December 2013
a newsletter for tenants of Crosby Housing Association
The Board and Staff at Crosby Housing Association The Board and Staff at Crosby Housing Association wish you all a very happy Christmas wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year and a peaceful New Year
Christmas Hours Crosby Housing Association office in Church Road, Waterloo closes at 1.00 p.m. Tuesday 24th December 2013 and re-opens at 9.00 a.m. Thursday 2nd January 2014 For emergency and urgent repairs only, please call:
0845 057 7096 Crosby Housing Association is an exempt charity incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society No 19175R
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Welfare Reform As a CHA tenant, you can contact us (see back page) if you are affected by the Government’s changes to welfare benefits. We can help you with completing Discretionary Housing Payment applications or a possible transfer to more suitable accommodation with CHA, Property Pool Plus or mutual exchanges. We can also assist you in ensuring your benefit entitlements are correct and signpost you to training or other opportunities that may assist you with gaining employment. We will do all we can to help you in your tenancy. Please help us to help you by keeping us informed of any changes to your personal circumstances.
Hello and Goodbye to staff at CHA
From December we welcome Maura Flynn, “Mo” to her friends, into our Housing Services team. Mo is an experienced Housing Officer joining us from our work partner Northwest Housing Services.
Michelle Edge and Ian Mitchell were working within our CHART team on annual contracts up until last summer. Ian returned for a short period but has now since left. Michelle re-joins us just before Christmas to work with us again in the New Year.
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Many of you will know Mary Threlfall and Ami Bourke. Mary has worked within our CHART team and recently with Ami in Housing Services. Both Mary and Ami are leaving us before Christmas to take up posts with other housing associations on Merseyside. We are sorry to see them go and wish them well in their future careers.
Esther Rice retired during the summer after many years as Housing Officer with CHA. Esther lives locally so she has called back to say hello to us but is “happy to stay on this side of the counter”.
Christmas in Seaforth and Waterloo
The community Christmas events are firmly established as happy highlights of the year at CHA. And so once again we enjoyed getting involved in the 2013 Christmas lights switch-on events in Seaforth and Waterloo. Local residents, business traders and community groups joined together in festive spirits to enjoy a good time - and even good weather. Thanks to everyone who attended. We were entertained by several groups from the community, including schools and play groups, a Judo display and Waterloo Theatre group with a couple of scenes from their hilarious pantomime Babes in the Wood. A Christmas grotto provided by Sing + and talented individuals cheered us along throughout the events. In Another Place Gospel Choir provided rousing finales prior to the grand switch-on at both Waterloo and Seaforth. The lights were turned on with the magic golden plunger by the mayor of Sefton assisted by local pupils and a couple of babes in the wood.
Local traders and community groups provided stalls and samples of free food to the audiences and many thanks to Saffron Restaurant, A Taste of Hungary, Subway and the Coop for their support. Slater & Gordon lawyers made a very welcome financial contribution to fund the stage and barriers at Waterloo and both events could not have taken place without contributions towards the trees from CHA, Merseytravel and Sefton local area committees. Thanks to all involved. See you all next year. More Christmas pictures on page 10 Page 3
Paying your rent In the New Year we will be introducing new ways for you to be able to pay your rent. We want you to be able to choose the way that suits you best whether or not you are working, receiving benefits, have a bank account, can get around, use a pc/tablet/smartphone or quite simply just have a preferred method of paying your rent because that’s the way you want to do it. For some tenants, the Government’s introduction of Universal Credit will mean a big change to how they budget, manage their money and ensure that their rent gets paid when it should. Universal Credit is replacing 6 existing benefits (including Housing Benefit) with a single monthly payment into individuals’ bank, post office or building society accounts. We want to make paying rent as convenient as we can for all our tenants, whatever their circumstances.
Ways to pay your rent
Standing Order – a payment from your bank of a set amount (e.g. your weekly/monthly rent) on the same day each week/month. You need to fill a new form out to change the amount if your rent changes.
Post Office or Bank payment over the counter – we issue you with a paying-in book which is stamped as a receipt when you make a payment.
Housing Benefit – paid direct to us by Sefton Council though this will stop if you receive the new Universal Credit payment.
New in 2014 Below are new ways that we are planning for you to be able to pay your rent. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about paying your rent, please get in touch with us through any of the contact details on the back page of this newsletter. We will contact you in the New Year with further information about your choices on how you pay your rent.
Direct Debit - a payment from your bank of a set amount (e.g. your weekly/monthly rent) on the same day each week/month. You will not need to fill a new form out to change the amount if your rent changes. We will write to inform you well in advance of any changes.
Online - payments using your debit/credit card via your computer, tablet, mobile phone.
Telephone - payments using your debit/credit card over the phone.
High Street - payment by cash in a range of local shops.
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ARE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW Over 55 years of age? Alone this Christmas? Living independently? Abbeyfield is offering FREE overnight stays and delicious Christmas lunches throughout the festive season in over 100 Abbeyfield sheltered houses around the country. Abbeyfield would like to invite people who are alone or lonely over the Christmas period for a home-cooked meal or an overnight stay between the 24th December and 4th January. If you are interested, give Abbeyfield a call on 0845 052 3553.
Could you reduce your energy bills? The big energy companies are set to increase their prices yet again this winter. You may benefit from lower bills by switching gas and electricity suppliers and you can do this easily using My Home Energy Switch. My Home Energy Switch is an energy supply service from the National Housing Federation to help tenants reduce their energy bills. This service is completely free and impartial and on average customers save £72.84 on their energy bills. How does it work? All you need to do is call 0800 0014 706 or go to www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk with your postcode and a current energy bill. The My Home Energy Switch team will do the rest. Want to know more ? The energy switch team has produced a leaflet telling you more about the service. You can download it from their website or pick up a copy from the CHA office. If you would like to register your interest or have any questions about the service, contact the My Home Energy Switch team today on 0800 0014 706, email voids@billscutter.com or visit www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk Page 5
Rent Reminder At this busy time of the year it is important not to forget to pay your rent on time. Remember banks, post offices and CHA offices will be closed over the Christmas holidays and payments will take longer to come through. The CHA office closes at 1.00pm on Christmas Eve and re-opens again in the New Year at 9.00am, Thursday 2nd January 2014.
Struggling with finances this Christmas? Many people struggle with their finances particularly over the winter months with higher fuel costs and Christmas expenditure. If you are struggling trying to make ends meet there are several agencies who can offer free useful advice to help you reduce costs and make your money go further. The CAB offer free debt advice and help with financial issues and the Knowsley Road office in Bootle can be contacted on 0151 288 5683. They also have a helpful website: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk The Money Advice Service is a government backed agency and can be contacted on 0300 500 5000 or visit the website at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk. Remember if you are having difficulty paying your rent please contact us at the office. We will do all we can to help.
Neighbourhood Walkabouts At different points throughout the year housing officers from CHA participate in walkabouts in Waterloo and Seaforth. They are held in conjunction with staff from Sefton MBC, neighbourhood officers from OVH, local councillors and local police. The purpose of these walkabouts is to identify ‘grot spots’ and to help combat problem areas. Examples of things we look for are fly tipping, graffiti and vandalism. The walkabouts usually last one to two hours and if you would like to take part please contact the office and register your interest so we can invite you to the next one.
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Crosby Area Foodbank Collecting Here Today Crosby Housing Association are now an official collection point for donations to the Crosby area foodbank. You can donate by leaving items in the box in our Reception area. Shopping List Milk (UHT or powdered) Sugar (500g) Fruit juice (long life carton) Soup, Pasta sauces Sponge pudding (tinned) Tomatoes (tinned) Cereals Rice pudding (tinned) Tea bags/instant coffee Instant mashed potato Rice/pasta, Tinned Meat/Fish Tinned vegetables Tinned Fruit Jam, Biscuits, Snack Bars
General enquiries ring 07580 156311 or call in person to the old housing offices in Great Georges Road, Waterloo
www.crosbyarea.foodbank.org.uk www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects
Opening Times for Christmas/ New Year 2013-2014 Waterloo Town Hall
Last Session: Re Opening:
Monday Thursday
23 Dec 1-3pm 02 Jan 1-3pm
Helping Hand
Last Session: Re Opening:
Friday Friday
20 Dec 10am-12noon 03 Jan 10am-12noon
The Kings Church
Wednesday Friday Wednesday
18 Dec 12-1.30pm 27 Dec 11-1pm 8 Jan 12-1.30pm
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News from Steph at the Charity shop Hi Everyone. Welcome to the first news article written by the charity shop staff. Can I start by saying how much we appreciate your ongoing support from tenants and the community in donating stock and purchasing from us.
We are always looking for donations of good quality women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, alongside books, toys, CDs and bric-a-brac. December has crept upon us really quickly this year, but we have a good range of Christmas decorations, toys and gifts. We also have a rail dedicated to all your party needs so call in and grab a bargain. Ralph Morton was keen musician and one of the founding members of CHA. The Ralph Morton Music Bursary was established in his memory and is funded from the Charity Shop income. Ryan O’Grady, one of the most recent young musicians to benefit. He was home from Uni recently and took the time to pop in to the Charity Shop to let us know how he is doing and to express his gratitude for the help and support he has received from the Bursary over the last few years. He told us that his talent has already been spotted by Hammond Saltaire who have recruited him to play in their brass band. He‘ll certainly be busy in the run up to Xmas! Well done and good luck for the future Ryan Picture courtesy of Hammond Saltaire Band http://www.hammondsband.org.uk/ twitter @hammondsband The 6th and 7th December saw Jo Richardson (pen name Joanna Fleur O’Neill) in the shop to sell and sign her latest book “The Heart of Love in a Bar”. The book has sold really well so far and Jo will be appearing in the shop again on various days up until the Christmas break so keep checking the shop window for more details. We finish for Christmas on the 24th December and will re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2014. The staff found a funny Christmas poem that we would like to share with you all….. I made myself a snowball, As perfect as could be, I thought I’d keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me, I made it some pyjamas And a pillow for its head, Then last night it ran away But first it wet the bed! We wish all of you a Happy Christmas and lots of luck for 2014! Page 8
Gardening Competition 2013 Once again the annual gardening competition proved what a green-fingered lot CHA tenants are. Prizes for our winners were presented at the annual open meeting in September.
Winners for 2013 Best Yard: Best Rear Garden Best Hanging Basket Best Front Garden Best Alley Best Pots
Bernie Reynolds Sue McCluskie George Harrison Ian McKay Ken Hughes Tom Beattie
Thanks to everyone who entered this year’s competition and remember it’s not too early if you are a budding Alan Titchmarsh to start planning and planting for next year. For inspiration, here are a couple of photos from this year’s winners.
We’re surveying our properties You may see a bit more of our Technical Services Manager Malcolm Gilbert over the next couple of months. Malcolm will be out and about visiting a significant proportion of our properties to undertake building condition surveys. If Malcolm needs access to your home, he will contact you in advance to make arrangements. Any queries please contact the office.
Business Planning Day 2014 Our annual away-day is booked for Wednesday 29th January 2014 at the Crosby Lakeside Activity Centre, CLAC, and our office will be closed on that day. The planning day is an opportunity for staff, Board and tenants to influence CHA future plans and operations. Usually about a dozen tenants join staff and board to consider how we can address the issues that we are likely to face in the year ahead. It’s an informal day and there are good opportunities to get involved and have your say. If you are interested in joining us please contact the office for further details.
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On your bike, Geoff CHA Maintenance Technician Geoff Wall took to the saddle during the summer to take part in the annual Liverpool-ChesterLiverpool cycle event. This 70 mile round trip event gave cyclists the opportunity to raise money for their local charities. Geoff’s chosen charity was The Blind Association. He trained throughout the year in preparation for the occasion and his number for the event was “1000”. The route began at the Queensway tunnel before looping round north Cheshire and then continuing back through the Wirral and Birkenhead tunnel, finishing at the Liverpool event village, where each cyclist received a medal to mark the 20th anniversary of the event. Geoff completed the course in 3 hours 35 Minutes and enjoyed the day by saying “the monies raised will go towards the training of guide dog puppies. I chose this charity as it gives such a lease of life for people with sight impairment, and the costs and time to train the puppies is enormous”. Geoff raised £160 and would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who sponsored him.
More pictures from the Waterloo and Seaforth Christmas events
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Target
Performance up to 31.09.13
Are we on target?
Properties with an up to date gas certificate (235/235)
100%
100%
Emergency repairs completed within target time this qtr (36/36)
100%
100%
Urgent repairs completed within target time this qtr (63/63)
100%
100%
√ √ √
Routine repairs completed within target time this qtr (497/506)
99%
98.22%
Near Miss!
Repairs that were completed right first time – based on TSS responses (response rate is 28.65 %)
90%
94.9%
√
99%
99.37%
√
Local Offer performance update 31.09.13 1 Your Home Offer
Tenants satisfied with the repairs service this qtr (return rate is 28.65%)
2 Tenant Involvement & Empowerment Offer The Tenants Advisory Panel met in July, 7 tenants attended the meeting and discussed a variety of issues including Welfare Reform, the Local Offer, and the Business Planning day scheduled for January 2014. The TAP recommended that CHA review and refresh the Local Offer This will be undertaken in the New Year. The Annual Open meeting was held in September, 10 tenants attended to hear presentations from officers and other stakeholders including a presentation on loan sharks and to view a very informative film created by CHA tenants regarding Welfare Reform. We will refresh the Scrutiny Panel Group in the New Year. It is proposed that the Panel will review the communal services contracts and review the Local Offer. 3 Tenancy Offer 21 properties became void in the first 2 quarters up to the end of September, of these 5 voids were created as a result of tenant transfers. These transfers do not present housing gain as the tenants have been accommodated in other voids. So 16 voids were created as a result of tenants leaving CHA property and we class these as true voids. It has been noted that 2 & 3 bed houses have been more difficult to let in recent months and this is possibly due to the introduction of Welfare Reform Under Occupation Charge as larger properties appear to be less attractive to smaller households. These properties are advertised on Property Pool Plus and we are using photographs on the PPP system to promote bidding. It is hoped that this will impact positively on the average re-let time for properties. Average time it took to re-let empty properties
18.5 days
20.3 days
X
4 Neighbourhood and Communities Offer Approximately half our tenants received either 1, 2 or 3 of the communal services via our gardening, window or communal cleaning contractors. These services are currently eligible for Housing Benefit payments for tenants in receipt of HB . Tenant satisfaction levels are established via a questionnaire circulated on a quarterly basis normally with the newsletter. The circulation of the last satisfaction questionnaire was delayed and accompanied rent statements in October. This results of this questionnaire will reported next quarter. We are currently working with North West Housing Services, reviewing both the schedule of properties and the specification of works for the communal services contracts. 5 Neighbourhood Offer Anti-Social Behaviour Offer There have been 40 incidents of Anti Social Behaviour reported up to 30 th September 2013, each of these has been responded to within the target time of 5 days. The incidents related to 31 tenancies. Analysis of the spread of cases reveals that 12 cases occurred in Seaforth – 30% and 18 in Waterloo- 45%, 7 cases in Litherland17.5%, finally 3 incidents in Bootle - 7.5%. The majority of incidents 25 cases – 62.5% were complaints regarding noise. The remaining 37.5% concerned tenant behaviour, visitors, pets, rubbish and 3 incidents of drug related ASB where we are liaising with other agencies to resolve. Page 11
Easy mince pies with crunchy crumble Ingredients 300g dried mixed fruit, 200g apricot jam, 25ml brandy (optional)
For the pastry 200g plain flour, 100g butter (cut into cubes), 1 egg yolk
For the crunchy crumble 100g plain flour, 25g icing sugar (plus extra for dusting), 50g butter (cut into cubes), 50g whole almonds (roughly chopped)
1.
Put the dried fruit and jam in a small pan, heat until melted together, then stir in the brandy and allow to cool. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
2.
For the pastry, set aside 2 tbsp flour and put the rest plus the butter in a food processor. Whizz until there are no lumps of butter. Pulse in the egg yolk, followed by a tbsp of water at a time, until the dough comes together – you’ll probably need 2 tbsp. (If you don’t have a food processor, rub butter into the flour with your fingers, then stir in the yolk and water with a round-bladed knife.) Use the reserved flour to roll out the pastry to just over the thickness of a £1 coin. Stamp circles with an 8cm cutter and press into holes of a bun tin – you should get 15 from re-rolling the trimmings.
3.
Divide the fruit amongst the pies, then bake for 5 mins while you rub together all the crumble ingredients with your fingers. Top each pie with crumble, then return to the oven for 15 mins until pastry and crumble are golden. Eat warm or cold, dusted with icing sugar.
Out of hours Emergency Repair Service 0845 057 7096 If you would like this document in another language or format, or if you require the service of an interpreter, please contact us.
CROSBY HOUSING ASSOCIATION
Office Address 10 Church Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 5NB Tel. 0151 920 7300 Fax 0151 949 0717 email info@crosby-ha.org.uk www.crosbyhousing.org.uk Page 12