1HH oo uu ss ii nn gg NN ee ww ssUttlesford District Council Summer 2013
Uttlesford District Council www.uttlesford.gov.uk
Inside:
Garden Competition
Tenant Forum
Rent Arrears and Debt Support
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2Housing News 2
The summer has at last arrived and I hope when you
read this the sun will be shining and we will all be
able to enjoy some outdoor fun.
In this issue you can see photos from the Safer
Living Events and a brief review. Feedback from
everybody has been so positive that all agencies
involved have agreed to do it again, so if you missed
out this year then you will have another opportunity to
attend next year’s event. I would really recommend it to you all.
It’s Garden Competition time again and I would encourage you to
enter your garden if you are particularly proud of it or nominate a
neighbour whose garden you feel warrants praise.
Don’t forget if you would like to grow a sunflower, please collect
your free seeds and get sowing. (See page 6 for full competition
details).
I hope to spend a lot more time out in the community this summer
and catch up with as many tenants as possible. However, if I have
not visited your area and you would like me to come and meet with
you and your neighbours, please feel free to get in touch.
Happy holidays!
The council is now on both Facebook and Twitter so you can
always message me via Facebook.com/UttlesfordDC or follow
us on Twitter @UttlesfordDC
Nicole
Nicole Shephard-Lewis
Tenant Participation Officer
Tel - 01799 510630
Email - [email protected]
www.uttlesford.gov.uk/tenantparticipation
3Housing News 3
As a Council, we do like to
hear feedback from our
tenants and positively
encourage it.
Recently, the tenants at our
sheltered housing accommodation
in Saffron Walden, Four Acres
asked us whether a stair lift could
be installed there. This would
enable tenants whose mobility was
deteriorating to stay in their homes.
The Council identified a budget,
obtained quotes, appointed a
contractor and arranged the
installation. As a result, a lift was
installed in March and additional
lifts will soon be installed in the
remaining blocks.
Tenant Mrs Farguharson, pictured
using the stair lift said: “All tenants
here are absolutely delighted. It is
always a worrying time when it gets
harder and harder to negotiate the
stairs. No-one wants to move out of
their home, just because they aren’t
as mobile as they once were. This
was the perfect solution and so
tenants can now stay for as long as
they wish.”
Tenant Participation Officer Nicole
Shephard-Lewis said: “The Council
was happy to listen to our tenants
and we are delighted that we were
able to provide a solution in this
case. I would therefore encourage
anyone to ask that question,
whatever it is you would like to see
changed, or whatever you think will
make a difference to you.
“I can’t promise that we can do
everything but you will never know
unless you ask!”
You Ask, We Listen!
4Housing News 4
Tenant ForumHave you ever considered getting
involved with Housing? Do you
want to have your say with regards
to the housing service provided by
the Council? Do you have ideas to
improve the way we liaise with
tenants? Do you simply want to
make a difference for your fellow
tenants? Well now is your chance,
as Uttlesford Tenants’ Forum will be
recruiting for its 2014 panel in
November this year.
There are a huge number of
different options. It’s not just about
coming to a meeting, you can be
involved at events, help shape
strategies, policies, view and act
upon recommendations made by
the Tenants’ Regulatory Panel, as
well as monitoring the services we
provide. You could even be part of
Housing’s procurement process.
Alternatively, if you feel there are
other ways you would like to get
involved in our work, let us know
and we will see if we can create an
opportunity for you. It’s your Housing
Service, so it’s about involving you
your way. We are always delighted
to listen to residents and encourage
two-way participation whenever we
can.
There are real benefits of being
involved in our work, including:
� Making a valued contribution to existing and new service
development. We listen and
when practical act upon your
views and ideas (see page 3).
� Making your community a betterplace to live. By giving the tenant
perspective, you are making a
positive contribution to the
services we deliver and this can
benefit all our tenants.
� Learning new skills as there is a great wealth of free training
on offer.
� Increasing your job and career prospects. You will enhance
your CV by getting involved in
experiences where you can
demonstrate you have learnt
skills and abilities that
employers are looking for. We
are always happy to provide
references.
� Enabling you to meet people, make friends and be part of a
team of like-minded residents
who individually and collectively
make a massive difference to
our work. This can make you
feel really happy and valued.
5Housing News
Housing website
We intend to update and
refresh the Housing
Services page on the
Council’s website
www.uttlesford.gov.uk and we
would very much like your
input.
Is there any information
that you would like to see
included that currently isn’t?
Do you have any ideas for
anything new? Is there
anything included now that you find
is not useful? Would it be easier to
find and use if it had a different title -
if so, do you have any suggestions?
Nicole Shephard-Lewis said: “The
website is a great way to keep
everyone informed easily and
quickly and provides a good
reference resource for tenants. We
want to make sure its relevant and
� Getting residents’ associations or groups voices heard (if you are
also a representative of one of
these groups).
You will not be out of pocket by
joining the Forum. We pay
expenses such as childcare and
travel. We also provide
refreshments if you are working
with us at a meeting or at an event.
If this sounds like the kind of thing
that you would like to get involved
in and you want to influence how
Uttlesford District Council Housing
is run, please get in touch. You
really can make a difference and
your opinion really counts.
For more information please call
Nicole on 01799 510630.
provides what tenants want. If you
have any comments or suggestions,
please call”
We will be consulting with the
Tenants’ Forum and residents’
groups about the changes but
would like to hear from as many
tenants as possible. Contact Nicole
Shephard-Lewis on 01799 510630
or email [email protected]
6Housing News
Uttlesford District Council Gardening Competition 2013
Are you proud of your
garden? Is it always full of
life and colour and you love
being in it? Would you like to share
it with other tenants? Do passers -
by comment and admire it?
A well-kept, beautiful garden
makes everyone happy so let the
district see your pride and joy. We
are once again running a gardening
competition where you could win a
prize.
We would love to hear the story
behind your achievements, so if
you are able to have a fantastic
garden without using lots of water,
or you have any tips for gardening
success then include a few lines
with your entry.
You can even nominate someone
else’s garden, if you feel it deserves
recognition.
The prizes in each category include
a water butt and certificate.
Christina Rodman’s winning garden from the 2011 competition
7Housing News
Please complete below:
Name: ............................................. Category: ..................................................
Age (Children): ...................................................................................................
Address: .............................................................................................................
Telephone: ......................................... Email: ....................................................
Send your entry to: Tenants and Leaseholders Garden Competition, C/O
Nicole Shephard-Lewis, Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London
Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER.
Entries must be in no later than 5.00pm on Monday 5 August. We will then
contact you and arrange to view your entry. Judging will then take place and
the winners notified.
Entry Form
Uttlesford District Council Gardening Competition 2013
Categories are as follows:
Class 1 - Best garden
Class 2 - Best hanging basket, tub or pot
Class 3 - Best eco-friendly garden*
Class 4 - Tallest Sunflower†
*Less use of pesticides and water and attractive to wildlife
†Collect your free seeds from the Council Offices in London Road, Saffron
Walden, Great Dunmow Library, Thaxted Community Information Centre.
Prizes donated by: Terrace and Gardens, Rickling Green Saffron Walden,
Homebase, Ridgeons and water butts from Uttlesford District Council
8Housing News 8
Daphne explained that the panel’s
remit is to carry out ‘Tenant-focused
scrutiny of the Housing Service.’
This means that the Panel will
identify and recommend service
improvements wherever they may
arise.
There are eight panel members,
all of whom are volunteers and
tenants. The Panel started at the
beginning of the year and held their
first official meeting in March. A
six-month review is due in June.
Daphne stressed that it is very much
a team effort. The group has decided
to investigate first how the Council
deals with vacant properties (voids).
Daphne is keen to be ‘at the coalface’
and will accompany Council staff at
their initial inspection. The Panel will
then see exactly what is happening
throughout the process. Half of the
panel will be inspectors and the other
will analyse the information gathered.
Daphne hopes that recommendations
can be made, which will reduce the
time Council properties remain
Daphne Cornell, who is Chairman of the Tenants’ Regulatory Panel and has been a tenant for 58 yearswith a wealth of experience, gives us an update on thepanel’s work so far
empty between lets. “After all,” she
said, “it’s tenants’ money and every
saving will make a real difference.
It may even mean that more
improvements can be carried out if
the savings are significant.”
She continued “This is not a
cosmetic exercise. We are not
ticking boxes here. We really want
to make a difference. We are very
serious and will leave no stone
unturned in our investigations. We
want our Housing Service to be
efficient and to save costs, all for
the benefit of tenants.”
Panel recommendations go to
the Tenant Forum and then to the
Housing Board. Should they not be
accepted at this stage, they can
then go to Cabinet for consideration.
Daphne would like tenants to be
involved. You can contact the
Panel on 01799 510630 or by email
Further updates from the Panelwill follow.
Tenants’ Regulatory Panel - Update
9Housing News
Uttlesford District Council
staged five Safer Living
Events for those aged over
55, in conjunction with Essex Police,
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service,
Papworth Trust and Trading
Standards. In total, over 200 local
residents attended a fun but useful
event on how to keep safe in your
home.
Safer Living Events Review
This was followed by a fun,
interactive sketch performed by
Peter Caulfield of Essex Police,
highlighting bogus callers and how
to ‘Take control at the door’.
The first session was presented by
Gloria Osborne from Housing, she
gave advice on abuse awareness
and provided information on types
of abuse and how to report it.
10Housing News 10
Safer Living Events Review
The Council’s Community Outreach
Officer Paul Goddard led a seated
exercise session, providing
participants with an easy way to
exercise and keep active.
11Housing News 11
Finally, fire-fighters from Dunmow
Fire Station led by James Taylor
provided advice on home fire
safety, making an emergency
escape plan and how to apply for a
smoke alarm to be fitted free of
charge. A quiz was held and the
winners each received a box of
chocolates.
Next up was Sandra Curran, who
explained the services available
from the Papworth Trust, including
adaptations for the home,
measures to avoid slips, trips and
falls, advice on grants and a
handyperson service for small jobs
at low cost.
12Housing News 12
Here are some of the comments
received after the events:
‘Excellent presentations from allservices thoroughly enjoyed themorning and the exercises. Learnt a lot.’ Marion Kaye
‘Very good advice given. It wouldbe a great idea if everybody weregiven advice in all areas of thecounty.’ Kathy Prior
‘Have one of these sessions yearly,so that more of the communityknows about things.’ Barbara Turner
‘It was an excellent event.’ Alison
‘Once again, let me thank you foryour organisation of the session inthe day centre last week. It wasvery well received and allowed meto talk to a number of tenants andshowed again what a wealth of talent we have in our tenants we do not make use of.’ Sam Sproul -
Chair of the Uttlesford Tenants’ Forum
Following the event, a delicious free
lunch was provided for all by the
day centre cooks and their teams.
“A big thank you to all our
colleagues who made the events
possible, the day centres’ staff and
volunteers as well as the residents
who attended and for all the
positive feedback we received.
We are sure that all those who
came along are now much better
equipped to keep safe both at home
and whilst out and about”.
Nicole Shephard-Lewis
Safer Living Events Review
13Housing News 13
My name is Amie Jones and I have recently been
appointed the Rent Arrears and Debt Support Officer
at Uttlesford District Council. My main focus is
liaising with tenants who are having problems paying
their rent and are experiencing general financial
hardship. I will be working with them on a one-to-one
basis in order to make an action plan to enable debt
issues to be addressed at the earliest opportunity.
This will reduce the risk of debts to the Council and
other bodies becoming unmanageable.
My aim is to work with tenants to assess their income
and expenditure and provide support based on their
individual needs. I will be working very closely with Karina McLoughlin in the
Council Tax Recovery department, who has a similar role supporting Council
Tax payers in receipt of Local Council Tax Support. Whenever possible, we
will be working together to provide appropriate debt advice. If you would like
to discuss your Council Tax account, Karina’s contact details are shown
below. I will also be liaising with a number of partner agencies who can offer a
variety of different services to suit the needs of our tenants. These include
activities such as floating support or attending the local children’s centre.
Tenants will be directed to these agencies if more in-depth advice is required
regarding any particular issues.
I can visit Council Tenants at home or meet them at the Council Offices in
Saffron Walden, or in Great Dunmow Library - all by appointment. I am
available 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday and 9:00am to 3:30pm
on Friday.
Please contact me if you wish to make an appointment to discuss any issues
regarding rent arrears on 01799 510630 or email [email protected]
or for Council Tax queries call Karina on 01799 510510,
email [email protected]
Rent Arrears and Debt Support
14Housing News 14
If the answer to any of the above is YES! then it may be time for you to think
about moving to a smaller property.
The council has recently introduced two new policies that will make it easier
for you to downsize (move to a smaller property) if you are ready to make that
move.
Firstly we have changed the allocations policy so that any tenant wanting to
downsize will be placed in the highest Band on the housing register, this will
greatly increase their chances of successfully expressing interest in properties
through the HomeOption choice-based lettings scheme.
Secondly, tenants who downsize will be eligible for a cash payment of up to
£2,500 for moving to any size of older person’s accommodation from a
general needs property or up to £2,000 for downsizing from any larger
general needs property to a smaller one.
For example
If you are either a single person over 60 or a couple where one of you is over
60 and you are living in a two- or three-bedroom house, you could downsize
to a one- or two-bed bungalow and receive up to £2,500 to help cover the
costs of moving.
or
If you are either a single person under 60 or a couple both under 60 and you
are living in a two-bed flat, you could downsize to a one-bed flat and receive
up to £2,000.
Money to move
Are you living in a property bigger than you need?
Are you affected by the bedroom tax?
Is your house and garden morethan you can manage to lookafter?
15Housing News 15
If I need help to move instead of money can you still help me?
YES! The payment can be a cash payment paid to you once the move is
complete or we can help pay for goods and services such as removals,
carpets, disconnection and reconnection of cooker and washing machine up
to the value of the cash payment.
Can I move if I have rent arrears?
YES!
Even if you have rent arrears, as long as the grant you will receive will cover
the costs of the rent arrears and any tenant damage to the property, then you
can still move. If these costs come to less than the grant, then you will be paid
the difference.
For example
A tenant has £450 of rent arrears and is eligible for a £2,000 grant. After the
rent arrears have been cleared and they have moved, the tenant would
receive a payment of £1550.
Do I need to be on the housing register to move?
YES!
If you join the housing register, you will be able to look for properties to move
to through the HomeOption choice-based lettings scheme. To join the register,
either go to www.homeoption.org and complete the online application form, or
contact your housing officer who will be able to help you complete the
application process.
Full details of the Council’s Allocations Policy and Decant and Downsizing
Policy can be found on the Council website, or if you wish to speak to
someone about downsizing then please call the housing department on
01799 510630.
16Housing News 16
You could be having the outside of
your house painted this year. For
details of each area please visit
www.uttlesford.gov.uk/yourhome
Contractors Mitie will be carrying
out the work and all their staff will
carry identification, which we would
encourage you to ask to see.
Work on preparing properties and
then painting has started this
month. All work should be
complete by the end of October
(subject to weather conditions).
Any necessary internal decorating
will be done during the winter.
Bill Golbourn, Senior Property
Surveyor said: “Any areas such as
doors, windows, soffits, fascias and
walls which have previously been.”
painted will be decorated again this
year as part of our ongoing
maintenance programme
If your property is to be done, you
will receive a letter from the council
informing you of proposed dates.
Other planned works to be carried
out in this financial year are:
• The installation of 100 new
kitchens throughout the district.
• Making health and safety
improvements to the sewage
plants we own within the district.
• Upgrading the gas and oil
boilers, which are 15 years old
and replacing them with more
efficient boilers.
• External wall insulation to 131
solid-wall properties throughout
the district. Work has
commenced and is due to be
completed by October.
In addition, 200 properties will be
surveyed this year for electrical
upgrading or rewiring.
Improving and maintaining your home
17Housing News 17
By the end of this year, all timber
windows will be replaced with
uPVC double-glazed windows.
Replacement windows will be
installed at the following locations*
By the end of this year, all timber
windows will be replaced with
uPVC double-glazed windows.
Planned works for replacing doors
in houses and flats is scheduled to
last for four years.
This follows on from the now
completed replacement programme
of doors on bungalows.
Emergency Repairs
An emergency repair is any fault,
which threatens further harm to
persons or property. An
emergency should be reported
on 01799 510573 as soon as
possible. If your call is outside
normal working hours, please
ring 01223 849755 and the
answering service will relay your
information to a duty officer.
When an emergency repair is
accepted by the council, we aim
to have a contractor at your
property usually within three
hours. You in turn must arrange
access to your home when the
repairs person arrives.
Do you have a few hours to spare
each month?
Do you enjoy meeting new people?
Then your Day Centre wants to
hear from you.
The Day Centres are run by volunteer
management committees. Perhaps
you could sit on the committee or
maybe you are a more practical
person and would like to help serve
meals.
Interested?
For an informal chat about any of
the centres, please call Nicole
Shephard-Lewis on 01799 510630
or visit or call your nearest centre
directly, details overleaf.
Picture above: Nicole Shephard-Lewis
and Melanie Inwood, Dunmow Day
Centre’s Cook, out canvassing for
new committee members.
Your Day Centre Needs You!
18Housing News 18
Great Dunmow Day Centre
Chequers Lane
Dunmow
Essex
CM6 1EQ
01371 872874
Saffron Walden Day Centre
3 Hill Street
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB10 1EH
01799 522772
Stansted Day Centre
Crafton Green
72 Chapel Hill
Stansted Mountfitchet
Essex
CM24 8AG
01279 815091
Day Centres
If you are aged 55 or over and you want
to try something new, why not dine at
one of our Day Centres?
The Centres serve a reasonably-priced
two-course meal. The meals are
prepared to a high standard by the
resident cooks. Book your roast today!
Takeley Day Centre
South Road
Takeley
Bishop’s Stortford
Herts
CM22 6RB
01279 871198
Thaxted Day Centre
Vicarage Mead
Thaxted
Dunmow
Essex
CM6 2RJ
01371 830094
19Housing News 19
If you would like further information
please contact:
The Home Ownership Section on
01799 510630 or visit the Council’s
website www.uttlesford.gov.uk
20Housing News 20
If you require this publication in an alternative format and/or
language please contact us on 01799 510510.
Feedback
Do you think the council could be doing something better? Have you got an
idea for a new initiative that would make things better where you live?
If you have an idea for a new scheme or an improvement, please fill in
the form below with your idea. You can use a separate sheet of paper to
explain your suggestion if you wish.
My suggestion:
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
Name: .....................................................................................................
Address: ..................................................................................................
.................................................. Postcode: .............................................
Phone: ................................... Email: .....................................................
Send your idea to Nicole Shephard-Lewis
Tenant Participation Officer
Uttlesford District Council
London Road, Saffron Walden
CB11 4ER
Telephone: 01799 510630
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.uttlesford.gov.uk