The Big Yeller - July 2013

JULY 13

ISSUE 231

www.homesforchange.co.uk

BOILERS, MINOR HEATING, PLUMBING OR ELECTRICAL Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 8am–5pm, emergency only 07912 206490

BOOKKEEPER

Tony Pace Flat G04 07983 272 513 maintenance@homesforchange.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP

Phil Boast

Katherine Bird membership@homesforchange.co.uk

COMMITTEE

NETWORKING

Jamie Redhead Lee Fullwood Dave Redhead Lianne Heys Mark Hodgkinson Rob Harrison Saffron Gardenchild Shelagh Murphy committeemembers@homesforchange.co.uk

LIFT BREAKDOWN 0800 181 363

EMERGENCY

Lee, flat 103, 07990 956629 Nicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627

FINANCE Rob Harrison

GARDENING John Pugh

GM CHAIRPERSON Keith Underhill

IMPROVEMENTS Shelagh, Flat 222 shelatequila@aol.com

KEYS AND FOBS

Nicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627

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MAINTENANCE

Chris Middleton networking@homesforchange.co.uk

PUBLICITY & INFORMATION

Saffron Gardenchild publicityinformation@homesforchange.co.uk

RENTS

Sue Corcoran at Mosscare 0161 226 4211

REPAIRS OFFICERS Simon Birch 213 Fiona Forster 302 Hannah Berry 309 Tony Pace G04

SECRETARY Lianne Heys

SECURITY HEALTH & SAFETY

Lee, Flat 103; 07990 956629; maintenance@homesforchange.co.uk

TREASURER & DEPUTY GM CHAIRPERSON: Jamie Redhead 07717 305 846 red_jamie@hotmail.com

editorial It is my pleasure to present to you the brand new, redesigned Big Yeller.

It has a few new features, but the main overall idea is to make it more inviting for members to read it and to contribute to the publication.

Mickey Savoy told me he clearly remembers one Manchester derby weekend in April 1994, when people came together on location, turning the soil round in preparation for building phase 1. Other people mentioned there was a magazine at the time, although not sure if it was the yeller already, perhaps the iconic Hulme Pig News instead. Nevertheless the current issue number is calculated from then onwards.

So here you are formally invited to write to us, to write to “If you click in any of the music titles your fellows co-op members! Please do! The newsletter is ideal to exchange ideas as it invites people to think twice on the new Playlist section, it will play about what they want to say in order to build a sound arthe music from your web browser...” gument, which comes in handy when we’re doing collective decision making. It is also the only means of communication that is equally accessible to all members.

There are some interactive sections if you are reading it as a pdf in your computer or tablet. If you click in any of the Yell, the group email we share, is just great for quick feedmusic titles on the new Playlist section, it will play the music back and bouncing ideas, quick thinking, fast acting and from your web browser, you can click on the items in the spreading a message quickly, but not all members access index to jump to the right page, all web and email addresses this platform, whilst others, like myself, struggle a bit to are also interactive, including the link on the H4CinLOVE keep up with it. It’s great though, it provides a great timevideo. By the way, have you seen it? Just click here tinyurl. line for the things we do. com/H4CinLOVE. Let’s celebrate our newsletter!

We gave it an issue number, 231, which is calculated after some consultation with the members that started it off.

Enjoy!

Ricardo (p&i)

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In Focus

Katherine Bird

The Big Yeller talks to: Membership co-ordinator Katherine Bird.

How long have you lived in Hulme?

I’ve lived in Hulme since 1998, when my son was born basically.

Why did you choose to move to Hulme or what links did you have to Hulme?

I didn’t really have any links to Hulme. I went through the homeless system when my son was born. So I was in temporary accommodation and when I was looking at what areas of Manchester I wanted to live in Hulme was kind of top of my list. I did have some friends of friends here but I didn’t really know the area that well but I kind of liked the sound of it.

What’s the best thing about living in Hulme?

I like being close to the city centre. I like the mix of people in Hulme and I’m quite interested in the history of Hulme, sort of culture and what’s happened over the last 20 years and it’s just really easy to get anywhere from here.

What’s the worst thing about living in Hulme?

(Laughs) At the moment it’s that building site just across 4 the big yeller

the road. Other than that maybe probably just lack of facilities, like good shops and a range of shops to go to. I really hate going to Asda but that’s the only choice you’ve got really apart from a couple of corner shops. It would be nice to have a wider range of independent shops, smaller places.

Why did you get involved with HFC? Well I lived just round the corner for 10 years and I didn’t really know what was in this building and then I started working with Siobhan (HFC member) and she told me a bit more about it. And I was looking for a move, just for a change really, so I started to get involved then and became a member and exchanged (accommodation) with another family that was living here.

Do you think HFC is important? If yes, then why?

Yeah, I think it’s really important. I think it’s an interesting model of how people can live together and be their own landlord. I’m still fascinated by it, how it works and how it doesn’t work (laughs). I go to all the general meetings and I just think it’s a fascinating, even to observe it, sort of interaction between people and how people resolve their differences, or don’t, and make decisions.

What work do you do within HFC? What have you done in the past?

I’m in the Membership Group, so we help people to become members of the co-op and tell them what they need to do to become members and we do things like maintain the waiting list and allocate properties when they become available and deal with issues around tenancies and breaches of tenancies. Not always very popular work and that can be a bit difficult sometimes. I think when you have to try to make decisions that you think are right, that are following the law and policies and procedures, that sometimes aren’t very popular ... you have to have a thick skin (laughs). I’ve got (another) role at the moment liaising between MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Homes for Change. I did start the prospective members

What’s the worst thing about HFC? I guess it’s the downside of being quite a sort of close community in that sometimes people don’t get on with each other, people fall out with each other or there’s rumours or gossip and I think sometimes the way people express themselves on Yell sometimes can be not that pleasant. And I think if you, particularly ... it doesn’t affect me so much because I live here and I know the people and I’ve kind of developed a bit of an understanding of what’s going on ... but sometimes, especially being part of Membership and dealing with new members it does look pretty bad sometimes for new people to see some of the stuff that goes on there ... I think it is a normal part of human social interactions and being in this kind of community but the way it might look to some people is not that positive.

“...it still makes me happy when I come out of the lift and walk towards my flat and I look down, I still think “wow!” surgery which is just before the general meetings ...

I wanted to start it because I knew what it was like to try and join the co-op as an outsider, not knowing who to speak to or what the rules were or what you needed to do, so I wanted to try and make it a bit more accessible to people, for them to have at least a face to the co-op, someone that they could talk to. I think that is something that probably most people are aware of, that I think it can be a little bit like a closed community, it can be a little bit cliquey and that it might be more difficult for people to join that don’t know people in the co-op and if you only get people joining who know people in the co-op then you end up with all the kind of same people and that’s not what we should be about I don’t think.

What’s the best thing about HFC? I think two (things). One is the sense of community which I’ve, since I’ve been living here, have realised how important that is. I’ve never really experienced that before but that makes me happy being here. And also the building, how the building’s designed. I really like that and it still makes me happy when I come out of the lift and walk towards my flat and I look down, I still think “wow!” ... and I think because I work in the field of housing and homelessness and I’ve seen a lot of social housing, most of the social housing in Manchester, I’ve kind of got an idea of what it’s like and I think this is the best social housing in Manchester. So it makes me happy to be here.

What are your other interests?

I’m quite into maps and map reading. I like navigating and ... going up a mountain and trying to find my way around.

I’m a member of Manchester Modernist Society. I think that’s something else I’ve become more interested in since I’ve been living here, about how the built environment kind of affects you and how it can change behaviour. So I go and do some guided walks in Manchester and they do film nights and stuff like that, it’s really interesting. I used to run a lot, I did the New York marathon a couple of years ago. I’ve stopped doing that but I do a boot camp class in Chorlton park. And music I guess, I used to go out clubbing all the time but I’ve kind of retired from the scene but every now and then I still dip my toe in the water. And that’s another thing I’m really interested in, the music that came out of Hulme.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Frank Sidebottom, Miss Piggy, Rod Hull and Emu, Grace Jones and Keith.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Joanna Lumley, she’s just my hero, she’s my fantasy celebrity mum.

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Which person do you most admire and why?

Well I’ve had a lifelong obsession with the artist Keith Haring who is just someone that I really admire.

He died when he was quite young. He was one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS in New York. He did a lot of street art in subways in New York and he was quite a social activist as well. He was gay ... he expressed his sexuality in his art and was very open about it. I think he made a really good role model. Yeah, he’s one of my heroes.

What makes you angry?

Well I work, like I said I work in homelessness, I work with young people and at the moment the welfare reform and benefit changes is making me quite cross. We’re seeing a lot more young people coming in with no access to money or food and the temporary hostels are being knocked down and the temporary accommodation is being closed down but the one night shelter that we could use that’s in Salford, you could get someone in that day, that’s closed down because of housing benefit changes. So at the moment when we work with a young person who’s homeless sometimes we’re having to just say “There’s nothing we can do for you tonight”. That’s difficult. I’m pretty cross about that.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

To remember to turn my alarm off on bank holidays.

Tell us something significant or interesting that we might not know or realise?

I have never watched Dirty Dancing.

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“one seed ten drops of water, a hundred sprouts, a thousand stems, a million flowers, a thick branch growing into a tree living for a billion years” YELLOW BRICK ROAD Our “Yellow Brick Road” Radio Programme for Moss Side and Hulme FM ( MS&H FM ) is now available to listen at soundcloud: http://www.mixcloud.com/vilelaricardo/ A flavour of how things were 10 years ago, when the show was first aired and recorded.

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the playlist

by Willy & The Poor Boys ( also known as Scotty )

side A

BOB DYLAN: Rollin & Tumblin LEW LEWIS: Mr. Bartender ALABAMA 3: Woody Guthrie

side B

THE GRATEFUL DEAD: Wharf Rat BOB DYLAN: Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues again CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: Keep on chooglin please send us your own playlist to: publicityinformation@homesforchange.co.uk or drop us a list on a piece of paper to FLAT 101

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Aims and Objectives The idea of the Homes For Change Co-op is to create an asset that will be owned and controlled by the community not by people remote from the area who do not necessarily act in its interests.

As with the old ‘Co-op’ it is by creating mutually controlled assets for future generations that ordinary people can create something over generations of such size as to be able to compete on equal terms with the big players. The Aims and Objectives are: viable alternative to individual home ownership model for urban development appropriate to the rebuilding of British cities building with a mix of uses, active throughout the day community’s control over its environment community owned asset as the basis for future developments supportive, safe and secure environment for people of all ages replacing reliance on experts with self-reliance, skill sharing and training maximizing the environmental sustainability of the development by incorporating current best practice in green building

promoting radical design and to demonstrate that architecture for communities can be exciting beacon for what is possible for disenfranchised communities affordable accommodation based on communal benefit rather than individual profit. supportive environment for local business stimulating local economic activity and employment supporting the non-traditional lifestyles which have traditionally thrived in the area actively supporting more vulnerable sections of the community

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WHAT’S ON IN HULME THIS MONTH:

WORKSHOPS

HULME COMMUNITY GARDEN CENTRE

Thursdays: Toddler Gardening Club, craft or gardening session aimed at 0-3 years old, 11am-12pm, £2.50 per child including materials and refreshments.

28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RG. Telephone: 0161 227 8198. www.hulmegardencentre.org.uk Hulme Community Garden Centre (HCGC) is a unique community led inner-city horticultural project. Their mission is to bring the local community together through gardening. Volunteers to help at Hulme Community Garden Centre (HCGC) are always welcome.

Volunteering can be undertaken at any time, with hours to suit you. You can call Helene at HCGC on 0161 227 8198 to discuss which day would suit you.

HCGC is open from 10am-5pm every day. HCGC is extending its opening hours and will now be open until 7.30pm on Thursday evenings. The venue is also available to hire for events, e.g. parties, wedding receptions.

Thursdays: Drop-in workshops, 5-7.30pm, an opportunity to find out more about making a hanging basket, seed sowing etc. Please call HCGC for more information.

By arrangement: Planting on Prescription, therapeutic horticulture for adults who wish to improve their mental wellbeing. Call HCGC and ask for Julie or email projects@ hulmegardencentre.org.uk for more information.

By arrangement: Plotting the Future, training and support for new and prospective allotment growers, free. Call HCGC and ask for Katherine or email thetrainer@hulmegardencentre.org.uk for more information.

EVENT Summer Party, Saturday 27 July, 11am-5pm. Live music, food, cakes, crafts, arts, stalls, plants, flowers and cider.

This party will be part of “Hulme is where the Art Is Festival” on the same day with Z-Arts and Venture Arts.

(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)

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(COMMUNITY_LISTINGS) A list of community venues in Hulme/Moss Side and their contact details can be found below. Please contact venues for details of classes, workshops and events.

CLAREMONT SURE START CHILDREN’S CENTRE: Claremont Road, Moss Side, Manchester, M14 7NA. Telephone 0161 227 3463. This venue offers a variety of play sessions for parents/carers and young children and also ESOL/functional English courses.

HULME COMMUNITY GARDEN CENTRE: 28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RG. Telephone: 0161 227 8198. Information about current and forthcoming events, workshops and classes are available on their website: www.hulmegardencentre.org.uk.

HULME LIBRARY: Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5FQ. Telephone: 0161 227 3739. Email: hulme@libraries. manchester.gov.uk. The library contains an IT suite, internet access and photocopying facilities. Please contact the venue for further information.

KATH LOCKE CENTRE: 123 Moss Lane East, Hulme, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 5DD. Telephone: 0161 455 0211. A variety of classes and therapies are available.

Further information is also available on their website: http://www.thebiglifegroup.com/big-life-centres/

MOSS SIDE LEISURE CENTRE: Moss Lane East, Manchester M15 5NN. Telephone: 0161 226 5015 MOSS SIDE POWERHOUSE LIBRARY: 140 Raby Street, Moss Side, Manchester M15 4SL. Telephone: 0161 227 3758.

MOSS SIDE SURE START CHILDREN’S CENTRE: Selworthy Road, Manchester, M16 7UH. Telephone: 0161 226 0162.

THE WORKS: 130 Alexander Road, Moss Side, Manchester M16 7WD. Telephone: 0161 359 3388. Email: info@theworksmanchester.co.uk YARD THEATRE: 41 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RF. Telephone: 0161 226 7696.

Z-ARTS: 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA. Telephone: 0161 226 1912. The website http://www.z-arts. org/ has more information about all classes, workshops and events.

ZION COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE: 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY. Telephone 0161 226 5412. A variety of classes, groups and therapies are available.

Information is also available on their website: http://www. zioncentre.co.uk

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BULKY WASTE Environment on Call, the council’s bulky waste collectors, will no longer collect large amounts of waste/furniture etc from the building. Due to cuts, each household may only receive two collections a year (3 items per collection).

If you have any furniture etc please do not leave the items outside the building near the back gate or dump it within the compound for others to deal with. It is now the responsibility of the householder to remove the items themselves.

LIFT BREAKDOWN

Please contact Nicola (07445 291 627 ) in the first instance. If you are unable to get hold of Nicola the phone number is 0800 181 363; Lift reference number = 150191.

Please arrange for “Motor Room” door to be left open for access by lift engineer with either Nicola or John.

PEST CONTROL GreenCare 0161 627 4044

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If you do not have transport to do this you can call Environment on Call on 0161 954 9000.

Remember you only get to do this twice a year!

At the moment Jo and Fiona are trying to come to an arrangement with the council to pick up from the building more regularly but with no success so far.

Please do not leave anything outside unless you have arranged pick up with the council yourself. Please leave your flat number and a note on any goods you leave.

HFC TENANT REPAIR REQUEST DO NOT RELY ON TELEPHONE CALLS, CONVERSATIONS OR EMAILS TO REPORT REPAIRS. OUR BRAINS ARE ADDLED AND WE HAVE POOR MEMORIES. YOU MUST ALWAYS COMPLETE THIS FORM AND HAND IT TO A REPAIRS OFFICER A.S.A.P. NAME of person reporting repair:............................................................................................................

...... FLAT No .....

NAME/S OF TENANT if different:: ...........................................................................................................

ACCESS DETAILS:

(Please give morning or afternoon dates when we can gain access)

DATE(S):.........................................................................................................................................................................................................

(AM 8-12 or PM 1-5) CONTACT NAME (for keys):............................................................... flat No if different: ...................................................................

HOME TEL:.............................................................................................. MOBILE:........................................................................................

REPAIR OR PROBLEM DETAILS:

(please be as specific as possible )

Who did you report repair to NAME:............................................... DATE:.........................................................................................

ARE YOU REPORTING AN EMERGENCY REPAIR?

YES

NO

AN EMERGENCY REPAIR IS ANYTHING THAT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY, AFFECT YOUR HEALTH OR DAMAGE PROPERTY. ALWAYS WARN NEIGHBOURS. GAS LEAKS turn off supply - ring Transco 0800 111 999 ventilate property & do not smoke!

Bulky rubbish e.g. furniture, electrical items call 0161 954 9000 to arrange for it to be collected.

WATER PIPE BURSTS turn off at stop cock.

REPAIRS OFFICERS Simon Birch Fiona Forster Hannah Berry Tony Pace

ELECTRICAL WIRING etc – switch off at mains fuse box do not touch electrical switches. Contact ANY repairs officer immediately - Stay in or near property if safe to do so to ensure access.

For all BOILERS, basic plumbing, minor electrical you can call Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 Emergency only 07912 206490

Emergency 07990 956629 (Lee) 07445 291 627 (Nicola)

FLAT NO. 213 302 309 G04

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POST INSPECTION

Repair inspected by …………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................………………

Approved YES NO

Comments …………………………………………………………………………………………….....................................................................................

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

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

TENANT SATISFACTION

Tenant ……………………………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................………………

Satisfied YES NO

Comments ............................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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No.26 in the series of pics from Hulme Community Garden Centre this is the stage called the pupa

Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis Colin

tinyurl.com/H4CinLOVE tinyurl.com/UKinLOVE the big yeller 15

Almost everyone of working age, in social housing and in receipt of Housing Benefit is now affected by a reduction of 14% of their rent for one - or 25% for two or more -bedrooms the government has decided they don’t need.

It’s harsh, but there seems no way around it. Homes for Change cannot absorb the shortfall and would be breaking the law if it could – so, for us to survive as a co-op, somehow the rent must be paid, whether we can or not.

If you’re affected, don’t stick your head in the sand! Please follow our advice:

1. MAKE UP THE SHORTFALL IF YOU CAN If you can make up the difference in lost benefits, e.g., from savings, another benefit such as DLA, selling your old things online, doing overtime or getting a lodger please do. If you are able to do this regularly, please sent up a payment to your rent account.

If you can’t make up the difference long-term and are likely to fall into arrears purely because of this legislation then you MUST take the following steps:

2. APPLY TO DOWNSIZE TO A SMALLER FLAT IN HFC To do this contact Membership and complete a Housing Application form.

3. APPLY TO MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCRETIONARY HOUSING PAYMENTS The council may award Discretionary Housing Payments in exceptional circumstances. DHP is temporary and there’s no right of appeal but it is worth applying – you won’t get it without asking. See: http://www.manchester.gov. uk/downloads/download/4494/discretionary_housing_payments-2013_council_policy

4. NOTIFY THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU’LL BE AFFECTED AND BY HOW MUCH

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For all the above steps you’ll need to supply supporting documents to the Management Committee to show how you’ll be affected and prove that you’ve taken these actions.

If you do not follow this advice and incur rent arrears you will face court action and possible eviction. We don’t want that to happen and it will help your case enormously if you can show that you’ve done everything you can to pay.

Worried/confused? You can ask Membership, the Committee or Mosscare (0161 232 5645) for help.

There is a range of services they can help you access.

Saffron Gardenchild

RENT & WATER CHANGES By now all tenants should have received a Notice of Rent Increase (including amended water charge) from Mosscare and a Council Tax Bill/Statement for 2013/14.

TOTAL RENT = RENT AND WATER CHARGE COMBINED

If you pay your full rent and water all you need to do is increase your payment to your rent account.If you receive any Housing Benefit, please let the council know of the new rent as soon as possible so they can recalculate your claim. If you don’t do this within a month of the date on the letter, you may lose benefit and will be liable for any arrears arising.Although HB will not cover your water charge, don’t forget that it’s treated as part of your total rent so you must increase your payment for this to avoid falling into rent arrears.

COUNCIL TAX Council Tax Support has replaced Council Tax Benefit and if you’re of working age you now qualify for less. If you used to receive full benefit you will now have to pay 8.5%. Fortunately all of our properties are in Band A, the lowest category, which for 2013/14 is £919.49. 8.5% of this figure is just under £1.51 per week and you can pay monthly by Direct Debit if you wish. However you choose to pay, do not ignore your bill. Council Tax arrears count as a Priority Debt and you can face prison for wilful non-payment.

The council may award Discretionary Council Tax Payments in exceptional circumstances. DCTP is temporary and there’s no right of appeal but it is worth applying – you won’t get it without asking.

See: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/5205/discretionary_council_tax_payments-201314_council_policy

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NEW RECYCLING CADDIES Each flat has now received a lovely new recycling caddy for its green kitchen & garden waste along with a roll of biodegradeable liners, which can be put directly into the green bins. Unfortunately MCC only gives out the first roll free, but you can buy more from their website/elsewhere or just use the caddies without.

We were also given an A5 leaflet (reproduced left) to pin up to refer to when sorting waste.

Unfortunately some people are still routinely putting items the council can’t recycle into the recycling bins, and if we carry on doing so they won’t continue to empty them.

One person has even thrown away their brand new caddy and roll of bags in one of the brown bins!

Please don’t do this. It is in considerate and wasteful in the extreme. If you won’t recycle, at least offer your caddy and bags to someone else or put them on Gift Corner/the exchange table. paper, envelopes, newspapers, magazines, cards, cereal boxes, BLUE BINS Allcardboard tubes, catalogues, telephone directories, pizza/other boxes, cardboard egg boxes, drink cartons, gravy granule/bouillon tubs with metal base (without lids) Larger boxes should be flattened and left at the side of the bin.

NO polystyrene or plastic packaging to be left inside boxes.

glass bottles/jars (without lids/corks), plastic bottles, metal drink BROWN BINS Allcans/food tins, aerosols, foil including foil trays & takeaway containers, yogurt lids & sweet wrappers NO panes of glass, mirrors, glass dishes or lightbulbs NO plastic except bottles (no bags, cellophane/clingfilm, yogurt/deli pots, vegetable/fruit trays/punnets or ready meal trays) raw and cooked food and most green garden waste, fruit & GREEN BINS Allvegetable peelings, cut flowers, grass cuttings & hedge clippings,

leaves, twigs & small branches, bread products, pies & pastries, tea bags & coffee grounds, dairy products & eggshells, meat & fishbones NO soil, stones, plant pots, large branches, garden bags, building rubble or invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam

else except: BLACK BINS Everything Batteries - by law any shop selling batteries must also collect them

for recycling – it doesn’t matter where you bought them.

Electrical items Chemicals & hazardous waste - white spirit, meths, paint stripper, wood stain, garden chemicals, etc. must be taken to a tip – do NOT pour down drain

If it’s not recyclable, please use the general waste bins. If it can’t be put in with general waste, please arrange collection with Environment On Call - see page10. the big yeller 19

THE FINANCIAL STANDING ORDERS

3.2 The accounts shall be kept in such a manner that: 3.2.1 Statutory requirements are met.

3.2.2 Final accounts in the recommended form are produced.

3.2.3 The appropriate information for financial control is available.

These rules govern the manner in which all the financial business of Homes for Change is transacted.

3.3 The Treasurer is responsible for ascertaining that the accounts are prepared and for the accounting system.

The Treasurer shall be supported by 1. GENERAL the Finance Group and staff; where information is required that is held by 1.1 It is the responsibility of the Treasurother Officers, Working Group Coorer, supported by the Finance Coordinadinators, or employees, the Treasurer tor, to ensure that these standing orders shall have access to any documents or are adhered to. records s/he may require for the purposes of financial control and adminis1.2 All members of Homes for Change, tration of the co-op’s activities. and any employed staff, shall be supplied with a copy of these Standing Orders, 3.5 The books of account, cheque together with any changes to them. books, invoices and receipted invoices shall be kept in a secure safe in the 1.3 The Annual General Meeting shall Co-op office. review the Standing Orders annually and either re-adopt or amend them. The 3.4 The books of account, cheque absence of such a review shall not cause books, invoices and receipted invoices the Standing Orders to lapse. shall be available for inspection by coop members in the Homes for Change 1.4 Reference should also be made to office upon request with a minimum of the Financial Procedures of the coop and 1 weeks notice. to the job descriptions of the Finance Working Group members (contained in 4. BUDGET the Finance Working Group manual).

4.1 The Treasurer and Finance Coordinator, with the support of the Finance Working Group, shall together prepare 2.1 Accounts shall be maintained in the an annual revenue budget incorporatname of the co-op with a bank approved ing all income and expenditure, and at a General Meeting. shall present that budget to a General Meeting one month in advance of the 2.2 The balances in the co-op’s bank financial year. accounts, and in the books of account, shall be reconciled monthly.

4.2 Supplementary estimates shall be submitted to the General Meeting if 3. ACCOUNTS and when it becomes apparent that an annual provision is likely to be ex3.1 The Homes for Change financial ceeded. A report on the reason for the year shall be from 1st October to 30th excess shall be submitted also.

September.

2. BANKING

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categories (above £50) shall be submitted to the General Meeting for approval.

4.3.1 Transfers up to £50 per annum between budget heads may be approved by the Finance Coordinator and / or Treasurer, after consulting with the appropriate Working Group Coordinators.

4.4 Budgetary control statements shall be presented to the General Meeting on a quarterly basis. Reasons for variance between the original budget and the actual income and expenditure shall accompany the budget control statement.

4.5 With the exception of the Responsive Repairs Maintenance budget all spending over the annual agreed budget of any working group shall be subtracted from the subsequent annual budget.

5. INCOME 5.1 All income should be banked. It should be banked promptly, ideally within two working days, and receipted. Such income should be banked by either members of Homes for Change staff or by the bookkeeper.

5.2 The co-op is to be safeguarded against loss of income by: 5.2.1 Prompt claiming of Housing Corporation or other grants or monies due.

5.2.2 Prompt action against debtors.

5.2.3 Comprehensive accounting procedures and internal controls for all income sources.

5.3 Outstanding amounts shall only be written off with the approval of members at a General Meeting.

5.4 Personal cheques shall not be cashed nor shall IOUs be accepted out of monies held on behalf of the co-op.

4.3 Transfers between different budget 6. ORDERS

6.1 All goods and services shall be ordered on an official order form wherever practical.

6.2 Individual orders which are estimated to commit the co-op to an amount in excess of £500.00, proposed and recommended, where appropriate, by the relevant Working Group, shall be authorised by the committee and GM. Three quotations in writing are required, or evidence of value for money.

6.3 Individual orders costing less than £500.00 may be approved by the Treasurer, advised by the Finance Group. Evidence of value for money will be required.

6.4 Detailed specifications, in writing, of goods to be ordered should be prepared, to enable the Treasurer or other co-op member to certify the goods when received.

attention of the next General Meeting and evidence of value for money must be provided for the Finance Group.

7.3 All payments will be made against an invoice certified by the Finance Group, as well as the Co-op member who has ordered the work if appropriate. Certification implies: 7.3.1 Receipt of the goods/service on satisfactory terms and conditions, or 7.3.2 Acknowledgement that advance payment is within the policy previously agreed by the co-op.

7.3.3 Compliance with the co-op’s Financial Standing Orders.

7.3.4 The accuracy of the account and that it does not duplicate a previously certified amount.

7.3.5 The expense can be met within the budget, or is a previously agreed overspend.

7. PAYMENTS 7.1 All payments must be approved by the Treasurer and / or the Finance Group.

7.1.1 The Treasurer and / or the Finance Group may authorise payments up to £500.00, within the budgeted figure without recourse to a General Meeting.

7.2 Non-maintenance payments over £500 require the prior approval of the General Meeting, unless already authorised by the General Meeting or Committee (see 6.2 above), the following being exempt: 7.2.1 Insurance payments 7.2.2 Auditor’s fees 7.2.3 Gas, electricity, and water rates payments 7.2.4 Telephone bills 7.2.5 Salaries and wages provided that the amounts payable for these categories fall within the budgeted figures.

7.2.6 Maintenance work of up to £1,000, as long as the work has been approved in accordance with the Authorisation of Repairs procedure.

7.2.7 Emergency maintenance work of up to £2000, as long as the work has been approved in accordance with the Authorisation of Repairs procedure. Any such expenditure must be must be brought to the

7.4 All cheques shall require two authorised signatures.

7.5 Five named members shall be authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the co-op. However, the General Meeting of the co-op, may, from time to time, also authorise other members to sign cheques as appropriate.

7.6 Blank cheques will never be signed.

7.7 Deleted

claim for any reasonable personal expenses that they may incur.

Please see the Personal Expenditure Policy for further details.

9. SALARIES AND WAGES 9.1 Salaries paid to staff, and other conditions and benefits of employment shall be on the basis of the contract of employment as agreed by the Worker Management Group. All changes in matters which affect remuneration shall be agreed by the Worker Management Group. The Finance Coordinator and Treasurer should be notified of any changes.

10. INSURANCE 10.1 The General Meeting shall review annually all insurances of the co-op.

10.2 The Finance Coordinator shall effect all insurance cover and negotiate all claims in consultation with other members, where necessary.

10.3 The Finance Coordinator is responsible for checking that insurance policies are not invalidated by failure to comply with conditions.

7.10 Deleted

10.4 Members shall notify the Finance Coordinator of all new risks, and of any loss, liability or damage or any event likely to lead to a claim.

7.11 Deleted

11. AUDIT

8. PERSONAL EXPENDITURE

11.1 The Co-op shall have its accounts audited annually by a properly qualified and independent person. The Co-op shall takes steps to satisfy itself as to the competency of the appointed

7.8 Deleted 7.9 Deleted

8.1 When undertaking business on behalf of Homes for Change, for example training or meetings with external bodies outside of the Homes for Change building, members of the coop or members of staff are permitted to

the big yeller 21

auditor.

11.2 A competitive tendering process for the appointment of auditors must be carried out at least every seven years.

a) causing a health and safety hazard for tenants and/or members and/or b) causing the exterior of the property to look unsightly can be approved by the committee and GM.

12. REPORTS TO GENERAL MEETING 12.1 Any member, officer or Working Group Coordinator submitting a report to the General Meeting with financial implications, shall notify the Treasurer and the Finance Coordinator in advance in order that s/he may make a report on the financial implications if s/he so desires.

13. USE OF DISCRECTIONARY EXPENSES 13.1 The use of discretionary action in situations where the cleanliness and internal maintenance of a property is either;

13.2 If the situation is a non-emergency issue then action can be decided at the next regular committee meeting.

If the situation is an emergency then action should be decided at a specially convened emergency committee meeting.

13.3 Discretionary action can be undertaken under the conditions that; a) That the exceptional (parts a and/or b above) reasons for taking this action are clearly explained to the membership of the Co-op And b) That the cost incurred to

the co-op is recouped by coming to a suitable arrangement between the tenant and the co-op within a defined timeframe with a maximum duration of two years.

And c) That action will be taken by the committee to address the issue in order to attempt to prevent it reoccurring in the future.

13.4 There shall be no discretionary financial support for social events outside of a constituted events group.

13.5 All such social events funded by the Co-op and organised by the constituted events group must be: open to all members of the Co-op, approved by the committee, approved by the GM and follow the Co-op’s proper finance procedures (full invoicing will be required).

Keith

OBJECTS & STUFF I think I know where the so called aims and objects come from.

I suspect they came from the now defunct organisation that preceded HFC and WFC. If you actually read them you will see that most of them are either irrelevant or just plain wrong.

To develop a building with a mix of uses etc. ...... irrelevant we have done that To create a community owned asset ..... irrelevant we did not and have no plans to buy the building Four more are about what type of building we want and how it should be designed... irrelevant we have a building and there is now not going to be a phase 3 22 the big yeller

The local business bit is irrelevant to HFC this is WFC's job The last bit about actively supporting more vulnerable sections of society is misleading as it implies that we are a charity which we are not The danger comes when people use these to justify policy or wrong decisions.

It is also important to note what is left out of these redundant aims and objects.

There is no commitment to cooperative principles. No commitment against discrimination. No mention about what we actually do, which is to house people!

Can I suggest they are replaced in the big yeller by the following (made pretty .. something I can't do!)

These are our real Objects and Principles and they are fully enforcible we cannot make policy or do anything which contravenes these objects and

principles These are OBJECTS 2 The objects of the Co-operative shall be: a) The provision, construction, conversion, improvement, or management on the Co-operative Principles of dwellings exclusively for letting to members of the Co-operative under the terms of a tenancy or lease which: i) if a tenancy, shall be granted to the member by the Co-operative and shall exclude all rights for the member to assign the tenancy to any person other than the Co-operative (or a member of the Co-operative) and shall require the member to surrender or assign the tenancy to the Co-operative (or a member of the Co-operative) on his or her ceasing to be a member, or ii) if a lease, shall provide that each lessee, whether individual or joint, shall apply for membership of the Co-operative and, if accepted, remain a member until he or she gives up the

lease: and that any lessee who ceases to be a member for any reason must assign the lease as soon as reasonably possible. b) The provision and improvement on the Co-operative Principles of land, buildings, amenities, or services for the benefit of the members, either exclusively or in conjunction with other persons. c) The provision of housing management services to members of the Co-operative and to the occupants of dwellings that are the subject of a management agreement under which the Co-operative is acting as managing agent for a landlord body.

In carrying out these objects the Cooperative shall work toward the elimination of discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, class, appearance, religion, responsibility for dependants, unrelated criminal convictions, the fact that a person is HIV positive or has AIDS or any other matter which causes any person to be treated with injustice These are the 6 cooperative principles referenced by section 2a and 43c) of our rules ( c) ’the Co-operative Principles’ refers to the principles adopted at the 23rd and 24th Congress of the International Co-operative

Alliance)

on the capital invested.

4. Autonomy and Independence (it does not include the 7th CooperaCooperatives are autonomous, tive principle adopted in 1995 this is self-help organizations controlled reiterated by the secondary rules) by their members. If the co-op 1.3 The membership is committed enters into agreements with other to co-operative principles, defined in organizations or raises capital the co-operative’s fully mutual rules, from external sources, it is done statement of ethical principles, and the so based on terms that ensure 6 co-operative principles. democratic control by the members and maintains the coopera1. Voluntary and Open Membership tive’s autonomy.

Cooperatives are voluntary organiza5. Education, Training and Informations, open to all people able to use tion its services and willing to accept the Cooperatives provide education responsibilities of membership, withand training for members, elected out gender, social, racial, political or representatives, managers and religious discrimination. employees so they can contribute 2. Democratic Member Control effectively to the development of Cooperatives are democratic organiza- their cooperative. Members also tions controlled by their members— inform the general public about those who buy the goods or use the the nature and benefits of coopservices of the cooperative—who eratives. actively participate in setting policies 6. Cooperation among Cooperaand making decisions. tives 3. Members' Economic Participation Cooperatives serve their members Members contribute equally to, and most effectively and strengthen democratically control, the capital of the cooperative movement by the cooperative. This benefits members working together through local, in proportion to the business they con- national, regional and international duct with the cooperative rather than structures.

Keith

NOMINATION FORM I wish to be a candidate for the committee elections Name....................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email Address.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone Number ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Normal Signature .............................................................................................................................................................................

Keith Underhill (Returning Officer)

Flat 303 email keithunder@gmail.com (0779 268 6588)

the big yeller 23

BY ELECTION FOR COMMITTEE 2013/2014 There is a by election for one committee member: In order to be a candidate for the committee you must fill in and sign the nomination form below (If you do not wish to spoil your newsletter a piece of paper with the same or similar words will be acceptable). You must be a member to be a candidate for election to the committee.

Nominated candidates aret expected to attend the meeting at which the election takes place. If a candidate cannot attend the election, and they present a reason for not attending, that the returning officer decides is reasonable, they may appoint someone to make a statement on their behalf. Candidates at the meeting must provide an answer to any questions put to them by the returning officer on behalf of the electorate.

The election will be conducted by ballot paper after the candidates have addressed the meeting and answered any questions. Questions must be in writing and must not be directed at individual candidates..

This elections will be by the one person one vote system the Single Transferable Vote The voting procedure will be as follows: You have one vote, this is a transferable vote.

You must put a 1 against your first preference, a two against your second preference and so on until you are indifferent. A later preference cannot count against an earlier one.

Re- open nominations will also be a candidate.

Nominations for committee will be kept secret by me until the nominations close. You are however welcome to announce your intention to stand in any way you feel necessary (ie Yell etc)

NOMINATION FORM I wish to be a candidate for the committee elections Name ...................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email Address.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone Number ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Normal Signature .............................................................................................................................................................................

Keith Underhill (Returning Officer)

24 the big yeller

Flat 303 email keithunder@gmail.com (0779 268 6588)

COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 2nd JULY 2013 CE

minutes by Keith

Present: Rob Harrison (Chair), Mark Hodgkinson, Saffron Gardenchild, Lee Fulwood, Shelagh Murphy(part) Observers: Keith Underhill (chair of GM) Rob O’Connor(Membership), Surinder Swali (Mosscare), Pauline Smit, Amelia Lee

2. Membership application for special circumstances.

After a discussion it was AGREED To allow Pauline Smit onto the three bedroom list for exceptional circumstances.

3. Membership

1. Mosscare Report 1.1 The top 15 in arrears were discussed in detail Top 15 Arrears now at £15,676

After a brief discussion the meeting between the Committee and Membership is going to be on Friday 26th July at 8.00 pm

1.2 Actions Non Required

4. Empty Tenancies

1.3 Mosscare to give each case a unique 4.1 AGREED To engage our solicitor number so they can be tracked from to seek possession of flat 101 for non month to month. occupancy

7. WFC boiler After a HFC visit to see a similar boiler in action the installation is now going ahead.

8. Minutes of last Meeting 8.1 Rob has circulated a ‘what we expect from each other’ behavior list to be discussed at another meeting.

8.2 Phase 2 roof work to go ahead 8.3 Rent setting put back to August meeting.

8.4 Business plan put back to August meeting.

9. Fences and security

1.4 Mosscare to send the committee a copy of the sequence of arrears procedures.

4.2 AGREED To engage our solicitor to seek possession of flat 227 for non occupancy

1.5 A tenant had raised the issue of an 4.3 Membership to be asked to clarify NTQ proposal being sent when it was the occupancy of G14 not warranted. Mosscare to look into 5. Conduit Problem this.

It was reported to the committee that 1.6 Some letters were sent together an ad hoc group will be dealing with with a statement which contradicted the potential danger posed by an unsethe letter. Mosscare to investigate. cured conduit across the East Bridge.

1.7 Some emails had not been responded to by Mosscare, Surinder suggested 6. Cafe Cold Storage. that he should be cced in any such This to be decided by the GM emails

This to be decided at the GM. The committee supports measures to improve our security 10. Gas Safety Agreed to send a solicitors letter to the tenant of G09 seeking access in order to allow a gas safety check.

11. CLOSED SESSION Nothing to Report the big yeller 25

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 18TH JUNE 2013

Yard Theatre 18:32 bst minutes by Katherine Bird / Keith

Chair: Keith Underhill

5) Committee report Ratification

Passed Unanimously

1) Members present: (16 Committee members present 2/9) Bindi Foster-Brown, Eddie Koehler, Eloise Cockcroft, Kallum Tolkien, Katherine Bird, Keith Underhill, Mercedes Jacques, Nigel Wood, Niki Quinn, Ossie Morse, Ricardo Vilela, Rob O’Connor, Sarah Gilston, Scott Miller, Scott Robb, Shelagh Murphy, Non Members present: (4) Conner Devine, Danielle Turton, Justin Walsh, Sam St. John,

Section 4 of committee report An amendment was proposed to delete the words 'subject' to the end with “To approve to increase of the tender amount to £25k” Proposed by Shelagh Murphy seconded

by Nigel Wood Agreed Unanimously The proposal now reads: K Pendlebury and Sons should be awarded the contract for the phase 2 roof.

To approve to increase of the tender amount to £25k

7) Next GM: Tuesday 16st July, 2013 @ HFC Yard Theatre Next committee Meeting: Tuesday 2nd July 2013 @ Meeting Room 18:30 BST Dead line for GM agenda: Tuesday 2nd June 2013 17:00 BST

2) New people.

Conner & Danielle introduced themselves

This was passed with 1 abstention Minutes Of Last GM: 3.1) Any corrections? - none 3.2) Matters arising? - none Minutes were PASSED as a true and correct record with 1 abstention 4) Committee report.

Questions: none 26 the big yeller

The rest of the committee report was approved with 4 abstentions.

6) Resolves that BAC Commercial LTD Cleaning Specialists be added to the approved contractors.

Proposed by Shelagh Murphy seconded

by Kallum Tolkien

8) AOB None Closed Session 9) Flat allocations G12 Nigel Wood 405 Kallum Tolkien G06 Ricardo Vilela 223 1. Eloise Cockcroft or 2) Clara Gooding 10) Other business That Geoff Evans Leave of Absence be increased by 6 months Approved with 1 abstention The meeting finished at 18:47 BST

GENERAL MEETING AGENDA 16TH JULY 2013 Prospective Member’s Surgery is from 6.00pm to 6.30pm and is for prospective members to get any support and advice about becoming a member of the co-op.

building under 223-225.

1. Members and non-members present

1. In proposes 1. delete “replacement” insert “substantial quality”

2.

2. in proposes 2. delete “on this fence” and insert “wherever Maintenance Group see fit.” Add

Introduction of new people

3. Minutes of Last GM 3.1. Any corrections

2. To authorise the use of anti burglar paint on this fence Amendment 1. From Johnny Tasker

Yard Theatre 18:30

9. Date, time and venue of next meeting 10. Any other business (to be given to the chair before meeting starts) 11. Committee By election Closed session 12. Membership terminations 12.1 Helen Butcher

3. To repair the Phase 2 gate

12.2 Tachia Newall

4. To repair / replace the George Parr North door

12.3 David Dunlop

3.2. Matters arising 4. Committee report

12.4 Luke Slater 5. Ratification of committee report 6. Fences and doors Proposal from Angelo Snr 1.That the security sub-committee should spend up to £1000 on a replacement security fence of about 3 Metres high on the west side of the

7. Amendment to Financial standing orders (this need to be passed at two consecutive GMs with a two thirds majority at the second one) This is delete all and insert. Proposed by Jamie Redhead

13. Other closed session business

8. Location of Cafe Cold Storage. the big yeller 27

COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEMBER’S ROOM @ 6:30PM

GENERAL MEETINGS the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM

NEXT GENERAL MEETING the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM

ADD ITEMS TO GM AGENDA until 5pm on

Aug

Sept

Oct

Aug

Sept

Oct

Aug

ARTICLES

6 3

20 17 15 July

16

Aug

6

index

Homes for Change Unit 25 41 Old Birley Street Hulme Manchester M15 5RE m: 0161 232 9801 e: info@homesforchange.co.uk w: www.homesforchange.co.uk

1

8

02: contacts 03: editorial 04: in focus 07: yellow brick road 08: the playlist 09: aims & objectives 10: in the neighborhood 11: community listings 12: bulky waste 12: pest control 12: lift breakdown 13: tenant repair form 15: wildlife 15: HfC in LOVE 16: bedroom tax 17: rent & water 17: council tax 18: recycling 20: financial standing orders 22: objects & stuff 23: nomination form 24: committee by election 25: committee minutes 26: gm minutes 27: gm agenda 28: important dates

for The BIG YELLER