Home talk Autumn 2012
Tenants at Trinity Close in Cannock welcomed local councillors and Housing Leader Frank Allen to their block of flats to see for themselves the super wholesale renovation of the interior, communal areas and entrances carried out by the Council. Turn to Page 3 for the full story and more photos.
The magazine for Cannock Chase Council tenants
Inside 6-page Housing Annual Report
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s w e n g n i s u o h e s a h c
Make a wish A right Royal celebration! for your estate The Elizabeth Road redevelopment project is now a reality, with 150 new homes on a new estate in the heart of Cannock Chase appropriately named Monarch Park.
Teaming up with Cannock Chase Council and Waterloo Housing Group, Lovell is building two, three, four and fivebedroom family homes. They comprise 100 affordable homes for Waterloo, 63 for rent and 37 for shared ownership, plus 50 homes for outright sale. Members of the Council recently took a tour of the development to see for themselves how the area is being transformed. Among them was Cllr Frank Allen, Portfolio Holder for Housing, who said: “I was very impressed - it is a real asset
to the area. As well as providing the opportunity for local people to rent a home or move onto or up the housing ladder, the new housing is boosting the local economy with construction jobs, including apprenticeships and related spending as people move in.” The new homes have been designed to high standards and all have enclosed gardens and parking facilities. An improved road layout and careful environmental landscaping, with features such as bat boxes to support existing wildlife habitats, are also included. The original Elizabeth Road estate was built in the Queen’s Coronation year (1952) and named after her. Monarch Park will welcome its first householders in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year!
Cannock Chase Council has set aside FUNDING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE on your estate Any tenant or leaseholder can make a suggestion on how the money should be spent. Pictured here is one of the most recent improvements suggested by Tom Dawson of Cleveland Drive, Chadsmoor.
If you want to make a wish for an estate improvement, please complete the enclosed ‘Make a Wish’ form. All ideas are welcome and will be considered by Panel Members at the next Minor Works Focus Group Meeting. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Panel, please contact a member of the Estate Management Team on 01543 462621. Pictured on the tour of Monarch Park are: Left to right – Julie Welch, Field Sales Manager Lovells, Cllr Diane Todd, David Gough, Regional Director Lovells, Cllr Frank Allen, Cllr Doris Grice and Lorraine Kendrick, Regional Sales Manager Lovells.
The Government has increased the maximum Right to Buy discount to £75,000. Only secure tenants of five years or more can qualify for a discount and the rates themselves have not changed. They are: Houses/Bungalows – 35% of the property value plus 1% for each completed year (maximum 30 years = 60%). Flats – 50% of property value plus 2% for each completed year (maximum 15 years = 70%). Prospective purchasers need to fill in form RTB1, available from the Council’s offices or downloaded from the Government’s website: www.direct.gov.uk
Full details of the Right to Buy process and procedure are in the Council’s Right to Buy information booklets, available from the Council Offices and the website. You can also contact Sarah Evans, Right to Buy and Leasehold Services Officer, on 01543 456866. Prospective purchasers should be aware of initial costs likely to be incurred by tenants exercising their right to buy, such as: Stamp duty Legal and survey fees Valuation fees and costs associated with taking out a mortgage Buying your home will also likely mean making ongoing regular
payments such as: Mortgage Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance. Building insurance, Life assurance Council tax Water, sewerage, gas, electricity and other utility charges Service charges (in the case of flats) Repairs and maintenance costs become an owner’s responsibility - NOT the Council! Important: As an owner, your home may be repossessed, if you fail to meet regular mortgage payments.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Moss on time The re-housing of residents in the defective Moss Road Estate flats is bang on schedule ahead of the planned redevelopment of the area. Although no date has yet been set for the demolition of the 170 flats, over a third of residents have already moved out with more moves in the pipeline. Residents are encouraged to keep checking Uchoosehomes to find out what properties are available. Housing officers are on hand to assist with any issues over the moves. Any resident affected by the redevelopment with any queries about what’s happening can contact Jayne Fisher, phone 01543 462621 or email: jaynefisher@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Trinit y Clo s e ‘s new lo ok Tenants in Trinity Close, Cannock are delighted with the recently completed refurbishment of their block of flats.
The major facelift, carried out by the Council’s contractors Lovells, includes new carpet, lighting and decoration of the communal areas - plus a new main entrance door system with intercom. Other improvements saw the removal of a ground-floor bin store to provide a more open communal area and new entrance doors for individual flats. Light fittings as well have been upgraded using LED lowenergy gear. One Trinity Close resident, 86-year-old Ernest Wilkes, who has lived in his flat for over 30 years said: “The refurbishment is excellent – it’s the only word I can use to describe it. The workmen were brilliant and we’ve now got a much brighter and pleasant environment here.” Tenants were involved at every stage of the process, including choosing the colour of the carpet and paint. Cllr Frank Allen, Cannock Chase Council Housing Leader, said: “The upgrade of the communal areas has been a great success and it’s wonderful to hear from tenants how much they appreciate it. The block was built in the early 1970s and was in need of improvements. We’re now
Right: out with the old…
Beat the ‘bedroom tax’ plan
Cannock Chase Housing chiefs are taking a fresh look at the way Council tenancies are allocated, with an eye on the so-called ‘bedroom tax’.
A key proposal is to give greater priority to Council tenants who need to move to smaller accommodation, particularly those affected by the Welfare Reform Act’s new ‘bedroom tax’ on tenants who are under-occupying their current homes. ( See our report on Page 4 for examples of how benefits would be reduced) A revised policy has been drawn up and all housing applicants and tenants, along with organisations such as the County Council, Citizens Advice Bureau and housing associations who have property in the district are being consulted about it. Details of all the proposed allocation policy changes and how to make your comments can be found online at: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk You can also email
serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
…and in with the new (above). looking to roll out the improvements to our other communal blocks.”
or call Housing Service Improvement 01543 462621 for a copy. Consultation carries on until Friday 21 December. The results will be carefully considered by the Council before the new policy is agreed. The new policy is expected to take effect from April next year.
Home improvements right across the board
W
ork on improving and modernising Cannock Chase tenants’ homes is in full swing this year.
Bathrooms, kitchens, central heating and windows are among the items now on the worksheets. Substantial refurbishments to three-storey flat blocks and reinforced concrete properties will be starting before Christmas. It’s a major investment by the Council in its housing stock that sends out a signal of some stability for the 6,000-plus tenants in the district. All the work cannot be done at once, of course, but tenants may find the improvements will be well worth the wait. One of the most popular programmes is undoubtedly the replacement bathrooms. Council chiefs gave the go-ahead for it to be restarted in July, when the first surveys were carried out and work started in earnest in August. Tenants don’t have to agree to the work being done, but if they do, they’ll have a new ��� toilet, a new wash hand basin and the f you’ve choice of having a got a Bright replacement bath Idea, to benefit the or a shower with Housing Service, a shower tray - all contact the Service in white! Shower Improvement Team. installations will Call: 01543 464757 Call / text 07 814 758558. include an electric
We’ll pay for Bright Ideas!
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shower, shower curtain rail and a shower curtain will be gifted to each tenant. (In homes where some sanitary ware is fairly new, only old items may be replaced).
Kitchen Programme To date, over 3,500 tenants’ homes have benefited from a new kitchen as part of Lovells’ programme and many more have had kitchens replaced by Housing Repairs whilst the property was void. It means that work can now be scaled back with only around 100 upgrades this year.
Sheltered Bathrooms In September the job of re-vamping all the bathrooms in Grace Moore Court and Caxton Court sheltered schemes got under way. Up to now only shared bathrooms were available to residents, but that is now all about to change with a new electric shower and tray, new toilet, wash hand basin, wall tiles and flooring for each dwelling. Pilot conversions at each scheme will lead on to the whole building getting new bathrooms.
Hayes); St Michaels Area Estate (Rugeley); Carfax Estate (Cannock); Brindley Crescent Estate (Brindley Heath); Jerome Road Estate (Norton Canes); Danby Drive Estate (Prospect Village) and Benion Road Area Estate (Chadsmoor).
Structural Reinstatement Phase 1 of the refurbishment of Pre Reinforced Concrete (PRC) Dwellings is due to start on 63 ‘Reema’ Houses on the Moss Road Estate in December. Immediately after completion, Phase 2 will involve similar works to 44 ‘Cornish’ properties in the Rowley Close area of Pye Green. This is a major undertaking to provide the properties with an extended lifespan of at least 30 years!
Double Glazing! The Council’s window refurbishment programme will kick off next April and continue over the next seven years, eventually providing ALL homes with sealed double-glazed units and new locking handles.
Central Heating
Flat Blocks
PH Jones (British Gas) is continuing with the existing contract and are currently on schedule to meet this year’s target of 360 central heating upgrades.
In addition to the work to two-storey blocks, including carpeting, new doors to individual flats, upgrading of lighting and redecoration, the threestorey blocks on Walsall Road and Moss Road Estates will also benefit from refurbishment of the existing single storey entrance halls to combat on going problems with the former internal communal bin store area, with work starting on the Walsall Road (Carfax) site during October 2012.
External Works Around 750 properties on seven estates will get the benefit of replacement guttering, roof remedials and other outside jobs. It includes properties at Cromwell Road Area Estate (Heath
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s t u o l e h t g n i l tack
Do you want to help Cannock Chase Council tackle problems of anti-social behaviour in your area?
A number of tenants and residents from housing estates across the district have joined Housing’s Anti-Social Behaviour Focus Group. The Group is not involved in enforcement action, although it works closely with the community safety team, the police and other agencies like Victim Support. It is more of a group that focusses on ideas for improving the Council’s anti-social behaviour service. This includes promoting good behaviour, examples of good practice for dealing with nuisance and helping victims of antisocial behaviour. More members are needed to widen its scope and provide more good ideas. If you are interested, contact the Estate Management Team on 01543 462621.
Housing chief Frank Allen and a local bobby with the closure order for a nuisance neighbour!
R
esidents are enjoying a bit of peace and quiet after the Council used its powers to clamp down on nuisance tenants.
A closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act for a flat in Salop Drive was granted by Cannock magistrates on 24th August. Within the hour, the tenants had moved out and the property was secured by the Council – much to the relief of people living nearby. A neighbour said: “They have been a nightmare since they moved in. Fighting, drinking, kicking doors, shouting, and dealing drugs. You used to get abuse as you walked past them. To be honest, at 6pm I used to lock my door and I wouldn’t go out after that. “I’m absolutely over the moon to see them go and I’m so grateful to the Council and the Police for sorting this out.” In Burgoyne Street, meanwhile, neighbours made a number of complaints about late night noise coming from a flat in the street, where visitors were congregating. As a result, the Housing Estate Management & Environmental Health Teams went to court to get a warrant under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to evict the tenant. Stereo equipment was also seized from the property. The tenant subsequently handed in his notice to quit the property. Another problem tenant wasn’t given the option of quitting the tenancy: The Council applied for a court order to evict him from his home in Stafford Lane, Hednesford - for drug dealing and abstracting electricity. The Council works closely with other public bodies, such as the Police, to combat problems like illegal drugs, noise, vandalism and all other types of anti-social behaviour. Belinda Wildey, Estate Management Team Leader said we work closely with our Partners to combat Anti-Social Behaviour. Cannock Chase tenants who cause serious problems in the neighbourhood are at real risk of losing their tenancy.
‘Bedroom Tax’ and Housing Benefit Help for victims of hate crimes
New Housing Benefit rules brought in by the Government are set to hit working-age claimants who rent homes bigger than their needs.
In what has been widely tagged as the ‘bedroom tax’, housing benefit will not be paid for uninhabited bedrooms. Under the new rules, bedrooms in the household are needed for: each couple (married or unmarried) any other adult aged 16 or over any children of the same sex under 16 Any two children under 10 Any other child, other than a foster child or child whose main home is elsewhere A carer (or team of carers) who do not live with you but provide you or your partner with overnight care.
SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW IT COULD AFFECT YOU 1 Spare Bedroom HB Reduction (14%) Weekly Rent £65.00 £70.00 £75.00 £80.00 £85.00 £90.00
£9.10 £9.80 £10.50 £11.20 £11.90 £12.60
2 or more Spare Bedrooms HB Reduction (25%) £16.25 £17.50 £18.75 £20.00 £21.25 £22.50
THIS ONLY AFFECTS TENANTS OF WORKING AGE and comes in to effect from April 2013.
Victims of hate crimes in the Cannock Chase area are being urged to report incidents and not suffer in silence. A new group dedicated to raising awareness of this sort of crime has just been formed in the district. It’s called CACH (Chase Against Crimes of Hate) and one of its main tasks is to encourage reporting of hate crimes. “Hate crime” is defined as offences committed on the basis of discrimination or prejudice. They could be racial, homophobic, or targeted against anyone in a minority or vulnerable group. If YOU are a victim or know someone who is suffering, you should either report it directly to CACH or to the Housing Department’s Estate Management Team on 01543 462621 For more information about CACH, check out their website:
www.cachpartnership.org.uk/ Or: Phone: 01785 619775 Text to: 07971 497988.
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
community corn
Downsizing? Lorraine is here to help
er
A new post within the Housing Department to assist vulnerable people and help tenants looking to ‘downsize’ has been taken by Housing Assistant Lorraine Thiselton. She explained exactly what is involved: “I aim to be a one point contact for vulnerable tenants or prospective tenants having difficulty in looking for a move. “This help can come in the form of either assisting a vulnerable client to complete a medical or housing application form, at home or in the office, telephoning them weekly to discuss their progress and advice on the properties available that week.
home visits
Housing staff at The Bungalow joined in the Jubilee celebrations for the Queen by decorating the Reception area with flags and bunting. The Union “I follow their progress and keep in contact throughout the Flags also served as support for our teams in the Olympics whole process and even visit them in their new home when and Paralympics… they are successful to ensure things have run smoothly. “I have worked in the Housing Allocations team for nearly three years and the other area I now help with is downsizing clients, many of them elderly, in large family homes to one or two bedroom bungalows. Tenants who downsize and have no other identified housing need except to downsize could qualify for a one-off payment from the Council to help pay for the move (subject to terms and conditions). “This releases family accommodation for future or overcrowded tenants and matches the existing tenant to a property more suited to Gas servicing prize draw: their current needs. With the forthcoming Welfare Benefit March: Mrs J.Jeavons, changes in April 2013, those Norton Canes; who underoccupy their Mrs M. Fowler, Cannock home and are affected by April: Mrs J.M. Turner, the reduction in benefits can Hednesford; Mrs P. potentially save themselves Poppett, Chadsmoor some money,“ said Lorraine. May: Mrs V. Boulton, …and over at Norton Canes: For more information on Caxton Court Sheltered Scheme, Mr G Bott, Norton Canes downsizing, call Lorraine Council groundsman ‘Goldie’ created a beautiful flower bed June: Miss S Eardley, on 01543 464768. in the shape and colours of the Union Jack Hednesford; Mrs H Pearson, Hightown July: Mrs E Massey, Chadsmoor Ms J Barratt, Cannock Alarms Pull Cord Test Secondly, it’s to reassure the Housing Department All Council tenants are due a friendly visit from Mr Tonks, Hednesford. that it has accurate information about the people living a Housing officer to make sure that everything Repairs satisfaction draw: in Council properties. This will help Housing chiefs plan is all right and there are no problems. March: Mrs S Taylor, for the future and also make sure that the rightful tenant The visit will involve a brief inspection of your Hednesford is in occupancy. property to look for defects or anything that needs April: Mrs E. Hodgkinson, During the visit, tenants will be asked to show two Rugeley attention - plus the completion of a quick questionnaire. forms of identification, at least one including a photo, May: Mrs V. Hodgkiss, The purpose of the visit, formally called a ‘Tenancy for example a passport, driving licence or bus pass. Cannock Audit’, is twofold: firstly, to reassure tenants that June: Mr G D Westwood, Tenants can rest assured that, unless they have done everything is OK, plus giving them the latest information Norton Canes something stupid like sub-letting their home or carrying about the Housing service, how to get the best from July: Mr J Mills, Rugeley out any illicit activity there, the visit will be a formality. it and offering an opportunity to raise any concerns. Spring Wordsearch: Mrs For more information about Tenancy Audits, contact Information such as rent and benefit advice, about V Dawson, Hednesford the Estate Management Team on 01543 462621 or estate walks, home contents insurance and tenants’ Estate Walk Draw Winner: email us at EMTeam@cannockchasedc.gov.uk associations will also be given. Mrs K Devey, Cannock.
Winners…
Housing staff pay friendly visit
www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
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C ontact Centre
Tenants who suspect their electricity meter box may have a fault or is damaged in any way, are urged to report it to the Council as soon as possible - phone 01543 456861. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Emergency Repairs…
All areas outside office hours: Tel: 01543 456816
CHECK THOSE ALARMS! Tenants & all other clients using the Council’s alarm system are reminded to carry out their monthly check: ONCE A MONTH pull the cord to alert the call centre. This will test the alarm is working and reassure operators that you are all right. DON’T FORGET THE £25 ALARM TEST PRIZE DRAW!
Repairs Reporting…
All repairs: Tel: 01543 462621 or Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Report it’
Housing Enquiries… General enquiries: Tel: 01543 462621
Nuisance Hotline… NUISANCE HOTLINE 01543 462621 now operator answered 24/7
Hometalk is available in LARGE Benefits Enquiries… and Council Tax Benefits PRINT and ON TAPE. Contact Housing enquiries: 01543 464292 the Service Improvement Team Rent Paymen ts… Pay by Phone: 0845 2340080 on 01543 462621. Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Pay it’
A £50 gift voucher
exclusively T L Y A G R A M A J for tenants! U S E R V A L T A T
Find these BIG CATS in the Wordsearch grid: LION OCELOT LYNX MARGAY KODKOD CHEETAH COUGAR JAGUAR SERVAL PANTHER JAGUARUNDI BOBCAT Tiebreaker: Hidden in there is a cat that never changes its spots.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Send entries to: Hometalk Wordsearch The Civic Centre Beecroft Road Cannock
L Y N X A M E I
N K O D K O D S
N O I L M N C O
O R A G U O C C
R P R R B E H E
A A A O I E R L
U U B R E G E O
G C R T D O G T
A P A N T H E R
J H E N I L T E
Your name ................................................. Your address ............................................ ................................ Post Code ...............
Tel. ............................... I am aged over 16 (or hand it in at your local Council Office). NB Closing date is: Friday, 9th November. First correct entry drawn (Employees of the Council and their families not eligible to enter) out wins the prize. Housing Services may wish to contact you concerning housing matters. If you do not wish to be contacted, tick this box Published by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL HOUSING DIVISION
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Council Online…
Cannock Chase Council website: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Opening Hours… The Council’s Housing Office at the Bungalow in Beecroft Road, Cannock, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Local Council Office in Anson Street, Rugeley is open the same times EXCEPT Wednesdays, when it is 9am to 1pm. The One-stop Shop at the Library in Market Street, Hednesford is now open for general inquiries 9am - 5pm (closed 1pm - 2pm). Appointments can also be made.
Writing to us… Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, P O Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock Staffs. WS11 1BG.
Diary Date… Repairs Focus Group meeting: Tuesday, 6th November , 2pm at Hawks Green Depot, Cannock.
Editorial Consultants: MID STAFFS NEWS AGENCY 01785 823489
Cannock Chase Council Housing Services
Annual 2011-12
Report
A Review of the services provided for Cannock Chase Council tenants between 1st April 2011 and 31st March 2012 www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
In t ro duct ion This is the Annual Report for Cannock Chase Council to 31 March 2012 as required under the ‘Revised regulatory framework for social housing in England from 2012’. A complete version of the Annual Report is available on request from the Service Improvement Section, Tel 01543 462621 email: serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Ser vin g our Cus tomers Accessing Housing Services Your housing service has a duty to give all customers, including those with diverse needs, quick and easy access to services. Serving you in Housing Reception 2011/12 15,475 reception visitors served in Housing Reception 100% of interviews conducted without a wait of over 15 minutes 94% of customers satisfied with helpfulness of employees
What we will do Reception staff will be welcoming, friendly, informative, discreet and professional at all times. Housing reception area is disabled-friendly and accessible, with private interview rooms and hearing loop available Service Standards agreed with tenant representatives are available in leaflet form and on the Council’s website www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk We will provide a translation service on request
Neighbourhood & Community Caring for your neighbourhood Partnership working has helped to provide cleaner and safer estates 86% of tenants are satisfied with their neighbourhoods as a place to live What we will do We will inspect and in co-ordination with our partners ensure the removal of all fly-tipped items on housing land, communal areas and garage sites Arrange for the removal of graffiti on Council homes, estates and garage sites Arrange for the removal of abandoned vehicles on housing land Carry out regular inspections of all Council low rise flatted estates Carry out a programme of minor works both with Chase Tenants’ & Residents’ Federation and through applications from any Council tenant
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Neighbourhood Services – Our commitments to you Estate Walks - Local Offer Traffic Light system The frequency of the estate walk is determined by a score rating for each estate, based on the number and type of issues which were identified from the walk during the previous year. As a result of the evaluation, an estate is categorised into one of three “traffic light” group evaluation rating. The walks may be increased or decreased through each year as each walk is constantly under review. Suggestions can also be made by participants for estate based improvements by application through the Minor Works Focus Group.
Tenant Involvement
Tenants and leaseholders Involved and Influencing their Housing Service 2011-12 78% of tenants are happy with how well the housing service keeps them informed. Many options for involvement are available and include joining tenant and resident associations, Housing Sounding Board, Focus Groups and many other opportunities as well as taking part in surveys. Representatives of Chase Tenants’ and Residents’ Federation regularly meet the council to discuss matters of policy. Support is available to enable any tenant or leaseholder to attend training including transport and care allowances as required. Special arrangements can be made for people with diverse needs. For more information about involvement options contact the Housing Service Improvement Section on Tel 01543 462621 or email: serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Understanding and responding to diverse needs of tenants What we will do The Council is committed to equal opportunities and valuing diversity and will consider the needs of all members
of our community. Every employee receives training in equal opportunities and diversity issues. Hometalk is available in large print or spoken word tapes.
Tenants involved and influencing - Local Offers - Our Commitments to you The Council stated that it would consult tenants regarding the new thirty year business plan. Hometalk’s Autumn 2011 edition and the Council’s website included an invitation for tenants to give their views on proposals for the Business Plan.
Feedback regarding Local Offer 2011-12 The Housing Maintenance Contract that was won by the Council has resulted in 14,000 completed repairs and 379 voids being returned in a lettable condition within budget.
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Repairs & Maintenance Keeping your homes in good repair
Our commitments to you: What we will do Provide an emergency repair service 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year Complete repairs within the priority times set out
in the Repairs Handbook Offer an appointment for all internal work when
you report your repair and provide you with a number for reference Provide proof of identity before entering your
home Undertake all work in a safety-conscious manner
in accordance with current health and safety guidelines
96% of repairs were completed on time 13,936 repairs were completed during the year 2011-12
Community Flatted Estate Inspections – 52 Blocks - Our Commitment to you - Local Offer Communal areas are inspected for environmental issues tenancy breaches, cleanliness, for fire
regulations and health and safety. These inspections are carried out on a quarterly basis. Blocks which give cause for concern are classed as a priority and are inspected twice each quarter Performance Information – 100% of inspections were carried out in year 2011/12
Lettin gs & A llo cation s
A Fair Lettings Service which is easy to use Housing conditions have a major impact on the health of occupants, particularly our more vulnerable residents. The Housing Strategy and our Strategic Housing Priorities have been developed to ensure the District has a decent affordable housing stock that offers appropriate housing and choice for all residents, and assists in creating sustainable and healthy communities.
Lettings - Our Commitments to you What we will do We will provide a copy of the Allocations Policy (Somewhere to Live) at your request which will explain how properties
are allocated We will verify your application made on UChoosehomes within 10 working days We will contact you if your application is not complete or if further information is required We will ensure that a Housing Officer views any property offered with you We will provide a welcome information pack to ensure you are aware of all available services before you move
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Anti-social Behaviour Services preventing & tackling ASB Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) in 2011/12 100% of serious ASB cases were responded to in 1 working day - There were 12 cases 100% of persistent ASB cases were responded to in working 2 days - There were 165 cases 100% of environmental ASB cases were responded to within 5 working days - There were 137 of these 79% of tenants were satisfied with the management of their case
Local Area Co-operation The Councils Community Safety partnership has been formed to work with a wide range of Partners to prevent
and tackle ASB We work closely with the Police and Victim Support to tackle issues and provide practical support to victims and witnesses The ASB Focus Group of residents was formed to work
with partners to tackle issues around ASB and improve the service we provide Work closely with the Council’s ASB Prevention Officer
to promote support and implement initiatives to prevent ASB in partnership with other agencies
What we will do We will provide a dedicated Estate Management
Officer to discuss the situation with you and advise you on what we can and cannot do, and in conjunction with you, formulate an Action Plan that will clearly set out what will be done and by whom We will investigate all reports of anti-social behaviour
promptly We will use mediation services where appropriate.
Complaints to the Council Learning from your complaints How we Learned and Changed Following feedback received from tenants after their kitchen refurbishment, we now fit tiles behind cooker spaces and on floors.
What we will do We will try to resolve all complaints at the first point of contact. Your complaint will be acknowledged within three working days of receipt by the Housing Service Improvement office. A
full reply will be given within ten working days. You will be kept informed of where your complaint is in the process and of any potential delays in replying. We will inform you of the next step you should take if you disagree with the outcome of the complaint.
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Money Matters Value for Money in 2011-12 The Housing Budget and how it performed Some snapshots from the housing budget 2011/12: About £4 million spent on repairs and maintenance About £5 million spent on Decent Homes improvements and major works and other essential works
such as asbestos removal About £600,000 spent on Disabled Facilities Works to Council properties About £4.6 million spent on capital financing (making loan payments)
Meeting the Decent Homes Standard The key requirement for the Council has been investing in the housing stock to maintain the Decent Homes Standard. Future programmes will ensure homes are kept to the decent homes standard. The four improvement programmes are: Replacement Kitchens – we
replaced 292 kitchens Electrical upgrading – we carried
out 734 electrical upgrades Gas Central Heating – we upgraded
372 central heating systems External Envelope – we carried
out external improvements to 593 properties By using partnering approach for major contracts we saved 10% on kitchen/ bathroom contract after market testing.
Surplus Stock When less popular one bedroom bungalows built before 1970 become vacant they are assessed to find out the cost to maintain the property over the next 10 years. The most expensive are put up for sale through a local estate agent. The funds raised from the sale of the bungalows has been used for the provision of additional homes through Housing Associations across the district.
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