at home spring 2013
DESCRIPTION
The magazine for Poole Housing Partnership residents Issue 82 Spring 2013TRANSCRIPT
Everybody needsgood neighbours p8Building a better Bourne p12
Futureof Sterte
p19
Spotlight on bedroom tax
p16p4
Residentauthor
p15
Gardenersget together
Your ISSuES | Your NEIGHBourHooD | Your HomE | Your maGazINE
Issue 82 – Spring 2013
www.YourPHP.org.uk
Follow PHP on Facebook and Twitter
twitter.com/PooleHousing
facebook.com/PooleHousing
For more details please contactResident Involvement Team
01202 [email protected]
Enjoy lots of free activities!
• Bouncy castle
• Face painting
• DJ workshop
• Refreshments
• Climbing wall
and more!
You are invited to the
Wednesday 10th April, 1pm–4pmSTERTE FUN DAY
FREE!The Green, Sterte Close, Poole BH15 2AU
Quality Homes in Strong Communities twitter.com/PooleHousing
facebook.com/PooleHousing
At Home is produced for Poole Housing Partnership residents.
We’d like to include your own news, views and articles in future editions. Please send them to the address below and if you require any further information, please call: 01202 264436
Poole Housing Partnership Ltd Beech House 28–30 Wimborne Road Poole BH15 2BU
Tel: 01202 264444 Email: [email protected] Web: www.yourphp.org.uk
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WELCOME TO THE
SPRING EDITION OF AT HOME!
How to contact us:Freephone number for all enquiries:
0800 6523900
Local landline:
01202 264444
National rate number when ringing from a mobile:
0300 2003900
Freephone out of office hours emergency repairs:
0800 506050
Freepost address:
Freepost PHP
3
CoNtENtS
Your People
Willow Park author publishes debut novel . . . . . 4
Call the IT Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Give something back in 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Free training for PHP residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Your pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Your Community
Everybody needs good neighbours . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cracking down on nuisance neighbours. . . . . . . 9
Turlin Moor tidy-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reducing motorbike misuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Motorists urged to secure vehicles . . . . . . . . . 10
Batman and Robin come to Poole. . . . . . . . . . 11
New faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Bourne: the story so far . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
New Roots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Your money
Shining a light on bedroom tax . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Pay Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Benefit Cap update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Your Home
Up, up and away!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Spectrum successes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Changed your mobile number? . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A new Sterte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Tips from Mend It Mike. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Introducing PHP Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Your Issues
Speak out against disability-related harassment. .21
Home Focus: What is housing fraud? . . . . . . . 21
Changes to the Ombudsman service. . . . . . . . 22
News from the Resident Scrutiny Panel . . . . . . 22
Contents
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Your People
4
Words have always been Peter Jeal’s passion, so when he got the chance to publish his own book, he jumped at the opportunity. We spoke to Peter about what inspires his writing, his thoughts thoughts on Willow Park, and how he hopes his WWI-based story makes it to the big screen…
What inspired you to write Ask Me When It’s Over?
My uncle served in WWI, and there’s some German ancestry in my family, so I knew I wanted to write a wartime story. In fact, although Ask Me When It’s Over is a fictional story, some of the novel is inspired by real-life events. Getting the book finished and in print was my way of leaving something to my family too.
How did you go about getting the novel published?
I saw an Art Council-funded programme advertised on You Write On, a writers’ website. It gave authors the chance to publish their works for free – and mine was selected!
How did it feel when you received the printed book?
It felt great to have it in my hands after spending so long writing it. The first time I saw it for sale on Amazon was also a big buzz. But it’s thrilling to see my novel in electronic format. You can also download the e-book version for Kindle from Amazon.
Have you always had an interest in writing?
I’ve always liked English. I remember when I was at school being congratulated by my English teacher for the quality of my essays! After I completed my national service, I became a teacher, so my language skills were put to good use there. I’m a big fan of word-processing – especially the ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ functions! – and having access to my own laptop computer has enabled me to develop my interest further.
What writing projects have you got coming up?
I enjoy writing poetry – most of my work focuses on natural history, love and spirituality. I’m a member of an online writers’ forum called Fan Story which is a great way of getting other people’s views on your work. I’ve submitted my work and received great feedback so far, so I’d like to put some of my poems together in one volume. I’d love it if Ask Me When It’s Over was made into a film one day.
Do you have any advice for other budding writers?
The important thing to remember is, once you’ve started writing, keep going. It was only when I put my mind to writing Ask Me When It’s Over that I actually made some progress with it. So if you’ve got a good idea that you feel passionately about, get to work and don’t give up!
You recently held a book signing at Willow Park – how did it go?
I was really pleased with the turnout at the signing. Everyone was interested to hear about how the book was written, and I sold a good few copies to residents and visitors. It seems I’m now recognised as Willow Park’s ‘resident author’ which is quite a nice compliment.
What do you enjoy most about living at Willow Park?
Willow Park is a really attractive place to live. The grounds are pleasant and the buildings are well-maintained. There’s a sociable atmosphere among all the residents, which I particularly enjoy. There’s always a gathering of some sort going on, like coffee mornings and quiz nights, which are run by amazing volunteers. I’ve been here for five years and I’m pleased to call Willow Park home.
Peter Jeal’s novel Ask Me When It’s Over is available now from Amazon.co.uk in paperback and e-book for Kindle
Willow Park authorpublishes debut novel
Your People
A reminder of how to contact our technical whizzesIn the last edition of At Home we introduced you to our IT Champions, who are on hand to help you with any IT-related queries or issues. The team are all volunteers who generously give up their free time to support residents over the phone and at convenient locations across Poole.
All you have to do is contact one of the IT Champions on the details below (calls are charged at less than 5p a minute from a landline).
Alternatively, feel free to contact PHP on 01202 264444 and we’ll happily pass your details on.
Ray Aggett0844 586 [email protected]
Jeannette Brason0844 802 6324
Brian Marlow0844 802 [email protected]
Norman Farenden0844 802 6357
Chris Moody0844 802 [email protected]
COMPUTER QUERY? CALL THE IT CHAMPIONS!
Then try volunteering at PHPIf you’re constantly being told how funny you are, or that you’re a good listener or advice giver, this could be a chance to bring out all your best qualities to help others.
PHP currently has opportunities available as Volunteer Support Workers and Befrienders to support clients across the Poole area.
We know lots of isolated people who could do with someone to chat with now and then, to have someone to accompany them when they go out, or to introduce them to new things.
It’s not just elderly people who could benefit from your support – you could also help young adults who experience mental health problems, substance abuse issues or learning difficulties.
We also have volunteer opportunities as: • Coffee Afternoon Co-ordinator • Lunch Club Helper • Gardener
If you would like to find out more please contact PHP’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, Esther Brown, on 01202 264317 or email [email protected]
Looking to givesomething backin 2013?
5
Expand your skills with these free sessionsWe run a series of free workshops for PHP residents, most taking place at Beech House in Poole. The courses have a maximum capacity so please book in advance to avoid disappointment – to register your place or find out more, contact the Resident Involvement team on 01202 264422 or email [email protected]
Money matters Monday 15th April
Meet PHP’s Your Money Team, get to grips with your finances, and understand the new benefit system.
Grow your own (at Kingston Lacy)Tuesday 23rd April
Everything you need to know about starting a vegetable patch from scratch.
Equality and diversityTuesday 30th April
Learn about involving and representing all sections of the community, recognising differences and treating everyone fairly.
Design your own newsletterMonday 13th May
The do’s and don’ts of designing your own newsletter.
Presentation skillsTuesday 9th July
Preparing and delivering a presentation – how to use PowerPoint effectively.
Grow your own (at Kingston Lacy)Tuesday 10th September
Set about getting your vegetable patch ready for the winter.
How PHP worksTuesday 17th September
An introduction to the different teams, roles and functions within PHP.
Committee skillsTuesday 8th October
How to run an effective committee and the roles and responsibilities of the officers.
Money mattersThursday 24th October
Meet PHP’s Your Money Team, get to grips with your finances, and understand the new benefit system.
more courses will be added throughout the year, so keep an eye on our website, Facebook and twitter pages for more information. If you have any ideas for training courses that are not shown here, please get in touch!
Your People
FREE TRAINING FOR PHP RESIDENTS
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“The PHP courses I’ve attended have given me the opportunity to learn valuable information regarding social housing and to meet and network with other residents.”ali mcGrail, Selby Close
“I’ve attended a number of in-house training courses including scrutiny. As a result I feel confident in being a part of the Residents Scrutiny Panel and having valued input into the way that PHP services are delivered.”Derek Double, Boyd road
Waterloo House hosted a coffee morning which raised over £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Residents Doreen Boothman and Joy Rockinham
encouraged their neighbours to donate cakes and raffle prizes, while local businesses also lent their support by displaying posters.
Nicole Waters, Policy & Performance Officer, presents Mr Collins of Belben Road with a cheque for £250. Mr Collins was one of three residents selected as part of PHP’s annual rent raffle
prize draw, which rewards residents who have clear rent accounts. The other winners were Mr Atwell of Hinchliffe Close and Mr Berry of Dale Close.
Dale Valley residents have recently enjoyed two coach trip holidays: one to Weston Super-Mare and another to Blackpool. Residents from other sheltered schemes are welcome to join the group on their next outings to the Norfolk Broads and Newquay – for more information please contact Pam Norman on 01202 718399.
PHP staff pulled on their aprons and oven gloves for a successful coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The bake sale raised £590 and generous raffle prizes were donated from various local businesses, including Horizon Shine and DW Sports.
Residents from Trinidad House organised a fete which raised £369 for the Mayor of Poole’s Appeal Fund. The fund supports several local charities and donations are made once the mayoral term is complete. Here Local Community Representative Dee Knights presents a cheque to Mayor of Poole Carol Evans.
Gladys Aveson of Hinchliffe Close celebrated her 97th birthday surrounded by family and friends. Gladys was taken out for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed her day!
Carol Evans, Mayor of Poole, was distinguished guest at the Dale Valley Christmas Carol Concert. Children from the Oakdale
Church Choir performed some traditional festive favourites to the delighted audience.
Residents got spotty for Children in Need as they organised a bake sale, games and a raffle at PHP’s Beech House offices. Brian Muspratt, Norma Oliver and Dee Knights helped to raise over £400 in just one day!
If you’ve organised an event, celebrated a landmark birthday or travelled somewhere exciting why not send in your photos to At Home? Please email your images to [email protected] or call 01202 264436.
Your pictures Your People
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Your Community
Everybody needs good
NeighboursBeing on good terms with your neighbours has many benefits – it makes your community a friendlier place to be and your neighbourhood a safer place to live. With that in mind, here are some ways to establish good relationships with the people living around you…
Stay in touchTry to get to know your neighbours if you can. Friendly greetings as you leave for work or a bit of small talk over the garden fence all helps. If you’re new to a neighbourhood, introduce yourself, and if someone new moves in next door consider taking
round a welcoming gift. Touch base with them regularly and alert them in advance if you’re planning something that might disturb them – it will make it easier to approach them if any problems arise in the future.
Be considerate at nightNoise nuisance is one of the biggest complaints residents report between their neighbours. Remember to keep TVs and music at a reasonable level and don’t over-rev
your car engine early in the morning or late at night. If you live in a flat, terraced or semi-detached house, try taking measures to reduce any noisy activity that could travel through shared walls. Similarly, if a member of your household plays a musical instrument, it might be a good idea to give your neighbours the heads-up!
Control your petsYou might love your pets, but that doesn’t mean your neighbours will share the same view. If you have a particularly boisterous dog that enjoys running around on your neighbour’s lawn, for example, it’s a good idea to keep it on a lead when it’s outside your
property. Noisy barking can bother people too, so exercise some consideration here if you can. And of course it goes without saying that owners should make every effort to clean up after their pets when necessary.
Keep a clean homeDo your best to keep the outside of your property clean and tidy – it will reflect well on you and on your neighbours. Weed your garden and mow
the lawn regularly, and keep your flowers and trees trimmed appropriately. You could even share gardening responsibilities with the people who live nearby. Also remember to put your rubbish out on the right day, and bring bags back into your property if you miss a collection. This will stop the area looking untidy and reduce complaints from your neighbours.
Respect communal areasWhen you live in a block of flats, or share a path, garden or driveway with another resident, you
should treat communal areas with respect. Don’t allow your belongings to clutter corridors or block exits, as your neighbours need to be able to access these areas safely at all times. Be considerate if you decide to fire up a BBQ or erect a tent on a piece of shared land, and discuss your plans with your neighbours. Practice parking etiquette and park your vehicle in front of your home, not theirs!
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Your Community
CRACKING DOWN ON NUISANCE NEIGHBOURS
PHP joins forces with Dorset Police and Borough of Poole to secure repossession
A repossession order has been
imposed on a PHP resident following complaints of noise nuisance and drug dealing at their property.
Borough of Poole and Dorset Police supported a Court application for the property in Wallisdown to be closed down in December 2012. The closure made the house uninhabitable for three months.
PHP responded to the action with possession proceedings to ensure neighbouring residents are not disturbed in the future, and the tenant was evicted in January this year.
Police had been monitoring events, which included excessive noise and doorstep drug deals, with plain-clothed surveillance, resulting in two arrests. Neighbouring residents also helped PHP with our investigations.
In his statement, the Judge commented: “It is reasonable to make an immediate possession order due to the level of misbehaviour, the effect on residents and due to there being no well-founded expectations of improvement”.
Housing Officer Alice Wood thanked local residents for their help and patience, and said: “This is a really good example of partnership working, not only with residents but with Dorset Police and the Anti Social Behaviour Team at Borough of Poole. I would urge residents who are experiencing ASB to contact their Housing Officer or their local Safer Neighbourhood Team to discuss the issue in the strictest of confidence.”
Neighbourhood benefits from a spring clean
A clean-up day has taken place at Turlin Moor following residents’ comments about fly-tipping and litter
in the area.
The day, which was organised by the Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) was a big success, and over a dozen skips were filled. Older residents who
were unable to visit the skip site were able to take part by having items collected directly from their homes.
Claire Hollard, PHP Housing Officer for Turlin Moor, was really pleased with the results: “Seeing residents make
full use of the opportunity was fantastic,” she said. “We appreciate how hard it can be to dispose of some
household items but it’s important to keep fly-tipping under control so there’s more funds to spend on other
resident services.”
The day was supported by members of the SNT, including PHP and Borough of Poole, along with AJL Cleaning,
Dorset Reclaim and Dave Wells Property Services. Thanks to all those involved!
TURLIN MOOR TIDY-UP
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Hamworthy residents vote to minimise off-road riding The Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Team has vowed to continue supporting local people after residents complained about noise nuisance and damage caused by illegally operated mini motorbikes.
The law prohibits people from driving a vehicle either on a road in a careless or inconsiderate manner, or off road on public land, in a manner likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
Closed circuit television cameras will continue to be used to identify and prosecute any persons contravening the legislation. Last year, the team conducted regular patrols in the areas identified as hotspots for motorbike misuse, with police seizing six vehicles.
Police will continue to proactively patrol these areas in an effort to protect the public. Anyone who witnesses motorbike misuse should contact Dorset Police on the non-emergency number 101.
PHP’s Claire Hollard, who is a member of the Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We sympathise with residents over this matter and as a team we’re committed to improving the situation for the whole community.”
The next public Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting takes place on Monday 10th June at 2pm at Hamworthy Library.
Your Community
REDUCING MOTORBIKE MISUSE
MOTORISTS URGED TO SECURE VEHICLESSome
advice as car crime rises in PoolePHP residents are being urged to make it harder for thieves by locking their vehicles and removing any valuable items when leaving.
There were 213 reported thefts from vehicles in
Poole between November 2012 and January this year, compared to 181 during the same period last year.
The issue is being tackled by Safer Poole Partnership – a collection of community safety organisations including Dorset Police, Dorset Fire & Rescue Service, Borough of Poole and PHP. The team are conducting extra patrols and targeting known offenders.
Jared Parkin, Poole Neighbourhood Chief Inspector, told At Home: “A large number of the thefts from cars in Poole have been as a result of drivers leaving their cars unlocked. It is so important that residents make sure they lock their cars, and store their valuable out of the view of thieves.”
You can reduce the risk of having your vehicle broken into by always checking that your vehicle is locked and all windows are closed before leaving it unattended. Items left in vehicles are a target to thieves. These should be removed altogether as thieves will often watch people hiding their valuables before breaking into the vehicle. Any evidence of valuable items, such as sat-nav suction cups, should also be removed.
For more information, please speak to a Safer Neighbourhood Officer or go to www.dorset.police.uk
10
Your Community
BATMAN AND ROBIN COME TO POOLE!BATMAN AND ROBIN COME TO POOLE!
If you go down to Simmonds Close today, you might get a big surprise!Residents may have noticed a new tree house in the grounds, but this isn’t your average bird box. The house has been installed especially for bats to roost, as PHP Building Surveyor Jon-Paul Elwart explains:
“Our maintenance contractor, Seddon Property Services, routinely install bird boxes when new fascias and guttering are fitted at our properties. Bats are an endangered species so we thought we’d start installing bat boxes too.”
A bat box works on the same principle as a bird box, except that bats prefer a wedge-shaped roost and enter through a gap underneath rather than a hole at the front. Using untreated wood, the box at Simmonds Close gives bats the perfect place to shelter and roost. We’re hoping a little family of bats makes the box home!
Across town, another bird has been enjoying the view from its new home at Nelson Court. This sparrowhawk, which is made from tough plastic, is located on the roof of the building and is designed to deter pigeons from causing a nuisance to residents in the flats below. Pictured alongside is PHP Building Surveyor Garry Coles, who installed the bird with the help of the Ferndown Aerial Company.
Gail Percival Estates Services Manager
What attracted you to PHP? Having worked in housing for many years I was aware of PHP’s reputation as a landlord, both at a local and national level. As a not-so-long-arrived Poole resident myself,
this role was too good an opportunity to miss.
What are you responsible for at PHP? My key responsibilities are ensuring PHP estates are safe, clean and tidy. I also make sure residents receive good-quality, value-for-money services such as caretaking, cleaning, gardening and street cleansing. Our team also has responsibility for resident involvement – we are planning some fun local community events for 2013 so look out for details coming soon!
What are your key priorities for the next year? I’ll be looking at the mechanisms for inspecting our estates to make the inspection process more valuable and effective for staff and residents. This year we will be introducing a process of estate grading to sheltered schemes which will enable us to focus more clearly on what is required and where. We will review the benefits of this and if it is successful, roll out the process to all estates in 2014.
Steve Richards Director of Housing Management
What were you doing before you came to PHP? I previously worked in the North East for another ALMO, and before that worked in the East Midlands for both local authorities and housing
associations as a project manager and housing director.
What were your first impressions of PHP? PHP is a very resident-focused organisation which seeks to listen to residents’ views, learn from feedback and strives to put things right when they occasionally fall short of their high expectations. The staff are a positive and welcoming group of people.
What projects have you got coming up? My aim over the coming months is to maintain PHP’s key objective of supporting and maintaining strong communities in Poole. I want to ensure our homes and neighbourhoods are places where residents want to live. PHP also has a major role to play in tacking anti-social behaviour, maintaining our estates and supporting residents through our Sustain programme, so I’ll be getting involved in lots of exciting projects!
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NEW FACES PHP welcomes two new members of staff
Your Community
12
BOURNE: THE STORY SO FARTurning around the fortunes of
Bourne Valley, and strengthening the community to take much more control, is a key priority for Poole. With a dedicated Neighbourhood Manager,
Sylvia Webster, things are moving fast in the neighbourhood.
May 2010
The first public consultation takes place to discuss plans for the future of Bourne Valley. Residents are invited to voice their views and hear from local partners, including PHP and Borough of Poole, about priorities for the area. Everyone agrees to work together to achieve the collective aim of making Bourne a safe and pleasant place to live, and for young people to grow up in. The Bourne Valley Action Group, made up of local volunteers, is set up to steer a programme of activities.
September 2010
Following the public consultation, funding is secured for a children’s playground facility – a key priority among residents as Bourne Valley has the highest concentration of 0-19-year-olds in Poole. The project costs £100,000, with PHP donating £50,000 and the other half coming from a National Lottery grant.
November 2010
Bourne Valley residents exhibit pride in the neighbourhood by coming together to improve the condition of their local streets and green areas. Support from Borough of Poole Leisure Services and Continental Landscapes contributes to enhanced planters and better waste facilities. Residents choose what is planted and community litter picks take place across the neighbourhood.
January 2011
Poole Centre for Voluntary Services and Borough of Poole organise football sessions to encourage under 12s in Bourne Valley to get active and enjoy a sociable activity. Coaches from Rossmore Sports Centre generously donate their time and skills to make the sessions a success, and children also benefit from free post-match meals at Bourne Valley Youth Centre. The programme looks set to continue with funding coming from the Poole Community Chest.
March 2011
As the children’s playground project gathers pace, youngsters from Manorside Primary School, St Joseph’s Combined School and Bourne Valley Youth Centre are given the opportunity to make suggestions for equipment they’d like to see. The three objectives that shape the plan for the playground are a focus on group activity, a design that complements the environment, and making the site accessible for all.
June 2011
Big Lunch, the national one-day get-together for neighbours, reaches Bourne Valley. A fantastic sense of community spirit is brought to life as residents throw open their doors and join their neighbours for food, games and street entertainment.
Your Community
13
October 2011
After a year of planning and construction, Bourne Valley’s brand new children’s playground is officially opened by local youngsters.
Thousands turn out for the opening weekend – the biggest event the community has ever had.
May 2012
The Moving Forward Together event unites Bourne Valley residents with directors from local agencies such as PHP and Borough of Poole
to identify priorities for the area. This community-focused meeting gives residents the opportunity to steer future developments and pose
questions to the partners.
November 2012
The sky above Bourne Valley is illuminated by fireworks during a bonfire night event at St Aldhelm’s Academy. Residents enjoy free entertainment, music and dance displays. The event sees a growth in attendance from the previous year,
and donations to the Bourne Valley Action Group also increase.
December 2012
Bourne Valley is awarded £1m from the Big Lottery fund to spend on improvements over the next 10 years – enabling residents to
identify priorities that matter to them and take positive action. The Bourne Valley Action Group also receives a Big Society Award, with PM David Cameron commenting: “[The group’s] commitment
and dedication is delivering real results.”
January 2013
Waitrose in Upper Parkstone selects Bourne Valley Action Group as one of three supported charities. As a result, the group collects a cheque
for £480 from Department Manager Nathan Ibbotson and Community Matters Champion Michelle Taylor. “The money will go into the healthy eating programmes we are trying to promote in our community,” said
group Chairman Bob Smith.
February 2013
St Aldhelm’s Academy sees a dramatic improvement in its exam performance, as work on a new school
building gathers pace.
To be continued…
14
Your Community
a round-up of the latest news from PHP’s National
Lottery-funded community food-growing scheme
Logo competition winner announced Youngsters from Turlin Moor were encouraged to get creative by designing a new logo for the Community Garden. The Mayor of Poole, Carol Evans, judged the entries, and selected 13-year-old Aaron Collins’ design as the winning logo! Here’s Aaron proudly showing off his design, which will be displayed around the garden and will feature on all our materials advertising future events. Congratulations Aaron!
New management committee set upBack in January, seven local residents were elected to form a new management committee which will run the Turlin Moor Community Garden going forward. The meeting took place just eight months after the first vegetable patches were dug at the garden – showing how far the project has come in such a short space of time! PHP resident and Board member Lou Knight, who will act as treasurer of the new committee, told us: “The progress we’ve made has been incredible and the garden is a credit to the whole community”. PHP will continue to support the garden, with New Roots Co-ordinator Clare Sutton adding: “Over 200 local people have been involved in the project so far, from attending events to taking part in gardening and fundraising activities. The management committee brings together a fantastic group of people and I’m confident their ideas will bring the garden continued success well into the future.”
Sunday 24th March 2013
Join us at the Community Garden for:
⁜ Easter egg hunt⁜ Egg and spoon race⁜ Painting eggs⁜ Petting chickens⁜ Free ‘eggy’ food⁜ Cooking workshops⁜Spring veg planting
Come down between 11am and 1pm –
everyone welcome!
New Roots Turlin Moor Community Garden
Turlin Moor Easter Event
Gardeners unite!Green-fingered sheltered residents recently got together to share their gardening experiences at a special event. a total of 27 residents from six sheltered schemes congregated at Hinchliffe Close, where they were encouraged to exchange handy hits and tips about making better gardens.
many of PHP’s sheltered schemes have established their own food-growing projects, successfully growing vegetables and fruit. the event provided a great opportunity for novices to find out how easy it is to set up a project of their own.
We were delighted to welcome the mayor, who enjoyed a tour of Hinchliffe’s gardens and was interested to hear about how the projects are progressing. many thanks to everyone at Hinchliffe for hosting the event – and for the wonderful homemade soup!
It’s easy to get involved with New RootsFor help and advice about setting up your own community food-growing
project please contact Clare Sutton on 01202 264316 or
email [email protected]
Your Community
SHELTERED SCHEMES
Would you like to see a community garden in
Poole Town?Talks have started about the possibility of opening
a new garden in Poole Town. The site would give residents the chance to grow fruit and vegetables and run gardening clubs and cooking workshops – all supported by PHP. If you live in this part of town you should be receiving a letter containing
more details shortly. To have your say, or ask any questions about the project, please get in touch
with us.
Kingston Lacy plot available
A plot for growing fruit and vegetables has just become available at Kingston Lacy Community Allotments, near Wimborne.
To find out more, simply give us a call.
Festive cheer at Christmas Gathering
Almost 100 people attended the Turlin Moor Christmas Gathering in December. Father Christmas
dished out presents to the children, while residents also organised a raffle and prepared delicious
homemade food to be enjoyed!
15
Your Money
Shining a light on…BEDROOM TAX (Under Occupation Rule)The Under Occupation Rule (or ‘Bedroom Tax’ as it’s more commonly known) arrives this April and is the first big change to welfare benefits. This change will only affect working age people; people of Pension Credit age are exempt.
What is it? The Government has decided that Housing Benefit will be paid according to the number of rooms your household needs. This means that a bedroom will be allowed for: Single people and couples aged 16 and over Two same-sex children aged 0 – 15 Two different sex children aged 0 – 9 If you are deemed to be under-occupying you will face a cut in the amount of Housing Benefit you receive.
How will the cut be calculated? If you are under-occupying, a percentage of your total rent amount will be calculated (14% for one bedroom and 25% for two or more) and that amount will be removed from your Housing Benefit award.
For help with managing your budget, or to find out how work might affect other benefits, please contact the Your Money Team on 01202 264484.
PHP has sent out letters to more than 400 properties that we believe will be affected. If you have not already done so, please contact us and we can give further advice on your options. If you believe that you are not under-occupying, please contact the Benefits Service at Borough of Poole on 01202 633114.
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Downsize to a smaller property – please contact PHP for advice on mutual Exchanges or Housing & Community Services at Borough of Poole for information on Dorset Homechoice
manage your household budget to make up the shortfall
move into work or increase your working hours
Consider moving into private rented accommodation
ask non-dependants to contribute to the household costs
What can you do?
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Your Money
There’s an easy way to
pay your rent
Keeping up with important payments such as your rent is key to managing a healthy
household budget. You may already know that you can pay your rent in a number of ways, but if you’re a first
time tenant or due to start paying rent as a result of the changes to benefits, why not consider Direct Debit or Standing Order as your method of payment?
Direct Debit is an easy way for you to make sure you never fall behind with your rent payments. Once your Direct Debit is set up, PHP will automatically request the money direct from your bank on the 1st or 10th of each month. You must ensure that you have enough money in your account to cover the Direct Debit or you could incur bank charges. Another bonus is that PHP can adjust the amount of your Direct Debit if your rent increases, so you don’t have to do a thing.
If a monthly payment is difficult for you to manage because of the way you receive your household income, Standing Order could be a better option. Standing Order is similar to Direct Debit: the payment is made automatically, but Standing Order can be set up with more flexibility on dates than Direct Debit. However, the responsibility for managing adjustments to the amount and setting up the Standing Order with your bank rests with you.
To pay your rent by Direct Debit or Standing Order, or to find out more about other ways to pay, please contact the Income Recovery Team on 01202 264444.
▶ Do you want a new challenge?
▶ Are you unemployed?
▶ Do you have few or no qualifications?
We are recruiting a team of volunteers for a challenging but fun 12-week personal development programme.
If you are aged between 16 and 25 years old, you can be part of a team doing outdoor pursuits and
community projects – ending with a nationally recognised qualification.
We also offer support in gaining employment or returning to work and training.
For more information please call
01305 753035
BENEFIT CAP UPDATE
In the last issue of At Home we told you a little
about the ‘Benefit Cap’. This is where working age
benefit claimants would have their benefits capped
at £350 for single people and £500 for couples
and people with children.
Originally this change was due to hit claimants in
April 2013. In the last few weeks the Government
announced that the Benefit Cap will be postponed
until after the summer. We expect the introduction
of this change to begin from September 2013.
If you are worried that you might be affected by the Benefit Cap please contact the Your Money Team.
Pay Direct
17
Team up with the Prince’s Trust
⇢ ⇢ ⇢ ⇢
Your Home
Our repairs team get to work 10 floors up At PHP we’re committed to maintaining our properties – and that includes getting to all those hard-to-reach places! Rather than inconvenience residents with scaffolding and cherry pickers, the latest round of repairs to Drake Court have been carried out by specially skilled tradesmen.
As these pictures show, you definitely need a head for heights to do this sort of work, as the men abseiled from the roof to make the external render repairs.
“This is a quick and cost-effective way of maintaining the outside of the tower blocks,” said Caroline Alexander, Stock Conditions Surveyor at PHP. “It also makes for an interesting watch so we’ll definitely be employing their services again!”
It’s important we’ve got the right contact details for you when we carry out important works or repairs at your home. Please help us keep our records up to date by calling 01202 264444.
We continue to receive great feedback from residents who have benefited from Spectrum’s re-wiring work. Here are a few of the comments!
“The work was carried out well and very efficiently. The man explained everything so I knew what was happening and when. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome!” Miss Pearce, Parkstone
“We are very pleased with the work carried out. We cannot praise Spectrum enough.” Mr and Mrs Phillips, Parkstone
“We are really happy that we had the work done. The workmen were really good, tidy and approachable.” Mr and Mrs Cochrane, Parkstone
“Quite simply, really happy!” Ms Harris, Oakdale
UP, UP AND AWAY!
CHANGED YOUR MOBILE NUMBER?Spectrum
successes
18
Flats set to benefit from major refurbishment programme Exciting plans to improve the appearance of Sterte Court have been approved, with works due to start in April this year.
The refurbishment, which is expected to be completed in October 2014, reflects PHP’s continuing commitment to providing quality homes in strong communities.
STERTE 2014, as the project will be called, will deliver significant benefits to both Sterte and the wider community by enhancing residents’ homes and creating a landmark Poole can be proud of.
The blocks will have new over-cladding applied to the outside walls to provide much-improved weather proofing and energy insulation, along with new roofing, windows, heating, ventilation, balconies and ground floor lobbies.
Residents have been involved in a consultation exercise to agree the outline plans for the building, and are also keen to see a start to works on site.
Bill Durrant, Local Community Representative for Sterte, said: “We have been involved in consultation meetings over the past year and we have considered various options. We are now really keen to see this project start on site. STERTE 2014 will enhance our living environments, reduce our energy costs, and hugely improve the appearance of these blocks, to the benefit of the whole town.”
A PHP Fun Day will take place at Sterte on Wednesday 10th April 2013, giving residents the chance to meet representatives from Keepmoat – the team who will be carrying out the works. Take a look at page 2 for more information.
Your Home
A NEW STERTE
19
An artist’s impression of how Sterte will look after the works have been completed
How one of the Sterte towers looks now…
…and how it could look after the refurbishment
How do I change my bathroom light?As part of the Decent Homes works, bathroom lights have to be upgraded to be ‘splash-proof’.
There are two different types installed: • For one you’ll need a cross-point screwdriver to remove three screws to get to the light bulb • The other type has bayonet fixings on the cover. Here’s a quick guide on how to remove the cover and get to the light bulb:
1. Locate the easiest-to-reach bayonet
2. Place your thumb on the cover directly below the bayonet
3. With your finger push IN then DOWN on the bayonet. Repeat this on the second and third bayonet
4. Once you’ve lifted the cover, remove the light bulb by gripping and pulling down the central plastic part
5. To install a new light bulb, position it in the same way as the one you’re replacing, and push it into place
6. To replace the light cover, ensure all three bayonets are lined up with the catches, and push it straight up
What bulb do I use? Replacement light bulbs are 16 watt ‘2D’ fitting.
PHP’s Director of technical Services helps you get to grips with maintenance issues around your home
Tips fromMend It Mike
Your Home
Get more out of your home and tenancy with your new microsite!You can now get answers to your maintenance queries at the click of a button, thanks to a new addition to the PHP website.
We’ve recently launched PHP Player, which offers a series of ‘Fix It’ films covering electrical, plumbing and other common house-related problems. You can sit back and watch the tutorials in one go, or click through to find the one you’re after – the choice is yours!
Over the coming months we’ll be adding videos to the site, so keep checking www.phpplayer.org.uk for the latest updates.
Introducing
20
Your Issues
Local agencies encourage victims to “report it”People are often shocked that any disabled person could be called nasty names, harassed or have their property vandalised. But according to Access Dorset’s latest research, many disabled people do experience abuse, sometimes on a daily basis, in the local area.
Almost half of the 100 disabled people surveyed as part of the ‘Fear and Bullying in Dorset’ report claimed they had been frightened or bullied because of their disability. Many of those who responded to the survey said they didn’t know where to go to report disability-related harassment, anti-social behaviour or crime, and were scared of the repercussions if they did speak up.
That’s why PHP is backing the ‘Speak Out’ campaign, which aims to highlight issues across communities and encourage victims to report incidents when they happen. Dorset Police, Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council are also among those taking part.
The team will be spreading the word at the Dolphin Shopping Centre on Wednesday 17th April. You can find out more by contacting Sue Newell on 01202 633035.
To report an incident, please visit www.boroughofpoole.com/disabilityharassment
What is housing fraud?At PHP, we’re proud of the excellent relationships we build with our residents, and know that the vast majority stick to the rules associated with renting their home.
However, when a resident rents out their home without permission or is allocated a property as a result of providing false information, they are taking up urgently needed housing and depriving other people on the waiting list.
There is a huge demand for social housing in Poole so it is important to make the best use of the available homes – and this means tackling housing fraud head-on. Housing fraud is a criminal offence and could take the form of any of the following:
Profiting from unlawful subletting This happens when a resident moves out and ‘sublets’ their home to another person or family. Often this is for a higher rent, so the resident makes a profit.
Not their principal home Some people rent properties they do not live in all the time. They may stay with their partner, or have another home somewhere else. If it is no longer a principal home, security of tenure is lost.
Fraudulent applications for social housing Occasionally, people obtain a council property by giving false information on their application. Furthermore, landlords must approve mutual exchanges and other assignments – if the resident fails to ask for permission it could suggest fraudulent action.
Retaining a property after a tenant dies This is when someone tries to succeed a tenancy after a residents’ death when they are not eligible to do so. However, we aim to review situations with sensitivity and on a case-by-case basis.
What can you do? If you suspect someone is committing housing fraud we need to know about it straight away so we can take action. Please call 01202 264444 or email [email protected]
Speak out against disability-related harassment
21
Your Issues
Following the introduction of the Localism Act 2011, from April 2013 tenants will no longer be able to ask the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate a complaint if they remain unhappy following PHP’s investigations. Instead, the Housing Ombudsman Service will investigate complaints at this level.
This change also introduces another possible level of investigation by a ‘Designated Person’, who could be a local councillor, an MP or a panel of local residents. If, at the conclusion of PHP’s investigation into a
complaint, the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, they could then ask the Designated Person to investigate or refer on to the Ombudsman on their behalf. If the complainant did not want to go through the Designated Person, they would have to wait for an eight week period before referring to the Ombudsman themselves.
In line with these changes, we are currently looking at the best way to incorporate the Designated Person stage in the PHP’s Complaints Policy, and from this, we will make the necessary changes to our policy and procedures. Once we have this in place, we will provide more information and advice to residents on how this will work in practice. PHP’s internal Complaints Policy will remain the same.
Policy Manager Janet Read, who manages PHP’s complaints process said: “While we welcome the opportunity to resolve issues locally, we will ensure everyone who makes a complaint is clear on what will happen and what they can do if they remain unhappy with the outcome. Only a small number of cases are referred to the Ombudsman and our focus will remain on resolving issues early on in the complaints process.”
Since the last issue of At Home, the Resident Scrutiny Panel (RSP) has been busy finalising the redesign of the PHP website, which is set to go live later in the Spring. During its January meeting, the Panel also decided on the areas of PHP they would like to scrutinise over the coming year.
The Panel has selected a total of six PHP service areas to review, starting with the Allocations & Lettings Service and the Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Service. Members will be looking at how PHP is currently delivering these services and how we can continue meeting high standards,
following feedback from the 2012 Resident Satisfaction Survey. Members of PHP staff will also be interviewed during the review process before the findings are reported to PHP’s Board of Directors.
The Panel will continue to meet with other local resident scrutiny groups and undertake training to support members in their roles. A £1.2m National Tenant Training & Support Programme has recently been launched to give monitoring and scrutinising services such as RSP access to funding. It is hoped the Panel can take advantage of this soon.
Putting things right: changes to the Ombudsman service
News from the Resident Scrutiny Panel
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Would you like to make a difference to your local
community? Are you interested in developing
your skills and meeting new people?
The Resident Scrutiny Panel is an independent group which helps PHP review and
shape its services – and we’re looking for new members!
This is a voluntary role, but we will pay for your transport, childcare and other
expenses you may incur. Light refreshments are provided.
Meetings are held every six weeks at Beech House and you only need to commit
2-4 hours per month on average. You will also receive full training.
If you would like to become a member, or just want to find out more about
the Resident Scrutiny Panel, please call Paul Gillett on 01202 264401.
PHP employs contractors to carry out much of the
maintenance work in your home – and you could help us
get the most out of the services they provide.
Resident volunteers are needed to discuss the progress of each contract, evaluate contractor
performance and review budgets on these groups:
• Safe as Houses (rewire contract with Spectrum)
• Warmdeal (Gas servicing and heating replacements with PH Jones)
• Kitchen and Bathroom Replacements (Mitie Property Services)
Meetings are held monthly during office hours at Beech House, and are attended by PHP officers and
contractor representatives. This is a great opportunity to help shape the way we deliver our services.
To get involved please get in touch on 01202 264422.
PHP is looking for more Local Community Representatives (LCRs) to work within their communities and ensure residents can access the services they need.LCRs are volunteers who establish links with partner agencies, including the Safer Poole Neighbourhood and Community Development teams, to really understand what’s going on in their community. PHP relies on LCRs’ feedback to continually improve our services and ensure we’re meeting the needs of residents.As an LCR, you will act as spokesperson for your community and liaise with people at all levels. You will also enjoy free training and development opportunities.To find out more please call the Resident Involvement Team on 01202 264422.
Get involved at PHP
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Payment Due Date
Amount Paid
Date Paid Payment Due Date
Amount Paid Date Paid
01/04/2013 07/10/2013
08/04/2013 14/10/2013
15/04/2013 21/10/2013
22/04/2013 28/10/2013
29/04/2013 04/11/2013
06/05/2013 11/11/2013
13/05/2013 18/11/2013
20/05/2013 25/11/2013
27/05/2013 02/12/2013
03/06/2013 09/12/2013 rent Free Week
10/06/2013 16/12/2013 rent Free Week
17/06/2013 23/12/2013
24/06/2013 30/12/2013
01/07/2013 06/01/2014
08/07/2013 13/01/2014
15/07/2013 20/01/2014
22/07/2013 27/01/2014
29/07/2013 03/02/2014
05/08/2013 10/02/2014
12/08/2013 17/02/2014
19/08/2013 24/02/2014
26/08/2013 03/03/2014
02/09/2013 10/03/2014
09/09/2013 17/03/2014
16/09/2013 24/03/2014 rent Free Week
23/09/2013 31/03/2014 rent Free Week
30/09/2013 Rent Free Week (NB If you have arrears you need to maintain your payments during these weeks)
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Refer to this list to see when you need to make your rent payments, and tick them off once made. Please ensure you keep your receipts safe.
Payment Calendar 2013 – 2014
Payment Due Dates