at home summer 2016

INSIDE

Home90 | Summer 2016

INSIDE

The magazine for Poole Housing Partnership residents

Time for a BBQ!Read our advice for

safe sizzling

Residents rescue good food A visit to the new builds Trinidad Village gets arty| |

Repairs in my homeWho repairs what?

Your responsibilities explained

WINTwo weeks’

free rent!

See page 22

/PooleHousingwww.YourPHP.org.uk

Grow delicious food for freewith your neighbours

Spring into yourcommunity garden

WELCOME...to the Summer

edition of At Home.Alternative formatsWe can supply this information inlarge print, on audio CD or in yourlanguage. We can also send you amagnifier. Please call 01202 264436to discuss your requirements.

2 At Home | Summer 2016

At Homeis produced for Poole Housing

Partnership residents.

We would like to include your own news,views and articles in future issues of

. Please send them to theaddress below, call 01202 264436 oremail .

Poole Housing Partnership LtdBeech House28-30 Wimborne RoadPoole BH15 2BU

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At Home

Home

PH JONES MONTHLYPRIZE DRAW

Summer might eventually arrive and, with the

days lasting longer, why not get out and do

some gardening, where you live or perhaps

in one of the growing number of community

gardens?

Poole now has four PHP-supported food-

growing schemes, as well as a great number

in sheltered housing gardens. Gardening provides good exercise, is

sociable, and you get to eat lovely fresh salad, vegetables and fruit.

It’s an exciting time at PHP, with new energy-efficient homes at Oakdale

(page 16) and 54 extra care apartments at Rossmore (page 20) nearing

completion. Plans for more affordable homes at Canford Heath

(page 10) have also been approved. You can stay up to date with

the projects via our website and social media pages.

Just to show how much we and local residents have achieved over the

last 12 months, we’ve collected some of our highlights in a colourful

infographic on page 12. There’s a lot for us all to be proud of!

I hope you enjoy the magazine.

Best wishes

Joe Logan

Chief Executive

If you’ve recently been visitedby PH Jones, you could be inwith a chance of winning £50of shopping vouchers!

Our gas servicing contractor isresponsible for making sure yourcentral heating system isperforming safely.

After each visit, a member of thePH Jones team will leave a cardasking you to complete a shortquestionnaire. Your involvementin the survey is really important asit enables us and PH Jones tomonitor the service and make anyimprovements.

To thank you for taking part, everymonth we run a prize draw whereone lucky resident wins £50 inshopping vouchers.

It only takes a few minutes – if youhaven’t received a card, you canfind the survey online at

.

We’d like to thank everyone for theirco-operation as over the last threeyears, we’ve maintained a 100%, fullcompliance, gas servicing record.We appreciate you all allowingPH Jones access to your homes tocomplete these important safetychecks.

www.yourphp.org.uk/phjonessurvey

3

WHAT’S IN Home

News

Don’t waste

tenancy fraud

new homes approved

hitting the big one!

Introductory tenancies

repairs

Star bakers

Trinidad Village

collections

Want a say?

Mend It Mike

just in

good food!

Understanding

Plans for

Spotlight on…

are go

What am I responsible for?

rise to the challenge

Academy brightens up

Changing

Join a panel!

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.........................................................................................................................8

..............................................................................................................10

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.............................................................................................................14

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At Home | Summer 2016

Say hello to theSupport Team............9

Community gardengoings on ..................6

A look backat 2015/16...............12

Fire up yourBBQ safely...............15

On site at Oakdalenew builds ...............16

Win two weeks’free rent ..................22


NEWS JUST IN

Turlin Moor Bike Club is

back with a bang

Thanks to the support of PHP’s Volunteers service

and Dorset Police, the popular Turlin Moor Bike

Club is running again.

01202 264451

[email protected]

The club, which takes place every Tuesday (4.30-6.30pm)

at the garage behind Egmont Road, gives local children

aged five years and over the opportunity to have their

bike mended for free or even take a recycled bike home

with them.

Children are also encouraged to learn new skills by

having a go at mending bikes themselves. Donations to

the project are gratefully received, so before you think

about disposing of your old bike, please get in touch!

Find out more about the club by calling

or emailing .

Poole Town gets a spring clean

Residents in Poole Town had the opportunity to dispose of

their unwanted household items for free, courtesy of PHP.

www.poole.gov.uk

Our Neighbourhood, Estates and Caretaking teams joined forces

to provide a big skip in Nelson Court car park, and asked

residents to drop off waste items throughout the morning and

early afternoon.

We soon filled the skip with old bikes, mattresses, broken

furniture, carpet and white goods. The team also did a sweep of

the area to pick up any unclaimed items. The exercise followed

the success of a similar clean-up in Turlin Moor last year.

Unfortunately, despite the success of the clean-up, our caretakers

were greeted with more fly-tipped items the very next day. Large

household items need to be disposed in the right way i.e. not

left in communal areas or forced down rubbish chutes. Please

help us keep your neighbourhood clean and tidy by disposing of

unwanted items at the Nuffield Household Waste Recycling

Centre. Check for more info.

We filled a big skip during the Great Poole

Town Spring Clean.

Donations are welcome to the Turlin Moor Bike Club.

5At Home | Summer 2016

Sheltered residents become

Dementia Friends

We showed our support for local people with dementia

by offering free information sessions during Dementia

Awareness Week.

01202 264310

Residents from our sheltered schemes (including Margaret,

Ann, Barbara and Jean, pictured above) had the chance to

earn ‘Dementia Friend’ status. Volunteers rolled out the

sessions, which included watching a specially made online

video and taking part in a dementia-related quiz.

The aim of the Dementia Friends campaign is to develop

better awareness of the condition and help create dementia-

friendly communities across the country. PHP staff also got

involved by taking part in similar information sessions and

even having a go at decorating twiddle mitts – knitted cuffs to

which ribbons, buttons or beads can be sewn to provide an

activity for people with dementia.

Dementia Friends are encouraged to put their learning into

practice by staying in touch with a person with dementia,

volunteering for a dementia organisation, campaigning for

change to improve the lives of people with dementia, or

wearing a Dementia Friends badge and telling people

about the campaign.

Would you like to organise a Dementia Friend session?

Call Claire on . You can get involved in grading your

neighbourhood.

Does your estate make

the grade?

Every year we inspect estates across Poole to

grade the quality of the environment and help

us identify where improvements need to be

made.

www.yourphp.org.uk/gradings

The estates grading process for 2016 is already

underway. It is a joint project between PHP and

residents, set up to increase residents’ satisfaction

with their neighbourhoods, provide a better use

of time and estate management resources, and

improve standards in Borough of Poole.

Estates are graded according to a range of

factors, including grass and shrub maintenance,

the cleanliness of communal areas, whether any

litter, fly-tipping or graffiti is present, and much

more. Grades range from A to D, with A being

outstanding, B being good, C indicating that the

estate requires improvement, and D showing

signs of being unsafe.

We welcome residents’ involvement in the

exercises, as you know and understand where you

live the best. To find out when we’re in your area,

check .


SPRING INTOYOUR COMMUNITYGARDEN

These “New Roots” projects give local

communities the opportunity to grow

fruit and vegetables and learn new

skills, but even more importantly,

bring people together. Here’s a

snapshot of what’s happening across

the town.

Alderney West

Community Garden

At Alderney West, what started as a

handful of raised beds has grown slowly

but surely into a larger project with more

growing space, benches and fruit

growing. For the second year running,

the residents’ group has received a grant

from ‘Grow Wild’ to expand their wild

flower meadow and create some signs.

“At the start, I only really got involved

because I wanted to get us a new play

area,” said Chair, Jane Ford. “I thought

this project might help us with that and it

did, as it helped to prove to the funders

that we were a real community, making

things happen and taking care of our

‘place’. The new play area is the jewel in

the crown but the way the community

garden has brought us all together is

magic.”

The ‘baby’ of the bunch started life at

Sterte Court just last year, where Suzie

(Chair) and Avril (Vice Chair) have formed

an amazing team, organising lots of fun

activities, as well as gardening. The group

benefits from raised beds – installed

during the Sterte Court refurbishment

project – and garden sheds which PHP

supplied via its neighbourhood

improvements scheme.

The committee is now nine-strong

(all women!) and firing on all cylinders.

“We call ourselves a ‘community garden’

but really what we are all about is getting

people of all ages involved in whatever

way suits them,” said Suzie. “Our current

projects include bringing in wildlife,

starting up a ‘book shed’ and turning our

compost bins into giant ‘Minions’!”

While growing food locally is important,

for some people the activities, workshops,

and fun and games are more attractive!

This is particularly true at Turlin Moor,

which has built a great reputation for its

community garden – so much so that

Molly Scott Cato MEP recently made

a special visit.

Chair of Turlin Moor Community Garden,

Marc Collins, said: “People bring all sorts

Sterte Community Garden

Turlin Moor

Community Garden

There’s never been a better time to get out and about in

your community, socialise with your neighbours and enjoy

some freshly grown fruit and veg on your doorstep!

of different skills and interests to our

project. Some are gardeners, but we

also have a carpenter, face painter and a

former Mayor in our ranks! At our events

we might have a cookery workshop, a

bouncy castle, arts and crafts, or a raffle

– there’s something going on for

everyone.”

Residents of all ages have helpeddevelop two wildflower meadows atAlderney West Community Garden.

Turlin Moor Community Garden’ssuccess has attracted the interest ofMEP Molly Scott Cato, who visited inApril this year.


Where arethe gardens?

Find out atwww.yourphp.org.uk/newroots

Poole Town

Community Garden

The Poole Town project is really popular,

due in part to the many flats, without

private gardens, that surround the site.

The garden benefits from an active

residents’ committee which is made up

mainly of parents with young children.

New Chair Holly Fitzgerald said: “I started

going along because I wanted my

daughter Skye to learn about growing veg,

as well as enjoying the outdoors. It has

become a social thing and an important

part of our life, learning and routine.”

Poole Town Community Garden has the

title of growing the biggest crop of

vegetables of all the New Roots schemes.

Residents especially enjoy picking

potatoes, tomatoes, courgettes and herbs.

To get involved in any of the projects

please call Clare on 01202 264316.

Sheltered

New Roots projects

There are smaller-scale community growing

projects at 12 of PHP’s sheltered schemes,

where residents grow an enviable crop

of vegetables and fruit. Residents from

Selby Close (above) scooped the prize for

‘Best community vegetable garden’ in last

year’s PHP gardening competition, with the

judges commending “the great sense of

community effort” that had gone into

developing their space.

Gill Akejder, who has been involved in the

New Roots projects from the start, told us:

“We think of ourselves as a family, which

grows each year, and where the members

support and nurture each other. I think it’s

really enlightened that PHP supports

residents to do these things for themselves,

and I would really encourage residents to

go down and find out what’s going on and

maybe pick up some locally grown beans

or tomatoes at the same time!”

Upcoming

eventsAlderney

Sterte

Turlin Moor

Poole Town

Summer fun andwildflower madness

Harvest time

Gardening, socialising and fun

Cabbage Patch Sale

Summer event

Summer fun and BBQ

Christmas fun for all


Harvest time


Thursday 11th August 2-4pm

Thursday 22nd September4-5.30pm

Every Thursday 4-5.30pm

Saturday 16th July10am-12pm

Saturday 13th August12-2pm

Sunday 10th July 11am-3pm

Sunday 11th December11am-1pm

Every Wednesday 3.15-4.45pm

Saturday 24th September12-2pm

Every Tuesday 3.15-4.45pm


Residents from PHP’s sheltered schemes

are among Poole’s very first Community

Food Members, and accept sizeable

FareShare food deliveries every week.

The food – which usually includes fresh

and in-date fruit, vegetables, meat, baked

items and other sweet and savoury

packaged products – is transformed for

residents to enjoy in the comfort of their

communal dining rooms.

The Community Food Members pay a fee

to cover FareShare’s delivery and staff

costs, returned during regular breakfast

clubs, lunch clubs and evening buffets

which both residents and members of the

local community can attend for a small

donation. Over 1,000 affordable meals

have been served so far.

DON’T WASTEGOOD FOOD!That’s the message from these

PHP residents, who are serving

tasty meals to their friends and neighbours.

Residents who are interested in getting

involved with the project should contact

Claire Wade on or at

.

The breakfast and lunch clubs are open

to anyone over the age of 55. For details,

see .

01202 264310

[email protected]

www.yourphp.org.uk/sheltered

Community-spirited PHP residents are helping to support vulnerable and isolated

local people by serving healthy, affordable meals which have been prepared using

good-quality produce saved from going into landfill.

PHP’s Claire Wadehelps residents accept

their FareShare delivery.

“WE’RE LOOKING FORWARDTO WELCOMING EVENMORE OF OUR NEIGHBOURSTO JOIN US OVER THECOMING MONTHS.IT’S SO EXCITING!”

FareShare supports vulnerable people in

our society. The food supply organisation

takes thousands of tonnes of so-called

‘surplus’ food and redistributes it around

the country, where it is used by charities

and community groups to help feed those

who need it.

Community Food Member Gill Akejder

told : “FareShare is such a great

idea. The first meal we served was

gammon, new potatoes, green beans,

carrots and parsley sauce – and the only

things we had to buy were the potatoes!

We also had yogurt and fresh fruit for

dessert. We’re looking forward to

welcoming even more of our neighbours

to join us over the coming months. It’s so

exciting!”

At Home

INTRODUCING...THE SUPPORT TEAM

Sarah

GailLynne Mara

Lesley

Janet

Felicity


The Support Team is a newly launched service, which aims to help residents sustain theirtenancies and empower them to live independently in their homes.

Who is in the Support Team?

What does the Support Team do?

There are seven Support Officers in the Support Team: Sarah,

Gail, Felicity, Lesley, Janet, Lynne and Mara, who previously

worked in sheltered housing roles (so you’ll probably recognise

them!) Following a review of the wider Housing Management

Team, the Support Officers are now based at Beech House, but

spend most of their time visiting residents in their homes.

The Support Team offers advice and practical support regarding

money and budgeting, property condition and other tenancy-

related issues. The Support Officers create support plans and

plan individual assessments to ensure residents have access to an

appropriate level of assistance, directing them to specialist help

if required. They each have specialisms in relevant areas such as

mental health issues and dementia, which allows them to provide

appropriate support and link in effectively with other services.

When am I likely to see the Support Team?

How can I get in touch with the Support

Team?

Clients are usually referred to the service and will have a named

Support Officer visit them on an agreed basis to help them

resolve their problems. The officers create support plans which

detail what help will be provided and for how long; when the

support is now longer required, it is offered to another client who

may need it.

You can contact any member of the team on or

by email at .

0800 652 3900

[email protected]


Very often, residents will notice suspicious activity first, so If

you suspect tenancy fraud, please tell us (completely

confidentially) so we can investigate. Here’s a quick look at

some common ways tenancy fraud can happen.

is when a resident lets out their home (at

a much higher rent) without PHP’s knowledge or permission.

It is unlawful and unfair to sublet and to profit from a property

which should go to someone on the housing register.

Sometimes a resident is paid to pass on their keys in return for

a one-off payment to someone who then takes over the

tenancy illegally. This is called .

When a person gets a council house by giving false

information on their application, they are

.

Unlawful subletting

key selling

obtaining housing

by deception

UNDERSTANDINGTENANCY FRAUDIf you suspect someone in your

community is in breach of their tenancy

agreement, we want to hear about it.

Wrongly claimed succession

0800 652 3900

is where a family member who

is not entitled, tries to take over a tenancy when a resident

dies. For example, they might say they lived with the resident

before they died, when in fact they were living elsewhere.

If you’d like to find out more about tenancy fraud, please

contact the Housing Management Team on .

We’re working to tackle tenancy fraud in Poole.

PLANS FOR NEW HOMESAPPROVEDPoole is set to benefit from 62 brand new

affordable homes at Canford Heath.

Borough of Poole’s Planning Committee has approved our

application to build 62 new homes on Canford Heath Road

at the former Gravel Hill Police Station site.

The development, a joint project between Borough of Poole

and PHP, which will be 100% affordable housing, will provide

56 general needs flats and six supported flats. A proportion

of the flats will be made available on the rent-to-buy scheme,

meaning some residents will have the opportunity to purchase

their property after five years.

The flats will be built in three blocks and in response to the

comments received during the public consultation process the

building façade design was altered to soften its appearance

within the context of the site. The site plan for block ‘C’ was also

revisited resulting in 13 fewer trees now requiring removal.

Cllr Peter Pawlowski, Chairman of the Planning Committee,

Borough of Poole, said: “Members of the Planning Committee

approved this application to provide much needed affordable

housing in Poole. Following a thorough examination of all of

the planning issues the committee overwhelmingly supported

the application.”

Cllr Karen Rampton, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing and

Community Services, Borough of Poole, added: “Enabling the

development of affordable housing in Poole is a top priority for

the council and this scheme will help provide 62 urgently

needed properties.”

The new homes will be a mixture of one and two

bedroom flats, with parking for residents and visitors.

It’s the end of another very busy financial year for the Your Money Team.

“THE TEAM PROVIDES A GO-TORESOURCE FOR ADVICE AND SUPPORTTHAT’S TAILORED TO YOUR SITUATION.”

SPOTLIGHT ON...HITTING THE BIG ONE!


PHP’s financial inclusion service has been celebrating

after reaching a major milestone in its efforts to

support residents across Poole.

In the last financial year (April 2015 to March 2016) the

Your Money Team successfully identified £1,120,275 in

additional income and energy savings for Poole residents,

which averages over £4,000 per household (this is made

up of various benefits, including those relating to health,

housing and work).

The team works with both PHP residents and others in

Borough of Poole to increase their income, mostly by

checking people’s benefit entitlements and helping them

complete the necessary paperwork.

There are many strings to the team’s bow, but one of their

strongest skills is helping residents untangle and make

sense of their debts, and support them to becoming debt

free. As budgets are being squeezed, our advisors Cath,

Matt and Michelle can work with you to improve your

budgeting skills and help you manage your money with

practical ideas and support.

Making sense of debt

Benefits advice and support

There have been many changes in the benefits system in

recent years, including the introduction of Universal Credit

and the spare room subsidy (bedroom tax), plus the

change of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal

Independence Payment (PIP), to name just a few. There

are more changes ahead, so the team provides a go-to

resource for advice and support that’s tailored to your

situation.

Welfare Benefits Advisor, Michelle Butler, said:

“We provide a free service for all residents of Poole, at

PHP’s main office or in your home. We are a very busy

team, so when you contact us, please provide us with as

much notice as possible, especially if you need help

completing your benefit forms.”

Get in touch with usWeb:

Email:

Phone:

www.yourphp.org.uk/yourmoney

[email protected]

0800 652 900

The Your Money Team can help you...• Access benefits you may be entitled to.

• Tackle you debts and approach trustworthy lenders.

• Work out a budget and help you stick to it.

• Sort out your household finances.

12

Whata year!

To celebrate another successful12 months, full of events,

resident involvement activities,neighbourhood improvementsand other great work across

Poole, here’s a look at some ofour highlights from 2015/16.

You’ll find lots more at

www.yourphp.org.uk

At Home | Summer 2016

WE HELPEDPOOLE PARKCELEBRATE ITS

125BIRTHDAY

th

was celebratedfor “creating

greener homesand reducingfuel poverty”

The new-lookSterte Court

40volunteersLENT US AHELPING HAND

6new

homesstartedtakingshape inOakdale

Our newhomes atOld Farm

Roadfeatured

in the UK’s

TOPSIXTYDEVELOPMENTS

Our residents’gardeningcompetition

made a comeback!

Intr

oducto

ry tenancies

came into effect

in

January

201

6

4residentinvolvementpanels

helped usdevelop andimprove ourservices

We dealt with

36%fewerASB

cases thisyear than last

The Your Money Teamidentified over

in additional incomeand utility savings

£1m

members of staffreceived firesafety training

51R

ES

IDE

NTS

GOT INVOLVED

IN

TH

E

GREAT TURLIN

M

OO

RT

IDY

UP

residents

smallerhomes

We helped

40move to

Whata year!

To celebrate another successful12 months, full of events,

resident involvement activities,neighbourhood improvementsand other great work across

Poole, here’s a look at some ofour highlights from 2015/16.

You’ll find lots more at

www.yourphp.org.uk


&We installed

100new kitchens

41new bathrooms

Over 1400 residentsgot stuck into

160 comm

unity

food-growing

eve

nts

andactivitie

s

Our

rent

collection

reach

ed

99.1%

The Mayor ofPoole opened

the refurbished

BelmontCourt

& sensory garden

TheSustain Team helped

210residents avoidhomelessness

TrinidadVillageextra carescheme

topped out

100%OF OUR ESTATESWERE GRADED BYSTAFF AND RESIDENTS

raised money to helppeople with dementia

10 communityfood membersaccepted regular

deliveries

Residents’satisfactionwith our repairsservice reached

95.5%

expenditure

income

Other service costs

£1,047,000

Management

£3,542,000

Repairs and maintenance

£2,982,000

Overhead costs

£772,000

Management fee

£8,447,000Other income

£447,000


New PHP residents are being issued with introductory

tenancies, to encourage people to look after their homes

and respect their neighbourhoods.

Sometimes known as ‘starter’ tenancies, introductory tenancies

are used by the majority of social landlords, and following

feedback from existing residents, we’re pleased to say the same

process is now in place at PHP.

Tenancies are reviewed after 12 months, and providing residents

have satisfactorily maintained it during that time (i.e paid their

rent on time and kept their home in a good condition), it will

automatically be converted to a ‘secure’ tenancy.

If we have reason to believe a tenancy isn’t being satisfactorily

maintained, we may extend an introductory tenancy by six

months. We will then take the decision whether to convert the

introductory tenancy to a secure tenancy, or end the tenancy

completely.

Jo Mare, PHP Housing Manager, said: “Experience has shown

that introductory tenancies encourage residents to look after their

homes and respect their neighbourhoods. They will also allow us

to emphasise the value of secure tenancies as something to

aspire towards during the first 12 months of the tenancy. A lot of

existing residents have asked us to consider bringing introductory

tenancies in, so we’re thankful for their comments and

involvement in the process.”

Only new PHP residents (i.e. those who are moving in to a

Borough of Poole home for the first time) will be issued with

introductory tenancies. If you are an existing PHP resident, you

won’t be affected by the change. New residents will have the

same rights as those with secure tenancies, although restrictions

will apply regarding right-to-buy and mutual exchange

applications and the ability to make changes to the home.

INTRODUCTORYTENANCIES ARE GOFrom January this year, we’ve been issuing a new kind of tenancy.

INTRODUCTORY TENANCY WORD SEARCHHow many introductory tenancy-themed words can you find?

Word list

R E P A B T R I

E X T E N D E M

N C A R R M F P

T H D E I U S R

R A D P A T N O

A N O P P U A V

P G T A E A R E

S E P I R L T C

Repair

Improve

Mutual

Exchange

Transfer

Add

Partner

RTB

Extend


FIRE UP THEBBQ SAFELYWith the summer months here at last,many of us will be cooking our dinneron the barbecue – but make sure youread these tips first!

Barbecuing is a popular summer social activity, but onewhich requires thought and preparation to keep you andyour family safe this summer, come rain or shine!Here’s some useful advice:

Always position thebarbecue on a level site,

away from wooden fencing,sheds and hedges.

Use firelighters or barbecuefuel to light the coals.

Never use petrol or paraffin.

Keep children and pets wellaway from the cooking area

and never leave thebarbecue unattended.

Don’t place thebarbecue on dry

grass or vegetation.

In case the fire gets out ofhand, have a bucket of water

or garden hose to hand.

Don’t move the barbecue until it iscompletely cool, and make sureany remaining charcoal is coldbefore disposing of it carefully.

Be careful when grilling fattyfoods, as the fat can cause

the coals to flare up.

Never use a barbecueindoors or inside a tent asthey produce potentiallylethal carbon monoxide.

If you live in a block of flats pleasedo not use a barbecue on any

communal or individual balcony.If you wish to BBQ in a communalgarden please be considerate ofyour neighbours and ensure youclear up when you have finished.

Make sure your gas barbecueis correctly serviced and that

all joints are tightened,safe and secure.

You can read more informationat .

Alternatively, please contactClaire Starmer, Estates Services

Officer, on .

www.dwfire.org.uk

01202 264319


We’re responding to the demand

for affordable housing in Poole by

developing six new homes in Oakdale.

Why were these sites chosen?

Last year, we completed work on eight

homes: six in Bearwood and two close to

the current sites in Oakdale – so we’re really

pleased to be able to meet the needs of

more Poole residents with two new

developments.

We spoke to Project Manager David Hood

about the builds and the exciting features

which the new residents will benefit from.

The site at Dale Close used to be a

residents’ drying area, but it was felt the

large space had potential for much better

use. Similarly, the site at Dale Valley Road

was identified as perfect for development

as the former garage blocks were

unattractive and underused. Both sites

were of sufficient size to accommodate the

builds, equipment and site offices, and

accept deliveries without inconveniencing

local residents.

Tell us about some of the features?

What ‘green’ aspects have been

included?

The houses will benefit from private

gardens and driveways, and the flats will

have a communal garden plus allocated

parking. Each of the houses has three

bedrooms and the flats have one

bedroom.

All the homes have been designed with

energy efficiency very much in mind.

Following a successful pilot at Old Farm

Road, the flats at Dale Close benefit from

the innovative Minus7 heating system,

where heat from the roof is processed by

exchangers and stored in hot and cold

storage tanks. (The bespoke

endothermic roof panels took just two

and a half days to install!) The system also

houses a heat pump which upgrades the

available heat in the cold store before

transferring it to the hot store.

The flats feature a mini-district heating

system of underfloor heating. The

technology ensures the homes meet

Code Level 4 of the government’s national

standard for sustainable design and

construction.

Photovoltaic panels have been fitted to

the roofs of the two houses at Dale Valley

Road, plus technology which uses surplus

electricity to heat the hot water tank. The

solar panels have a lifespan of over 35 years

and we expect the energy-efficiency

measures to deliver significant fuel savings

for residents.

Based on the systems already in place at

other new PHP homes, we expect residents

to save up to 70% on their energy bills,

compared to using traditional gas central

heating, thereby helping to reduce harmful

carbon emissions.

The homes will be allocated to residents in

the usual way, via Borough of Poole’s

housing register.

How much money will residents save?

Who will move into the homes?

It’s an exciting time in Poole as the newest set of Council homes continues totake shape. We visited both sites to peek inside the builds and bring you thelatest news and images.

ON SITE IN OAKDALE

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Images (from left to right):

1. Two new homes have solarpanels fitted to the roofs.

2. Inside a new flat at Dale Close.

3. Four one-bedroom homesoccupy a former drying area.

4. The kitchen in a new homeat Dale Valley Road.

5. Work continues to fit out theinside of one of the flats.

6. Each of the Dale Valley Roadhomes has three bedrooms.

How long will the build take?

What have we done to support local

residents while the build in ongoing?

Both builds started in January and are

expected to be finished by the end of

October this year. Residents should be

able to move in from November.

The site manager has been operating an

‘open door’ policy throughout the project

and welcomes questions or queries from

local residents as the build progresses.

We’ve received some wonderful

comments so far, including a resident

from Dale Close who told us the

contractor “has been wonderful” and

“the site manager was friendly and

understanding” which is great to hear!

Are more new homes planned?

We were recently granted planning

permission to develop 62 new homes on

the former Gravel Hill Police Station site

on Canford Heath Road. A proportion of

the flats will be made available on the

rent-to-buy scheme, meaning some

residents will have the opportunity to

purchase their property after five years.

We’ll be going through a tender process

first and then we’ll have an idea of when

work can start on site.

“WE EXPECTRESIDENTS TOSAVE UP TO70% ON THEIRENERGY BILLS.”

Project Manager David checks onprogress at Dale Close, where fournew homes are being built.

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WHAT REPAIRS AM IRESPONSIBLE FOR?While PHP takes care of the outside of your home, most of the internal features areyour responsibility. Here’s your quick reference guide to your repairs responsibilities.As your landlord, we are on hand to help and provide advice on repairing and maintaining the structure, fixtures and exterior

of your home.

These jobs are usually carried out by a PHP contractor, having been notified of the fault via our Helpdesk Team. However, unless you

are a sheltered resident, some of the more minor repairs and improvements are your responsibility.

Internal door handles and catches

Air filters and gauze air vents

Electric light bulbs and fluorescenttubes, plugs and fuses to appliances

Cookers

Extractor fans

including those to kitchen units

including filters to cooker hoods

(you must clean the filters and covers)

Broken windowor door glass

(unless you have aPolice Crime Report

Number)

Sweeping ofchimneys

Dustbins

Fencing

Gates, gate latches and hinges

Clothes posts, rotary dryersand washing lines

(unless backs onto a public highway)

(we will replace those providedand for communal use)

Shower fittings

Plugs and chains

Lavatory seats

Tap washers

to baths, sinks and basins

Pelmets, battensand curtain fixings

Minor cracks andholes to plaster

Internal decoration

(this is decorative,to be done by you)

Blocked wastepipes, gullies,

traps and drains(we will charge to

unblock if asked toattend more than

once in 12 months)

Batteries forsmoke detectors

TV and other aerials

(unless mains supplied)

(we will only repaircommunal systems)

Replacing locks

Lost or broken keys

Letterbox plates

(where keys are lost)

(locks to houses, flats,sheds and garages)

This is just an overview of some of the main repairs you are responsible

for. To read a full list, and download a copy of our

, please visit .www.yourphp.org.uk/repairs

Guide to repairs in

your home


STAR BAKERS RISETO THE CHALLENGEResidents got their rolling pins at the ready forThe Great PHP Bake Off.Cake baking enthusiasts cooked up a

storm – and raised £150 to help people

with dementia – during The Great PHP

Bake Off.

Inspired by the BBC show, the inaugural

event was organised to encourage PHP

residents over the age of 55 to show off

their culinary skills and have fun.

We welcomed over 60 residents and

members of the public to Simmonds

Close sheltered scheme in Oakdale to

taste some of the delights and donate

to PHP’s Creative Arts for Dementia

programme.

Head Chef of Patisserie Mark Bennett,

Tom Mann, stepped in to Mary Berry

and Paul Hollywood’s shoes to judge the

competition. We presented trophies and

food vouchers to star bakers in each

category.

Mel Ingram was named overall star baker

for his full English breakfast in a pastry pie,

winning a trophy, food vouchers and a

specially commissioned, one-of-a-kind

The Great PHP Bake Off apron!

Claire Wade, PHP Community

Involvement Officer, said that Tim judged

all the entries in the competition before

choosing a deserving winner. She added:

“Tim ran an interesting Q&A where he

offered bakers advice on avoiding soggy

bottoms and preparing perfect Yorkshire

puds.”

Proceeds from the event were donated to

Creative Arts for Dementia, a PHP-run arts

project which supports people who have

recently been diagnosed with dementia,

or are experiencing early symptoms of the

illness. The initiative is the first of its kind

in Poole and runs alongside an additional

creative programme which supports

carers’ well-being.

With stores in Lower Parkstone, Penn Hill

and Lilliput, Patisserie Mark Bennett was

named Britain’s Best Bakery in the south

of England in 2012. Managing Director

Mark was named Baker of the Year at the

Baking Industry Awards in 2014. He was

famously approached to make the

wedding cake for the Duke and Duchess

of York when they married in 1986.

Tim Mann from PatisserieMark Bennett joins residentsat The Great PHP Bake Off.

CONGRATULATIONSTO OUR STAR BAKERS!

Overall star bakerMel Ingram

(pictured above with Tim Mann)

Best individual cake

Best large cake

Best biscuits

Best sweet pastry

Pamela Mosley

Tony Sampson

Denise Pitt

Nancy Mullins


ACADEMY BRIGHTENS UPTRINIDAD VILLAGEStudents from St Aldhelm’s Academy have unveiled

artwork they created to decorate the outside of Trinidad

Village, a new extra care scheme which is currently under

development in Rossmore.

PHP, which is developing the 54-unit scheme with Borough of

Poole, approached St Aldhelm’s Academy with the creative

challenge last year. The aim was to brighten up the site surround

and provide a colourful street scene while the construction work

is underway.

A total of eight students spent their school enrichment sessions

liaising with PHP about the sort of images they would like to see

decorate the hoardings and creating the artwork. They decided

on the theme of “changing seasons.”

Year 9 student Mya Black was involved in the project from start

to finish. Maya said: “It was a great project to be a part of

because not only was it fun, but we knew we were doing

something good for the community. We wanted to make

people happy with our pictures and I think we’ve done that.

They look really good and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”

If you take a wander past our site, you may notice some changes to the hoardings!

Trinidad Village recently marked reaching the highest point in its

development with a topping out ceremony attended by staff

from PHP, Borough of Poole and Drew Smith Group. When

finished, the extra care scheme will offer enhanced support and

facilities to help adults with care needs live independently in

their own homes. Residents will benefit from a designated team

of care workers, available 24 hours a day, when the building

opens at the end of 2016.

The development will include a central courtyard for residents to

enjoy, as well as a restaurant and hairdressers that both residents

and the local community will be able to make use of. More

information is available at .www.yourphp.org.uk/trinidad

St Aldhlem’s Academy students Summer, Callum, Mya and Amy with their artwork.

“WE WANTED TO MAKEPEOPLE HAPPY WITH OURPICTURES AND I THINKWE’VE DONE THAT.”


Last year, we introduced four panels which meet on aregular basis to discuss different aspects of PHP’s work.

The meetings have been really successful, so we’re giving moreresidents the opportunity to join. Each panel has a special focus:

The Home Panel looks at issues such as repairs andmaintenance, major works, energy efficiency and adaptations.

The Tenancy Panel discusses anti-social behaviour, housingdemand and tenancy management.

The Neighbourhood and Community Panel focuses oncommunal grounds and communal cleaning, fire safety andthe environment.

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CHANGING COLLECTIONSAlternate bin collections will soon operate across Borough of Poole.

From Autumn 2016 all Poole residents will receive an alternate weekly bin collection service.

Borough of Poole is in the process of redesigning bincollection routes where black bins will be collected oneweek and blue bins the next.

Most residents will be able to manage with their current binsize. However, extra bin space can be requested if yourhousehold has any of the following:

• Six or more permanent residents.• Five residents with a child in nappies.• Three or more children in nappies.• Residents with medical needs that create extra waste.

You can apply for extra bin space online ator call

. Only official applications will be consideredand assessed on an individual basis.

PHP will work with Borough of Poole to ensure those sharingcommunal bins are able to manage the changes.

It’s easy to keep up to date by clicking the “email me” signup button at and subscribe to “wasteand recycling”.

www.poole.gov.uk/alternateweeklycollections01202 261700

www.poole.gov.uk

REDUCEYOUR WASTETransform last night’s dinner into a tastylunch or treat using great recipes at

Help your garden grow by compostingfood waste. Home compost bins areavailable from

Apply for a fortnightly garden wasteservice at

Textiles can also be bagged and droppedinto a recycling bank. Find your nearest at

www.lovefoodwaste.com

www.poole.gov.uk/compost

www.poole.gov.uk/gardenwaste

www.poole.gov.uk/recyclingbanks

WANT A SAY?JOIN A PANEL!Our resident involvement panels providea great way for you to influence decisionmaking at PHP.

• The Tenant Involvement & Empowerment Panel hasresponsibility for compliments and complaints (and whatwe can learn from them), plus consultation with residentson important issues both locally and nationally.

We also provide support and training for residents who wouldlike to be part of a group looking at a specific area of our serviceand reporting on recommendations to our Board of Directors,called resident-led scrutiny.

Interested? Please call the Resident Involvement Team onor email .01202 264422 [email protected]

Our involved residents receive support and training as partof their roles.


You could enjoy an additional rent-free fortnight by

entering our latest residents’ competition.

We’re celebrating the start of summer by offering one lucky reader the

chance to win two weeks’ free rent!

WIN TWO WEEKS’ FREE RENT!

Terms & conditions

1. This competition is open to PHP residents only.

2. One entry per household.

3. You are welcome to report more than one repaironline before the closing date but only the firstreport will count as your competition entry.

4. Multiple entries will not be accepted.

5. One winner will be selected at random and theeditor’s decision is final. No correspondence will beentered into.

6. The winner’s rent account will be credited with thevalue of two weeks’ (14 days) rent. There will be nocash equivalent.

7. The winner may be asked to participate in furtherPHP promotional activities, if and when they arise.

Just think of what you could do with a bit of

extra money in your pocket – maybe enjoy

a day trip, treat a family member to

something special, or spruce up your home

or garden?

Any PHP resident who reports a repair using

on online Report It tool between now and

will be entered into

a draw to win this one-off prize.

Head to

when you next need to report a repair in

your home, complete all the details as fully

as you can, and hit Submit. We’ll record

Sunday 31st July 2016

www.yourphp.org.uk/repairsyour submission and add your name to the

hat when we draw the winner during the

first week in August.

Good luck!

Don’t worry – free computer

facilities are available at all Borough

of Poole libraries, including Poole

Central Library in the Dolphin

Centre. Computer training and

‘buddy’ drop-in sessions also take

place in libraries across the town.

Call or call into any

library for more information.

01202 262449

Don’t have accessto the internet?

MEND IT MIKEPHP’s Director of Technical Services helps you get togrips with maintenance issues around your home.

Remember you can report repairs in your home via the PHP website.

Please go to www.yourphp.org.uk/repairs

We receive lots of calls from residents concerned that their windows are stiff, jam when

closing or won’t open at all. Sending one of our contractors to sort them out is often

unnecessary, and expensive.

Believe it or not... just a few drops of three-in-one oil will keep your windows operating

smoothly. Follow these steps:

1. Open the window as far as it will go – there’s no need to force it.

2. Apply the oil as shown in the photos. Pay particular attention to the hinges and clasps.

3. Gently close the window a couple of time, allowing the oil to do its job. If you don’t

have any oil, washing up liquid will do the trick!

4. If the problem persists, please contact our

Customer Service Team on .0800 652 3900 Mike/

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Some words of advice:•

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Wipe clean the parts of your windows that get exposed when open or closed.

This will get rid of grime, dust, debris and dead bugs.

Always make sure the drainage channels are free and clear of any blockages.

Regularly clean the glass panes and UPVC with warm soapy water and wipe dry.

Never use paste or cream cleaners. They can be abrasive and scratch your windows.

Never paint UPVC window frames.

Never use bleach, solvents or adhesives on your windows.

Then we want you!

We need one resident and one leaseholder to become members of our Board of Directors. You willjoin a 15-strong team of residents, council nominees and independent specialists who work togetherto lead on the strategic direction of PHP.

Our Board Members work on a voluntary basis, so you won’t be paid for membership or attendanceat meetings, but you will be paid for any out-of-pocket expenses. Board Members also benefit froma comprehensive training and development programme. All we ask is for a time commitment ofaround three hours per month.

Phone:Email:Web:

Interested?

Want to find out more? Contact us by Friday 22nd July 2016.

01202 [email protected]/board

BOARD MEMBERS WANTED!Would you like to help PHP continue to deliver excellent services?

Do you feel passionately about representing your fellow residents?

Are you good at articulating residents’ issues and finding solutions?

at home summer 2016

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