A to Z of - Magna Housing Group

Opendoor
The magazine for Magna West Somerset Housing Association residents
Winter 2012
Latest
benefit
update
WIN £50
save
money
A to Z of
will it affect you?
with our resident
discount scheme
in our
design
a logo
competition
DIY
welcomeandcontents
M
y children have been on
a countdown to Christmas
Repairs
for weeks and now we are
Freephone 0800 731 9293
in full festive season with nativity
e: [email protected]
plays lined up and Christmas
Housing services
cards to write. However, this
Freephone 0800 138 6107
time of year brings all sorts of
e: [email protected] hazards such as faulty tree lights
Anti-social behaviour and
or candles. Make sure you stay as
nuisance
safe as you can with our tips on
0800 138 6107
page 14.
e: [email protected]
Unfortunately, when fires do
Carelinehappen they can be devastating.
01305 269056
Some things, such as old photos
Money Matters Advisor
or children’s drawings, are
(Ian Wood): 01984 635125
irreplaceable, but furniture can be
Community Involvement
replaced. Make sure you have
Officer
enough insurance to cover the
(Neil Bliss): 01984 635134
contents of your home if the worst
Emergencies outside normal
happens. There are more details
office hours
on page 16 about insurance from
Freephone: 0800 731 9293
as little as £1.80 a fortnight.
The colder weather makes us all
About Opendoor
a bit more aware of how much
Opendoor is produced for
we are spending on heating or
all residents of Magna West
Somerset. Opendoor aims
Christmas opening
to keep you informed about
Office opening times & reporting
housing issues and your
repairs
dealings with Magna.
agna will be closing its
Enlarged or taped versions
offices at 12.30 pm on
of Opendoor are available on
Monday 24 December
request.
2012 and re-opening at 8.30 am
If you would like Opendoor in
on Wednesday 2 January 2013.
another format, please contact
If you need to report an urgent
the communication department
repair during that time, please call
at the address below or
us on 0800 731 9293 and we will
telephone 01305 214047.
be happy to assist you. For any
All competitions in Opendoor
other urgent queries, please call
are for Magna residents only.
0800 138 6107.
In Opendoor the abbreviations
MHA, MWS and MHGL mean:
MHA is Magna Housing
Association MWS is Magna
West Somerset MHGL is Magna
Housing Group Limited.
Opendoor Magazine, Hollands
6 13
House, Poundbury Road,
Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1SW.
www.magnaws.org.uk
Contacts
M
Magna West Somerset Housing Association
Limited, registered in England, charitable
I&P Society No. 28643R, registered office
address: Hollands House, Poundbury
Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1SW
Cover photo: Jennifer Gould
2
8 15
how much
electricity we
are using.
Turn to page
5 for some
handy tips to
save energy
and save you
money.
Finally, thank
you to all our readers who have
contributed an article, story or
poem. We really do love receiving
your pieces and read everything
you send in. Please do let us
know if you’d like to write an
article or have a photo or piece of
news you’d like us to publish.
Enjoy the festive season. The
next Opendoor will be with you in
March.
Catriona Fountain
Head of communication
01305 214002
[email protected]
Sheltered & other vulnerable
residents
The Careline West Somerset service
will operate as normal throughout
the entire Christmas period. If you
need a lifeline unit fitted, or you
have a repair or an emergency,
please contact Careline on 01305
266821. If you have any concerns,
please press your pendant, pull
your cord or contact Careline.
There will be a warden on-call and
staff available over the holiday
period.
What’s inside ?
4
9
10
12
14
18
19
Your money
Neighbourhood inspections
The A to Z of DIY
Your good news
Stay safe this Christmas
Your home
Competition time
news&competition
The anti-social behaviour panel
Minehead community nominated for a National Award
A
community project in Minehead was
nominated for the Safer Streets category in
the National Housing Federation’s (NHF),
Community Impact Awards.
Magna West Somerset was one of 11 housing
associations in the south west who made it to NHF
national awards. The awards highlight the important
community work carried out by social landlords
above and beyond providing homes.
MWS and Knightstone used the Dreamscheme
in Seaward Way, Minehead in their joint award
submission as one example of the excellent
partnership working between housing associations,
the district council, the police and residents in West
Somerset. The community project was set up just
over five years ago, to reduce anti-social behaviour
on the 300 home estate.
This was one of the first Dreamscheme projects in
the country and it was designed to reward young
people for positive, community-minded behaviour
by awarding ‘points’ which ‘buy’ activities such as
sports coaching sessions and trips.
The youngsters have been involved in community
clean-up days, planting in communal areas, visits to
the elderly and a project to rejuvenate a multi-use
games area.
Tony Murray MWS director commented ‘Although
we didn’t win the award we were delighted to be
nominated for a national award that recognises the
work that goes in to building safer communities. The
Dreamscheme is a brilliant example of partnership
working at its best and has provided real, local
improvements and has helped create a sense of
community in the area.”
Spot the Santa and win £10
Hidden on one of the pages is a small Santa
(pictured below). When you’ve spotted him fill in the
form below telling us which article he is hidden in
and send your entry to:
Spot the Santa, Magna West Somerset Housing
Association, St Peter’s House, Bridge Street, Williton,
Somerset, TA4 4NR.
•The first correct entry drawn from
the hat will win £10
•All entries must be in by Monday 7th
January 2013
•The editor’s decision is final
Santa is hidden in
My name is
Address
Email
Tel No
3
yourmoney
Rent free weeks
If you are on a 48-week rent
cycle, please note that the 24
and 31 December 2012 are this
year’s rent collection free weeks.
However, if you are under a court
order, or an arrangement to reduce
arrears, please continue to make
payments through these weeks.
Remember, direct debit and
standing order payments are
normally divided into 12 equal
instalments, so if you pay by these
methods, the rent collection free
weeks have already been taken
into consideration.
Changes in Council Tax
Benefit
From April 2013 all working
age people, whether in receipt
of benefits or not, will have to
pay Council Tax directly to local
authorities.
A scheme for how this will be
introduced in Somerset is currently
being developed.
What you can do?
Contact the money matters
advisor if you would like help
preparing a budget.
Contact your local authority to find
out how you will be affected.
We can provide you with access
to money advice through:
• Appointments
• Surgeries
• Home visits
• Our website, magnaws.org.uk
• Opendoor
For more information please
contact Ian Wood 01984 635125
e: [email protected]
4
Latest benefit update
Will you be affected and what are your options?
F
rom April 2013, the new
rules on Housing Benefit are
changing for people under
pension age.
People who are considered by
the Government to be underoccupying their property, will
lose part of their Housing Benefit
and will have to pay some
rent, even if they aren’t paying
at the moment. According to
these rules, do you have a spare
bedroom?
Will you be affected?
You will be allocated one bedroom
for:
• Each adult couple
• Any other person aged 16 or
over
• Two girls or two boys under 16
will be expected to share a room
• One girl and one boy under 10
will be expected to share a room
• A carer (who does not normally
live with you) if you or your
partner need overnight care
It does not matter how the ‘spare’
bedroom is used, the new rules
will apply even if:
• You and your partner have to
sleep apart due to a medical
condition
• If you have a child with you
for part of the time, but do not
receive the Child Benefit for
them.
These changes will not affect
you, if you live in exempt
accommodation, such as sheltered
housing. Contact us to see if this
applies to you.
How much will you have to pay?
• One bedroom spare = 14% of
your weekly rent (14% average
would be £11.25 per week)
• Two bedrooms or more spare =
25% of your weekly rent (25%
average would be £20.00 per
week).
Contact us straight away to look
at your options
• Stay in your home and know
how much you will have to pay
in April.
• Move to a smaller property
through transfer, or mutual
exchange. You may get an
incentive payment of up to
£1000 per bedroom.
• Increase the number of people
living with you. (For example,
taking in a lodger, which
may affect other benefits you
receive.)
If you do nothing, and get into
debt with your rent, you could
lose your home.
A lot of people are going to be
affected by these changes. Act
now, check with us, so you have
time to prepare.
Ring us now:
Freephone: 0800 138 6107
Office: 01984 635100
design a log
Competition time
Feeling arty and inventive? Want
to win £50 worth of high street
vouchers?
Then this could be for you!
Our Tenants’ Panel wants to
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and you want to enter, contact:
Neil Bliss c/o St Peter’s House,
Bridge St, Williton, TA4 4NR
t: 01984 635 134
e: [email protected]
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Top energy saving tips
You can save up to £200 a year by using these no cost energy
saving measures in your home.
1. Turn down your heating thermostat by 1o to save £30 a year.
2. Close your curtains at dusk to save £15 a year.
3. Wash your clothes at 30o instead of 40o, using 30% less electricity,
and make sure the washing machine is full.
4. Look after your fridge/freezer....., don’t leave the door open longer
than necessary and avoid placing hot food into your fridge, defrost
regularly and check the door seals are working properly.
5. Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle – kettles use up
to 15% of all the electricity used in our homes.
6. Don’t leave your electrical appliances on standby – up to 85% of the
electricity they use is while they are on standby.
7. Do some simple draught proofing round windows, letter boxes,
keyholes and floorboards.
Are you looking for
work or training
prospects?
MWS is working with EDF and
other local organisations to help
our residents get into work or
training.
If you are interested in future
opportunities at Hinkley Point C,
contact the EDF Energy
Employment Brokerage team for
further information and updates
on future vacancies.
01278 436132
[email protected]
www.edfenergy.com/
hinkleypointc
8. When you buy new white goods (fridge, freezer, washer, dryer,
cooker) buy one that is energy efficient (A or A+ rated).
9. Microwaves are quick and easy to use, very economical and energy
efficient.
10.Fit a hot water tank jacket costing £10 and save £10–15 a year.
Why not write to us with your top energy saving tip? We’ll publish
the best ones in the next edition of Opendoor.
5
yourcommunity
Community Improvements
Projects Group
Did you know there is a budget
available to make improvements to the
community you live in?
The improvements are supported by MWS residents
through monthly project meetings.
Any application which will benefit the community
will be considered by the group; and any unsuccessful
applicants will be contacted and given reasons why.
We’ve recently completed the following projects:
We provided two benches at Swains Lane Nature
Reserve in Wellington. An official opening was
attended by local residents and the town Mayor,
Vivienne Stock-Williams.
We donated £500 to a local Arthritis Care group to
help with transport costs. The group holds a regular
meeting at the community room at Danesborough
View, Williton on the third Tuesday of every month.
Project application forms are available from Tenants’
Panel members, MWS staff or at our MWS Offices at
St Peter’s House and Roughmoor, Williton.
You can also now apply on our website
www.magnaws.org.uk under resident involvement.
To find out more about community involvement
contact Neil Bliss:
t: 01984 635134 e: [email protected]
6
Saving you money!
residents’ discount scheme
The following suppliers have agreed to provide our residents with a discounted service
We have recently set up a
residents’ discount scheme to
help you stretch your money
further.
The suppliers on the right have
agreed to give discount to any of
our residents that buy from them.
We are hoping to expand this list
in the near future.
When you go to any of these
shops you’ll need to take the
following items to show you are a
Magna resident:
• Tenancy agreement or rent
card
• A form of photo ID, either a
driving license, passport or bus
pass.
Please note MWS has no affiliation
with these companies and is not in
anyway responsible for the quality
or suitability of any products
purchased.
MORRIS & Co.
DISCOUNT CARPETS & BEDS
Carpets & vinyl flooring, curtains and blinds,
chairs and sofas, bedroom & dining room
furniture from leading manufacturers.
27 Friday Street
Minehead
TA24 5UB
01643 707974
10% off carpets, flooring & blinds
20% off furniture & beds
(excluding sale lines)
Three piece suites, bedroom suites, electric beds,
pine furniture, recliners, sofa beds, etc
Mart Road
Minehead
TA24 5BJ
01643 702535
10% off carpets & flooring, furniture,
chairs & beds
www.stuartshomefurnishers.co.uk
Tony Brooke
Carpets &
Flooring
Carpets, vinyl, flotex, naturals, camaro,
wet rooms, beds, blinds, rugs, mats and more!
Units 2 & 3
Roughmoor Industrial Estate
Williton
TA4 4RF
01984 632206
10% off carpets & flooring
Magnum
Blinds
ADRIAN CLARK
Tel: 01643 702175
Mob: 0777 329 1435
Blind measuring and fitting service
E-Mail: [email protected]
10% off blinds
(also at Tony Brooke Carpets in Williton)
www.tonybrookecarpetsandflooring.co.uk
You will need proof that you are a Magna tenant by providing the following documents:
•
Tenancy agreement or rent card
•
Photo ID - either a bus pass, passport or driving licence
Service improvement review
of resident involvement
MWS have no affiliation with these companies and we are not in anyway responsible for the quality or suitability of any products
purchased
Magna West Somerset Housing Association Limited, registered in
England, charitable I&P Society No. 28643R, registered office address:
Hollands House, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1SW
There has been a review of
resident involvement across
Magna West Somerset and Magna
Housing Association.
Residents from both organisations
worked with staff to look at what
we do now, what we should do
more of and what we should do
less of. The group also looked at
whether Magna or another
organisation should offer the
resident involvement service.
The review found that both
organisations offered lots of ways
for people to become involved,
although there was still more
work needed to involve younger
residents. It was agreed that
Magna should continue to provide
the resident involvement service.
Residents wanted to continue to
work directly with Magna staff
and agreed to meet up more to
share ideas and to work together
on areas which affected both
organisations.
There will be a full report and
improvement plan available early
next year.
If you are interested in getting
involved please contact
Barbara Mullan, community
services manager, or Neil Bliss,
community involvement officer,
on freephone: 0800 138 6107.
7
yournews
Aids and adaptations
Did you know?
We have staff trained to carry
out assessments for disabled
adaptations to your home.
We can carry out minor
adaptations up to £1,000
0800 138 6107
without the need for a means
test or an assessment by an
occupational therapist.
For more information telephone us on the Freephone number below.
We welcome telephone calls through Text Relay:
Magna West Somerset Housing Association Limited
St. Peter’s House
Bridge Street
Williton
Somerset
TA4 4NR
e: [email protected]
w: magnaws.org.uk
Minor Aids and
Adaptations
Standard
Our local offer to you
March 2012
8
If your home is unsuitable for
an adaptation, we will tell you why. If you need to
move to meet your needs, we will support you to do
this.
If you would like more information, please phone us
on 0800 138 6107.
Official opening of Churchill Way,
Watchet
The new housing development at Churchill Way,
Watchet was officially opened in October.
The new homes were built in partnership with
MWS, Summerfield Developments, West Somerset
Council, Watchet Town Council and the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA).
At a cost of £1.8 million, MWS acquired 15 of the
homes to let to local people at affordable rent.
The remaining 18 dwellings are being sold at an
affordable price set below market value.
The scheme was opened by Cllr Keith Turner, West
Somerset Council, and Donald Rushton, Magna’s
Chairman.
MWS’s Caretakers – new structure!
8
We have made some changes to our caretaking
service.
Pictured with Alan above are caretakers Stephen
Bennett (centre) and Mark Trembath (right).
Alan Baker (pictured left) is now the senior
neighbourhood caretaker. His role will involve
the day to day supervision and organisation of the
caretakers’ rotas.
If you have any queries regarding caretaking in
your area, please contact Lee Ellis, senior housing
officer, on 0800 138 6107.
Neighbourhood inspections
Despite the wet weather over the last few months the neighbourhood inspection programme has
continued without interruption. This has provided residents with the opportunity to meet and discuss
their thoughts and concerns about their neighbourhood with the housing officers, community police
representatives and tenants’ panel members.
If you would like us to visit you
during your area inspection
you can call us and arrange a
specific time. We also arrange a
meeting place at the start of many
neighbourhood inspections for
you to meet up with us and other
residents if you are unable to join
us whilst we walk around your
neighbourhood.
90 actions have arisen from
neighbourhood inspections carried
out from 1st July 2012 to the end
of September 2012.
Here are the top 6 issues identified
during the 12 inspections:
1. Untidy gardens
2. Property defects (e.g. guttering
and meter cupboard doors)
3.
4.
5.
6.
Roads and paths
Garage and parking areas
Untaxed vehicles
Fly tipping/rubbish
The most untidy gardens identified
were in Bampton and Carhampton.
Property defects were mostly
found in Exford and Dulverton.
Issues with roads and paths were
mainly in the rural areas where we
operate.
There were more untaxed cars (3)
on the Minehead (Cuckoo Meadow
area) inspection than anywhere
else.
Fly tipping was mainly found on
the Minehead (Cuckoo Meadow
area) inspection.
If you would like to find out more about neighbourhood inspections,
contact us on the freephone number: 0800 138 6107.
Neighbourhood Inspection schedule 2012/2013
Area
Date
Meeting time/place
Housing officer
Williton B (St Peter’s)
THUR 6 DEC
St Peters Board Room 9.00am
Annie Cole
Stogursey
THUR 13 DEC
St Audries Close Community Room 9.00am
Annie Cole
Minehead (Seaward Way)
TUES 8 JAN
Sandpiper Close 9.00am
Watchet 2
THUR 17 JAN
Maglands Road Community Room 9.00am
Annie Cole
Bridgwater and Cannington B THUR 7 FEB
Victoria Park Community Centre 9.00am
Annie Cole
Watchet 3
THUR 7 MAR
Maglands Road Community Room 9.00am
Annie Cole
Williton (Townsend area)
THUR 21 MAR
Danesborough View Community Room 9.00am
Annie Cole
Amanda Shirani
9
yourhomeimprovements
The A to Z
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
10
Alterations - You can improve, alter, extend or add structures such as sheds,
garages, greenhouses or animal enclosures to your home as long as you have our
written permission and any other necessary approval.
Beware – beware ‘cowboy builders’ who can cost you money in the long run;
make sure the contractor you use is a qualified person covered by a Competent
Person Scheme.
Compensation - When your tenancy ends, you may be entitled to compensation
for certain improvements.
Drawings - Drawings not only help you to understand fully the depth and detail of
the works you wish to undertake, but also help us understand what you intend to
carry out and that you understand fully the complexity and cost involved.
Electrical Work – A lot of tenants like to fit their own light fittings. This is fine as
long as the work is carried out by a qualified person covered by a Competent
Person Scheme.
Future Maintenance - We are likely to make it a condition of giving permission that
you will be responsible for the future maintenance, repair and replacement of any
improvements you make, as and when necessary.
Gas Safe – The Gas Safe Register is the official register for gas safety.
If you are doing work which involves gas in any way, you must use a gas engineer
who is registered with Gas Safe. To find a gas engineer in your area go to
www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
Handbook – Please refer to your tenants’ handbook for more information about
making alterations and improvements to your home.
Increase in rent – we CAN NOT increase your rent on the basis of improvements for
which you have paid.
Jobs – Jobs which involve the construction of a porch, conservatory, driveway etc
require a scaled drawing to 1:100, 1:50, 1:20 or similar on A3 or A2 paper.
Kitemark - is a registered certification mark owned and operated by the British
Standards Institution (BSI). You must be able to show that glazed doors have
safety glazing which meets current building regulation standards and/or has the
kitemark etched onto it.
Laminate flooring – Although we do not expect you to ask for permission to put
down carpet, you do need permission to install laminate flooring. We may refuse
permission if you live in a flat above ground floor level due to likely noise nuisance
to flats below.
Materials – When you write to us for permission, remember to tell us what
materials you will be using for the improvement or alteration.
No cost – No cost will be borne by Magna for the future maintenance, removal or
incidental damage in connection to any work you carry out.
Offices – Our offices are open from 8.30am – 5.00pm from Monday to Thursday
and 8.30 – 4.30pm on Fridays if you would like to speak to a member of staff
about your planned improvement. Contact your housing officer on freephone
0800 138 6107.
of DIY...
Permissions – before contacting Magna please check with the relevant local
authority whether your proposed works will require any of the following
permissions:
Planning Permission
Building Control Permission
Highways Approval
Party Wall Act
Qualified Person – All major works, such as electrical, gas, heating, windows,
doors, kitchens or bathrooms, must be done by a qualified person covered by a
Competent Person Scheme.
Refusing Permission - We will not refuse permission without a good reason, but
we may ask you to meet certain conditions relating to the quality of the work.
Supporting Information - To help us make a decision on whether permission will
be granted, please specify the works that you wish to do, stating the material and
how it will be installed.
Tenancy Agreement - If we ask you to meet conditions and you do not, we may
treat this as a breach of your tenancy agreement (see Refusing Permission above).
Under no circumstances – Please make sure you have our full written permission
before starting ANY work – under no circumstances should you begin until you
have our written approval.
Voids - this is what we call properties in the period after one tenant moves out
and another tenant moves in. If your property is damaged (beyond fair wear and
tear) or you have carried out work in your home without our written permission
which we have to change when you move out, we will recharge you for this
work and chase you for any unpaid debts. We will go as far as taking legal action
against you to recover the debt.
Written Permission – You MUST have our written permission and any other
necessary approvals before you start any improvements, alterations or extensions
to your home or you add structures e.g. sheds.
Mutual Exchange – If you have carried out improvements or alterations to your
home without our written permission and they do not meet our standards, we
will expect you to bring these up to the required standards OR remove them
and reinstate the property to our standards before we give permission for you to
exchange homes with another tenant. This can be costly, frustrating and timeconsuming and could lead to the exchange not going ahead if your exchange
partner cannot wait for you to make the required changes.
Yes! – We say ‘yes’ to lots of requests to make changes; remember, we will not
refuse permission without a good reason, but we may ask you to meet certain
conditions relating to the quality of the work.
Zzzzz…- If you are having work carried out in your home, please be a considerate
neighbour and try to carry out any hammering, banging and drilling at a
reasonable hour and not while your neighbour is trying to sleep!
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
11
“
our first joint
residents’
conference
”
Conference is a first for
Magna residents
Magna Housing Group held its first ever
joint residents’ conference for tenants of
MHA and MWS on Monday 22nd October
at Huish Park, Yeovil.
They were treated to guest speakers Michelle Reid,
chief executive of the Tenant Participation Advisory
Service (TPAS), who gave a talk on how staff and
residents need to work together to make a difference
in future housing services. This was followed by a
presentation from Magna chief executive, Graham
Colls, who talked through Magna’s proposed new
strategy and Rhoda Cooke from Taunton’s Citizens
12
Advice Bureau who gave a timely update on the
latest welfare reform news.
Workshops were held after lunch where residents
could have their say about repairs, resident
involvement and welfare reform. The workshops
gave residents the opportunity to let Magna know
how they could improve services and increase
opportunities for resident involvement. Magna
staff had a chance to get the message out about
the changes taking place in the housing world, in
particular the change to benefits and how these will
be paid.
yourgoodnews
(Late)Summer fun at the fayre!
Children & adults alike enjoyed the
summer fun at the Tenants’ Panel
Summer Fayre on the 8th September at
Sainsbury Community Hall, Minehead.
There was something for everyone including a lucky
dip, face painting, hook a duck, bash the piñata, as
well as ice creams for the youngsters and cream teas
for adults.
A competition was held for the best fancy dress which
was won by William Thomas, who received his prize
from Mayor Tony Berry and Norma Stevens, chair of
the tenants’ panel.
The event raised £137 which was donated to the
Tenants’ Panel Lifeline Fund to benefit both tenants
and the community.
Fundraising included a bottle stall, a raffle and the
stocks where people were given the opportunity to
throw wet sponges at staff!
13
‘tis the season
to be jolly
and safe
14
Make sure you stay safe this Christmas - follow
our “12 days of Christmas” safety advice
Christmas trees tips for
a safer Christmas
1. Check your Christmas tree lights 8. Make sure that any visitors who
are in good working order and
are staying with you over the
conform to the British Safety
festive period know what to do
Standard.
Never
overload
in the event of an emergency
electrical sockets.
and practice your escape plan.
2. Always switch off your
Remember to tell them where
Christmas lights before you go
you keep door/window keys so
to bed or go out.
they can escape safely if a fire
3. Never place lit candles
starts.
near your Christmas
9. Many fires start
tree,
decorations
when people fall
Our top
or
furnishings
asleep
whilst
tips
for
a
and never leave
smoking. Ensure you
happy & safe
a burning candle
extinguish cigarettes
unattended.
properly and never
christmas
4. Decorations can burn
smoke in bed.
easily – don’t attach
10. If you are planning
them to lights or heaters.
on
celebrating
with
5. Keep matches, lighters and
fireworks, store them in a metal
candles out of children’s reach.
box, read the instructions and
6. The risks of accidents, especially
never go back to a lit firework.
in the kitchen, are greater after 11.Remember to test your smoke
alcohol is consumed – take care
alarm every week and use
if you’re having a few festive
Christmas as a reminder to
drinks.
clean it and remove dust.
7. Never leave your Christmas 12.This Christmas, take the time to
dinner cooking unattended and
check on elderly relatives and
make sure you switch off the
neighbours and make sure they
oven and hob if you’re leaving
are fire safe.
the house.
If you’re having a real
Christmas tree this year,
follow these simple tips
to ensure that it doesn’t
become a fire hazard.
• Always buy a freshly cut tree,
needles should be green and
hard to pull off the branches.
• When selecting a tree bounce it
on the ground – if needles fall
off this indicates the tree is old
and dried out and this is a fire
hazard.
• Do not place your tree close to a
heat source, such as a radiator or
fire place. The heat will dry out
the tree, causing it to be more
easily ignited by heat, flame and
sparks.
• Keep the tree stand topped up
with water to stop it drying out.
• When the tree becomes dry,
discard it promptly by taking it to
your local recycling centre.
Tenants’ Panel
Christmas event 2012
Brighten up Christmas with Magna Meals
on Wheels
The Magna West Somerset
Tenants’ Panel will be holding their
Christmas event on December 8
at 2—4pm at Healeys, Villes Lane,
Porlock. TA24 8NQ.
Many people spend
Christmas Day alone, so
why not brighten their
day with a freshly cooked
Christmas dinner.
The event includes a raffle, mince
pies & sausage rolls; guess the
weight of the Christmas cake,
lucky dip, refreshments, Punch
& Judy and a visit from Father
Christmas!
All residents and children are
welcome, come along and enjoy
the fun!
Over the Christmas period, Magna
Meals on Wheels will continue
delivering a freshly cooked meal
to anyone living within a ten mile
radius of Watchet who needs the
service.
Using fresh, locally-sourced
ingredients, we cook delicious
meals in our five star rated
kitchen, which our security
checked volunteers deliver hot to
your door.
You can specify which days you
would like a meal or use the
service every day of the year,
including Christmas Day, Boxing
Day and New Year’s Day.
If you would like a meal
delivered, or know someone
else who would, please contact
Kim Mason on 01984 635136 or
0800 138 6107.
15
yournews
Contents Insurance - are you
covered?
P
eople often use the term ‘home insurance’
or ‘household insurance to refer to insurance
that covers all aspects of their home and
belongings. However these policies are usually split
between ‘buildings’ and ‘contents’.
Contents insurance covers your possessions –
television, furniture, clothes etc. In other words, just
about everything you would take with you if you
moved.
Buildings insurance covers the structure of the
building, plus permanent ‘fixtures and fittings’ such
as baths, fitted kitchens etc.
Buildings insurance is covered by Magna as part
of your landlord agreement, however you must
organise your own contents insurance.
Below is an example of where you may need to
add items to your contents insurance, even though it
is part of the structure of the building.
If Magna installs a kitchen worth £5,000 and you
removed it and put in your own kitchen to the value
of £20,000, you would need to add this to your own
contents insurance as the kitchen was not installed
by Magna.
This may be more common following the launch
of the ‘green deal’ in which you can have energy
efficient work done to your property and pay for it
within your utility bills. Any work that you do as part
of the ‘green deal’ should be covered under your
own contents insurance.
Are you insured for fire, flooding or burglary? This
is bad enough, but it can be made worse still if the
people living there don’t have insurance to replace
any damaged contents or personal belongings.
The National Housing Federation provides My Home
Contents Insurance Scheme. This has been designed
especially for residents of housing associations.
If you are interested, please pick up a pack from one
of our offices, call us on freephone 0800 138 6107
or call the National Housing Federation on 0845 337
2463.
If you think you should have contents insurance,
but are struggling to afford it, please call Ian
Wood, our Money Matters Advisor, on 01984
635125 or email [email protected]
16
Important – changes to garage
rentals for new customers from
December 2012
D
id you know, Magna has 40 garages currently
available for rent across Washford, Williton and
Crowcombe?
Over the last few years we have improved a number
of garages in Williton, Watchet and Washford.
Our refurbished garages have had new roofs and
guttering, the forecourts have been resurfaced, the
garages have been painted and they have had new
doors.
From 5 December 2012, we will be advertising all
available garages on-line at
www.homefindersomerset.co.uk. To rent a garage
from us you will need to visit the website and select
the garage or garages you are interested in renting.
The current monthly cost of renting a garage is
£27.53 for Magna tenants and £33.03 for private
residents, including leaseholders. From 5 December
2012, payment will only be accepted by direct
debit monthly in advance. Magna will take steps
immediately to repossess a garage in the case of
non-payment of rent.
If you have any questions regarding renting a
garage, please contact Lynne Smith on
01984 635107 or 0800 138 6107.
STAR
W
e posted STAR surveys to
all residents in September.
STAR stands for ‘survey
of tenants and residents’ and is a
new survey being used by housing
organisations like Magna. It is one
of the most important surveys we
do and a crucial way of gathering
your opinions.
Because STAR is used by housing
organisations across the country,
we can compare our results to
others to see where we are doing
well and where we could improve.
• 89% of general
needs residents
are satisfied.
This is up from
87% in 2010.
• 93% of
sheltered/supported housing
residents are satisfied. This is
down from 95% in 2010.
• 57% of leaseholders are
satisfied. This is up from 56% in
2010.
• 64% of shared owners are
satisfied. (There was no separate
survey of shared owners in
2010).
We sent out around 2,200 surveys
in total, with different versions
We will publish final details
for leaseholders, shared
from the STAR survey
owners, general needs
in the next edition of
and sheltered/
89% of
Opendoor, and let
supported residents.
general needs you know what we
By the middle of
are doing with the
November we had
residents are
results. We will also
received back 868
satisfied.
tell
you how you can
completed surveys.
get copies of the full
Thank you to those of
reports.
you who took the time to
If you are interested in finding
reply.
out
more about STAR or any
We are still analysing the surveys
of the other surveys which we
and we aim to publish the full
carry out then you can contact
results early in the New Year. In
Sally Huggins, customer insight
the meantime, we can give you
manager on 01305 216009. You
a flavour of the results we have
can also find more details about
so far when compared to the last
the STAR survey on our website
similar survey we did in 2010:
www.magnaws.org.uk
Overall satisfaction with services
Viewing your personal
online services
Did you know you can access
important services on our website
which will let you pay your rent,
log and view repairs, and check
your tenancy details? Please
go to www.magnaws.org.uk to
access these services and follow
the on screen instructions.
If you have any problems
with accessing online services,
please contact Lynne Smith on
01984 635107 or 0800 138
6107.
Living in Bridgwater?
Bored of doing the
same thing?
Then come down to Victoria Park
Community Centre’s Youth Group
and have fun.
If you are going away for an
extended period of time, let us
know!
Victoria Park Community Centre
offers a range of
events for all
ages and
works with
the children’s
centre and
other organisations to make
your participation fun, active,
interesting and welcoming.
Concerned neighbours may be
worried about you if they have
not seen you for some time and
may contact us.
For more information, contact
01278 422255 or info@
victoriaparkbridgwater.co.uk or
visit www.vpcc.co.uk.
provided by Magna:
Going somewhere?
17
yourhome
Dealing with Legionella
Keeping you warm for less
W
inter is well and truly here
and we all have to use our
heating much more. With
costs of fuel climbing higher and
higher, we want to do all we can
to help you heat your home for as
little money as possible.
• We are giving advice on how to
save energy in Opendoor and in
welcome packs for new tenants.
• We will provide user friendly
heating instructions and guidance
on all heating systems and other
installations such as solar panels
to all existing and new tenants.
• We will outline the potential
benefits of switching energy
suppliers and encourage you to
form or join fuel clubs for gas
and oil supplies.
• We will find ways of helping
people who tell us about
problems with fuel costs and
energy use, for example, making
sure you can use our “Money
Matters” service.
We also plan to do some
improvement work to our homes
to make them more energy
efficient and therefore cheaper to
heat. This will be worked into our
planned improvement and major
repair programmes. The work
might include things such as:
• Programmes of cavity wall/roof
insulation
• Fitting new heating systems such
as more efficient storage heaters
and gas boilers
• Deciding what to do in “off gas”
areas; for example, fitting airsource heat pump central heating
or connecting up to gas supplies
where this is cost effective.
If you are concerned about how
much your heating is costing
you and would like to speak
to someone at Magna, please
contact Ian Wood, Money
Matters Advisor on 01984
635125 e: ian.wood@magna.
org.uk.
If you would like to know more
about our housing energy
strategy, please contact John
Williams on 01984 635037
e:[email protected].
Most people have heard of
legionnaires’ disease. Infection
is caused by breathing small
droplets of water contaminated
by the bacteria. Anyone can get
infected but those most at risk
include elderly people, smokers,
alcoholics, and those suffering
from cancer, diabetes, chronic
respiratory disease or kidney
disease.
The bacteria are common in
natural and artificial water
systems. They can survive at
low temperatures and thrive at
temperatures between 20°C and
45°C. They are killed at higher
temperatures and this is the main
method used for their control in
domestic water systems.
To maintain suitable temperatures
in your water systems check the
following:
•Insulate (Lag) your pipes
•Protect your water supply from
contamination
•Keep your hot water above 50°C.
Water stagnation can encourage
conditions that favour growth of
legionella but the following good
housekeeping tips will help keep
your household safe so:
•Clean your showerheads
•Flush out seldom used shower
heads or taps
•Clean and flush out whirlpool
baths, hydrotherapy pools or hot
tubs.
Preventing condensation & mould
Condensation can cause damp in a property and
can lead to damage to your clothes, bedding, floor
coverings and soft furnishings.
You can help reduce the risk of damp and mould
growth in your home by following some easy steps:
• Don’t block any air vents.
• Dry washing outside or in a tumble dryer with
either an outside vent or a condenser fitted.
• Avoid using portable bottled gas heaters, as they
put a lot of moisture into the air.
18
• Ventilate your kitchen and bathroom well when you
are using them.
• Leave spaces between the back of furniture and
walls - where possible place them against internal
walls.
• Air your home regularly by opening windows and
using trickle vents.
• Keep the temperature in your home at a
reasonable, constant level.
If you need further information, please contact us
on 0800 731 9293.
hristmas
CWORDSEARCH
yourcompetitionpage
We have hidden ten words related to Christmas in the wordsearch, but there are 11 listed.
Find which is NOT in the wordsearch and then send your entry to Catriona Fountain at Opendoor magazine
at the address on page 2. Closing date for entries 31 January 2013.
L
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Words to find:
Stocking, Threewisemen, Angel, Mulledwine, Turkey, Carols, Plumpudding,
Santa, Tinsel, Crackers, Mincepies
Congratulations:
Congratulations to all our winners in the autumn wordsearch. The names
will be published in the spring edition.
19
Tenants’ Panel members and the areas they cover
November 2012
Porlock, Bossington, Allerford
Minehead, Alcombe
Vicky Dyer
22 Healeys
Villes Lane
Porlock
Minehead TA24 8NQ
t: 01643 863089
Janet Grant
2 Quantick Gardens
Alcombe
Minehead TA24 6AL
t: 01643 705773
David Kendall
5 Harepark
Allerford
Minehead TA24 8HL
t: 01643 863505
Norma Stevens (Chair)
15 Riverside Gardens
Dunster
Minehead TA24 6RL
t: 01643 822295
e: [email protected]
Bicknoller, crowcombe, Stogumber, Monksilver,
Kilve, Holford, Stogursey, cannington, Bridgwater
Doniford, Williton
Bernard Ryder
4 Quantock View
Stogumber
Taunton TA4 3TF
t: 01984 656455
e: [email protected]
Samantha Goble
2 Croftways
Williton, TA4 4RY
e: [email protected]
Katrina Ryder
4 Quantock View
Stogumber
Taunton TA4 3TF
t: 01984 656455
e: [email protected]
Taunton, Wellington, Wiveliscombe, clatworthy,
Huish Champflower, Brompton Ralph
Dunster, carhampton, Withycombe, rodhuish,
Timberscombe, Wheddon cross, cutcombe
exford, Withypool, Winsford, Bridgetown,
Dulverton, Brushford, Brompton regis, Skilgate
Irene Bigg (secretary)
14 Riverside Gardens
Dunster
Minehead TA24 6RL
t: 01643 821187
David Stevens
15 Riverside Gardens
Dunster
Minehead TA24 6RL
t: 01643 822295
e: [email protected]
Lewis Skinner
4 Blackberry Court
The Brambles
Wellington TA21 9PU
t: 01823 664601
e: [email protected]
Luxborough, roadwater, Washford, Old cleeve,
Watchet, Doniford, Williton
Derick Cridland
16 Croftways
Williton
Taunton TA4 4RY
t: 01984 639156
Tenants’ Panel members cover the following areas
collectively:
Mid Devon:
Bampton, Tiverton
north Devon: Lynton, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe,
Braunton, Barnstaple.
The
Tenants’ Panel
of
Magna West Somerset