Tenants times winter 2013

Don’t get missed this Christmas!

tenants’ times SEE INSIDE

News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Winter 2013

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Houses to homes - It’s not always bad to be wrong!

In the last Tenants’ Times I reported new Council houses being built in Whitton Church Lane and Coltsfoot Road should be available for rental allocation early in 2014. In fact, they’ve been completed earlier than anticipated and houses should become homes by Christmas.

Great news all round.

Energy bills - The cost of gas and electricity is a major news topic - understandable in view of the soaring price of keeping homes warm during the winter particularly for those on low incomes. It was pleasing in early November to mark the 100th council house to benefit from the latest insulation scheme which involves almost 400

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housing matters

homes being fitted with external wall insulation making them more energy-efficient and saving residents’ heating bills. Work on this project is being carried out by specialists Keepmoat on behalf of the Council.

Before securing funding under this scheme, the Council had successfully completed two similar programmes of wall insulation under the Community Energy Saving Programme.

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

Councillor John Mowles Housing Portfolio Holder

Front cover shows Santa catching the Christmas bin collection

Housing matters

2

Caring for your pet in winter

11

Tenant Scrutiny Panel

3

Keep warm

12

Got a business idea?

3

Keep your home damp-free

13

4

Stop smoking/Tenant inspectors

14

Keeping active

15

What happens to garden waste

16

Holiday bin collection dates

17

Measuring up

18

Conference time

19

Useful Contacts

20

Subletting

Change of circumstances

5

Rent-free weeks

6

Stop loan sharks

7

Community playbus

8

Caribbean fun/Puzzles

9

A garden for all seasons

10

Tenants’ editorial panel

Angela Griffiths, Pamela Pamment, Brian Laffling and Derek Rusher

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Updates

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

TENANT scrutiny P A N E L

Dear fellow tenants, Welcome to Tenants’ Times.

We hope you are looking forward to a festive holiday despite the gloomy financial situation. These are expensive times so it is important not to incur undue debt especially with doorstep lenders or pay-day loan companies. Budget wisely: talk to energy providers if you have concerns about staying warm and use the two-week rent-free period to reduce any arrears.

In the autumn we produced a report on Community

Caretaking Service - this can be found on www.ipswich.gov.uk We commend the service for their hard work and dedication, sometimes facing intimidation and threatening behaviour.

In October, tenants attended a Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Newmarket conference discussing the impact of welfare reforms. In November the Panel met with Waveney Scrutiny members in Ipswich. Also Panel members attended the regional CIH (Stansted) conference where progress was discussed by Norwich City Council.

Regretfully, after six years, my vice-chair Mike Lloyd resigned from post due to personal commitments. He has always been a strong voice and has worked tirelessly with Ipswich Borough Council’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel. His dedication, knowledge and personal support will be missed by all.

Have a Merry Christmas and all the best for a Happy New Year!

Brian Laffling Chair, Tenant Scrutiny Panel

One hundreth insulation A project transforming homes in part of Ipswich has marked a major milestone with the completion of the 100th property. A Hossack Road home is one of almost 400 in the town to be fitted with external wall insulation - making them more energy efficient and saving residents money on their energy bills.

The work is being carried out by regeneration and housing specialist Keepmoat on behalf of Ipswich Borough Council. The project is one of the first in the country to be awarded funding through the Government’s ECO (Energy Company Obligation) programme.

Having successfully bid for ECO funding, Ipswich Pictured are from left: Cllr. John Mowles, Nick Shrieve, Borough Council was awarded £3.2 million to Keepmoat site manager, Mr and Mrs Welsh tenants, provide external wall insulation to 384 properties Lorraine McMullen, Community Investment Manager that have either solid walls or cavity walls that cannot be filled. The funding means 87% of the insulation costs are covered by the scheme, with Ipswich Borough Council having to cover the remaining 13%. Councillor John Mowles, Ipswich Borough Council's Housing portfolio-holder, said: "We are working in partnership with Keepmoat to improve our housing stock across the town and I am pleased we have reached this first milestone. Energy prices are making headlines and we want to help tenants reduce their bills as much as we can."

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l u f w a l n u g Tacklin

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

subletting

People who sublet their Council homes for profit could be locked up for two years under new laws which came into force in October.

Housing Minister Kris Hopkins said: "For years, tenancy cheats have been able to carry on with their fraudulent activity, denying social homes to people in real need while facing little more than a slap on the wrist if they got caught.

These new powers will ensure social tenants found subletting their home will face the real threat of prison time and a fine."

It is estimated that 98,000 social housing homes in England might be subject to some sort of tenancy fraud. Ipswich Borough Council is committed to tackling this fraud in order to make best use of its housing stock. We want to ensure only people in genuine housing need live in our homes.

So what is tenancy fraud?

• unauthorised subletting (tenant claims to live at a property but sub-lets all or part without the landlord's consent) • non-occupation (tenant claims a property as their principal home but lives elsewhere).

• using false information to obtain a tenancy • key selling (tenant leaves a property and passes the keys on in return for a favour or payment).

• unauthorised exchange and assignment (tenant gives tenancy to a partner or family member who lived in the property with them without obtaining the landlord's permission) • wrongly claimed succession (occupier is not a person entitled to succeed after a tenant's death or after they have vacated the property and/or succession rights have been exhausted).

You can help the Council tackle this fraud - what signs should you look out for?

You might know someone has a home that the Council does not know about or someone who gave false information in their housing application.

You might suspect someone of sub-letting if you have seen them collect rent from your neighbours.

You might be suspicious because tenants of a property keep changing.

You might suspect no one is living in a property, returning only occasionally to collect post.

You might know that a tenant is living elsewhere and not using their home.

If you suspect tenancy fraud please contact the Council, providing details and the reasons you suspect fraudulent occupation. Your identity will be kept confidential. Telephone 01473 433999 or report online by clicking ‘Report it’ and go to ‘Housing or Benefit Fraud’ to provide the details.

Together, the Council and residents can beat social housing fraud

w o n k o t d e e n e what w

We need to know any changes in your circumstances, for example if: • • • • • •

you move home someone moves in or out your income changes you stop getting Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance anyone living with you has a change of circumstances you qualify for another benefit

If you are unsure whether to tell us something please ask.

It is important we know any changes immediately as any delay in telling us could seriously affect the benefits you receive: Changes that could reduce your benefits: If you delay or fail to tell us about a change you may find you have to repay any overpaid benefits Changes that could increase your benefits: Any change that may mean you can get an increase in benefits will usually only start from the date you tell us and not the date the change actually happened.

What to send us: You must also provide proof of any changes such as: • your latest payslips or pension slips to show the new amount you get as wages, pension or pension credit; • a letter from the Department of Works and Pensions or Inland Revenue showing changes in your allowances or tax credit.

You can report changes at www.ipswich.gov.uk or call 01473 432700.

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s e c n a t s m u c r i c f o e g n a h C about ...

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

December can be costly so the rent you have to pay is usually worked out over 50 weeks of the year (this year it is 51). This means there are two weeks when it's not due.

The rent-free weeks are:

g Week startin

23 December g Week startin

30 December If you are in rent arrears you must continue to pay in these two weeks. This is particularly important if you are subject to a County Court Order.

If you pay monthly, these weeks are included in your calculations and your payment will stay the same.

If you have fallen behind with your rent payments or are struggling to keep up with your payments please contact us for advice on 01473 433370 For money saving tips or advice on managing your money better please visit the Money Advice Service at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk The following organisations offer free, impartial support and advice to anyone in debt, worried about debt or facing bankruptcy you can contact the following: Citizens Advice Bureau Step Change Debt Charity National Debt line Debt Advice Foundation Pay Plan

01473 219777 0800 138 1111 0808 808 4000 0800 043 40 50 0800 280 2816

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s k e TENANT e w e e r f t n e R

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Q+A

“What is the Council’s view on rehousing extra large families?”

Charles Moore The Council is legally obliged to adequately house families in housing need. ‘Extra-large’ families might be overcrowded in which case they would be inadequately housed and the Council must find another solution. If they are unable to rent privately and qualify for the Housing Register they would be considered for properties on the Gateway-to- home-choice. It is unusual for a family to be too large for any existing Council property but the Council is still obliged to home them. A case recently made the news and the Council chose to meet its obligations with the least expense and disruption by joining two properties. This is very much an exception and has the advantage the properties can be separated and returned to general letting later. The Council always seeks to fulfil its duties to provide viable well maintained homes for all tenants and responsible use of the rent revenue.

“I am receiving DLA - how will I be moved onto PIP (Personal Independent Payment)”

Paul Smith Nearly everyone receiving Disability Living Allowance will need to make a new claim for PIP. There will be an assessment process which will most likely take place in person and you will need to provide information to support your claim. The Department of Work & Pensions will write to let you know if you will need to reapply and be assessed.

If you want to have your housing questions answered here email tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

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s k r a h s n a o l Stop

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

As Christmas approaches and money is tight many people might be tempted by loan sharks, but these criminals should always be avoided.

Loan sharks will exploit families as they know they will be struggling for cash.

These lenders act like your best friend, they seem to be doing you a favour, and it might be hard to resist the cash but steer clear of them at all costs.

What might seem like a small loan to tide you over for Christmas, could end up costing you dearly for years and years - and not just financially.

It could end up having an horrific impact on your life and the lives of those around you. You could be subjected to threats, violence and worse.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team is cracking down on these criminals and bringing them to justice. Look out for offenders and don’t accept loans from them. Report them in confidence. Typically loan sharks will: •

•

•

appear friendly at first, enticing their borrowers to take out a loan - this is often a facade and very quickly debt begins to spiral as extra charges are added force their borrowers to hand over items ‘as security’. This could include passports, driving licences or even bank cards with the PIN, in order to withdraw directly from borrowers accounts. This is how people are left with little or nothing to get by on. offer little or no paperwork and are unclear of the loan terms. People are then unsure how much they are actually repaying.

Think about setting up a savings account to put money aside for Christmas. If you do need to borrow, make sure it’s from a reputable lender.

We recommend credit unions as a safe and legal alternative. Contact Ipswich and Suffolk Credit Union on 01473 690690 or www.iscu.org Remember, loan sharks do not have an Office of Fair Trading licence to legally lend money. Check a

lender is licensed before considering a loan; you can do this online at www2.crw.gov.uk/pr

No matter how desperate you are, loan sharks are never the answer.

You can report these criminals in the strictest confidence - action will be taken.

The Illegal Money Lending Team already helped more than 22,000 victims, secured nearly 300 prosecutions with custodial sentences totalling 170 years and cleared illegal debts to the tune of £40.3 million.

To report a loan shark: Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003 Email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk Private message on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

celebrates 10th

On 3 October, the Mayor, Councillor Hamil Clarke MBE met with Playbus organisers and residents of Downside Close to celebrate the tenth birthday of ‘Maggie’ the Playbus.

Supporters of the project, including the Mayor and Ben Gummer MP shared birthday cake in celebration of all the assistance given to Ipswich families over the past 10 years. Launched in 2003, the Playbus project provides a fun, safe learning environment for children across Ipswich. The bus is packed with games, arts and learning activities for children under-five and is run by qualified and experienced staff. It’s free to attend and runs throughout term-time.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Bring your little ones along to join in the fun.

You can find out more about the Playbus at www.ipswichplaybus.org.uk or by calling 01473 221521.

9.45-11.45am

1.15-3.15pm

Ravenswood (by the school) Jamestown Boulevard Congreve Road Downside Close Moffat Avenue, Rushmere

Bramford Road Conservative Club Kelly Road Derby Road, by Eric Dines Carpets Ulster Avenue, Whitehouse

Christmas opening times At your service for the Christmas period The Customer Service Centre and the Contact Centre will be open on the following days and times for any tenant enquiry: Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24 December) Monday 30 December Tuesday 31 December Thursday 2 January 2014

8.30am-3pm 9am-3pm 9am-3pm Normal working hours

We will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Friday 27 December.

You can contact us on 01473 433370 for emergencies outside these opening hours

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s u b y a l p y t Communi birthday

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Page 9

n u f n a e b b i Car

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

e s u o H n o t l a W at

Walton House organised a Caribbean fun day.

The day showcased the rich historical and cultural heritage that represents the Caribbean community. The highlights of the day included a youth steel band, and Caribbean-flavoured buffet including a variety of salads, pasta, rice and peas as well as an array of desserts and coffee. Mayor Hamil Clarke and his Mayoress, Daisy Weekes, were present to support the fun day.

Puzzle corner

Houses into homes As we went to press, our newest tenants were preparing to move into the first council homes built in Ipswich for more than 20 years. The seven homes are in Coltsfoot Road and Whitton Church Lane.

Meanwhile, more than 100 homes are to be built next year in Bader Close in south-east Ipswich.

This will be the first large-scale construction of council houses for a generation.

ACROSS 1 Thin fog (4) 3 Hades (4) 6 Part of foot (3) 9 Misbehaved, mischievous (7) 10 Still, not noisy (5) 11 Containing nothing (5) 12 Firing mechanism (7) 15 Not in a straight line (8) 18 Fizzy sweet drink (4) 20 Period of time (3) 22 Period of discount selling (5) 24 Alien from Mars (7) 25 To order, limit or rule (7) 26 Mock playfully (5) 27 Person demanding the very highest standards (13)

DOWN 1 Seasonal sweet pastries (5,4) 2 Stuck, confounded (7) 4 Middle eastern country (5) 5 Fluid (6) 6 Object (5) 7 Shows providing amusement (13) 8 Call used by sailors (4) 13 Belonging to a female (3) 16 Book, shyness (7) 17 Home of King Arthur’s round table (7) 19 Art of paper folding (7) 21 Cave, sometime home of Father Christmas (6) 23 Someone preferring own company (5) 25 Drink container (3)

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s n o s a e s l l a A garden for elp

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

h ’ s r e k a t e r a C ... with a little

Pictured is Defoe Road

Winter arriving has not deterred residents getting involved with the Caretaking Services on garden projects.

The aim was to improve communal areas by providing individual garden plots for tenants to manage their own gardens. Before this project, housing officers asked for ideas to improve areas with a sympathetic approach to the environment.

Suggestions were put forward including ideas such as a fruit orchard, eco-composters, water butts and individual tenant plots for tenants to show their gardening skills. Some tenants were so excited they immediately began to plan their garden layout before the Caretakers had completed the fencing of the area.

Got a business idea?

EE Hub has an answer for north west residents The Eastern Enterprise Hub is excited to announce a partnership with UnLtd to help Ipswich people develop business ideas to improve their local areas. The aim of the Star People award, delivered by UnLtd, one of the national Big Local partners is to encourage people living in Castle Hill, Whitehouse or Whitton areas of Ipswich to positively change their local communities by work, volunteering or running a business. Ideas can be big or small, with the objective to enhance the skills and opportunities of those living within the 150 Big Local areas in England.

The dynamic organisation will be offering individuals the ‘Try It’ award, to enable them to access funding up to £500. They can progress at their own pace with high levels of support to develop entrepreneurial skills needed, in some

cases, take on larger projects and apply for the ‘Do It’ award of up to £5,000 funding and support. Those applying must show they are passionate about improving their local area, gaining relevant skills, have a good idea for an innovative project and live, work, volunteer or have an established business in one of the named Ipswich areas in Ipswich.To find out whether you are eligible for the ‘Try It’ funding go to www.eehub.co.uk/enterprise-support/unltd.aspx or ring 01473 527100.

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Tips

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

t e p r u o y r o f g n ... for cari

For some of us cold weather is seen as a mere nuisance, for others it’s a fun time while others find the bone-chilling snow a nightmare.

It’s a time when pets need a little extra care. Tips to protect them from the dangers of winter: In or Out? Does your pet spend most of the time in the garden? You might have to keep your pet indoors during the freezing months especially December-February No more frozen dinners Fresh running water is vital for maintaining health, keep an eye on water bowls and make sure they are not turned into ice cubes. Your pet does not want a frozen lump of ice instead of water.

Latest fad diet It takes more energy to stay warm outdoors animals eat more during winter. Indoor animals have Pictured are Angela Griffiths’ pets Roxy and Butch different dietary needs as they conserve energy by sleeping more in the winter. Dogs and cats also exercise much less when they do not go outside, so you may need to adjust the amount of food accordingly.

Healthwatch Suffolk is an important body giving Suffolk people real influence over health and care service decisions in the county. They aim to strengthen the voice of local communities and become "consumer champions". Healthwatch Suffolk helps local people get the best out of their local health and social care services, whether improving them today and helping to shape them for tomorrow. It also helps people navigate the

health and social care system by signposting information. They are funded by public money but are independent of the services, this is important as it means people can have confidence when sharing their views with us. They have many powers to enable them to be an effective voice for Suffolk communities.

To find out more please contact: Unit 12&13, Norfolk House, Williamsport Way, Needham Market IP6 8RW t: 01449 703949 e: info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk Follow Healthwatch Suffolk on Twitter or Facebook

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m r a w g n i p Tips for kee and well

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Heat your home By setting your heating to the right temperature 18-21oC or 64-70oF, you can still keep your home warm and lower your bills. If you feel cold at night use a hot water bottle or electric blanket but never use both together.

Get financial support There are grants, benefits and advice available to make home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worthwhile claiming all of the benefits you are entitled.

Get a flu jab If you or your children have a long term health condition, you can get a free jab from your GP to protect against seasonal flu strains.

Look after yourself and others Remember to wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days. If you have an older neighbour or relative, look out for them during winter to make sure they are safe and well.

Tips for heating your home effectively Set your heating to come on just before you wake up and switch off before you go to bed. If it’s very cold, set your heating to come on earlier and turn off later rather than turning the thermostat up.

If you cannot heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and bedrooms just before you go to bed. Remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most.

Heating your home safely is really important.

Remember to get your heating system checked regularly, and keep your home well ventilated.

If you don’t already have central heating contact us. As a council tenant you can apply to have one installed at no cost to yourself.

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d l u o m , n o i t Condensa and damp www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

What is condensation?

It is a process where water vapour in the atmosphere is turned into liquid. Condensation of water vapour occurs when the temperature of air is lowered.

Where do you get condensation dampness?

Rooms where a large amount of moisture is provided, such as kitchens, bathrooms and rooms with cold outside walls are worst hit by condensation. This may be very visible for example droplets of water on a PVC or gloss painted window cills, but sometimes the water soaks into the wall and it is not obvious until mould starts to appear.

Why is it a problem?

Water formed by condensation can be damaging to your home and health. It can provide ideal conditions for mould especially mildew which causes black patches on walls. Some mould spores (the microscopic dust given off) can be bad for your lungs.

How to avoid condensation Produce less moisture • Dry clothes outside if possible - if they are being dried inside, dry them in the bathroom with door closed and windows open or fan on • Keep your bathroom door shut during use, after use open the windows to let the steam out.

• Vent any tumble dryers to the outside unless it is self condensing Increase ventilation Make sure air bricks/double glazing vents are clear Don’t keep furniture against the wall, always have a small gap Use the extractor fan to clear steam in your kitchen or bathroom (where fitted)

Adequate heating in your room Ensure your sitting room is heated to at least 21oC and 18oC in other rooms.

How to prevent mould To kill and remove mould wipe walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash and follow the manufacturer’s instruction.

Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets.

Wipe away any surface moisture. If a paper towel is used throw it away immediately. If a sponge is used wring it out immediately to avoid moisture being re-circulated.

After treatment redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring.

The paint should not be overlaid with ordinary paints or wallpaper.

Mould caused by condensation can take a few months to disappear completely.

If you are a council tenant who, after following this advice is still suffering from severe condensation please contact the Repairs Centre on 01473 432100.

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s h t y m ’ g n i k o m s p o t s ‘ 4

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Live Well Suffolk answers the most common questions about quitting smoking and responds to the most popular stop smoking myths …

Is it healthier to smoke roll-ups than normal cigarettes?

No. Hand-rolling tobacco is just as bad for you as manufactured cigarettes and can result in the same health risks. Roll-ups contain 4,000 toxic chemicals and the amount of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide is higher in roll-ups than ordinary cigarettes.

Is it true that when you stop smoking it’s easy to put on weight?

Unfortunately yes - there is the possibility the average person will put on around seven kilos once they quit. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so stopping smoking will cause your appetite to return to normal. Avoid gaining weight by planning your meals and stocking up on healthy snacks, and doing regular exercise I want to quit but smoking helps me to calm down when I’m stressed or anxious.

It’s a myth that smoking helps to relieve stress and

anxiety. What actually helps you relax is the fact you go outside for a few minutes away from the situation. Next time you're feeling stressed, try going outside for some fresh air. You will be surprised at how it will help calm you down, without the need to smoke.

Do nicotine patches really work?

Statistics show they can help you quit, but you need to make sure you have got the right strength patch for your needs. If this is something you are unsure about, call Livewell Suffolk on 01473 229292 or visit your local pharmacy or GP.

Tenants become inspectors

A team of tenant representatives have trained to become tenant inspectors

What will they be doing?

• Spot checking empty properties to ensure they meet the property letting standard.

• Report communal area repairs to see if they have been completed within the response time.

• Join housing team on estate walkabouts to test the local standard.

• Mystery shop our telephone services, public offices and website contents to test the quality of customer services.

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e v i t c a g n i p e Ke

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants

... is the key to staying fit, mobile and independent Neck stretch For loosening tight neck muscles A. Sitting upright, look straight ahead and hold your left shoulder down with your right hand B. Slowly tilt your head to the right while holding your shoulders down C. Repeat on the opposite side. Hold each stretch for five seconds and repeat four times on each

Calf stretch Good for loosening tight calf muscles A. For stability place hand on a wall, bend right leg. Keeping it straight, step left leg back at least a foot. Keep both feet flat on the floor.

B. Left calf muscle is stretched by keeping the left leg straight and the left heel on the floor.

C. Repeat with the opposite leg and perform four times on each side.

Neck rotation

THREE MONTHS FITNESS MEMBERSHIP JUST £50 • 4 Profiles gyms • 100 fitness classes weekly • Swimming • Racket sports • Personal training session • Sauna/steam room Pop in to any sports centre or Crown Pools or call us free on 0800 0371 371

Sideways bend To restore flexibility to lower back A. Stand upright with feet hip width apart with your arms by your side B. Slide your left arm down your side as far as is comfortable C. As you lower your arm, you should feel a stretch on the opposite hip D. Repeat with your right arm down your side. Hold each stretch for three seconds and perform four on each side.

Offer expires December 23rd 2013.

Conditions apply.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport

THE PERFECT PRESENT

For improving neck mobility and flexibility A. Sit upright with shoulders down, look straight ahead B. Slowly turn your head downwards, towards your left shoulder as far as its comfortable. Hold for five seconds and return to starting position.

C. Repeat going right.

Do four rotations each side.

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r u o y e c n o s n What happe

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

d e t c e l l o c n e e b brown bin has

1.

2.

3.

After collection brown bins are taken to the tipping hall at Cliff Quay compost plant. Last year Ipswich residents sent more than 9500 tonnes of garden waste to the plant.

Operatives glance over the waste removing by hand any obvious contamination. They have found ... lawn mowers, bags of dog waste and even a dead iguana!

Garden waste then passes through a huge shredder. Any large branches are quickly cut down to size.

4.

5.

6.

Shredded garden waste is bulked up ready to be placed in heating tunnels which are heated to 60o.

Waste is kept at that temperature for seven days to ensure it is sterile.

Probes monitor the environment inside, keeping conditions at an ideal level. Air can be added or removed, moisture increased or decreased and heat raised or dropped. Tunnels can hold 200-225 tonnes of waste each.

After seven days waste has decomposed to soil improver. It is removed from the tunnels, stored in long piles called windrows. The material is left for 18 days to mature.

7.

8.

After maturing the material gets run through a trummel which sieves anything over 40mm thick (tree roots that didn’t degrade in the tunnels).

Soil improver is stored outside for another 3 weeks while tests are carried out on its quality. It is now a finished product and will be used as organic agricultural soil improver.

That’s how your green waste is turned into organic soil improver.

How many of you thought it was just left to decompose by itself?

If the right items are put in the brown bin the process will be even easier.

Remember brown bins are VEGETARIAN so no meat or fish please.

The process at the compost plant is turning garden waste into soil improver, it doesn’t recondition old soil or compost so please do not include soil, compost or turf in your brown bin.

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www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Bin collection dates for Christmas and the New Year 2013/14

Normal collection date

Christmas collection date

Monday 23 December

Saturday 21 December

Tuesday 24 December

Monday 23 December

Wednesday 25 December

Tuesday 24 December

Thursday 26 December

Friday 27 December

Friday 27 December

Saturday 28 December

Monday 30 December

no change

Tuesday 31 December

no change

Wednesday 1 January

Thursday 2 January

Thursday 2 January

Friday 3 January

Friday 3 January

Saturday 4 January

Remember to recycle old clothes and textiles Use the council textile bags, tie it up to protect the contents and place in the top of your blue bin. Need a bag?

Ring 0845 603 9412 email: textiles@suffolk.gov.uk or collect from council offices and libraries

Recycle your real tree chopped up in the brown bin, or placed beside the brown bin if too big to go inside.

Find your local glass recycling banks www.recyclenow.com or www.ipswich.gov.uk

Collections return to normal Monday 6 January 2014

www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk

We wish the residents of Ipswich a

for lots of Christmas recycling and composting information

Happy Christmas www.ipswich.gov.uk

@IpswichGov

www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for tips and recipes to reduce food waste and use up leftovers

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p u g n i r u s a e M

www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing

Tenancy

ALLOCATIONS average number of working days to process housing application Target 20 days 18.7 days✔ Average number of days a property is empty between tenancies Target 15 days (year to date cumulative average)

14.8 days✔

Current arrears as % of total rent for the year

2.23%

RENTS

HOME IMPROVEMENT % of houses rated 'Poor' and 'Fair' that improved a rating by the end of the period

7.6%

update on housing performance August-October

2013

Home

GAS SERVICING % of stock with annual gas service at end of July.

Target 100%

REPAIRS % of repairs completed on target within period Target 98.5%

99.1% ✔

Empowerment

Neighbourhood and Community

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Total number of tenants evicted for ASB

100% ✔

2

COMMUNITY CARETAKERS % minor repairs in communal areas completed on time within period (target 95%) 99.8%✔

COMPLAINTS Full response within 20 working days 83% CUSTOMER SERVICE % of calls answered (contacts) Target 90% (13,722) 87%

Remembering Bob

Bob Fletcher passed away earlier this year. Bob was a very active member of the Tenant Participation programme for Stratford Court sheltered residents at Stratford Court.

He took this role very seriously and made himself available at every opportunity, wherever he could assist.

His funeral was very well attended and our thoughts are with Bob’s wife Shirley and all the other members of his family and friends.

Thanks to all who contributed to the RSPCA, a charity very close to Bob’s heart.

A good man gone but not forgotten (Pamela Pamment)

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Ipswich Borough Council conference was held at the Ramada hotel and attended by more than 50 guests including housing officers and tenant representatives from different housing providers.

Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder Cllr John Mowles, Head of Housing, Ian Blofield and Stephen Javes, Chief Executive of Orwell Housing Association were present to answer questions from tenants on the day. Two workshops sessions were held: How to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour and Money Matters from the Financial Inclusion Team.

We received some fantastic feedback from tenants attending the conference. “A very good rating for the workshops and venue for the conference� (comment received from Christine Macdonald Great Yarmouth delegate) Many thanks to everyone involved who made the event such a success.

If you would like more information on the workshops from the conference please contact the Tenant Participation Team.

Email: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

Morecambe Court achievement Mary Jolly and Doreen Dann, pictured opposite, who regularly prepare meals for the lunch club and bake for the cake sale, recently passed their Food and Hygiene course with five stars.

Congratulations ladies

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS You can contact us on To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry To order a gas repair or gas service For out of hours (5pm-8.30am) Emergency repairs only

CUSTOMER SERVICES CENTRE OPENING TIMES

Remember if you or anyone you know requires this newsletter to be provided in large print or audio format, please contact Tenant Participation on 01473 433345.

01473 433370 01473 432100 0800 533 5630 or 01473 835145 01473 432100 (select option 1, then option 4)

See page 8 for Christmas opening times

NEW TENANT HANDBOOK OUT NOW Available to download at www.ipswich.gov.uk/tenants.