Open house winter2013 vis

Housing Services

Winter 2013

New Build Begins on Garage Sites In this issue:Page 2 Garages for Rent

Page 4 New heating grants

Page 7 Kitchen upgrade programme

As winter approaches, demolition and building work will start on the first five garage sites as part of a development programme to turn underused garage sites into much needed affordable housing.

Demolition of the underused garages on the first five sites is due to start in the next few weeks.

Below is a table of the five sites where work will begin and what will be built on them.

Residents living very close to the sites will receive a letter from the contractor detailing the start and finish dates for the work and a contact number for who to call if there are any questions.

If you have any further questions regarding the garages redevelopment programme please call Project Manager Deborah Casey on 01827 709 286.

Site Tennyson Avenue Milton Avenue Thackeray Drive Masefield Drive

New Build 8 flats- 4 (1 bed) 4 (2 bed) 3 houses (2 bed) 3 bungalows (2 bed) 3 houses( 2 bed )

Visit to Morrison Recently, we were pleased to have the opportunity to have groups of Tamworth customers visit our call centre and office. The day went extremely well and gave the customers a first-hand insight to how our back office staff and operations work to provide the first-class service enjoyed by all of our Tamworth customers every day.

Page 11 TIC wins gold

Page 12 Cooking advice

www.tamworth.gov.uk

Tamworth tenants take a firsthand look at the work which goes on behind the scenes.

Our guests were knowledgeable of what service they should expect and made some valuable contributions on how we may improve our service for the future. We are looking forward to our next planned visit to engage further with our customers to improve the service.

Stewart Butler Branch Manager

Improvement programme provides more garages for rent More much-needed parking has been made available after a block of garages in Tinkers Green was completely demolished and rebuilt by Tamworth Borough Council.

before

The 37 garages at Leisure Walk have been completely demolished and rebuilt – with an extra two new garages being built to provide a total of 39 garages available to rent.

As well as the complete rebuilding of the garages, the site has been made more secure with the installation of new security lighting and lockable gates. The access roadway to the garages, off Saxon Close, will also be completely resurfaced.

after

Cllr Michael Greatorex, Cabinet member for Housing, said: “I am really pleased that we are able to carry out these works, which have enabled us to increase the supply of high-quality garages for rent to people living in and around Tinkers Green.

“We have had a lot of very positive feedback from the people who rent these garages, who tell us that they are very happy with the works which have been carried out.”

Residents Albert Pennicott and Dorothy Haddon both rent garages in Leisure Walk, and are both very pleased with the improvements which have been made.

“They are a lot more spacious and there is more room for the car,” said Mr Pennicott. Mrs Haddon said: “I am very happy with the new garages – they are bigger than the old ones and lots better.”

The works at the garage site in Leisure Walk are part of a number of environmental improvements across the borough. These include repaving, provision of bin stores and sheds and repainting at five sheltered schemes, installation of security gates, fencing and lighting in Caledonian, upgrading of drying areas at Masefield Drive and Thackeray Drive and the rebuilding and refurbishment of garages in Richmond Close, Sunset Close and Riverside flats.

All the works which are being carried out under the environmental improvement programme were suggested by residents and the Tenant Consultative Group.

Bids for garages to rent in all areas of Tamworth can be made on the Council’s Finding a Home website at www.findingahometamworth.co.uk/garages.aspx by first registering on the waiting list. Available garages are advertised on the site every Wednesday.

Resident Albert Pennicott, Cllr Michael Greatorex, Tamworth Borough Council Estates Manager Trevor Wylie and resident Dorothy Haddon at the new garages in Leisure Walk

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Regeneration at Tinkers Green, Wilnecote The regeneration of Tinkers Green and Kerria took a step closer last month when Cabinet approved plans to appoint a development consultant partner. After a thorough procurement process, a preferred consult has now been selected. The chosen consultant will be announced before Christmas and work will begin immediately to plan the way forward with both schemes to ensure we meet our deadline of announcing the next properties to be emptied by spring 2014.

The first stage is now complete, with the bungalows at Cottage Walk due to be demolished after Christmas.

If you have any questions or concerns about the regeneration scheme, please contact our Independent Tenant Friend, Marilyn McNally, on freephone 0800 1830454.

Cottage Walk rehousing and demolition The summer has been a very busy period for residents of the bungalows at Cottage Walk and Leisure Walk in Tinkers Green as they moved to their new homes.

The bungalows in Cottage Walk and Leisure Walk have been emptied as part of the regeneration programme that is planned for Tinkers Green and Kerria. Once the bungalows are completely empty, they will be prepared for demolition, which is expected to take place before Christmas.

The area will then be secured from vehicle access and it will be landscaped until the next phase of the project is announced in the spring.

Tamworth Borough Council is investing around £21.5 million over the next six years in the redevelopment of the Tinkers Green and Kerria estates.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the demolition process or surrounding area please call Deborah Casey on 01827 709286.

George Neish

We speak to two former residents of Cottage Walk who have moved to their new homes.

Mr Neish lived at Cottage Walk and has been rehoused in Stonydelph. He was very happy with the help he received from the council and said: “Officers were honest and friendly from the start.”

His new flat is very spacious and bright, two of the things that were lacking in his old bungalow. George likes to keep his independence and has recently celebrated his 80th birthday. What a lovely birthday present, a new home!

Sheila Tomlinson

Mrs Tomlinson had lived in her bungalow at Cottage Walk for 12 years and has now been rehoused in the town centre.

Mrs Tomlinson loves her new home, which is closer to her doctors and within walking distance of the shops. She said: “I would like to reassure anyone being moved that it is all worth it in the end.”

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New grants offer Tamworth residents help to keep warm New grants which offer help with the costs of insulation and boiler repairs are now available to Tamworth residents.

As the winter sets in, residents living in the borough are being asked to call the council’s free Home Energy Advice Tamworth (HEAT) scheme to see if they could benefit from the help available. The grants are funded by energy companies through the Government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme. The three types of grant from which Tamworth residents could benefit are: l Carbon Emission Reduction Obligation (CERO) – full or part funding of cavity or solid wall insulation in homes with solid walls or hard to treat cavities. l Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) – free repair or replacement of boilers, free cavity wall and loft insulation. Available to homeowners and private tenants in receipt of certain income-related benefits. l Carbon Saving Community Obligation (CSCO) – free cavity wall, solid wall and loft insulation in parts of Glascote, Castle, Amington and Belgrave wards, which have been defined by the government as areas of need.

Pensioners and people on low incomes in Tamworth could also benefit from a government grant scheme which gives £135 towards energy bills. The Warm Homes Discount is available to pensioners who receive the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit, or those aged over 75 who receive either element of Pension Credit.

Residents in certain low income groups may also be eligible for the Warm Homes Discount if they meet various criteria laid down by their individual energy provider. People born before January 5 1952 may also be eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment and are asked to call the HEAT number if they are not automatically receiving it.

Advisers at HEAT will also check whether callers are eligible for any other energy saving measures, grants or discounts. Anyone who would like more information on any help which may be available to them, or any other advice on staying warm and healthy at home can contact the HEAT freephone line on 0800 043 2815, text 07922 651982 or email heat@tamworth.gov.uk Cllr Michael Greatorex, Cabinet member for Public Housing and Vulnerable People, said: “There are a lot of people in Tamworth who could benefit from one of these grants. I would encourage them to contact HEAT to find out what help is available to them to help keep their homes warm and save money on their energy bills.”

HEAT is a Tamworth Borough Council project which offers independent advice on energy efficiency to help save money on energy bills and can also offer information on renewable technologies, solid wall insulation, replacement heating and other improvements.

Double Glazing All Council homes in Tamworth should now have PVC double-glazed windows. There is however a small possibility that some properties may not have been upgraded for one reason or another.

If your home still has timber or metal-framed windows with either single or double glazing, or has PVC framed windows with single glazing, please call us on 01827 709379 or email rachel-dunlop@tamworth.gov.uk so that arrangements can be made to upgrade your windows.

If you are not sure what type of frame or glazing you have, please contact us on the same number so that an inspection can be made. Repairs to PVC double glazed windows should be reported to Mears in the normal way.

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Controlling condensation and mould in your home What causes condensation? There are three main causes: l Too much moisture production in your home l Insufficient ventilation l Cool temperatures.

Everyday activities such as bathing and showering, cooking, boiling the kettle, drying clothes indoors, topping up fish tanks etc add moisture to that already present in the air. Moisture is added to the air by just breathing alone.

Portable gas and paraffin heaters should not be used under any circumstances. Apart from being against your tenancy agreement, they are a health and safety hazard.

During the winter months (October – April), internal surface condensation may become more prevalent as the cold external temperatures have a knock-on effect on the external structure of the building, inducing cold surfaces ideal for condensation and subsequent mould growth. Mould growth can , though, be an all-year problem if air is not allowed to circulate within the property.

How much moisture can be produced in your home in a day?

Two people active for a day Cooking and boiling a kettle Having a bath or shower

3 pints 6 pints 2 pints

Washing clothes Drying clothes

Total amount of moisture produced in your home for 1 day

1 pint 9 pints

21 pints

Gas safety in council homes As your landlord, we have a legal responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, fittings and flues owned by us are safe. The law states that every 12 months we must arrange gas safety inspections to be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers.

It is important that you allow access for gas inspections to take place so that we can ensure you and your neighbours are kept safe and our appliances continue to work properly.

What do we check?

All gas appliances will be checked, for example boilers, gas supplies and gas fires - whether installed by us or not. However, if an appliance installed or owned by you is found to be faulty, you will be responsible for making arrangements for the repair to be carried out at your expense.

Our contractor will service our gas appliances to ensure they are working efficiently and will continue to work effectively over the next 12 months.

What will happen if you don’t let us carry out the gas safety check?

A small minority of our residents do not give us reasonable access to check their gas appliances.

We make every effort to arrange suitable appointments, but if we are not given access we will take legal action to force these residents to give us access to check the gas appliances. Ensuring that our tenants’ homes are safe is critically important to us. If you fail to keep an appointment and the annual safety check and service is overdue, we will take legal action to gain access to your home and complete the service. If this happens you will be charged for the costs incurred.

Thank you for helping us to ensure your home is safe. If you have any concern contact Mears (select gas option) on the freephone telephone number 0800 183 0044 (please note if you are using a mobile telephone your network provider may charge you).

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Anti-Social Behaviour Update Over the summer months, cases have been reported to the team seemingly non-stop, with 491 cases being reported between April and September 2013.

The top three categories of complaint received are noise, garden nuisance and verbal abuse/harassment/threats.

Wherever possible, we will always aim to sustain tenancies and will use support to encourage our residents to improve their behaviour.

Here’s a quick update of our recent actions:

l Case 1 – Miss A was not controlling her children and one in particular, was causing harassment and violence around the estate. Tamworth Borough Council applied to the court and was awarded an Injunction with a Power of Arrest. Within weeks, the terms of the injunction were breached and Miss A was arrested and brought in front of the court within 24 hours where the court was asked to hand out a prison sentence. Miss A was remanded on bail to attend at a later date. She did not attend and the court awarded a Committal Order sentencing Miss A to 28 days imprisonment, suspended for nine months.

l Case 2 – Mr B had caused problems for several years with his loud music. Several actions had been taken including a Noise Abatement Notice, seizure of equipment, injunction and a suspended possession order. Despite the offer of support and the order, the nuisance continued and an eviction warrant was applied for. Mr B ended his tenancy with Tamworth Borough Council before the warrant arrived These cases would not be possible without the witnesses who stand up for the community and send out a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

If you suffer from anti-social behaviour but you are afraid to speak out, we have a range of support options that we can offer you. Please ring the team in confidence on: Telephone: 01827 709491, or email: estatemanagementteam@tamworth.gov.uk

Members of the Anti-Social Behaviour working group.

A range of information about anti-social behaviour, contact details, performance and news can be found at www.tamworth.gov.uk under housing.

House Contents Insurance New lower insurance rates than last year Tamworth Borough Council is working in partnership with Marsh Insurance and has negotiated a home contents insurance designed specifically for our tenants.

Are you paying separate insurance for your mobile phone? Then take a look at our insurance booklet which can be obtained on request from the Tenancy Sustainment Team on 709506.

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Kitchen upgrade programme Working with Mears and Moores Kitchens, we will have installed high quality new kitchens in 217 homes by the end of March 2014.

The kitchen replacement programme is part of the ongoing work by Tamworth Borough Council to ensure that its homes are maintained at a decent standard.

Properties are identified for the programme from a survey carried out in 2009, and all tenants whose homes are due a new kitchen will have been contacted by Mears, with a survey being booked with the kitchen designer.

Two of the newly-improved kitchens.

When a kitchen undergoes refurbishment, a designer from Moores Kitchens works with the tenant to achieve the best and most practical design for the property. The number and size of the kitchen units to be installed is based on the number of people the property has been designed to accommodate – of course, every effort will be made to accommodate any appliances the tenant may already own or is looking to purchase for their new kitchen.

Tenants will be given a selection of modern colours to choose from for the units,

Caretakers invest in tower to deal with borough-wide ivy problems on housing land

worktops, tiles and floor coverings. When Mears are ready to start the work, they will agree a start and completion date with the tenant; this will generally be 15 working days from start to finish.

So far satisfaction levels have been high, with tenants telling us that they are pleased with their new kitchen once it has been completed.

We have recently completed a new condition survey and will be developing our planned works programmes based on the new survey results. It is likely that it will be February 2014 before we are in a position to start making announcements about the new programmes.

The Estate Caretaking Team recently invested in a scaffold tower to combat the ever-increasing problem of ivy. The caretakers seen in the photo undertook training at Oldbury and all achieved the PASMA certificate (Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers’ Association). This allows them to safely erect and use this type of tower for all applications used at heights up to six metres.

Tamworth Borough Council Estates Manager, Trevor Wylie, said: “This is a great piece of kit; it now allows us to effectively remove ivy and graffiti that we would normally have to leave because of the dangers of working at such distances from the ground. We have now addressed the health and safety issues with working at heights up to six metres.”

Members of the Tamworth Borough Council caretaking team using the new tower to remove ivy from a council property.

If you live in a council property and you have an ivy problem please call caretaking services for further advice and assistance on 01827 254 867 or email estatemanagementcaretakingteam@tamworth.gov.uk

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Landlord Performance –

Top Performance Indicators as at 30 September 2013, voted for by tenants for the customer dashboard

Performance Indicator

Target

Current value

Percentage of all responsive repairs completed within target

97%

98%

Percentage of appointments made and kept

96%

97%

Percentage of repairs completed on first visit

80%

89%

Percentage of properties with a valid Gas Safety Certificate

100%

100%

16 days

14 days

Percentage of ASB reports acknowledged in writing within 24 hours

90%

87%

Percentage of ASB cases with an agreed customer action plan within 10 days

90%

89%

Average re-let times (in days)

Current rent arrears as a percentage of annual debit Number of complaints since 1 April 2013

Are we on target?

Trend

6.02% 116

Number of complaints upheld since 1 April 2013

6

Number of compliments since 1 April 2013

58

Recognition by HouseMark HouseMark has identified Tamworth Landlord Services as achieving the most improved performance for the average re-let time of its empty properties when bench marked against other local authorities.

HouseMark is a professional body to which Landlord Service subscribes. It is performance led, which means that Tamworth’s services are ranked and rated against other housing providers across the country. Empty properties are re-let as fast as possible to lessen people’s wait for urgent re-housing and to ensure that rent loss is kept to a minimum. This makes the best use of resources available.

For empty properties, any new potential tenant can expect; l All properties are safe and secure while they are empty; l All empty properties are cleared of any rubbish, debris or furniture; l All properties to let are clean, safe and fit for purpose; l All essential works are completed; l An appointment to view the property before accepting or refusing the offer; l A clear explanation of the charges and how much prospective new tenants will have to pay, as well as a financial health check to ensure that the property is affordable; and. l When we are told or find out about a property that has been abandoned, we will investigate and work to re-let it without delay.

This is great news for the team. We are always focused on service improvement and customer satisfaction. The repairs policy is due to be reviewed in the New Year, which – along with tenants will include looking at the works carried out on empty properties.

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Help is at hand to avoid festive overspending and debt With Christmas on the way, Tamworth Borough Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau are urging people to seek their help and advice on budgeting properly for Christmas, paying bills on time and avoiding overspending.

The council and the CAB work together throughout the year to try to prevent home repossessions and homelessness and to help people avoid getting into serious debt.

But with Christmas being a time when people are more likely to overspend and get into more debt, the two organisations are reminding people that help is at hand.

The Money Advice Service is provided by the CAB and offers two kinds of help. The Court Desk offers free advice, assistance and preparation to people facing home repossession or eviction, with dedicated staff also offering help to complete paperwork related to any court action.

The Debt Advice Service is available to anyone experiencing debt and financial problems, and offers free advice to help people manage debt, budget properly and avoid overspending. It aims to help Tamworth residents out of financial difficulties and prevent them losing their homes. It is available every Friday between 10am and 2pm at the CAB offices by appointment only, which can be made by contacting the CAB on 01827 305952.

The Court Desk Service is available every Monday between 10am and 2pm, and the Debt Advice Service every Friday between 10am and 2pm. Both can be accessed by appointment only, at the CAB in the Philip Dix Centre, Corporation Street, Tamworth. The services can be accessed via a referral from the Council’s Housing Advice Team on 01827 709 459, or by calling the CAB for an appointment on 01827 305950.

Don’t let debt ruin your Christmas, ask for help now.

Welfare Reform Update…

Universal Credit will replace means-tested benefits including Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based), Tax Credits and Housing Benefit. There will be a transition period between 2013 and 2017, by which time all claimants will have changed to Universal Credit. This change does not affect current pensioners.

Universal Credit will be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions directly to tenants.

Although trials are ongoing in other areas, Tamworth residents have not yet been notified as to when they will start to be moved on to Universal Credit.

The Spare Room Subsidy and Benefit Cap have now been introduced across Tamworth. If you are affected by these changes and are finding it difficult to meet the shortfall in your rent or worried about the forthcoming introduction of the Universal Credit, the Tenancy Sustainment Team are here to help, to give advice and talk you through the options available to you.

Here are some of the options that may be available to you: l Budgeting advice l Advice on finding employment and training schemes l Referral for debt advice l Moving to a smaller property l Applying for Discretionary Housing Payments Don’t leave it too late - contact the Tenancy Sustainment Team today on 01827 709506. Action will be taken against your tenancy if you do not pay your rent.

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New starters and movers in Landlord Services Ryan Oldnall – Tenancy Sustainment Officer My role is to provide a high quality housing management service to the tenants of Tamworth and the wider community with specific focus on income-related matters, ensuring high levels of customer service and satisfaction.

Tracey Johnson – Housing Options Officer My new role is with the Voids and Allocations team which involves the allocation of properties, inspections and in the near future, Mutual Exchanges.

Sonja Healy – Housing Options Administrator In my new role as Housing Options Administrator I will be supporting the Housing Options manager Lee Birch, in all aspects of administration, which will involve completing Supporting People weekly and quarterly returns. I will also be responsible for sourcing and collating articles for the Sheltered Times publication and newsletters for our sheltered residents.

Wendy Coles – Business Support Admin In August, I took on the role of Business Support Admin within the Business Support Team. This role now involves managing Direct Debits, supporting housing in delivering key projects i.e. electronic document and record management system.

Lucy Richards – Tenancy Sustainment Assistant I am looking forward to the challenge of working in a varied role offering opportunities to work directly with tenants within Landlord Services.

Kimberley Fielding – Tenancy Sustainment Assistant I recently joined the Tenancy Sustainment Team (Rent), where I assist housing officers to support our tenants. This can include helping tenants with enquiries about their rent accounts, payment methods and tenancy advice

David Turner – Income Maximisation Officer In September, I was appointed to one of two newly created posts of Income Maximisation Officer to assist with welfare reforms, lead on service charges and other specialist projects.

Steph Norton – Income Maximisation Officer In June 2013, thanks to funding from Tamworth Borough Council, I gained a Foundation Degree in Arts with a distinction in Professional Housing Studies. I have recently been appointed as an Income Maximisation Officer on the Tenancy Sustainment team. My role is to lead on the Welfare Reform, assisting tenants and the organisation on the impact of the changes with David Turner.

Matt Topping – Tenancy Sustainment Officer I am a Tenancy Sustainment Officer (ASB) in the Estate Management Team. I will be looking after Hockley, Wilnecote, Belgrave, Fazeley Road Estate, Gillway & Old Kettlebrook.

Darren Jackson – Repairs Senior Project Officer In my role of Senior Project Officer I will be ensuring our contractors deliver a high quality service that meets tenant’s needs, is cost effective and provides value for money.

Dee Ferlance – Tenancy Sustainment Officer I am a Tenancy Sustainment Officer (ASB) in the Estate Management Team. I will be looking after Amington, Town Centre and Leyfields.

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Tamworth’s TIC wins gold as it is named best in the county Tamworth’s Tourist Information Centre is the best in Staffordshire – and that’s official.

Staff at the TIC, based at the Philip Dix Centre in Corporation Street – are celebrating after taking first prize at the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards, organised by Destination Staffordshire.

Tamworth TIC won gold in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category – beating tourist information centres from all over Staffordshire to be named the best in the county.

The awards, which aim to promote excellence and boost tourism in Staffordshire, were independently judged and verified. All entrants were judged on their commitment to delivering excellent customer service, training, sustainability and environmental issues, proactivity and the quality of service.

The assessment was carried out over a number of months, and included ‘mystery shoppers’ making a number of visits to Tamworth TIC and the other entrants.

Announcing the award, the judges praised Tamworth TIC for its focus on providing information for local people as well as visitors, its partnership with a range of local businesses,

Tenant group donates toiletries to hospital

CTIC staff Alison Dillon, Sue Beecham and Tracey Glover, with Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Pritchard, and Head of Customer Services, Tracey Yeomans.

strong community links, effective marketing and work with the Tamworth community, as well as sound environmental and sustainable practices.

The gold win means that Tamworth TIC will now go forward to represent Staffordshire in the prestigious National Tourism Awards.

Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Pritchard, said: “I have commented publically many times that the staff working at Tamworth TIC are the best, and the gold award won by the team for being the best visitor information provider in Staffordshire supports my view.

“Tamworth TIC has grown and gone from strength to strength and I am confident they will soon be bringing more awards back to Tamworth.

On behalf of local residents, I express our pride and joy at what the team has achieved.”

Kind-hearted sheltered housing tenants in Tamworth have given a boost to patients at the Sir Robert Peel Hospital with a large donation of toiletries.

Members of Senior United - a group of tenants living in Tamworth’s 11 sheltered housing schemes who meet together six times a year to discuss housing issues and meet other residents have just handed over around ten bags full of items of toiletries to the hospital.

The soap, shampoos, toothpaste, flannels, washbags and many other items were all collected from fellow scheme residents, families and friends and will be given to

people who arrive at the hospital without the things they need to help make their stay comfortable.

The collection was such a success that donation boxes will remain at the sheltered schemes so that the collection of toiletries for the hospital is ongoing. Tamworth Borough Council’s repairs contractor Mears has also joined in the collection, with staff making donations.

Cabinet member for Housing, Cllr Michael Greatorex, said: “It makes me very proud to see that so many of our sheltered accommodation tenants, their families and friends, as well as staff from Mears, have got involved in helping this worthwhile cause.”

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"I have found this to be

Julie's Savoury Mince

an economical and tasty meal that can feed a family of four for £5."

Tenant Julie Coles has a recipe for mince she Method would like to share with everyone. l Peel and slice the onions and boil This recipe provides a cheap and nutritious meal. until tender Ingredients 1lb lean mince beef, or pork/beef mince 2 onions Large tin of baked beans Large tin of chopped tomatoes 1 beef stock cube Salt and pepper to taste

l Dry fry the mince until cooked

l Add onions to the mince, and the beans and tomatoes, plus the stock cube diluted in approximately 1/2 pint of hot water and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Don't let a turkey spoil your Christmas Tamworth Borough Council is hoping to reduce the number of food safety clangers that are served up this Christmas, with this Christmas food safety advice: The advice is just as important whether people are cooking traditional turkey, goose, chicken or any other poultry.

Research has shown that many people wash their turkey before cooking, with older women the most frequent turkey-washing offenders. But washing meat or poultry can cause harmful food poisoning bacteria to splash on to worktops, chopping boards, dishes and utensils, where they can linger for days.

Partially defrosted turkeys are another common festive food safety blunder. A turkey should be thawed completely to ensure there won’t be any ice crystals inside the cavity of the bird. You can also test it with a fork to tell whether the meat feels frozen.

Thorough cooking will ensure that any food poisoning bugs are killed. To ensure that the turkey is cooked properly, make sure it is piping hot all the way through. Cut into the thickest part (between the breast and thigh) to check that none of the meat is pink, and the juices run clear.

As well as giving advice about not washing, defrosting thoroughly and cooking the turkey properly, follow the following advice to help prevent an upset tummy spoiling the festive season:

Have a Happy and Food Safe Christmas from the Food Team. Contact us on 01827 709 445.

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Preparation and cooking of turkey:

l Don’t wash it (you don’t need to) l Defrost it thoroughly l Cook it properly

l Only buy as much food as you have space to store. If the fridge is overfilled with perishable food, it’s likely that it won’t be cold enough and you’ll be risking food poisoning. l Try to buy a turkey that’s real istic for your needs – the bigger the turkey the more difficult it is to prepare and cook safely. l Store raw meat at the bottom of the fridge, preferably in a covered container where it can’t drip onto other foods. Always kee p raw meat and poultry away from ready-to-eat foods. l Don’t leave buffet or party food out all day.

Better to put out small amounts at a time, so that what has been on the table has just been cooked or just come out of the frid ge. l If you're reheating turkey, or other leftovers, always make sure it's steaming hot all the way through before you eat it. And don 't reheat more than once. Ideally, try to eat, cook or freeze your leftovers within 48 hou rs.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to ‘look when you cook’ while preparing Christmas dinner.

More than half of all house fires start in the kitchen and with more pressures and distractions than usual on Christmas Day, it’s more important than ever to be safety savvy.

Head of Risk Reduction, Glynn Luznyj, said: “We want people to enjoy the festive break and not face the trauma of a house fire or worse, an injury caused by fire. Statistics show that most accidental house fires start in the kitchen and many of these incidents result from cooking left unattended and igniting.

“Our top tip is to ensure people take care when cooking and avoid doing too many things at once. Food being cooked should never be left unattended. It’s also important to avoid drinking alcohol while cooking – we often attend fires that result from someone under the influence of alcohol who has started cooking a meal and then fallen asleep in another room.

“Those enjoying a day out with their families

on Christmas Day will probably be having a drink to celebrate. We’re not going to tell you that you shouldn’t, but we do say please don’t be tempted to start cooking as soon as you get home.”

He added that preparing a few sandwiches or snacks beforehand could avoid the need to start cooking on returning home.

“It isn’t worth the risk to try and cook while under the influence of alcohol – people have died in Staffordshire doing just that, so think twice and enjoy Christmas safely,” added Glynn.

Festive Fire Safety Tips l Most fires start in the kitchen, so never leave cooking unattended.

Always turn off the oven and hob when you have finished cooking.

l Keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters.

l Never leave candles unattended and don’t place near a Christmas tree. l Switch off and unplug fairy lights before leaving the house, or going to bed. l Check Christmas lights have the British Safety Standard mark.

l Never overload sockets – one plug per socket – and turn off plugs when not in use.

l Extinguish all cigarettes and matches properly and refrain from smoking in bed. l Install a smoke alarm on all levels of your home. Check it works by pushing the button regularly and never remove the batteries to power toys and other presents.

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What’s On

See the website for shows and outdoor events details: www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk

Spot the difference to

win!

Tamworth Borough Council is offering you the chance to win £20 if your spot the difference competition entry is selected from our prize draw.

There are just two competition rules: l You have to be a tenant of Tamworth Borough Council. l You have to circle three differences between these two photographs.

Once you think you’ve found all three differences, circle them clearly, fill in and cut out the entry form and then return it by Friday 18th January 2014 to: Diane Hughes, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth Staffordshire B79 7BZ. All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw and the winner notified soon after the deadline. The competition is open to Tamworth Borough Council tenants only. Good luck!

Name: ______________________________________________________________

For events at Tamworth Castle, see the website: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk

Address: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone No: ______________________________________________________

Spot the difference answer!

The winner of the Summer competition was Miss Smith of Leyfields.

Thanks to everybody who sent in competition entries!

15

Alternative Formats If you would like this document in a different form, for example audio CD, large print or Braille, please contact the Tenant Regulatory Involvement Team on 0800 1830454.

If you would find it easier to talk to us in your own language please ask an english-speaking friend or relative to contact 0800 183 0454. We can arrange for an interpreter to contact you to discuss any translation you need.

If you would like to get involved then contact Tamworth Borough Council’s Tenant Regulatory Involvement team: Leanne Allwood Tenant Regulatory Involvement Manager 07891052184 Diane Hughes Tenant Regulatory Involvement Assistant 01827 709374 Helen Rich Tenant Involvement Administration Assistant 01827 709260 Ann Summers Landlord Improvement and Project Officer 01827 709374 01827 709260 Marilyn McNally Independent Tenant Friend 01827 709448 email us: tenantparticipation@tamworth.gov.uk

Other useful numbers: Tamworth Borough Council Customer Services (01827) 709709 Benefits (01827) 709540 Council Tax (01827) 709530 Housing Advice 01827) 709459 Housing Office Enquiries (01827) 709491 Tenant Regulatory Involvement Team 01827 709260/374 Tenancy Sustainment Team (Rent) (01827) 709514 Tenancy Sustainment (01827) 709491 Housing Options (01827) 709520 Designed and Produced by Tamworth Borough Council

Tamworth Borough Council 16

Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ. Enquiries: (01827) 709709 . Main Fax: (01827) 709271