@Home Issue 5 - Summer 2022 by City of London Housing

ISSUE NO.5 SUMMER 2022

SPOTLIGHT ON ESCAPE OF WATER DAMAGE The City Insurance Team shares their advice

WORRIED ABOUT INCREASING ENERGY COSTS? Useful tips from City Advice and the Energy Saving Trust

YOUR NEW ESTATE SERVICES TEAM Information on Gas Safety for Leaseholders

HOUSING REVIEW from...

LIAM GILLESPIE

Head of Housing Management

Welcome to issue 5 of @home, our twice-yearly magazine for City of London Housing residents. In this issue, you will find some useful tips on home energy and the different schemes available to help people affected by the rise in energy bills. We also take a look at gas safety for leaseholders. We are making some changes to the staffing arrangements on your estates. The Estate Manager and Estate Officer posts are being phased out, with the new posts of Resident Services Officer and Estate Supervisor being created to replace them. We are currently recruiting these new staff and will write to all residents soon with details of their local teams, so you know who to contact about any issues you have. You can find out more about your new Estate Supervisors in this issue. They will manage cleaning, caretaking and gardening on your estates. We are also recruiting dedicated Gardeners, who will work

with residents to enhance communal gardens and open spaces, so please feel free to contact your local team with any ideas you have for your estate. To build on these changes, we are due to start a full review of our customer services functions, to ensure that we offer you more efficient and convenient service at your estate offices, over the phone, via e-mail and through our website. We would like as many views on the current and future service as possible, so please consider joining our virtual Housing User Board (HUB) (more on page 12). The easiest way to receive information from the Housing team is through our e-mail updates. To sign up, visit: https://bit.ly/3OhYshi or email home@cityoflondon.gov.uk. I hope you enjoy this edition of @home. If you have any feedback, or ideas for future content, please let us know using the contact details below.

WHAT’S INSIDE? An interview with Greg Nott

Word on the Estates

Meet your Estate Supervisors

Save money with these tips from the Energy Saving Trust

Help with rising living costs

Gas Safety for Leaseholders

8-9

Spotlight on Water Damage

10-11

Have your say

Resident Satisfaction Survey: Tell us what you think

Domestic Abuse: Sexual abuse and street harrassment

Climate Action Strategy

Resident Recipes

Key Contacts

The new Estate Services Manager

Estate Services statistics for 2021 - 2022 Some familiar faces have new roles on our estates Warmer homes in London

City Advice tips to help with fuel, bills and available grants Your responsibilities in respect of gas safety as a leaseholder and as a landlord From the City’s Insurance and Risk Management Team How residents can help shape the way we deliver services Coming later this year

The City launches a new campaign to keep you safe Be a valuable voter on the Climate Action Strategy Try our Allotment Cake recipe! Helpful contact details for City of London Housing

MEET THE TEAM! Who are the people behind @Home magazine and newsletters?

Liane Coopey

Emily Grant

Rebecca Southin

Sophie Caley Contact the team at home@cityoflondon.gov.uk

MEET THE NEW ESTATE SERVICES MANAGER

In 2018 the City of London Housing Service commissioned a review of its cleaning and grounds maintenance services. This estates services review helped provide an overview and greater understanding of how we, as a social housing provider, compared to our peers. In May 2022, Greg Nott was appointed as Estate Services Manager to lead the team, focussing on introducing a host of improvements in these key areas of service provision. You’ve recently been permanently appointed as Estate Services Manager after being seconded into the post for the last three years. What led you to this position? I have been seconded to the role of Project Manager for Estate Services for the past three years, having worked in Housing for 18 years (15 of those in the City). My previous roles were a variety of estate service-based positions. The experience I gained in previous roles have given me the knowledge and skills required for this position. I am always keen to identify improvements and to see how services can progress.

Each element of our blocks and grounds are graded and given an overall percentage score monthly. During inspections we can pick up on areas of concern such as anti-social behaviour, hazards and repairs. (See page 4 for 2021-2022 results) What is the most rewarding aspect of your new position? For me, it’s knowing that our residents are satisfied – being able to take action and give a customer positive feedback that satisfies their concerns. And the greatest challenges? Transitioning into a completely new way of working after many years of performing in the same way. Introducing new ideas and supporting staff through change. I believe our front line teams that dealt with cleaning and gardening during the pandemic, really rose to the challenges presented. What improvements on our estates do you anticipate our residents seeing over the next year or so? For the past 2 years we’ve faced difficulties with covid, staff vacancies and internal restructures – as we transition into new ways of working we are looking to raise standards and targeting areas for improvements across our estates, with improved consistency and accountability.

What difference do you anticipate now that the Estate Services staff now report to one line manager? Hopefully, staff will benefit from having one consistent goal and message, ensuring they are able to focus strengths on one services area, rather than being diluted across many. We will have specialised cleaning and gardening teams all working to the same standards, enabling us to have an improved focus on staff training in areas such as health and safety. Residents will also benefit from greater flexibility of staff providing cover across different estates. How do you monitor standards of cleaning & gardening across our estates which are based in 7 different London boroughs? We have a programme of inspections that is used to record and monitor standards across all our estates.

In the longer term we would like to promote more collaborative working, with residents becoming more involved in estate services. Services could benefit from having a member of a resident group, working with staff, to identify areas for improvement on their estate. If residents have any concerns/ comments about cleaning or gardening on our estates, what should they do? Initially we would ask residents to contact their estate offices, to ensure the standard processes can be followed. However, if residents feel their concerns are not being addressed the team can be contracted at estateservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk

ESTATE SERVICES STATISTICS Get in touch with the team at...

Estate ns o i t c e p s n I

88.5% Average external score

253 x o B e r Fi checks d te e l p m co

710

Internal s inspection d complete

87.9% Average internal score

1202 2 202

211

Grounds inspections completed

54 s ASB case d& identifie reported

280

Communal repairs identified & raised

ds Playgroun s inspection d complete

186

Fire door s n o i t c e p s in d complete

73 Hazards identified & actioned

MEET YOUR ESTATE SUPERVISORS

The City of London Housing Estate Services Team provide a quality service to ensure that your estate is maintained to the highest standards. As well as carrying out regular cleaning of the common parts, the team inspect our buildings and report or deal with issues such as faulty lighting, graffiti, abandoned cars and the dumping of bulky waste. Regular inspections by the Estate Services Manager and Supervisors help us monitor the performance of the teams to ensure high standards and continual improvement.

ADEDEJI FOLAMI - YORK WAY & HOLLOWAY ESTATES Before joining the City of London Housing Department, Ade worked as a Housing Officer, helping rough sleepers manage new tenancies. But travelling the length and breadth of London daily grew wearisome, and Ade moved to the City of London Housing Division for the lure of an estate-based job. After 5 years working on the Avondale Square Estate, Ade moved to become Estate Supervisor on the York Way and Holloway Estates. His early impressions of the estates are positive – Ade finds that the estates are nice environments and he is enjoying getting to know the residents. New challenges are being faced in trying to resolve issues with parking – but Ade is hoping to see improvements soon. In his down time Ade enjoys reading spy thrillers (and assassins!) and is currently on book 42 of the Tanner Series by Remington Kane.

MATT RING - GOLDEN LANE ESTATE Born and bred in Newham, lifelong West Ham supporter Matt has worked in a variety of roles on Isleden, Dron and Windsor Houses, and Middlesex Street Estate over the past 13 years. In his time with the Housing Division, Matt has seen his role change significantly to embrace new technologies and more effective ways of working. For Matt, no two days are alike, and he enjoys working with the wider team to overcome the many challenges that arise. Matt has always been involved in working with our communities, organising and supporting many events across the estates. He has taken part in many running, walking, boxing and football events in support of charities, and was proud to be Director and Treasurer of Aldgate Community Events from 2017-2020. In 2018, Matt was awarded the British Empire Medal in for services to the communities of the City of London and City Fringe. Matt is also a history enthusiast and takes part in historical re-enactments across the UK and Europe.

LAURIE SMITH - SOUTHBANK ESTATES One of the longest serving staff on the Housing Team, Laurie has worked on the Southbank Estates for 24 years. Previously, he was a caretaker for Southwark Council for 17 years, a grand total of 41 years working in a Housing environment! Laurie and his team are responsible for the care and upkeep of 16 blocks over a wide geographical area of south London. Laurie enjoys the role of Estate Supervisor as it is so varied and involves lots of walking, meeting residents, as well as being part office-based. Laurie also likes problem-solving and working with the team to keep up a good standard of service. But the element of his job he enjoys most is the gardening. For Laurie, the main challenges lie in the geographical spread of the Southbank Estates. Also, as on other estates - bulk refuse and fly tipping are problematic – especially as the Southbank estates are situated in the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, requiring interaction with a lot of different contacts to resolve issues. In his spare time Laurie enjoys boating on the Norfolk Broads and hunting for hidden gems at boot sales and second-hand shops

DAVID WESTERN - AVONDALE SQUARE ESTATE David is the new Estate Supervisor for Avondale Square Estate, having worked for City of London Housing for the past 6 years. After an early career as a hairdresser, David’s move to work in Housing was initially prompted by the prospect of a residential post – but 30 years down the line he still likes working in a Housing environment – enjoying all aspects of the job, being on his feet, up and down the stairs and being out and about on the estate and meeting residents. There is no doubt the exercise keeps him fit. The main challenge to David after his first month at Avondale is the sheer size of the estate and getting to know its nooks and crannies.

HOW MUCH COULD YOU SAVE? We’re all responsible for the energy we use in our homes. Take a look at our quick tips below and see how you could save up to £369 a year on your bills. Figures taken from the energysavingtrust.org.uk

£55

Switch off standby

£45

Draught-proof gaps

£20

Turn off the lights

£23

Wash at 30 degrees and reduce by one run per week

£60

Avoid using tumble dryers

£70

Take a 4 minute shower

£12

Swap one bath for a shower per week

£35

Don’t overfill the kettle and fit a tap aerator

£14

Reduce dishwasher use by one run per week

£35

Insulate your hot water cylinder

WARMER HOMES IN LONDON

In April 2022, energy prices increased by 54%, at a time when Londoners are already being affected by the growing cost of living crisis. The Mayor is acting now to support those impacted by focussing on immediate actions of making homes greener and warmer, reducing energy use and, therefore, lowering bills and cutting carbon. These actions will particularly help the most vulnerable Londoners who are disproportionately affected by the rising cost of living. The Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes programme provides free heating, insulation and ventilation improvements for low income Londoners who own their own homes or rent privately. Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available to eligible low income homeowners and private tenants, with funding amounts depending on your existing energy efficiency rating, your tenure and your current fuel type (i.e. gas, electricity, oil or LPG). Applicants need to provide information showing they are (or their tenant is) eligible and details about the property. If the application is successful, a survey will be needed to work out which improvements are most suitable.

APPLY ONLINE www.london.gov. uk/warmer-homes

MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FROM CITY ADVICE MAXIMISE YOUR INCOME

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Are you getting your full welfare benefit entitlement? Check at: benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

The government has announced a raft of measures to assist with increases in fuel costs. Details can be found here on the Cost of Living Support Factsheet on Gov.uk

WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS An annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter. You are usually eligible if you were born before 26 September 1955. Check out how much you can get and how to claim at GOV.UK

LOCAL ENERGY GRANTS

Check if you can get a grant from the Simple Energy Advice website or by phoning 0800 444202

LOCAL GRANTS

You might also be able to find grants or schemes run by your local council, such as the Household Support Fund

If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you may be able to get a grant to help. Check your supplier’s website:

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, check the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone (not just British Gas customers). When you apply for a grant, you’ll have to provide detailed information about your financial situation in your application. It could take a while to complete, and it might be worth getting help from a friend or family member. You can also talk to City Advice for help.

EXTRA HELP & SUPPORT

You might be able to get extra help from your energy supplier by signing up to the Priority Services Register. You can sign up if you’ve reached state pension age, you’re disabled or sick, or if your energy network considers you ‘vulnerable’. Your energy supplier can help you with things like: • reading your energy meter • moving your energy meter free of charge • getting your bills sent or copied to someone else - for example, a carer

IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO TOP UP YOUR PRE-PAYMENT METER

You may be able to get a fuel voucher. This is a code you can use to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don't have one of these, contact your supplier to get one. Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher. If you’re still not sure if you can get a voucher you can call Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 or City Advice on 020 7392 2919 Use a fuel voucher at a shop signed up to PayPoint, or a Post Office or shop signed up to Payzone To use your voucher you’ll need to take: • the code and instructions • some form of ID - for example, your passport or a bill with your name and address You must use your fuel voucher within 3 months after you get it. If you would like to discuss any of these things in more depth, you can contact City Advice • Ring- 020 7392 2919 • Email: city.advice@toynbeehall.org.uk

GAS SAFETY FOR LEAS Your safety is our priority. It is important that you understand your responsibilities in respect of gas safety as a leaseholder and as a landlord (if you sublet your property) All property owners, including leaseholders, are responsible for ensuring their gas fittings and appliances are safe and in good working order. Nationally, there were 41 gas explosion incidences in the year leading up to April 2021, an increase compared to 31 the previous year. If your gas appliance has not been checked for 12 months, it may be unsafe. You put yourself, those living with you (children, relatives etc) and anyone living around you at risk of injury or even death by not regularly servicing your gas appliances. You are advised to have everything checked annually by a Gas Safe registered installer and be able to provide evidence that your gas appliances are in good and safe working order. If you sublet your home If you sublet (rent out) your property, then as the landlord, you must comply with the statutory requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. This means you must: •

• •

Ensure that all gas appliances, installation pipework and flues for which you are responsible, are in a safe condition. Arrange for your gas appliances and flues to be checked for safety every 12 months. Ensure the work is carried out using a Gas Safe registered fitter by asking to see a current Gas Safe registration certificate, contacting the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or at

• •

‘Find local boiler engineers’ online. Keep a record of all safety checks carried out for at least 2 years after the safety check. Ensure your tenant receives a copy of the gas safety check record within 28 days of the inspection. • Ensure any new tenant receives a copy of the current gas safety check record before they move in for the first time. If you need further advice about gas safety issues ring the Health & Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363. More information is available on all gas safety issues from the Health and Safety Executive's website.

Installing a new boiler If you plan to install a new boiler, even if it is a like for like replacement, you must obtain permission from the Corporation of London before you start work. Please send a copy of your proposal for the works for approval to your estate office. The City of London Corporation should be notified within 30 days of the installation of a new boiler in order to comply with building regulations. Carbon poisoning

monoxide

Unsafe gas appliances produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide which kills quickly. Carbon Monoxide has no smell or taste and is invisible, killing up to 50 people a year and causing hundreds of injuries.

SEHOLDERS Small amounts can cause serious long-term health problems such as brain damage. The main symptoms to look out for are headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness. Further information on the effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be found online at Carbon monoxide poisoning - NHS (www.nhs.uk). Carbon monoxide symptoms are similar to flu, food poisoning, or simply tiredness. That is why it is quite common for people to mistake it for something else.

Open to anyone aged 18 and over, not working full time and not in full-time education or training

Another sign is that your symptoms only occur at home and family members feel the same. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, you should: • • • •

Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows. Turn off gas appliances and leave the house. See your doctor immediately or go to hospital - let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They can do a blood or breath test to check.

Signs of carbon monoxide in your appliances are as follows: •

The flame on your cooker should be crisp and blue. Lazy yellow or orange flames mean you need to get it checked • Dark staining around or on appliances • Pilot lights that frequently blow out • Increased condensation inside windows. The Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends you fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

Find out more about gas safety in your home by visiting: www.gassaferegister.co.uk Or view our Gas Safety for leaseholders information leaflet online:

LOOKING FOR A JOB IN THE CITY OF LONDON? Connecting Communities is a free service that can support you into full-time employment. Everyone should have access to employment and training. Connecting Communities - Bridge to Success can help you. We know the pandemic has affected many people’s job prospects and you may be unsure about what to do next. Bridge to Success gives you someone to talk to who will listen to what you need. Together we will support you on your career path. Our dedicated caseworkers will help you to build your confidence, overcome any barriers to employment and support you to decide which direction to take. They can help you: • Improve your basic skills • Learn new skills • Prepare for a job by ◦◦ Putting together a CV ◦◦ Gaining work experience ◦◦ Accessing and applying for local jobs Email: bridgetosuccess@cityoflondon.gov.uk Phone: 07599 102164

SPOTLIGHT ON ESCAPE OF WATER DAMAGE Our colleagues in the Insurance and Risk Management Team and the City’s property insurers tell us about escape of water damage. What is Escape of Water? ‘Escape of water’ is the technical term in insurance policies used to describe a leak in your home (e.g., from a burst pipe or faulty washing machine). If water has escaped from where it is meant to be and caused sudden damage to your home, then we’re talking about an ‘escape of water’ claim on your insurance policy. Did you know that escape of water: • affects around 43% of domestic properties in the UK • cost the insurance industry approx. £617m in 2018, according to the Association of British Insurers • accounts for over 50% of all claims within the City’s residential estates with almost 1 claim occurring every 2 days • can vary in cost from £1,000 to £2.5m+ Escape of water events are more than just a burst pipe though! They can lead to extensive damage to buildings and contents and cause huge disruption and distress to people who may have to move out of their homes whilst they dry out, contents and flooring are cleared, and the damage is repaired. Other properties may also be affected, which can affect neighbourly relations. Escape of water can result from many causes such as: • Poor installation and workmanship • Faulty appliances / deterioration of water hoses • Production and manufacturing defects • Poor component design • Pressure fluctuations and water hammer • Physical or mechanical damage • Temperature fluctuations and blocked pipes The most common causes of escape of water events relate to faulty workmanship and DIY gone wrong.

Case Studies

A recent claim in the City involved a leak from a hot water system into the flat below. The damage was so extensive that the entire kitchen had to be replaced. This particular kitchen was bespoke and the claim cost more than £40,000 - and this was just the damage to the neighbouring property. Another large claim within an office in the City resulted in a loss of over £1m due to a failure in a domestic appliance connection. What does insurance cover? Buildings and contents insurance policies are triggered by unforeseeable events – they do not cover damage by wear and tear, damp, fungus or anything that happens gradually, and normal maintenance costs. The City’s building policy covers the cost of repair and redecoration of the building and permanent fixtures and fittings but does not cover the cost of repairing the fault that caused the incident, your contents and personal belongings, or other losses you may suffer.

Insurance can only help with the financial consequences of a loss, and prevention is always better than cure. What can I do to help prevent escape of water? It is a requirement of insurance policies that reasonable precautions are taken to prevent a loss from occurring and that the buildings and fixtures are maintained in a sound condition.

Do not • • • •

disregard a faulty or dripping tap /pipe pour grease and fat or food wa ste down the drain pour chemicals, other than dra in unblocking chemicals, down the drain as this could dam age the pipes dispose of anything other than toilet paper in the toilet

vel of with the correct le use professionals check references certification and plumbing, work carried out to • check on any cisterns and pipework shower and bath trap • regularly clean your rs, and lant around baths, showe • monitor for failing sea sinks d nce pipework for wear an • routinely check applia

•

And, if applicable:

•

tear on hoses

know where the stopcock is so that the wa ter supply can be turned off qu ickly • insulate vulnerable pipes, paying close attention to joins and bends • keep your heating at a frost stat setting to prevent pipes freezing • isolate and drain the water system if the property is to be empty for extend ed periods

Consider a water leak detection system. Using smart technology, sensors can send alerts of abnormal water levels to mobile phones to enable a quick response to limit the potential damage. Some will also isolate the supply but check the product, as not all are suitable for buildings with multiple flats. What should you do in the event of an incident? • • • •

if you are a leaseholder, take any reasonable action to prevent further damage leaseholders to notify the insurers immediately at cityoflondon.claims@uk.rsagroup.com take photos if you are a tenant, notify propertyservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Further information: An FAQ page, which applies to all City estates, is published on the internet: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/barbican-estate/barbican-estate-buildings-insurance If you have any questions or for further information, please contact the City of London’s Insurance and Risk Management team at chbinsuranceteam@cityoflondon.gov.uk

HAVE YOUR SAY:

How residents can help shape the way we deliver services The City of London Housing contract with Wates Group, to deliver Repairs and Maintenance services across City of London Housing, will end on 31st March 2023. To ensure we attract organisations able to deliver these vital services in line the City of London standards, we will follow a robust procurement process with our corporate colleagues in the City of London Commercial Contract Management team. As part of this process, we wish to form a group of tenants and leaseholders to review potential suppliers and to provide feedback on the current services and how they can be improved. Further information will be provided to residents when we have timelines in place. The applications will be shared with the Housing User Board (HUB), where residents will be given the opportunity to provide feedback.

JOIN THE HOUSING USER BOARD (HUB) The HUB is a tool that residents can use to communicate constructively with their views on our services and to provide ideas for service improvement. If you would like to become member of the HUB and provide input to help shape how our services are delivered, please email Resident.Involvement@cityoflondon.gov.uk   We look forward to hearing from you and we welcome your ideas.

RESIDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY: TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

We’re asking tenants and leaseholders to share their views on the services we provide. We will be carrying out a survey in September 2022 of all our tenants and leaseholders.

Tenants and leaseholders have the opportunity to play a big part in shaping our services. The results of the survey are confidential and are vital in helping us make business decisions and how we deliver our services. Why is this survey taking place? We are conducting the survey to help understand tenant and leaseholder satisfaction and how the services offered could be improved. Feedback from this survey is extremely valuable and will help to inform our decision making. How will the results be used? The results from the survey will inform service improvement priorities. Where residents’ responses highlight particular service areas for improvement, then that will be reflected in the way in which we plan our work and set our priorities for the coming year. Where will the results be published? The results will be published in the Winter edition of @Home magazine and available on the website.

DOMESTIC ABUSE: SEXUAL ABUSE AND STREET HARASSMENT The City of London Corporation received funding from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to launch a joint campaign with the City of London police as part of the response to tackle violence against women and girls. One part of this campaign is the relaunch of the Reframe the Night campaign, which was developed in 2019 aiming to challenge myths and misconceptions around sexual violence. The redeveloped Reframe the Night has been created in partnership with the City of London police and Good Night Out, who are an expert organisation in tackling sexual violence. Reframe the Night is aimed at bystanders, aiming to start conversations, particularly amongst men and boys to stand up and challenge these behaviours when they see them and ‘make these attitudes a thing of the past’. The campaign launched on Monday 21st March on social media and across train stations within the City of London, including Liverpool Street and Cannon Street. Please visit: Reframe the Night - City of London Alongside Reframe the Night, the City of London Corporation and City of London police are promoting Street Safe, which provides a place for people to report any concerns around their safety within public spaces. The website can be used to report an area in which they feel unsafe and if there is a specific reason why they feel unsafe. If you would like to report any concerns around your safety anywhere in the UK, please visit StreetSafe | City of London Police. This campaign launched on the 28th March, also on social media and within train stations. For more information about support services available within the City of London, please visit Keeping safe in the City - City of London If you need to report a crime, please dial 999 in an emergency and 101 for a non-emergency, or visit Report a crime | City of London Police

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Victim Supportline: 0808 16 89 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk/

CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGY SURVEY Be a valuable voter on the Climate Action Strategy! How much do you know about the City of London Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy? Give us your thoughts and help us minimise the effects of climate change! The City Corporation has an ambitious Climate Action Strategy. This sets out how the City Corporation will achieve net zero carbon emissions and support the Square Mile to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Both whilst building climate resilience and championing sustainable growth in the UK and globally for the next twenty years. The success of the Climate Action Strategy will need meaningful engagement with stakeholders such as residents, businesses and workers. This will involve informing and consulting stakeholders so that they know about the strategy and are able to shape the climate interventions that directly affect them.

The City Corporation has committed to building climate literacy, making climate information available and accessible, positioning itself as a leader in taking climate action and informing stakeholders about the changes the strategy will generate. Please give us your valuable opinion and fill out the survey here: https://bit.ly/3sUIW2A If you want to learn more about the strategy, email the Climate Action Team at: climateaction@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Across 5. The flavour of the winning Platinum Pudding? 7. The dish invented for the queen in 1953? 9. We got an extra one of these to celebrate 11. The periodic table symbol for Platinum? 13. How old was Elizabeth when she became Queen?

Down 1. Which palace is in Richmond upon Thames? 2. How many years does the Platinum jubilee mark? 3. The longest reigning British monarch before Queen Elizabeth? 4. The Queen’s favourite dogs 6. The Queen’s house in London 8. The Queen’s sixth grandchild 10. The Queen’s job in WWII? 12. The colour of the newly opened Elizabeth line?

You can complete this puzzle online! Go to: https://bit.ly/39TOsvH

TRY OUR JUBILEE CROSSWORD!

Resident Recipes ALLOTMENT CAKE

We’re all looking for ways to get extra veg into our diets, and reduce our food waste to boot. This ‘Allotment Cake’ combines the two with layered carrot and courgette cakes smothered with cream cheese frosting! Ingredients For the carrot cake layers 200g light brown soft sugar 2 eggs , beaten 200ml sunflower oil 200g plain flour ¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¾ tsp baking powder ¾ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger 200g carrots , grated ¼ tsp vanilla extract

For the courgette cake layers 100g light brown sugar 2 eggs , beaten 125ml sunflower oil 225g plain flour ¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¾ tsp baking powder ¾ tsp mixed spice 250g courgettes , grated For the frosting 50g butter , softened 250g cream cheese 600g icing sugar

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line 4 x 20cm cake tins with baking parchment (or use 2 and make the carrot first, then the courgette cakes). 2. Start by making the carrot cake layers. Combine sugar, eggs and oil in a large mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon or electric whisk to beat until incorporated. Sieve the flour and all the dry ingredients into the same bowl, then gently fold. Add the grated carrot, a pinch of salt and vanilla extract and stir. 3. Divide the carrot cake mixture between 2 of the prepared cake tins and bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Leave the cakes to cool in the tins, then turn out onto wire racks when cool enough to handle. 4. Next, make the courgette layers. Combine sugar, eggs and oil in a large mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon or electric whisk to beat until incorporated. Sieve the flour and all the dry ingredients into the same bowl, then gently fold. Add the grated courgette and stir. 5. Pour the courgette cake mixture into the remaining 2 cake tins and bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown. Leave to cool in the tins, then turn out onto wire racks to cool fully. 6. To make the frosting, beat the butter with a hand or electric whisk until light and softened. Add the cream cheese and beat again. Sieve in the icing sugar and beat until combined. 7. Layer up the cakes alternately, spreading the cream cheese frosting between each layer as you go. Cover the whole cake with the rest of the frosting and serve. Serves 16. Store in an airtight container If you would like to see your favourite recipe featured in a future edition, please email home@cityoflondon.gov.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS AT CITY OF LONDON HOUSING BENEFITS 020 7332 1343 | benefits@cityoflondon.gov.uk

ESTATE OFFICES Almshouses: 020 7274 1337 | almshouses@cityoflondon.gov.uk Avondale Square: 020 7237 3753 | AvondaleSquareEstate@cityoflondon.gov.uk Holloway: 020 7607 3119 | DCCS.HollowayEstate@cityoflondon.gov.uk Golden Lane: 020 7253 2556 | GoldenLane@cityoflondon.gov.uk Harman Close: 020 7237 1696 | Harman.Close@cityoflondon.gov.uk Isleden House: 0207 226 2892 | Isleden.House@cityoflondon.gov.uk Middlesex Street, Dron House, Spitalfields and Windsor House: 020 7247 4839 | Middlesex.Estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk • Southwark, Horace Jones and William Blake: 020 7620 3702 | Southwark@cityoflondon.gov.uk • Sydenham Hill: 020 7620 3702 | Sydenham.Hill@cityoflondon.gov.uk • York Way: 020 7607 3119 | YorkWay.Estate@cityoflondon.gov.uk • • • • • • •

ESTATE SERVICES (CLEANING, CARETAKING AND GARDENING) You can report issues relating to cleaning and grounds maintenance on your estate by email: estate.services@cityoflondon.gov.uk If you would like to speak to someone instead, please call your local estate office

HOME OWNERSHIP 020 7332 1647 / 3208 | homeownership@cityoflondon.gov.uk

HOUSING NEEDS 020 7332 1237 / 3452 | hadvice@cityoflondon.gov.uk

REPAIRS 0800 035 0003 | propertyservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk

RENT ACCOUNTS/PAYMENTS 020 7332 3937 – (ask for housing rents) DCCS-rentsteam@int.cityoflondon.gov.uk

RENT ARREARS To contact us about rent arrears, please call your local estate office or email us at incomerecoveryofficer@cityoflondon.gov.uk

OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES Repairs – between 5:00pm and 8:00am, emergencies only, call 0800 035 0003 For urgent estate matters outside normal office hours, other than repairs, please call 020 7256 6583