Election Special

Housing News

YOUR TENANT FORUM NEEDS

YOU

Housing News2

Housing News

Welcome Welcome to this special election edition of Housing News.

We are very fortunate to have an activeTenant Forum which supports the workof the Housing team in numerous ways.

By having tenants like yourselves givingus feedback and first-hand knowledgeon all aspects of being a tenant, we canimprove the services that we provide toyou all.

If you have ever thought that you wouldlike to be part of the decision makingprocess within the housing serviceteam, now is your chance to join theTenant Forum. Activities include meetings, trailer events, procurementpanels and policy reviews to name but afew.

If you would like to find out more aboutwhat it means to get involved beforeyou complete the application form

(see centre pages) please do get intouch. I look forward to welcoming youto the 2018/20 Tenant Forum.

In this edition of Housing News you willalso find lots more useful information,including this year’s trailer dates, downsizing grants and ourphotographic competition.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy2018.

Nicole

ContactNicole Shephard-LewisTenant Participation OfficerTelephone: 01799 510571Email: tenants@uttlesford.gov.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/udchousingservices/

3Housing News

Do you ever take a photo and think howimpressed you are by the results? If so, why not enter the Tenant & Leaseholder 2018 Photographic Competition?

The winner will receive their winningpicture framed as well as a voucher for£50 to spend on photographic equipment.

Uttlesford is renowned for its beautifulcountryside and open spaces. In thisyear’s competition we would like you totake a photograph that reflects thebeautiful outdoors. It could be the nature in your garden, a beautiful park,a place where you walk the dog - anyimage that you think reflects the beautyof Uttlesford.

What are the criteria?

All entries must be taken within the district of Uttlesford and you must be atenant or leaseholder of the District

Council. By entering the competitionyou agree to allow the council to useyour photos for publicity and councilmagazines and literature.

How will the judging take place?

The winner will be chosen by MikePerry of David Lipson Photography, High Street, Great Dunmow.

The closing date for entries is 9 March2018. The winner will be notifiedshortly after the closing date and theannouncement will be in the next edition of Housing News.

How do I enter?

You can email your photographs (a maximum of six) to tenants@uttlesford.gov.uk

Please remember to include your name,address, telephone number and age ifyou are under 18 years old.

Snappers encouraged to enter photo competition

4Housing News

I would like to introduce myself - I’m Val Rogacs and I’m the new Chair of theTenant Regulatory Panel. I have takenover from Louise Byrne who very ablyled the group through three major projects, these being a sheltered housing review, a voids review and afurther review of the recommendationsout of this.

Recently the Panel met with the council’s website officer to make comments and recommendations onmaking the UDC website more userfriendly, and we are currently workingwith the Senior Property Surveyor tolook at updating the void property lettings standard.

Future projects for the Panel will include looking at the non-emergencyresponsive repairs system. This is a bigproject and we will initially look at thefirst stage; so how the tenant reports arepair to the booking of an appointment.

By breaking down the repairs process itwill be possible to eventually analyse

A new Chair for the Regulatory Panel

the whole customer journey, from report to completion.

The Tenant Regulatory Panel is a smallgroup of tenants who work to improvethe service of the council housing service, by looking at data and talkingto tenants.

We are currently recruiting more members - so if you like looking intodata and taking on new challenges, whynot get in touch and I will tell you moreabout what it’s like to be a member.

Kind regards

Val

Email: udctrp@outlook.com

5Housing News

Do you want the opportunity

to shape the future of your community?

If your answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’, then why not come and talk to us?

The Tenant Regulatory Panel forms part of the resident-led self-regulation processand investigates and scrutinises different aspects of the Council’s Housing Services.

All we ask is that candidates have their own transport, access to a PC, internet,email facilities and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel etc). The role is voluntary but thecouncil will cover your stationery and travel costs to access and attend meetings, as well as the cost of childcare and refreshments.

Interested - why not start with an informal chat.

We can arrange for you to speak with our independant consultant before you consider committing your time - so you can find out if the role is for you. If youwould like further information or wish to apply, please contact our panel by emailing udctrp@outlook.com or by completing the form below and sending it to: Paula Evans, Leisure & Performance Manager, Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER.

Name: ............................................................................................................................

Address: .........................................................................................................................

............................................................................................ Postcode: ..........................

Phone: ........................................ Email: ........................................................................

Voice your views as part of the Regulatory Panel

Do you get on with other

people and have an enquiring

mind?

Would you like to

improve your personal skills and enhance

your CV?

"

6Housing News

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7Housing News

If your home is too big for you now andclimbing the stairs makes you wince,why not let the council find you asmaller home that can meet yourneeds?

If you have more bedrooms than youneed and want to move, we can helpyou.

Should you decide to move into asmaller home from a general needsproperty, we will give you £2,000 oncompletion of your move. However, ifyou would prefer support with yourmove we can assist with:

• removals • disconnection and reconnection of

cooker and washing machine• carpets

It’s a New Year … how about a new start?

The cost of these services will be deducted from your £2,000 home movebudget and any remaining monies givento you on completion of your move.

Moving to a smaller home also has theadded advantage of placing you at thetop of the housing register in most instances.

If you are over 60 and are moving froma general needs home into a propertyspecifically for elderly people like one of our bungalows or sheltered schemes,you are offered the same services butthere is also an additional £500 available.

For further information give us a call on01799 510510 and ask for your HousingOfficer.

8Housing News

Uttlesford Citizens Advice can helpclients with a wide range of debt related problems. We see many different people who, for many different reasons, are struggling to cope financially.

The debt problems we deal with rangefrom the inability to repay personalloans, difficulties paying rent or makingmortgage payments, to clients who simply have no money to live off.

Our advisors are trained to help withdebt problems and where necessaryrefer clients to specialist external organisations. For clients in emergencysituations we can make arrangementssuch as referrals to foodbanks. Wewould recommend that clients who areworried about debt to contact us assoon as possible.

Depending on the circumstances, in thefirst instance we usually send the clienta debt pack. This is a document wherethe client details their financial situation and all their income and expenditure.

This will help us to understand the debtissue and assist you to take steps to address it. We can make appointmentsto work through the debt pack withyou.

Information can be found on our localwebpage www.uttlesfordcab.org.uk and on the national Citizens Advicewebpage www.citizensadvice.org.ukabout debt and enforcement proceedings.

Alternatively, call us on 01799 618840to discuss.

Helping you to cope with debt

9Housing News

The Right to Buy scheme is designed tohelp council and housing associationtenants in England buy their home at adiscount.

You could be eligible for a Right to Buydiscount if:

• you are a council tenant OR you were a council tenant and were living in your home when it was transferred to your current housing association landlord

• the property is your only or main home

• you have been a public sector tenant for at least three years

Right to Buy

• you don’t live in sheltered housing or other housing particularly suitable for elderly or disabled people

• your home is not due to be demolished

• you don’t have any outstanding possession orders

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these statements, you are probably eligible although your landlord will need to confirm this.

For more information, speak to the council’s Home Ownership Administrator on 01799 510510.

10Housing News

Would you or someone you know benefit from the Keep Safe scheme?

The community scheme helps peoplewho are vulnerable to feel safer whenthey are out and about in our town centres.

It is available in Dunmow and SaffronWalden, where shops, libraries andbusinesses will let you use a telephoneor will make a call on your behalf if youget into distress. This could be if you’velost your purse or bus pass, or if you become unwell.

When you join the scheme you will begiven your own Keep Safe card or keytag to put the name and number ofsomeone who can be contacted shouldyou need them. Remember to carry this with you at all times.

The participating venues have yellowKeep Safe stickers in their windows tohelp identify that they are part of thescheme.

To date over 1,800 Keep Safe cards have been given out to older peoplewithin the district, and 200 cards toadults with learning difficulties.

For more information or to join thescheme, contact the Community Safety Officer Angi Greneski by emailagreneski@uttlesford.gov.uk or call01799 510510.

Keep safe in Uttlesford

Participating Keep Safe venues…

GREAT DUNMOW:

The Flitch House

Scrumptious Tea Rooms

The Library

Great Dunmow Leisure Centre

Uttlesford Community Hub

SAFFRON WALDEN:

Boots

Costa Coffee

Craft Days

Goddards Electrical

The Mocha Café

Starbucks

The Temeraire

Waitrose

The Library

Lord Butler Leisure Centre

Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

11Housing News

Multi-agency roadshow coming to a communitynear you

The multi-agency trailer will once againbe taking to the road in 2018.

We have people on hand to talk aboutfire safety and security and support foryou in your home. It is packed with information on all council housing services, as well as helpful advice frompartner agencies such as Essex Fire and

Rescue Service, Essex Police, Family Mosaic, Neighbourhood Watch and theTenant Forum.

Roalco will also provide a FREE ‘handyman’ service.

Visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/mait oremail housingadmin@uttlesford.gov.ukfor details.

Trailer Dates 2018• Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23 March - ‘Surround the Town’

event in Thaxted

• Tuesday 24 April - 2pm Cannons Court, Stansted CM24 8FU, and 3.30pm Churchfields, Stansted CM24 8RJ

• Tuesday 22 May - 10am - 4pm Chaffix, Felsted CM6 3EG

• Tuesday 19 June - 2pm Loompits Way, Saffron Walden CB11 4DP

• Tuesday 3 July - 2pm East View Close, Radwinter CB10 2TZ

• Tuesday 11 September - 2pm Wimbish Village Hall CB10

Further dates could be added throughout the year - please keep an eye out on the website, local press, and parish noticeboards.

12Housing News

Do you like to know what’s happeningin your community? Would you like tobe kept up to date on what’s happeninglocally?

Uttlesford District Council runs a newsand information service which allowspeople to sign up for free email alertsand newsletters on council-related top-ics of interest to them.

Keep me posted has been running for ayear and in that time almost 5,500 people have signed up to receive newsand alerts.

Currently, we issue newsletters on topics such as waste and recycling,

Keep up to date with the news that matters to you

planning matters, business, health and wellbeing, and community events.

You can also receive news alerts aboutwhat’s happening with things such asbin collections and extreme weatherconditions.

To receive your news, visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/keepmeposted- all you need to do is submit your emailaddress and choose the e-newslettertopics that you would like to receive.

Don’t forget that you can also leaveyour comments, pictures and feedbackon our Housing Services Facebook page- (search UDC Housing Services).

13Housing News

With house prices and mortgage lenderdeposit requirements consistentlyclimbing, it’s no wonder that in recentyears it has become difficult for many to get a foot on the property ladder. Ifyou are struggling to buy a propertyoutright, Help to Buy could help youonto the property ladder.

Shared Ownership

Buy an initial share of a Shared Ownership home - you will only need a deposit on the share you are buying,and then pay a rent on the remainingshare. In the future you could buy further shares when you can afford to(with most properties you are eventually able to own the propertyoutright, although there are some restrictions on rural sites).

If you are interested in shared ownership, please visit

Help to Buy

www.helptobuyese.org.uk where youcan check eligibility, apply online, andtake your first steps to home ownership.

Equity Loan

This option offers you the chance topurchase a new-build home fromhousebuilders registered with thescheme. You will need a minimum of 5 per cent deposit on properties up to£600,000 and the Government will lend you up to 20 per cent of the fullpurchase price.

Want to know more?

Visit www.helptobuyese.org.uk/help-to-buy/help-to-buy-equity-loans

or contact:

Email: Helptobuyeastandsoutheast@bpha.org.ukPhone: 03333 214044

14Housing News

Over 500 Uttlesford District Councilproperties are earmarked for improvements in 2018-19 as part of anongoing repairs and external paintingand decorating programme. Our contractor for these works is MitieProperty Services, who will contact you to arrange access. The contractsmanager Michael Frary or site supervisor Steve Hopkins can be contacted via 01603 416444.

The programme will see 142 flats, 23sheltered properties, 114 bungalowsand 237 houses, given a spruce up. Ifivy or similar plants have been allowedto grow up the walls or on the externaltimber, please cut back near groundlevel, let it die back and remove, otherwise we will not be able to paintthe affected areas.

Painting and decorating programme

If yes, the council will need to carry outinspections before you move out -please make sure you allow them access to your property to do this.

The inspections can benefit you as youwill be informed of anything you needto put right before you hand the keysback. This will save you from having topay recharges later on, for example, fornot removing your old goods or rubbishfrom your loft or garden.

Are you moving home?

15Housing News

UttlesfordSave Credit Union has a newChange Account card for members.The card offers many advantages. Aswell as being a prepaid debit card, italso provides:

• full current account services including current account number and banking sort code

• direct debits

• standing orders

• faster payments

• a MasterCard debit card

It also pays you retailer cashback rewards of up to 15 per cent from participating high street stores.

Opening an account with Change Account is free for Uttlesfordsave members. There is a fee structure fortransactions and a monthly management fee of £2.

Please call for information on01799 420008 or 01279 451234.

UK Power Networks provide extra helpto customers on its Priority Service Register during a power cut.

Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five,or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons canjoin the register.

You can find out more information onthe website: www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority

Change Account card Priority Service Register

Do you think the council could be doing something better?

Have you got an idea for a new initiative that would make things better where you live?

If you have an idea for a new scheme or an improvement, please fill in the formbelow with your idea, or email me at the address below.

My suggestion:

.....................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................

Name: ..........................................................................................................

Address: .......................................................................................................

............................................................ Postcode: ........................................

Phone: ......................................... Email: .....................................................

Send your idea to:Nicole Shephard-LewisTenant Participation OfficerUttlesford District CouncilLondon Road Telephone: 01799 510571Saffron Walden Email: tenants@uttlesford.gov.ukCB11 4ER Website: www.uttlesford.gov.uk

The housing service is now on Facebookso you can always message us via

Facebook.com/udchousingservices

Feedback

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Tenant Forum Elections

YOURTENANTFORUM NEEDS YOU

What is the Tenant Forum?

It is a group of tenants and one leaseholder who represent all Uttlesford District Council’s tenants and leaseholders.

Why join the Tenant Forum?

There are real benefits of being involvedin our work. This can include:

• Making a valued contribution to existing and new service development. We listen and, when practical, act upon your views and ideas.

• Making your community a better place to live, by giving the tenant perspective you are making a positive contribution to the services we deliver.

• Learning new skills there is great training on offer which is totally free.

• Increasing your job and career chances by enhancing your CV. Get involved in experiences where you can demonstrate you have learnt skills and abilities that employers are looking for. We are happy to giveyou a reference.

• Meeting people, making friends and being part of a team of involved

Tenant Forum Elections 2018/20 - Your voice counts

residents who individually and collectively make a difference to our work.

• If you are a representative of a residents’ association or group you can help get their voices heard by sitting on the Forum.

• Get out and about with the Housing Team and join in with the trailer days.

What do members say about being onthe Forum?

All of us are, in my view, fortunate tohave a safe secure, affordable, rentedhome from the council.

That’s why I have been a member of theForum for over 10 years. We get involvedwith consultations on your behalf concerning housing, for example housingpolicies, action plans and rent settings.

The trailer visits locations around Uttlesford, which enables us to meetchat and listen to fellow tenants.

Please get in touch with us with anyquestions or comments that you mayhave about the Forum - better still, whynot ask your neighbour to do the same?

Daphne Cornell

Will I be out of pocket?

We pay expenses such as travel, registered childcare and provide refreshments if you are working with us at a meeting or at an event.

Am I eligible to be on the Forum?

Almost all of Uttlesford’s tenants are eligible to be on the Forum. You justhave to be either a tenant or a joint tenant of a council home and not besubject to a court order for possession of your home or an anti-social behaviourorder.

If you wish to nominate yourself orsomeone else to the Forum, you willneed a proposer - which can be you -and a seconder. Obviously you cannot

nominate someone else without theirpermission.

How do I get onto the Forum?

If you would like to get involved in influencing how Uttlesford District Council’s Housing Service is run andmonitoring the services we provide,please complete the application formoverleaf. The Uttlesford Tenant Forumis recruiting for its 2018/20 panel.

Nominations need to be made by 28 February 2018.

If there are more candidates than seatsavailable, an election will take place.

For more information please call Nicole Shephard-Lewis 01799 510571.

Please return this form to Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices,London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER

Tenant Forum candidate nomination form

I agree to have my name put forward for nomination

FULL NAME: .................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: .....................................................................POSTCODE: .............................

TEL NO: ....................................... EMAIL: ....................................................................

SIGNATURE: ............................................................. DATE: .........................................

Please ensure that only the candidate’s details are entered above

"

CANDIDATE DETAILS

FULL NAME: .................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: .....................................................................POSTCODE: .............................

TEL NO: ....................................... EMAIL: ....................................................................

SIGNATURE: ............................................................. DATE: .........................................

Please ensure that only the proposer’s details are entered above

PROPOSER DETAILS

FULL NAME: .................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: .....................................................................POSTCODE: .............................

TEL NO: ....................................... EMAIL: ....................................................................

SIGNATURE: ............................................................. DATE: .........................................

Please ensure that only the seconder’s details are entered above

SECONDER DETAILS