Summer 2011 | Issue 4

INSIDEz Tenantconference

z TaiCalon’sfirstAnnualGeneralMeeting

z CitizensAdviceBureau

z Don’tloseyourpossessions

z Don’trisklosingyourhome

z Energysavingtips

www.taicalon.orgfacebook.com/taicalon @taicalon

heartof the matter

If you would like to contact Tai Calon you can phone us on 0300 303 1717

If you wish to report a repair, enquire about your rent, or would like to speak to a member of staff from Tai Calon please telephone 0300 303 1717

Or you can: Write to or visit us at: Solis One Rising Sun Industrial Estate Blaina NP13 3JW

Email us: info@taicalon.org

Contentsz Another Successful Antisocial Behaviour p3

Injunction for Tai Calon

z How complaints have helped us to improve our service p4

z We want to hear your compliments, comments p5and complaints

z Energy Saving Tips p6

z Happy 1st Birthday To Us!! p8

z Beat the loan sharks – bite back! p9

z Team Tai Calon Win! p10

z Don’t lose your possessions p11

z Equalities Panel p12

z Are you paying by Direct Debit yet? p13

z Free Money Advice p14

z Tai Calon Contractors line up to recruit young people p15

z Citizens Advice Bureau p16

z Our ‘Great Neighbourhood Walkabout’ programme p19

z Tenants Celebrate Tai Calon’s First Birthday p20

z Don’t Risk Losing Your Home p22

We want to hear from you!

Contact us

Here at Tai Calon, we work to listen and learn from everything you tell us and we use your feedback to make sure we improve our services.

As part of that process, we sent you a copy of our Tenant Census survey at the end of last year, to complete and return.

Have you completed and returned your copy? If not, please do, as the information you give us is vital for improving our service to you.

Have you returned your tenancy agreement?

We’d also like to take this opportunity to remind you, that if you haven’t returned a signed copy of your completed Tenancy Agreement to us, please do so as soon as possible!

Send your completed tenant census and tenancy agreements to:

Tai Calon, Solis One, Rising Sun Industrial Estate, Blaina NP13 3JW

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Tai Calon’s antisocial behaviour team managed to secure another successful injunction at the end of July against an Abertillery man, following a serious assault on a Tai Calon tenant from the Brynawelon area of Nantyglo.

Tai Calon sought the injunction, following the attack carried out on the evening of the 14th of July, which was witnessed by several neighbours.

The incident caused such alarm, that residents from the estate visited Tai Calon’s offices the following morning to express their concerns. Details of the alleged assault were taken by a member of the antisocial behaviour team, and it was felt that immediate legal action was necessary to stop any further problems for the victim and the wider community.

The interim court order was granted with the power of arrest attached, preventing the defendant from entering the Brynawelon estate. A full court hearing followed and the injunction was successfully granted for two years.

The order was amended so that the defendant can’t go on the Brynawelon estate and cause nuisance or annoyance to any person in the locality of Brynawelon. The order will also prevent the defendant approaching or attempting to communicate with our tenant wherever she’s living.

Tai Calon is committed to ensuring that any antisocial behaviour problems are dealt with as quickly as possible, to ensure the safety and well being of its tenants and their neighbourhoods.

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‘Another Successful Antisocial Behaviour Injunction for Tai Calon’

On some occasions major problems were encountered, which sometimes even required whole systems to be replaced. This resulted in some properties not being habitable causing considerable problems for the new tenants. This pattern of events was identified from the analysis of complaints received from tenants, and a mini Service Improvement project was started.

As a consequence of this Service Improvement project our process has been amended. The gas installations are now safety tested at the end of the old tenancy whilst the supplies are still connected. This gives us the opportunity where necessary, to replace the old systems during the period when the property is being prepared for the new tenant. So now, tenants do not need

to worry about encountering major problems with the gas installation, when they receive the keys to their new home. This prevents the tenancy start date being delayed, which means that tenants can move in as planned without any inconvenience.

How complaints have helped us to improve our serviceWhen a new tenant receives the keys to their new home, they are given a few days to prepare and move into the property. One of the items that the tenant needs to sort out during this period is the utilities supplies. Once they have a gas supply, Tai Calon is able to carry out its statutory Landlord safety checks on the gas installation.

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We want to hear your compliments, comments and complaints

Tell us about itTai Calon Community Housing (TCCH) is committed to providing quality housing and services. To do this we need to know what you think we do well and what you think we could do better. We know that in any service things can go wrong and when they do we need you to tell us about it. That way you can help us to improve our service for all our tenants.

If you like somethingIf you think we are doing something well or that staff are giving great service, please tell us. Compliments and comments will help staff know they are doing well and that their efforts are worthwhile. Everything you say will be passed on to the people concerned. All you have to do is to decide how to contact us - see back page for available options. We will do the rest.

If you don’t like somethingIf you want to make a complaint about any part of our service please make sure that we are the first to know. You may want to complain:

• About any part of our service you are not happy with;

• If there is a service you think you need that we do not offer;

• If you feel you have been treated unfairly or rudely by TCCH staff.

Making a complaintWe will make it as easy as possible for you to make a complaint.

You can complain in person, by letter, phone, fax, text, email or simply by using the attached form. Whichever way you choose to make your views known, we will make a note of what you say and handle your complaint in an honest, open and confidential manner.

Stage 1

We will write to you within 2 working days of receipt and tell you who is dealing with your complaint, what happens next and how long it will take to deal with it. We will investigate what you have said and let you know in writing our response within 10 working days of receipt. In the unlikely event that this is not possible, we will contact you to explain why and agree when you will get a written response.

If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you will need to explain to us why and then the complaint moves on to Stage 2.

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Stage 2

A Director will review the case and look into what you are saying. He or she will reply to you in writing within 10 working days of receipt. If you are still not satisfied, then your complaint will be moved on to Stage 3.

Stage 3

The stage 3 investigation will be carried out by the Board Complaints Panel. The hearing is to be held within 10 working days from receipt of your request unless you wish to attend and cannot do so within that timescale. It must, however, be held with 15 working days of receipt of your request. A full written response will be sent to you within 5 working days of the Panel hearing.

If you are still not satisfiedIf you are still not happy with the outcome of your complaint you can take the matter further to the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales. This service is independent and investigates complaints against public bodies in Wales. We will give you all the information you need on how to complain to the Ombudsman if you decide to do this.

If you would like more information regarding our complaints process, please call Chris Roche, Monitoring & Liaison Officer, on

0300 303 1717Email us at:complaints@taicalon.orgcompliments@taicalon.orgcomments@taicalon.org

In this issue we focus on tips for reducing your electricity bill.

So how can you reduce your electricity usage?

• Switch to energy efficient light bulbs – They may not look conventional but each bulb can save you on average £2.50 a year – and by swapping all the light bulbs in your home for energy saving ones you could save around £37 per year. Although they can cost more to buy they will use approximately 80% less electricity for the same amount of light, and they can last up to twelve times longer.

• Be aware of your tumble dryer usage – Many people need the use of a tumble dryer particularly with the Welsh weather conditions! However, just be mindful that one load costs a minimum of 60p, so cutting out just 1 load per week is going to save you nearly £30 per year. Could you cut your usage further? Take advantage of sunny days anddry outside as much as possible.

• Cut out standby – Appliances left on standby can still use 33% of the energy that it takes to keep them on. The average household wastes around £40 per year by leaving appliances on stand by. Turn appliances off at the plug; you can also use a Standby Saver product; the standby saver will turn off the appliances plugged into it when you turn off the TV with the remote.

• Only boil as much water as you need when using a kettle. If everyone done this we would save enough electricity to power two thirds of the UK’s street lighting.

Energy Saving Tips

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In the present economic climate and with energy prices set to rise again we can all try and become more energy efficient and aware in our homes, not only saving money every month but also reducing our carbon footprint on the environment.

• Don’t leave your mobile phone on charge all night. It will only take a couple of hours to charge the phone fully. Many people also leave the charger plugged in without their mobile connected. There is a device available the enviroplug that is designed to stop you from wasting energy when charging your mobile phone. You plug your phone charger into the enviroplug and it detects when your battery is full or mobile isn’t connected and shuts off the power accordingly. This device could cut the amount of electricity your mobile phone charger uses by 90%: that’s enough power to watch TV for 19 days or boil a kettle more than 100 times.

• When using the washing machine, between 85-90% of energy is used just to heat up the water. Therefore, dropping the water temperature of your wash could significantly decrease your energy consumption. Over a year, by using a warm wash rather than a hot wash, you could cut your consumption by half.

• Only use your washing machine when you have a full load, if you have to do a smaller wash use the half load function. The spin on the machine may mean that more energy is used but by spinning your clothes you are removing more excess water, therefore reducing your drying time in a tumble dryer.

• Buy Energy Efficient Appliances – technology these days means products can be much more cost effective and can literally save you money while you sleep. When your old appliances see its last days, its worth investing in a highly efficient product, for example an energy efficient Fridge/Freezer alone can save £35 per year versus an inefficient one. The energy efficiency rating (an example is shown below) is by law provided on all refrigeration and laundry appliances, dishwashers, electric ovens and light bulb packaging. The label rates products from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient) and for refrigeration the EU label goes up to A++. The most energy efficient products also carry the energy saving recommended logo shown:

Welsh Water Assist

If yours is a low income household and you have a large family (3 or more children under the age of 19 in full time education) or a family member with a medical condition that requires the use of a significant amount of extra water you may qualify for Welsh Water Assist. Welsh Water Assist provides financial assistance to qualifying households by capping the water charges.

If you would like to find out if you qualify for Welsh water Assistance the Income Team at Tai Calon will be happy to help with your enquiry.

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You can contact the Income Team on:

0300 303 1717

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Tai Calon Community Housing Annual General Meeting

Date: Thursday 22 September 2011

Time: 4pm, refreshments from 3.30pm

Location: Beaufort Ballroom, Beaufort Rd, Beaufort Hill, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5QQ

Contact Jayne Lewis:

0300 303 1717 to book your place.

Are you a tenant of Tai Calon Community Housing?

You are invited to attend our first Annual General Meeting. This is your opportunity to find out how we’ve been doing and what our

plans are for the next year.

To celebrate our 1st birthday, the Executive team made it into the office extra early to serve tea, coffee and Tai Calon cup cakes in our canteen, as a special ‘Thank You’ to staff for all their hard work over the past year.

Our Chief Executive, Jen Barfoot personally thanked staff by saying, “Thank you each and every one for the contributions you have made this 1st year. By working together we have made a real difference to so many lives across Blaenau Gwent, and there is so much more to do. Here’s to many more years!”

Happy 1st Birthday To Us!!

The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) is warning tenants and residents not to make the mistake of turning to illegal lenders – male or female.

IMLU was set up by central government at the end of 2007 to search out and prosecute loan sharks throughout Wales. It operates as part of Trading Standards. Illegal lenders operate without a consumer credit licence and prey on people who are at their most vulnerable – whether its due to poverty or debt, or difficulties in their lives such as addiction or health problems.

‘Loan sharks’ will rip you off!

They will trap borrowers by charging extortionate interest (IMLU say that 150,000% APR is not unheard of!) and add on penalty payments as and when they want.

“ ‘Sharks’ don’t give you paperwork explaining the terms of the loan, and you have to keep paying them back until they decide you can stop. They may appear friendly when they offer you the loan, and when you pay - it’s when you can’t pay that you see the other side of them”, explains Steven Hay, IMLU manager.

But it can get even worse! Loan sharks use threats and sometimes violence to make sure their victims keep paying. One loan shark has been imprisoned indefinitely for rape

and blackmail. Steven warns that the helpful person who offers to lend you some cash may not be such a good guy.

IMLU warns tenants and residents to make sure they check that anyone offering to lend them money has a consumer credit licence. If you are a loan shark victim, or think there may be a shark operating nearby, phone IMLU on their 24 hour Hotline: 0300 123 3311. You can also phone anonymously if you prefer.

Specialist client liaison officers will support and assist victims, advising on debt and other problems. “Loan sharks should be warned,” says Steven, “we are determined to stamp out this crime.”

As the government cuts hit even harder, money problems are affecting more and more of us. Who do you turn to when the rent’s overdue, the gas bill’s higher than you expected, or the washing machine breaks down?

“Victims have found themselves forced into criminal activity to pay back the sharks. We have come across children pushed into shoplifting, and women pressurised into prostitution by these criminals.”

Beat the loan sharks – bite back!

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Many of our tenants from across Blaenau Gwent (aka ‘Team Tai Calon’) volunteer a huge amount of their time to a variety of our tenant working groups, to ensure tenants have a real say in how Tai Calon’s services are delivered.

A number of our tenants also carry out weekly telephone surveys from our Headquarters in Blaina, speaking to other tenants about their experience of the repairs service.

Needless to say our tenants were overjoyed with the award! ‘Team Tai Calon’s’ commitment and dedication to tenant involvement has ensured tenants not only have a voice but can also influence all aspects of Tai Calon’s services, which made this award very well deserved.

TPAS Cymru are able to provide lots of advice, information and expertise on tenant involvement. They also provide support for social housing tenants and landlords in Wales.

If you would like more information on the TPAS awards, or would like to get involved with Tai Calon, then contact the Community Investment and Involvement Team on

0300 303 1717

Team Tai Calon Win!Earlier this year, ‘Team Tai Calon’ were nominated in the ‘Empowering People to Improve Services – Tenants and Residents in Action’ category at the TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) Cymru Awards, and walked away with first place!

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Don’t lose your possessionsAs a tenant of Tai Calon, it’s up to you to insure your possessions.

Many tenants believe that we automatically insure their furniture, belongings and decorations against theft, fire, vandalism or burst pipes. This is not the case and many tenants only realise this after the damage has occurred.

We are pleased to inform you that Tai Calon has now joined forces with Aon and Aviva Insurance to arrange a low cost home contents insurance scheme, specifically for Tai Calon tenants and leaseholders.

Tenants contents insurance covers things in your home that you could take with you when you move – from curtains and carpets to TVs

and washing machines. It also includes clothing, personal possessions and valuables.

Our new scheme offers affordable insurance premiums which allow you to pay on a weekly basis, giving you complete peace of mind should the unexpected happen.

For further details of the scheme, including the range of policies available tailored to your individual needs and including flexible payment options, please contact Tai Calon Community Housing on

0300 303 1717

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Gas safety and the lawPlease remember that,The annual check is a legal requirement of YOUR tenancy.

WE have a legal responsibility to ensure that each and every one of our properties receives an annual check and is safe.

DON’TLOSE

EVERYTHING

INSUREYOURPOSSESSIONS

Call Tai Calon Community Housing

0300 303 1717

in association with

The Panel aims to be representative of the wide range of community and interest groups in Blaenau Gwent and membership currently includes tenants with mobility problems, severe visual and hearing impairments, wheelchair users and people with other health difficulties. It is committed to taking action and making a difference on behalf of other tenants and residents and will not be “just another talking shop”.

In March, the Panel carried out an access audit of Tai Calon’s car park, main entrance and reception area, where a number of potential hazards and access barriers were identified. These have subsequently been removed, which shows that the Panel does have “real clout” and makes a difference on behalf of other tenants. In May, the Panel further developed Tai Calon’s

‘Contractor Code of Conduct’ which took into account a wide variety of equality and diversity issues for the first time.

A month on, and The Panel also carried out a review of the ‘Needs Assessment’ process, which is carried out by Tai Calon’s Tenant Liaison Officers before major improvement works are carried out in tenants’ homes. The Panel was able to identify a number of gaps in the process from an equality and diversity perspective, where some tenant groups may have been subject to unnecessary upheaval or intentional harassment. The processes have now been amended to avoid this happening.

In future meetings, the Panel will carry-out equality impact assessments on Tai Calon’s key services, to ensure they are able to meet all

individuals’ needs and are not discriminatory in anyway.

The Panel would like to hear from tenants who would like to join, to represent any groups with specific needs not currently represented.

For example, tenants with language difficulties where English is not the first language, or parent/s with disabled children.

If you are interested please contact Andy MacDougall on

0300 300 1717 who will be pleased to discuss with you how you could contribute to the Panel’s future success.

Equalities PanelThe last newsletter featured an introduction to Tai Calon’s newly-formed Equalities Panel, whose role is to ensure that equality and diversity is a key consideration for Tai Calon, when making decisions which effect tenants and the wider communities of Blaenau Gwent. Ann Ingram, a member of the panel, gives us an update.

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We want to help you by making it as easy as possible for you to pay your rent. One of the most convenient ways for you to pay your rent is by Direct Debit.

Are you paying by Direct Debit yet?

There are many advantages to paying your rent by Direct Debit, and many of our tenants are now doing just that.

The advantages are:

• Not having to remember to make a payment

• No queues

• You are in control

• You can cancel at any time

• Refund if a mistake is made

• No cheques to write

• No postage to be paid

• Only one short form to fill in

You can budget your rent payments weekly or monthly. The choice is yours.

Contact the Income team on

0300 303 1717to let us know you want to pay by Direct Debit and complete the short form for use by your bank. We will then do the rest for you!

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The Money Advice Service can be found locally, at the Heart of the Valleys Integrated Children’s Centre in Blaina.

Why not come and have a free face-to-face chat with a trained member of staff?

They will be able to answer your questions about any money issues you may have, and help provide you with information about a wide range of issues and topics such as;

• Can I manage the payment of my rent and other bills? How?

• Can I get help to manage on a tight budget, or to claim all the benefits I’m entitled to?

• Can I get a better deal on my gas and electricity bills? How and where?

• I’m retiring soon! What are my options?

• Can I have information about insurance and getting the best deal?

• What are the best options for saving for me and my family?

• How can I get the best rates on borrowing money?

Surgeries are held on the last Thursday of every month, from 09.00am to 13.00pm at the Integrated Childrens Centre in Blaina.

Please note that this FREE service is available to everyone!

Just call

01495 355584 to make your appointment.

‘Free Money Advice - because it doesn’t grow on trees!’ The Money Advice Service is here to give free, clear and unbiased money advice to help you make informed choices.

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The young people went from table to table speaking to each of the contractors. Officers from Construction Skills were also there to support the participants.

The nine contractors have been selected to work with Tai Calon to deliver its internal improvement programme and have, as part of the contract, agreed to recruit thirteen apprentices.

Ashleigh Langford from Victoria, Ebbw Vale said “I have put CVs in lots of places; it’s so difficult at the moment to find work. This event has been really good because it’s more relaxed than a formal interview and you can be yourself. If I am unsuccessful today I am going to start a Plumbing course in Ebbw Vale in September and try again for a apprenticeship next year”.

Michael Young from Glyncoed, Ebbw Vale said “I was really disappointed when I was told I was unsuccessful in gaining an apprenticeship with Tai Calon. When I was invited to this event I was over the moon. I started bricklaying when I left school, but went on to work in the Health sector. I am so pleased to have another chance at gaining an apprenticeship.“

Darry Williams from Construction Skills said “We have had a fantastic response from local people and the standard is very high. It’s good to see Tai Calon taking this approach”

Phil Crozier, Chair of Tai Calon commented “The event furthers Tai Calon’s commitment to creating training and employment opportunities. Recently we have taken on five apprentices in our internal workforce and 5 trainees in our grounds maintenance team.

We will continue to look for ways to increase employment in Blaenau Gwent.”

Tai Calon will be commencing its second wave of improvement works in the Autumn and will be working with Apollo, AP Waters, Glanmor Developments, IJ Caddick, Mike Wilkes, P and P Building, R and M Williams, Seddon and Seren.

Seventeen young people were invited to a ‘speed recruitment’ event held at Tai Calon’s offices in Blaina on the 29th of July 2011.

Tai Calon Contractors line up to recruit young people

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Citizens Advice BureauASK CAB – Blaenau Gwent Citizens Advice Bureau have now merged with Caerphilly County CAB and will be looking to expand and improve the CAB service in this area. (more details about this in our next issue!!) As part of this Tai Calon and CAB have teamed up to bring you ASK CAB.

Each quarter via Heart of the Matter, the CAB will answer any problems you may have regarding Debt, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Employment ,and Consumer issues. In this issue the subjects covered are:- Retirement, Tax Credits, Incapacity Benefit and the New Credit Card Rules.

If you wish to write in with any questions, please send them in to ASK CAB, Tai Calon Community Housing, Solis One, Rising Sun Ind Est., Blaina NP13 3JW.

Your name is not required so you can remain anonymous if you prefer.

the charity foryour community

yr elusen i’chcymuned chi

The government has started to re-assess people currently claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) in order to decide if they qualify for the new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

If you currently receive IB, the Department for Work and Pensions will write to you between now and March 2014 about reassessing your benefit entitlement.

First of all you will have to fill out a questionnaire which asks about your health condition or disability. You must complete this questionnaire with as much detail as possible and return it by the date requested. If you don’t, your benefit may be affected.

You may then be asked to attend a face-to-face assessment. You will be asked a number of questions to help determine what you are able to do and whether you might be capable of work.

If the assessment finds you meet the qualifying conditions for ESA, you will be automatically transferred to this benefit. If the assessment finds that you’re not entitled to ESA, your Incapacity Benefit will stop. You will then have to make a new claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or another benefit that suits your needs.

If you attend an assessment and are unhappy with the way it’s carried out, or you don’t agree with its outcome, you can get advice on what to do from your local CAB.

To find your nearest bureaux or for more detailed information on ESA visit www.adviceguide.org.uk (Search for ESA).

I currently claim Incapacity Benefit and have done so for a number of years. I have heard that I will need to be re-assessed as the benefit is changing. What happens next?

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The age at which you can be forced to retire from work is to be phased out between April and October this year.

Up until now, employers have had the right to make you stop work at age 65, but when the changes come into force, in most jobs you’ll be able to choose when you want to leave work.

How the changes affect you will depend on when you’re due to retire:

• if you’re due to retire before 1 October 2011, your employer can still force you to stop work at age 65 if they gave you notice before 5 April

• from 6 April 2011, if your employer hasn’t already told you that you have to retire at age 65, they can no longer force you to stop work because of your age, even if you’re going to be 65 before 1 October

• after 1 October, employers will not be able to force you to stop work at age 65. They may be able to dismiss you for other reasons, but they will have to justify those reasons.

These changes will apply to most workers. However, there may be a few jobs where your employer can make you retire at age 65 for a specific reason. This could be, for example, where your age could affect

your physical or mental ability to do your job.

The new rules also mean that an employer cannot refuse to employ you because of your age if you apply for a job after you’ve reached 65.

You can get more information about what you need to think about if you want to work over the age of 65 at www.directgov.uk. If you’re worried about how the changes will affect you, or think that your employer may be discriminating against you because of your age, you can get advice on what to do from your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau – go to www.adviceguide.org.uk for details.

I’ll be 65 next year and know that under normal circumstances I’d be expected to retire, but I love my job and don’t want to give it up. I’m still very fit and mentally sharp and can see no reason why I shouldn’t go on a few more years. Can my boss make me leave?

Tai Calon is offering one lucky winner the opportunity to get their hands on an HTC Wildlife S Smartphone!! All you have to do to enter this competition, is to visit our Facebook page and ‘Like’ us.

Go on... what are you waiting for! You know you ‘Like’ us :-)

The winner will be drawn on Monday September the 5th.

Good luck!

‘Like’ us and win an HTC Smartphone!

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New changes to give consumers more control over their credit card accounts came into effect in January 2011. The six main changes are:

1) The most expensive debt will always be paid off first.

Before, most credit card companies used your repayments to pay off your cheapest debt first. This meant you paid interest on the more expensive debt, such as cash withdrawals, over a longer period of time.

2) On new accounts, the minimum payment will reduce the outstanding balance.

For new accounts opened from 1 April 2011, credit card companies must set the minimum payment at a rate that reduces your actual balance by 1% each month. Before, if you made the minimum payment, this would generally only cover fees and interest charges and wouldn’t reduce your outstanding balance.

3) No credit card cheques unless requested

Before, credit card companies could send you cheques that you could use to withdraw money against your account. Now you will only be sent these cheques if you ask for them.

4) More choice and control over credit limit increases

Before, your credit card company could increase your credit limit without asking you. Now, they have to contact you if they want to increase your credit limit. You will have 30 days to decide whether to accept the increase. This gives people more control over their spending.

5) Clearer communications about interest rate increases

Before, if credit card companies increased your interest rate and you chose not to accept it, your account would be closed and the outstanding balance repaid at the existing rate over a reasonable period of time. Now, once your credit card

company has contacted you, you will have 60 days to decide whether to reject the new rate. This means you will have more time to explore alternative deals.

6) More flexibility about how much you pay towards your bill

Before, if you wanted to set up a regular payment you would have had to pay either the outstanding balance, or the minimum payment each month. Now you can choose to repay any amount you want between the minimum and the full balance.

For more information and to download a leaflet on your new rights, visit: www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/credit_card_changes

I’ve got a credit card bill that’s taking me forever to pay off. I’ve heard there are new rules regarding credit card accounts, can you tell me what these rules are?

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Our ‘Great Neighbourhood Walkabout’ programme

Tredegar Valley Aug Sep Oct Nov DecGeorgetown 9th 22ndSirhowy - Lower 16th 1stCefn Golau 23rd 13th 4th 15th 13thAshvale 30th 18th 20thTown Centre 6th 29thYsguborwen 2nd 20th 11th 6thNantybwch & Tafarnaubach

27th 8th

Dukestown 25th

Ebbw Vale Valley Aug Sep Oct Nov DecBeaufort 15thGarnlydan 30th 22ndRassau - Lower 13thRassau - Upper 9th 20th 1st 13thHilltop - Upper 16th 27th 25th 6thGwaun HelygHilltop - Lower 2nd 4th 29thBriery Hill 11thNewtown 6th 8th 20thGlyncoed 18thCwm 23rd

Ebbw Fach Valley Aug Sep Oct Nov DecTwyncynghordy 6thGurnos Estate 1stBrynfarm 15th 3rd 15thWest Side, Blaina 27thWinchestown 4th 29th 24thCoed Cae 11th 22nd 10th 22ndFfoesmaen 20thCwmcelyn 1stBeaumont Close 25thRoseheyworth 18thCwmtillery 8th 8thBrynithel 13thSwffrwyd 17th

If you want to join us on our next walkabout, you can find details of future walkabouts in the timetable shown here.

The Tredegar area walkabout will start at 10.00 am every Tuesday.

The Abertillery, Blaina and Brynmawr area neighbourhood walkabouts will start at 10.00 am every Thursday.

The Ebbw Vale area walkabout will start at 12.00 pm every Tuesday.

For more information contact a member of our Community Involvement team on

0300 303 1717

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Over three hundred tenants had fun in the sun on the 23rd of July celebrating Tai Calon’s first birthday.

Tenants Celebrate Tai Calon’s First Birthday

The Big Green Birthday Bash was held at Tai Calon’s main offices at Blaina and saw young and old participate in fun activities. It also gave Tai Calon an opportunity to get some important feedback from tenants on what they love about their neighbourhood, what they want to see improved and what Tai Calon can do to help.

Highlights from the day included the Blaenau Gwent Free Runners who somersaulted their way in front of the Brynmawr FM stage.

Britain’s Got Talent’s Nathan Wyburn was there to produce some of his inspiring art, completing a woodchip based Marilyn Monroe and his signature ‘Simon Cowell in

Marmite’.

Hanging basket demonstrations,

pottery and painting were some of the other activities that tenants and

their children could participate in.

The day ended with a prize draw where tenants who had completed surveys on the day could win various prizes including X boxes, a microwave, hanging baskets and a sat nav. All prizes were

donated by the contractors that Tai Calon is working with to deliver internal improvements within tenants’ homes.

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Phil Crozier, Chair of Tai Calon, who opened the event, commented ‘It is great to see so many of our tenants attending an event like this. We want to engage with our tenants in as many ways as possible and a fun event like this allows us to speak to people who wouldn’t attend a meeting or don’t have time to participate in a workshop.’

Angela Roberts, a Tai Calon tenant commented ‘It has been a really good day and the weather has been lovely. I’ve been here all day. I’ve brought my grandchildren and they’ve had lots to do.’

A big thank you to all the tenants and their families that turned up to the event!

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Don’t Risk Losing Your HomeOur aim is to do everything possible to keep you in your home and we can offer you a great deal of support to make sure that is the case.

Tai Calon has had to evict two tenants this year who persistently failed to pay their rent.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent, please talk to us. Our Income team will make sure your situation is always treated in a sensitive and confidential manner.

All members of our team can advise and work with you to make sure we get a suitable payment arrangement in place.

If you find that you are in arrears and do not answer our letters and home visits, we really will have no other option but to proceed with court action and a warrant for eviction.

Please make sure you contact the Income Team as soon as you start to have difficulties, as sorting the problem out before it gets too serious can prevent a lot of stress later.

Please help us to help you – get in touch as soon as you start to have difficulty in keeping up with your rent payments.

Call the Income team now on

0300 303 1717

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Time banking is coming to Tai Calon!Time banking was devised by Dr Edgar Cahn back in the 1980’s.

Time Banks don’t use real pounds and pence; instead, they encourage anyone who wants to take part, to make deposits and withdrawals of their time.

In a time bank, you can earn credits for helping others – one hour of your time entitles you to an hour of someone else’s time.

Unlike real money, anyone and everyone can earn time credits – no-one is excluded and everyone’s time is worth the same.

Basically for every one hour of volunteering you do, be that through some of our litter picks, helping to run an event or assisting us with our telephone surveys and you have sufficient time banked, you will be able to exchange your time for rewards.

If you would like to get involved contact Chloe Williams on: 0300 303 1717