libraries have computers that you can use for free and they run IT courses – see page 7 for more details.

There are lots of benefits to learning digital skills and these are just a few of the money related reasons:

Manage your finances – see your bank account, transfer money and pay bills from the comfort of your own home.

Apply for benefits – some benefits such as Universal Credit, can only be applied for online.

Save money – use the internet to easily compare prices, find discount vouchers and take advantage of offers that may only be available online.

Boost your income – search for job vacancies and sell unwanted items to help generate some money.

Information and advice – get a wealth of information from trusted sources on any financial topic – budgeting, money management, debt advice and much more.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

universal Credit what is it and will it affect you?It’s being rolled out in stages across the UK and is replacing other benefits. How much you’ll get depends on your circumstances, including your income and how many children you have.

In Bournemouth, Universal Credit will replace the following benefits from 22 November 2017:

• Income Support • Income based Jobseekers Allowance • Income based Employment Support Allowance • Housing Benefit• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit.

wILL yOu Be AFFeCTeD By uNIveRSAL CReDIT? At this stage, only new claimants and anyone with a change of circumstance will claim this new benefit. Universal Credit will not be claimed if you or your partner are pension credit age. If you claim Pension Credit; carry on claiming

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people who are on a low income or are out of work.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support in the usual way.

HOw DO yOu MAke A CLAIM FOR uNIveRSAL CReDIT? The claim must be made online and you will need to set up your own email account if you don’t already have one. If you don’t have access to a computer, the job centre will be able to help you or visit your local library where you can use the computers for free.

IF yOu MAke A CLAIM FOR uNIveRSAL CReDIT, wHAT HAPPeNS TO yOuR ReNT PAyMeNT? Universal Credit is paid differently from other benefits. Instead of applying for Housing Benefit from the Council, you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to ask for assistance with your rent. This will be paid directly to you and is called the Universal Credit housing element. It is

paid monthly and in arrears. You must have a bank or building society account to receive the automated payments. It is your responsibility to pay your rent to us (your landlord) each month to avoid getting into rent arrears.

FIND OuT MORe Make a Universal Credit claim online at: www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. Telephone the Universal Credit helpline on: 0345 600 0723

By Karen Baker Money Management Advisor

By Karen Baker Money Management Advisor

ARe yOu wORRIeD ABOuT MANAGING yOuR MONey?I can provide advice if you are finding it difficult to manage your money over the whole month. Make an appointment to see me, Karen Baker by calling Housing Management on: 01202 451915 or email: [email protected]

money advice home Improvements

22 23

There’s personal advice and free gadgets for residents who qualify and you can apply for a visit from a home energy advisor who can:

• Install free simple energy saving measures in your home – such as low energy LED lightbulbs, reflective radiator panels, shower savers and draught-proofing to wooden windows and doors. These measures save the average household £30 on their energy bills each year (subject to the suitability of your home).

• Give you energy efficiency tips on how to set your heating controller to keep your energy bills down

• Help you check if you are on the cheapest energy tariffs. An average household can save £287 a year by switching.

We’re working with the Local Energy Advice Programme (LEAP) to support eligible tenants and leaseholders to help cut their energy bills.

Could you make your home energy efficient with leaP?

Those eligible include households with a low income or receiving benefits such as Pension Credit, Carers Allowance, Disability benefits and Child Tax Credit, and people with health conditions, including; high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD and learning difficulties.

Ms R who suffers from various health conditions is already noticing a difference to the cost of her energy bills after a visit from Martin, a LEAP home energy advisor. Ms R's home was suitable for LED bulbs, radiator panels, a TV standby plug and a shower aerator.

Call now to check your eligibility and book your free home visit on: 0800 060 7567 or apply online at: www.applyforleap.org.uk

Advice on tapBournemouth Water has a range of measures to help if you are struggling with your water bill.

Advisors can help you to find out if a water meter could save you money. They’ll help you with the necessary forms if you want to switch. It’s free and if, within 24 months, you feel it’s not right for you, you can go back to an unmetered charge.

A WaterCare tariff is for customers on a meter who are on a very low income. To qualify, you must be receiving a means tested benefit. The tariff offers a discount between 15-50% off your water bill. An income assessment is carried out to determine your eligibility.

The WaterSure tariff may help to reduce your bill if you have a water meter and receive certain benefits, and if someone in your home has a medical condition that means extra water has to be used, or if you have three or more children living with you.

Call Bournemouth Water on: 01202 590059 to find out more.

did you know?We carry out disabled adaptations to properties, to make day-to-day living easier for tenants with a disability or mobility problem. This enables tenants to live independently at home for longer. Work has included level access showers, external ramps, stair lifts and even extensions to accommodate tenants’ needs.

If you have a disability and think you could benefit from this type of work, please contact Bournemouth Care Direct in the first instance. You will need an occupational therapist to visit and assess your specific needs. Telephone: 01202 454979 or email: [email protected]

our home Improvement Programme continuesDespite the funding challenges faced by local government, we continue to invest in the Council’s housing stock so tenants in Bournemouth have well maintained homes. Our Home Improvement Programme covers major works such as kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, re-roofing, bedroom extensions, disabled adaptations and more.

Controlling costs is important. We do everything we can to buy wisely, spend carefully and make the available funds for improvements stretch as far as possible. To ensure we can continue with home improvements, we have the following ‘life cycles’ and targets for the following refurbishments and replacements:

• kitchens are replaced every 20 years• bathrooms are replaced every 25 years• boiler replacements – by 2020 all our boilers will be Grade A efficiency rated.

Other major works in our programme are identified through inspections and a need to replace rather than on a specific life cycle. For example, structural repairs, re-wiring and chimney re-pointing.

Thisfinancialyear,2017/18,wehaveidentified works that need (or have

already been) carried out in the following areas:

• kitchen refurbishments: we will be working through various roads in WestHoweduring2017/18andinto 2018/19.• Bathroom refurbishments: we will be working through various roads in West Howe and Bear Cross during 2017/18andinto2018/19.• Re-roofing programme: Northey Road phase one has now been completed. Northey Road phase two isduetobecompletedin2018/19.• window replacement programme: works to the final properties in Kinson will be completed during the current financial year before moving onto the first year of a three-year programme in the West Howe area for2018/19.

If your home is scheduled for any improvements, you will receive a letter at least 30 days before any work starts.

A survey to determine exactly what work is needed usually takes place.

By tom richer Senior Building Surveyor

Kitchens are replaced every 20 years

An extension project

Re-roofing

tenancytenancy

24 25

You do not need permission for decorating the inside of your home, but most other things will need permission. These could include:

• altering your home’s fixtures and fittings or adding new fixtures and fittings (kitchen units, bathrooms)• putting up a garage, shed or other structure• decorating the outside of the house.

We will not refuse permission unreasonably, but we may apply some conditions regarding the standard of work and who does the work. You may also need to get relevant building regulation and planning permissions.

It is part of the terms of your tenancy andtheHousingAct1985,thatyoumust get our written permission for home alterations. One of the reasons for this is to check that your proposals don’t compromise fire safety. This is a key consideration for flat blocks and leaseholders as well as tenants, who are all required to get the necessary permissions from us.

All work should be carried out by a competent contractor, especially any work to gas appliances which must be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

When the work is finished you will need to contact us so that we can arrange an inspection and collect any relevant gas and electrical certification.

RequeSTING PeRMISSIONPlease put any requests in writing. We will need details of:

• the works you are proposing• who will be doing the work (you or a contractor) • the planned length of time the work will take to complete.

did you know?If you don’t seek the right permissions for alterations and improvements, you may face charges and legal action for breaking the terms of your tenancy or lease.

If you are proposing major changes, we will need a sketch of the plan. Once we have this information we will pass your request onto one of our surveyors to deal with.

Requests can be sent to: Freepost RTKS-RYTZ-ZAGLHousing Management (The Kinson Hub) Bournemouth Borough Council Town Hall, Bournemouth. BH2 6DY

FIND OuT MOReContact the Tenancy Advice Team for more information on: 01202 451915 or email: [email protected]

As a secure tenant, you have the right to carry out improvements to your home. It’s easy to make a request if you would like to carry out alterations or improvements. You must get our written permission before you make any arrangements or carry out any work.

Home alterations: why it’s vital to seek permission Have you heard of cuckooing and have you seen it taking place?

Cuckooing is when drug dealers prey on vulnerable individuals to gain access to their home and then take over their property to deal drugs and stay out of sight of the police.

Unfortunately, Bournemouth like many other towns in the UK and abroad, has seen a rise in cuckooing.

Sometimes victims are lonely and isolated. They are befriended by someone who appears to have their best interests at heart, but they take advantage of the victim by stealing money and belongings and taking over their property to sell drugs. In other instances, promises of drugs and alcohol are made in exchange for the use of the property.

These situations often turn violent and the victims are too frightened to report those responsible. They might fear losing their home if they are blamed for the drug dealing and any associated anti-social behaviour.

In other cases, the victims may be in denial about the motives of their new friends. They may be glad to have them in their lives and they may be dependent on the drugs they are receiving. Ultimately, the victim is too vulnerable to prevent the unwelcome visitors.

It is very difficult to take action against the perpetrators of cuckooing because they operate out of sight of the authorities. Those who could give evidence against them are generally too afraid to do so. However, we work closely with the police and other partners to deal with cuckooing. We have sought ‘Closure Orders’ from the Magistrates Court, which makes it illegal for anyone not named on the order to enter the property for a certain

period of time (usually three months). Other powers include ‘Court Order Injunctions’ to prevent named individuals from going to a certain property, area or behaving in an anti-social manner.

RePORT ITResidents are our ‘eyes and ears’ and you can help us by reporting suspicious behaviour. Perhaps you have seen an increase in people (often strangers) coming and going from a property, an increase in vehicles around a property, noise and disturbances from those visiting or drug paraphernalia.

If you are concerned about a vulnerable neighbour or are a victim yourself and need some help and advice, please contact us in confidence:

• TenancyAdviceTeam: 01202 451915 or email: housinglandlord@bournemouth. gov.uk• DorsetPolice:101• Crimestoppers:0800 555111

look out for ‘cuckooing’ in your neighbourhood

By seamus Doran Tenancy Services Manager

By melanie Pretorius Senior Anti-Social Behaviour Officer

tenant's Storylettings

26 27

Kate has been on a journey to overcome personal challenges, family tragedy and get back to work. She tells her story to Home News…

“I was a carer for my husband Daryl but, due to ill health, he died unexpectedly leaving a huge hole in my life. I decided to return to work to support my daughter who was aged only four when her dad died.

“I’ve always wanted to drive trucks for a living and have previously worked in a few different industries. I qualified as a welder at 16 and have also worked in security. In fact, it was through security work that I first met Daryl. We got married after meeting up again at the gym, some years later.

“Once I’d set my heart on truck driving I got on the Job Centre’s ‘road to work’ scheme. I have an ‘HGV Class 2’ licence and I'm training with Wayside Transport for my ‘Class 1’. This means I can drive

Kate’sroad to work West Howe tenant Kate is on a mission. She’s a self-employed lorry driver with a dream of running her own fleet of pink and black trucks

branded with her company name, ‘Lady Kate Haulage’.

trucks of a certain weight and size. I also have a driver ‘CPC’ (Certificate of Professional Competence).

“I haven’t let a lack of money stand in my way and have even turned to crowd-funding to help me finance some of my qualifications. Karen, the Money Management Advisor at The Kinson Hub (see page 20), has provided lots of support and is looking at funding options so I can get my own vehicle. I drive for an agency but one day I’d like my own articulated lorry. For now, I’d settle for my own van or 3.5 tonne truck. I’ll have to make it pink though!

“I’m doing everything possible, including looking for sponsorship from local businesses. Trucking is a real passion. I take lots of photos for my social media channels and my ‘Lady Kate’s World of Trucks’ forum, which has 1,700 members worldwide.

“I’ve had dark days with knock backs, negative comments and failures along the way. Training at the Southcoast Powerhouse gym in Kinson helps me to stay positive and with their help I have lost two stone in weight. Life is short and you must make the most of it.’’

“I have a dream and will do whatever it takes to achieve it.”

Do you have more space than you need? Is your home becoming too expensive to run? As the saying goes, your home is your castle. We understand this and are on hand to give you help and advice if you are considering moving on and into a smaller home. It might be time to look at your options, especially if your circumstances have changed. Perhaps family members have moved out and you have spare rooms going to waste.

A new smaller home could be the fresh start that you are looking for. There are even incentives available to those people who downsize. The Rightsize scheme, available to our council tenants, offers:

• £500 for every bedroom released• £500 removal grant• reimbursement of reasonable removal expenses • free disconnection and reconnection of white goods• five hours of our handyman service for small jobs.

Once you are on the housing register, downsizers are given high priority. This is because downsizing your property also helps us to free up under-used council homes to house other families in need. You can register through our

By Neil Armstead Senior Lettings Officer

Is it time to move somewhere smaller?

lettings system – Dorset Homechoice at: www.dorsethomechoice.org

So far this year*, the lettings team have helped ten applicants move to smaller homes – these were five council and five housing association downsizers. We can offer you advice if you’re thinking of moving to accommodation that better suits your needs.

Downsizing to a smaller home could be good for you and is good for other families who are in housing need and could end up living in your home.

FIND OuT MOReContact us about downsizing, telephone the Tenancy Advice Team on 08000 281870 / 01202 451915 or email: [email protected].

people on the register Number of people waiting for: Studio/1bedproperty 2,054 2 bed property 1,151 3 bed property 568 4 bed + property 204

Age Breakdowns: Under 25 443 25-29 500 30-39 1,010 40-49 853 50-54 356 55-59 281 60-64 178 65 and over 356

Number of lets in 2017 so far (council and housing association):Studio sheltered 181 bed sheltered 64Studio general needs 201 bed general needs 422 bed 403 bed 184 + beds 0*Figures as at 1 September 2017

3,977 facts & figures*

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28 29

Senior living

If you are a tenant in a ‘category 2’ senior living scheme it means that your home has the Careline system plus a visiting Independent Senior Living Officer. You may already be aware that some changes have been made to the service you receive.

To reflect the new service that will be provided, your housing officers are now called ‘Independent Senior Living Officers’. They will provide cover for at least four schemes, grouped together as follows:

A. Talbot Woods Court, Leybourne Close, Spicer Court & Ivy HouseB. Gladys Court, 64-66 Wellington Road,BennettHouse/Bicknell Court & Surrey CourtC. Fairmead Court David Trenchard House, Moorlea & Springbourne CourtD. Bethany House, Wareham Court, Fenwick Court & Vale Complex.

Staff will be available at the schemes at various times during the working week and will no longer be able to deal with all queries you may have. This is because the primary role of an Independent Senior Living Officer will be to manage the schemes, support tenants with more complex issues and deal with emergency situations. Please don’t worry as help and support is still available. The Tenancy

Advice Team are on hand to answer all tenancy related enquiries, such as rent queries, problems with neighbours, tenancy issues and anything else that is not repair related. Any repair or maintenance issues can be reported to the Repairs Centre in the usual way.

You also have the peace of mind of your Careline system and if you feel you may need extra help from this, the Bournemouth Careline team will be happy to talk you through other options available.

For the latest information on these changes, look at information posted on the notice boards.

newS In BrIef

Buggy store users are pleased that the weekly service charge reduced from £3.50 to £1 per week in April 2017. We listened to residents and agreed to reduce the price. The Senior Living Panel were instrumental in reducing the charge to store mobility scooters after finding that tenants of other providers were paying less.

Introducing Independent Senior living officers

By Jennie hardy Senior Housing Officer

You said, we did

Julia’s House, a children’s hospice, recently received a cash boost thanks to the fund-raising efforts of residents at Spicer Court. Two cheques, one for £527 and another for over £1,000, were presented to the charity. Money was raised through coffee mornings, raffles and a table top sale at the residents’ summer fete. Well done to everyone involved.

Spicer Court raise funds for charity

Many of you will be familiar with Bournemouth Careline, especially if you live in a senior living scheme. Bournemouth Careline has been council run for over 30 years, providing a service and wide range of technology to help residents live independently and give family members peace of mind.

help at the touch of a button

Careline

technology, which will self-activate if a person falls. It is water resistant and can be used in the bathroom, one of the places falls most often take place.

• Medication carousel - gives an audible and visual alert when medication is due. It can manage up to four weeks’ supply. Times and doses are set to suit the individuals’ requirements.

• Door sensor – these are often used by people with dementia. The door sensor activates the Careline alarm, alerting the control team that the resident might be trying to leave the property. We can then talk to the resident through the Careline unit in their home to check they are OK.

The Careline service operates across the whole of the BH postcode.

FIND OuT MOReTelephone: 01202 452795, email: [email protected] or visit: www.bournemouth.gov.uk/careline

did you know?Bournemouth Careline is regulated by the Telecare Services Association (TSA).

By rebecca hughes Careline & Telecare Services Manager

If you live in a senior living scheme you may have some features provided in your flat or in your building. This might be a pull cord or smoke and fire detection systems that are linked through to the central control team.

The control team is based in Springbourne and is operational 24 hours a day, seven days per week. When an alarm is activated the operators are trained to answer the call and to determine the help that is required. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this might involve contacting a Senior Living Officer, nominated family member or one of the emergency services.

Careline is available to any resident living within the BH postcode, not just Bournemouth council tenants or residents.

The service can help people whatever their age, disability or health issues. Therearesmoke/CO2detectors,boguscaller/panicbuttonsandGPStrackers (used when someone goes outside their home) to name just a few. Other equipment examples include:

• Falls pendant – like a standard pendant but with advanced

'Falls' wristband

Medicationmanagement

out and aboutgardening

30

adventure awaits at Kingfisher Barn

By richard hesketh PR & Volunteer Officer

This award winning, riverside nature reserve is part of an exciting adventure. We’re working with the RSPB to make 14km of the River Stour Valley, between Christchurch Harbour and Longham, more accessible for you to explore and discover some fascinating local history and amazing wildlife.

You can take part in this adventure too. You can follow the trails - long or short, there are lots to choose from, with good accessibility. You can take part in our many events. Look out for wildlife - don’t forget your spotter’s guide and why not share your discoveries? If you have taken a good photo, we’d love to see it.

There are regular free events at Kingfisher Barn including: New LeAF HeALTH wALkS Mondays, 10am to 11:30am. Sam will

Welcome to Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre, gateway to the Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve.

help you get active in nature during these weekly walks. Booking is essential. HeALTH HeRITAGe Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm. Get active and get healthy by joining the Stour Valley supporters’ volunteer group and help maintain and improve the nature reserve. No need to book.

wILD FAMILy SuNDAyS 10am to 4pm. Come down to the Barn and enjoy pond dipping and other fun activities. No need to book.

To book a Stour Valley event telephone: 01202 451548. For more information visit: www.visitstour valley.co.uk or pick up a copy of the Bournemouth Parks leaflet.

help out and get closer to nature

We are open from 10am daily, so our volunteers can offer a warm welcome and provide information for visitors to Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre.

They also help with research and monitoring, recording the wildlife in and around the Stour. The wildlife gardeners help to develop and maintain the garden, whilst learning guides assist with guided walks.

We’re currently on the look out for volunteers to help us to make the Stour Valley Trail an even more exciting place to visit and enjoy.

Volunteers also work with the Rangers to carry out habitat management and conservation, and those with a crafty side can help with creating displays, willow sculpting, pine cone animals and lots more.

CallinatKingfisherBarn(BH93NZ)tosee how you can help, or email: [email protected] to find out about other opportunities across Bournemouth's parks, gardens and nature reserves.

By tom Bennett Senior Ranger

Your glorious gardens

Over two long days in July, our expert judges visited 30 gardens and outside spaces. A variety of entries were received from small balconies to large communal gardens and everything in between. Some entries were vegetables only, but most were full of flowers and ornate shrubs.

Thank you to everyone who took part. Our panel of judges consisted of Mark Warner and Ian Marples from our Grounds Maintenance team along with tenant gardening enthusiasts Dave Sheppard from Townsend and Julia Saunders from Westbourne.

The judges awarded the following accolades and prizes: • 7 gold - vouchers worth £20 • 20 silver - vouchers worth £15• 3 bronze - vouchers worth £10.

All entries received their vouchers for spending at Cherry Tree Nursery in Northbourne.

Dave said: “Gardening is good for your body, good for your soul and good for your local community. If you keep your garden looking good it will start to encourage others in your neighbourhood to do the same.”

The best local gardens were on show over the summer when judging took place for the annual tenants and leaseholders’ gardening competition.

dave’s top three gardening tips

✓

✓

✓

So why not get your garden up to scratch and enter next year’s competition? You don't need to be an expert gardener. You don't even need a big garden - just enough space for some pots or containers, and some colourful ideas to brighten up your outdoor space.

Full details of the 2018 gardening competition will be advertised in the spring with information being sent out with your April rent statement. Judging will take place in July.

We look forward to seeing next year’s blooms.

Decide what type of garden you want (a nature garden, a space for growing vegetables or something low maintenance) then plan it out.

If you don't want to dig, and you have your own private garden, why not try raised beds?

The most successful approach to gardening is ‘little and often’.

31

ContaCt uS

email: [email protected]

council housing repairs*(including emergency out of hours repairs)

08000 281870 or 01202 458326

email: [email protected]

tenancy Advice team*(including rent, tenancy and anti social behaviour issues)

08000 281870 or 01202 451915

other useful council telephone numbersCareDirect(socialcare) ...................................................................01202454979Children’s Information Service.......................................................... 01202 456222 CouncilTaxbills ................................................................................01202451597 HousingbenefitandCouncilTaxreduction**....................................01202451592Litter,fly-tippingandgraffiti............................................................... 01202451199 Parking enquiries .............................................................................. 01202 454721 Rubbishcollectionandrecycling....................................................... 01202451199Roads,pavementsandpotholes ...................................................... 01202451199Streetlighting.................................................................................... 01202451199

*Our freephone number is free from most landlines but there may be a charge for mobile phones in particular, so please check with your phone provider. We also have landline telephone numbers which can be used as an alternative. For other council enquiries please call the main switchboard on: 01202 451451 or email: [email protected]

Housing Landlord ServicesThe kinson Hub, wimborne Road, kinson BH11 9AwOurofficesareopentothepublic, MondaytoFridayfrom9amto5:15pm. Evening appointments also available on request.

**For other benefit enquiries please contact the Department for Work and Pensions on: 0800 0556688 (free from a BT landline)

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