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Getting ready for Universal Credit

Get ready for Universal Credit Find out more information inside.

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The magazine for North Kesteven District Council tenants

HALLOWEENHAPPY

PLEASE NOTRICK

OR

TREAT

HAVE A GREAT EVENING

R.I.P

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Produced in consultation with tenant representatives. At Home is produced by North Kesteven District Council.Tenants working in partnership with

North Kesteven District Council

tenantnk

04 Stay warm, save money

04 Chimney sweeps

05 Condensation, mould & damp

05 Don’t be left in the cold

07 Reporting your repairs

07 Hutson Drive and St Johns flats

08 Your finances

10 Domestic CCTV

11 Winter guidance

12 Garden competition

13 Day in life: Pat Cross

14 International Bomber Command Memorial

WELCOMEis your magazine

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04

REPAIRSKier Services 01529 416399 For general building repairs, brickwork, joinery, plumbing or electrical including electrical heating.

Aaron Services 01205 591979 For all other heating repairs and appliance servicing

Repairs Team for: � Affordable Warmth Officer � Handyman � If you have a problem

with a repair

Duty Housing Officer for: � Tenancy issues � Gardening Scheme � Making improvements to

your home � Your rent

Community Safety Team for: � Anti Social Behaviour � Community Safety Advice

Tenant Participation for: � Getting involved � Become a Tenant

Representative � At Home magazine

Complaints Officer � To make a complaint

Housing Needs for: � LincsHomefinder � Allocations � Homelessness � Housing Advice

Property Services for: � Improvement works � Capital works liaison � Decorating Scheme

Housing Admin Team for: � Renting a Garage � Booking a communal room � Parking permits

Benefits and Money advice

Grass cutting and grounds maintenance

Dustbins

Wellbeing Service

01529 414155

Minicom: 01529 308088

Emergency out of hours: 01529 308308

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk

ENQUIRIES CONTENTS

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Chimney Sweeping Advice

Reporting Repairs

International Bomber Command Memorial

North Kesteven District Council, District Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF

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STAY WARM, SAVE MONEYNK News

NK News

If you want to stay warm and save money on your energy bills this winter you can get help from the Affordable Warmth Officer. Karen Doyle is on hand to help you to:

• Find cheaper energy tariffs• Find a new energy supplier• Switch your energy supplier• Help you to understand

your energy bill• Make sure you are on

the right water tariff

It doesn’t matter what type of fuel you use, electricity, gas or oil or how long you have been with your present energy supplier. All you need to do is have at least one of your energy bills to hand. It’s very easy, Karen will call energy suppliers for you there and then if you would like her to set up the

best deal for you, or will give you advice for you to do-it-yourself. This is a FREE service and it is completely independent of any utility company.

If you would like Karen to come to see you to discuss your energy needs and costs you can make an appointment by contacting her byTelephone: 07816 294646 (Monday – Thursday)Email: Karen_doyle@n-kesteven.gov.uk

CHIMNEY SWEEPS

It’s that time of year again when you want to be warm and need to heat your home. You need to have the chimney swept to make sure that it is clear and doesn’t pose a threat to you and your family. Tenants are responsible for getting their own chimney is swept.

You can find a registered chimney sweep at: www.nacs.org.uk or telephone 01785 811732

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) is an association that ensures high

standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys. On completion of work, NACS issues a Certificate of Chimney Sweeping and recommend when future cleaning is necessary.

Your sweep can advise you on the best use of the appliance and the most suitable fuels for your situation. This advice can help you to reduce fuel waste, save money, and reduce deposits in chimneys which increases safety.

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NK News DON’T BE LEFT IN THE COLD

Between 1st October and 31st March if your heating breaks down don’t be left in the cold. Both repairs contractors have the facility to offer tenants a temporary heating solution when your heating breaks down.

If the operative does not offer, please ask for some temporary heating until the problem can be resolved. You can contact the appropriate contractor on the telephone numbers to the right.

For some households the onset of winter worsens the occurrence of condensation, damp and mould.

The causes, the things you can do to improve the situation and how to deal with it are covered in a new

booklet produced by the Council.Although damp can be the symptom of structural problems with in a building. The most common causes is the way we use, ventilate and heat our homes.

In our everyday living we produce and release moisture into the air by the things we do in our home.

CONDENSATION, MOULD & DAMPNK News

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Two people at home all day – 3 to 5 pints

Two people asleep for a night – 1 to 2 pints

Drying clothes – 6 to 12 pints

Cooking – 3 to 7 pints

Bathing and showering – 1 to 2 pints

In order to reduce condensation and the risk of mould you need to:

Reduce the amount of moisture produced in the home by

• Make sure there is enough ventilation/air circulation

• Ensure the room is warm to prevent cold air and cold surfaces

• Check the insulation is sufficient to keep the house warm

For your copy of the condensation, mould and damp leaflet see page 3 for contact details and ask for Tenant Participation.

Kier deal with electrical heating – Telephone: 01529 416399

Aaron Services deal with all other types of heating – Telephone 01205 591979

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01522 782140 or 01529 414155www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/wellbeing

Available to anyone in need of support, aged

18 and over

The Wellbeing Service

because life can change...

North KestevenWellbeing Service

It seems a long time ago that the structural problems with flats at Hutson Drive were identified. The Council has been working with structural engineers to develop a design to remedy the problem and sent tenders out to find a contractor to undertake the work required. Tenders have

been received and we aim for work to begin in November.Timescales for the remedial works are not yet known for the flats at St Johns. These have a slightly different problem and we are working with structural engineers to develop the design for remedial works ready for tendering.

It is important that you • report any repairs direct

to our contractors Kier and/or Aaron Services

• report all of your repairs at the same time. The operative who visits you may not be able to do any extra repairs at the time of calling

The advantages of reporting direct to the contractors is that you can:• make an appointment with

them for a time and day that is convenient for you

• speak to an operative who will be able to advise you

REPORTING YOUR REPAIRSNK News

HUTSON DRIVE AND ST JOHNS FLATSNK News

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If you are not satisfied – Let them know!If you are unhappy with the repair, the service you received or you need to follow your repair up at all, you should telephone the contractor and tell them what the problem or issue is and ask them to rectify it.

If you are not satisfied with the contractor or the service you received?If your problem has not been sorted out by the contractor you may feel frustrated, or unhappy with the service you have received from Kier or Aaron Services. Please let the Council know. You can do this by• telephoning the Repairs Team at the Council

and making an informal complaint or• you can make a formal complaint by

contacting the Council Complaints Officer

For general building repairs (brickwork, joinery, plumbing or electrical including electrical heating) Telephone Kier on 01529 416399

For all other heating repairs and appliance servicing. Telephone Aaron Services on 01205 591979 or email: bostonadmin@aaronservices.co.uk

We welcome your complaints as if you don’t tell us what the problem is we can’t deal with it. This will not affect your tenancy nor will you be victimised for letting us know something is wrong.

Could our free and confidential Money Advice Service help you with advice and information to:

• Manage your money• Increase your income • Reduce your expenditure• To contact people and organisations

to whom you owe money, to negotiate rates of repayment on your behalf

• Help you claim for welfare benefits if you are entitled

Our team of Welfare Advisers can visit you in your home or see you in a private interview room in our offices if you prefer. Contact 01529 414155 and ask to speak to Money Advice Service or email: moneyadvice@n-kesteven.gov.uk

FREE MONEY ADVICE

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If you are struggling with your finances and worrying about the coming winter fuel bills, there is help at hand to guide you through.

YOUR FINANCES

CREDIT UNION

Are you struggling with your finances and need somebody to talk to?

Lincolnshire Credit Union offers free impartial budgeting advice. The new service provides guidance and support on:

• how to manage a household budget • plan savings • prioritise debts • tips on how to cope with the cost

of living on a tight budget

The service is open to all and is especially useful for those who need extra help and support with their budgeting.

The Free Money and Coaching Advice trainers are there to provide support, suggestions and information. An independent coach will meet with you and provide free confidential help and support, to enable you to get on top of your finances.To book an appointment for Free Money Coaching Advice with The Lincolnshire Credit Union call 01522 873550 or 0844 257 0042.

UCAN BE PREPARED FOR BENEFIT CHANGES

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Benefit claimants are being urged to make sure they are ready for changes when Universal Credit is launched later this year.

The UCan campaign aims to raise awareness of the changes to payments coming soon, what help is available and what you can do to help yourself.

From the end of November single people who make a new claim for Jobseekers Allowance will be among the first transferred to Universal Credit. They need to act now to prepare for the change.

Money to cover rent costs, is currently paid direct to landlords. In future it will be paid direct into the person’s bank, building society or credit union account. They will then be responsible for making sure that the rent is paid to their landlords.

Universal Credit aims to simplify payments to claimants; to give people more control of paying their own rent; and to make them ‘job ready’ by receiving a payment as they would a salary.

Universal Credit is a new monthly payment for people who are either unemployed or working on a low income.

It will replace the following benefits for working age people:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support• Child Tax Credit• Working Tax Credit• Housing Benefit.

It can only be applied for online, which requires access to computers.

Our UCan Campaign is designed to help you get prepared for the changes.

You can take steps now to make sure you do not miss out on claims or get into housing difficulties by not paying your landlord on time. Increased computer confidence can also help you to find work and get better deals. See box for some top tips.

prepare for benefit changes

Set up a direct debit or standing order to your landlord to help you budget your money and make sure your rent is paid.

Consider joining the Lincolnshire Credit Union, which will help you to find the right account for accepting Universal Credit and paying your bills. www.lincscreditunion.org.uk 01522 873550 or email enquiries@lincscreditunion.org.uk

Find out where you can get free computer access. Visit: www.lincs2advice.org.uk/ free-computer-access or contact NKDC for information.

Visit NKDC at Sleaford or North Hykeham Infolinks

Speak to Citizens Advice in Sleaford or Lincoln

Talk to NKDC’s money advice service on 01529 414155

See the Universal Credit details at www.gov.uk/universal-credit

“ In future it will be paid directly into the person’s bank, building society or credit union account.

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If you have a CCTV system at your property you need to know the law has changed and that you are required to seek permission to install CCTV on your property from your Housing Officer.

If your CCTV system covers, even a little bit beyond the boundary of your property such as neighbouring gardens or the street, it is no longer exempt from the Data Protection Act. This does not mean you are breaching the Act but it does mean that you are subject to it.

You will need to be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and subject to a number of other requirements such as specific signage.

For more information on what this means for you and what you should do to make sure that you operate your system legally, please visit the Information Commissioner’s Website.

Please consider where your camera monitors to ensure it doesn’t go beyond the boundary of your property.

DOMESTIC CCTV

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• Make sure stop taps are working, report to Kier Services for repair if needed on 01529 416399. Turn off stop taps to outside toilets if not in use

• Check your heating system is working properly.

• If you are going away for a few days keep your heating on very low and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home. Leave contact details in case of an emergency. If you are going to be away for 30 days or more contact the Council repairs team for advice.

• Make sure your home contents insurance covers you for extended absence from your home in case there is a problem. The Council is not responsible for your home contents.

People fear clearing snow from paths, thinking they could be sued if someone slips. But given that it is a kind, considerate and sensible thing to do these tips may help.

• Start early. It’s easier to clear fresh snow than compacted ice

• Don’t use hot water which will form ice.

• Spread salt from salt boxes, if there is one near you, or use any salt, sand or ash on cleared paths to help to prevent ice.

North Kesteven District Council does not clear paths or roads of snow.

Lincolnshire County Council carries out precautionary gritting and salting on 3,085km (1,917 miles) of Lincolnshire’s roads. Only major routes are cleared of snow. Full details can be found in the Winter Maintenance Plan available, at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk or public libraries and Divisional Highway Offices. For local travel information please tune your radio to:

• BBC Lincolnshire 94.7 - 104.7FM

• Lincs FM 102.2FM

Stay warm and active to stay healthy this winter. Wear layers of warm clothes even inside your home. Wrap up well if you are going outside, eat regular hot meals and drinks and stay active.

Stock up! Have a supply of food in rediness: for example cartons of long-life milk, bread in the freezer and canned, dried or frozen foods. If you should get snowed in for a day or two you will not have to go out.

Look out for each other. Is there somebody you know living nearby who might need some help? If so contact them to see if they are coping.

Hypothermia is a condition where the body becomes dangerously cold and, if it’s not treated quickly, can be fatal.

• The danger signs are very cold skin, for example, across the stomach or under the arms, drowsiness and slurred speech.

• Take immediate action - Dial 999 for an ambulance. Then try to warm the person gradually by warming the room, wrapping them in a blanket, and giving them a warm drink (no alcohol). Encourage very gentle exercise.

WINTER GUIDANCE

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Take care of yourself, your home, family and neighbours this winter. Here are a few simple things you can do to make sure you are safe and sound this winter.

STAY WARM, STAY HEALTHY

SNOW CLEARING

PREPARE YOUR HOME

TENANTS GARDENING GROUP Are you interested in gardening? Then would you like to joina new NK Tenants’ social gardening group?Join a friendly group of tenants; nothing formal, just regular meetings to discuss all things horticultural, swap ideas, plants, etc. over a coffee. Occasional visits to local garden centres, or open gardens.Initially: venue at Wilsford.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Please call 01400 230037Email: maxdewinter40@gmail.com

We made some changes to introduce some new categories including ‘most improved garden’ to encourage newcomers to the competition, and we also asked the last winners Mr and Mrs Wakelin of Helpringham to help us judge the entries.We would like to thank all of those tenants who entered the competition and we commend the hard work they have committed to their gardens. The judging was a particularly difficult task for the panel of judges.

The Garden competition was last held in 2011 so this was the first year of a renewed garden competition for North Kesteven tenants.

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GARDEN COMPETITION

Prizes were sponsored by

Glendale - Proud to be delivering first class grounds maintenance services in partnership with NKDC

1st prize £50 voucher; 2nd prize £30 voucher; 3rd prize £20 voucherThe results are as follows:

Balconies, baskets and pots 1st Mr Robinson, Billinghay, 2nd Mrs Cuckney Ruskington, 3rd Mr & Mrs Clay, Metheringham

Most improved garden1st Mrs Skipworth, Waddington, 2nd Mr & Mrs Wilson, Cranwell, 3rd Mrs Cuckney, Ruskington

Best family garden1st Mr & Mrs Christian, Branston

Best garden1st Mr Robinson, Billinghay. 2nd Mr & Mrs de Winter, Wilsford. 3rd Mrs Hawkins, Sleaford

While Pat Cross has lived in Newfield Road for ‘only’ 38 years, her husband Graham was born there nearly 70 years ago in the house his parents took as one of the first families to settle in what were then brand-new houses.

Up until moving out this month to accommodate the massive regeneration scheme, Pat and Graham were the longest standing residents and at one point their wider family accounted for about one in seven of the 72 homes.

It is a mark of the community spirit and affection for Newfield Road that families have stuck together and maintained long tenures. In many cases they will be returning to their long-established homes after the temporary flit to make way for the changes.

When it came to finding a tenant to represent the street on Council committees and consultations, there was no doubt in Pat’s neighbours’ minds that she was the right person.Having lived there so long and got to know everyone so intimately – to the point that she has stood-in to give ‘adopted’ daughters away in marriage and accumulated

more godchildren than she can remember – she is fondly known as Nanny Pat.

“It’s a very close knit family community and although there have been a lot of changes over the years I’ve seen a lot of them grow up and their children grow up. I’m Nanny Pat to the whole street and everyone knows they can come to me with a problem or for a quiet word.

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve taken under my wing and where ever I go it’s Nanny Pat this or Nanny Pat that; all the children are so polite and come to Nanny Pat to sort pretty well anything. Everyone knows that the door’s always open and the kettle’s on.”

Her caring compassion and listen ear are a constant whether it’s a personal matter or something directly linked to her role as a Tenant Representative.

“When our Housing Officer Les was looking for a rep, people were telling him they wanted Nanny Pat to do it and I couldn’t say no.

I’ve said that I’ll carry on as long as a I can and still take on their concerns while we’re scattered all over the place during the building project.”

“despite the stress and upheaval, we’re all really pleased with what’s going to be done. It must be 30-od years since they were last given an overhaul and they desperately need improving. We are all onboard, we feel like we’ve had an input and a say and reckon it’s better this way.”

With many tenants already moved out and others scheduled to come and go in waves as the two-year £9m programme works through its phases of extending and reconfiguring the homes, replacing bathrooms, kitchens and windows, adding insulation and cladding and adding 18 new homes, a better road layout and play equipment, Pat will maintain her vigilant watch over the street.

Having just moved away from Sleaford’s Newfield Road as work starts on the Council’s biggest ever housing project, Tenant Rep Pat Cross reflects.

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DAY IN LIFE OF PAT CROSS

The rusted orange spire of the International Bomber Command Centre taking shape at the top of Canwick Hill near Lincoln, stands 31.09m tall – the height of a Lancaster Bomber’s 102ft wing span.

Surrounding it are walls bearing the names of 26,296 airmen; the losses encountered by Groups 1 and 5 of Bomber Command, headquartered in Lincolnshire during World War Two.

Over time these walls will be increased to take the names of the 55,573 men lost while serving on Bomber Command operations from the UK and ultimately to include those posted overseas.

While the spire and walls are in place – and unveiled during the 70th anniversary year of the end of World War Two hostilities, there are further

components of the Memorial site to be completed – including an education centre housing an extensive digital archive, peace gardens and community facilities. The aim is to have these opened in the summer of 2017 and until then access to the site and the memorial spire is strictly limited to pre-booked tours – detailed at www.internationalbcc.co.uk

It can also be seen from the Viking Way long distance path with runs alongside the site at the

top of Lincoln’s South Common.Having been unable to participate in a spectacular array of overflights, including one of the Vulcan’s last display flights, the City of Lincoln Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight paid a special tribute to the Bomber Command efforts with its first official flypast after five months of being grounded.

Also present was groundcrew veteran Donald Nicholson from Tyne & Wear whose temporary

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North Kesteven now plays host to one of the newest and most striking of all War Memorials – honouring every aspect of the Bomber Command operations at home and abroad.

INTERNATIONAL BOMBER COMMAND MEMORIAL

honour is the reward for bravery

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Dan Snow at the opening ceremony

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loss of his medals touched the nation’s hearts. Devastated at not being able to wear his medals at the spire unveiling, he returned to wear them with pride as the Lancaster made a triumphant return.

Mr Nicholson was one of 125,000 aircrew and ground crew from 60 nations, average age 22, who served in Bomber Command. It is their story which the International Bomber Command Centre seeks to bring together for the first time, in tandem with the stories of those who experienced the campaign on all fronts, at home, abroad, in command, through liberation and at the sharp end in Germany as the enemy.

At the spire’s unveiling broadcaster Dan Snow remarked that ‘honour is the reward for bravery’. He said he could not think of ‘a more fitting tribute to those remarkable men of Bomber

Command than to have a spire such as this, which makes spirits soar, towering above the heart of Bomber County.’

The Memorial Centre will be unique and distinct as a point of reconciliation, reflection and remembrance, located at the very heart of most of Bomber Command’s operations, close to RAF Waddington from where the first and most ill-fated bombing missions embarked.

“ The Memorial Centre will be unique and distinct as a point of reconciliation, reflection and remembrance

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SLEAFORD CHRISTMAS MARKETAdvent Sunday, 29 November, 11am to 5pmMarket Place and various locations throughout the town. Stalls, charities,

christingle, carolling, fun and festivities with switch on of town illuminations.A Santa Run is planned over 3km around the town at 10am. Free

FESTIVAL OF DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREES

Saturday, 28 November, 10am to 4pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm Sleaford Methodist Church, Northgate.More than 80 trees decorated

by local organisations in support of St Barnabas Hospice, Entry: £2, children free

BRANSTON CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday, 28 November, 2pm to 7pm.Stalls within the car parks and church hall, singing, dancing and drama, arrival of

Santa at 2.15pm and lights switch-on at 5pm. Christmas Tree Festival in the Church, Sunday 29, 1pm to 4pm and through the following week. Free

GIFTED.15Saturday, 28 November, 1pm to 4pmNational Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford. A contemporary Christmas market

of artistic handmade gifts, local food and hands-on craft activities, bigger than ever before. Free

FESTIVE EVENTSIn amongst the shopping, the baking, the card writing, tree decorating, gift wrapping and the general rush it’s always nice to get out and have your cockles warmed by a dose of Christmas Spirit which you will find abounding at community events across the District.

NOVEMBER DECEMBERCRACKIN’ CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Sunday, 13 December, 10am to 4pm Whisby Natural World Centre will host Santa, festive family fun and scores

of stalls selling local crafts and food as well as children’s activities. Free

NORTH HYKEHAM NATIVITYWednesday, 9 December, 5.45pmThe Green will be transformed for an outdoor performance by children,

community caroling, dance and drama, with a few stalls. Free(On December 20, 3pm, the town carol service is at All Saint’s Church)

CHRISTMAS AT COGGLESFORD, Sunday, 13 December, 11am to 4pmLots of traditional decorations and festive fayre plus milling at the Sleaford watermill. Free

CHRISTMAS AT CRANWELL Saturdays and Sundays, 12, 13, 19 & 20 December, 10am to 4pmFollow a festive trail to help Santa find his reindeers. Free

This document is available in large print, braille, audio tape, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language. Our website is ReadSpeaker enabled. For a copy contact Tenant Participation

on 01529 414155 or 01522 699699 or email tenant_participation@nkesteven.gov.uk