English newsletter Spring 2011 - Isle of Anglesey County Council
Transcription
English newsletter Spring 2011 - Isle of Anglesey County Council
If you require this newsletter in CD, Large print or audio format, we will do our best to get it for you. Editor’s Letter Editor’s Letter Hello again, we are now well into 2011 and have many updates to share with you since our last issue in October. With the help of the Tenant Participation Team we have tried to cram as much information and feedback into what has been happening in housing and what the various tenant groups have been doing in the last six months. As usual there is feedback and information on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Internal Improvement scheme and the survey results for the WHQS Environmental Standard. We have a photo competition and get a free entry into our Prize Draw by filling in the coupon on page 14. It could be your chance to win a Tesco voucher for £50.00! new Housing services factsheets! See page 13 for details tenant participation team Good news, Jodie is back from maternity leave and we have been joined by Katy, who will be with us on work placement for 6mths. The credit crunch is now biting hard and the government cuts are having a real affect on almost everyone tenants and residents of Anglesey alike. In this issue we have tried to include as much practical advice as possible. We have included an update on benefit cuts, which may affect some tenants. Please take time to read the newsletter, we hope you find it interesting. tenant publications group Welcome to the new Head of Housing Services Shan Ll Williams In January this year Shan Ll Williams was appointed as the new Head of Housing Services. Customer Service is a top priority for Shan and she has already been out and about meeting Council tenants and has visited several of the different estates currently undergoing the Welsh Housing Thanks to her Graphic Quality Standard Internal Improvement work. Design Diploma she has She hopes to set time aside each month to been invaluable in putting continue to meet tenants and get out and together this issue. about with officers. Thanks Katy! Have your say If you have any ideas for articles or information you would like to read about in this newsletter, please let us know. We especially want to hear any top tips for saving money that may help other tenants. If you feel strongly about an issue then write in and tell us your views. We are all volunteer tenants just trying to help. Write to us at: tenant publishing group, tenant participation team, Housing Department, anglesey County Council, Llangefni offices, Llangefni, anglesey. LL tW Page | 2 Competition Winners Competition Winners photograph Competition 1st Prize is a £0.00 food hamper plus £.00 each for the top five photographs chosen! free prize Draw Did you take any great photos of the snow over the winter months? Would you like to be entered in our free Summer prize draw? A free prize draw entry will be awarded to everyone who returns the coupon on page 14. See the list on the coupon for ideas on how you may like to become involved and help shape Housing Services or just tell us what you think of this newsletter. Anyone who completes and returns one of our Tenant Satisfaction Surveys either on Welsh Housing Quality Standard, Anti-Social Behaviour, Homelessness, Repairs & Maintenance or Lettings will also automatically be entered into the draw. Enter our competition and your photograph could be used for the cover of the next Ynys Môn Tenants Voice Newsletter! and you could also win a £30.00 prize food hamper. The 5 runners up will receive £5.00 and their photos will appear inside the newsletter. The Draw will take place on August 1st 2011. The winner will be published in the next issue of Môn Tenants Voice. Send your photographs to: Win a £50 Tesco Voucher good Luck! Hayley Owen of Llangefni, winner of the Christmas Prize Draw, being presented with her Christmas Hamper by Rob Owen, (Estate Management Officer) and Kay Exton, (member of the Tenant Publishing Group). tenant participation Housing services Dept anglesey County Council Llangefni offices Llangefni anglesey LL tW Don‟t forget to write your name, address and telephone number on the back of the photograph. Winners will be chosen by the publications group and notified by 1st August 2011. Hayley won her Christmas Hamper by answering one of our short New Tenant Satisfaction Surveys when she moved into her new home. Satisfaction Surveys help us monitor our service to our tenants and tell us what we are doing well and where we need to improve. All our competitions are drawn by our tenants during various group meetings. Page | 3 WHQSInternal Internal improvement programme WHQs Improvement programme safonau a) Customer satisfaction - As previously mentioned in the newsletter, once you have had work done as part of the WHQs Internal Improvement programme by G Purchase Construction Ltd or the Business Maintenance Unit you will be asked to fill out a Customer Satisfaction form. Currently satisfaction is running at 00%*. We manage to collect approx 97%* of satisfaction forms from properties who have had the work completed. Of these, 100% have told us they are satisfied with the overall performance of the contractor. We have now completed internal improvement work in the Cefni, Alaw, Menai and Aethwy areas. G Purchase started work in the Cybi area at the end of 2010 and will continue in the Holyhead area for the rest of 2011. The Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) will begin works to smaller estates in the Eilian and Eleth area. WHQs Internal Improvement timetable g purchase Construction Ltd *Together since October 2008, the BMU and G Purchase have carried out Improvement work to homes, installing; – Kitchens – Bathrooms and have also carried out 0 Re-wires. . BmU may: Walthew Lane, Bryn Y Mor, Maes Hedd, may: Maes Bwcle, Llanfechell June: Maes y Plas, Llanfechell Maes Y Dref. June/July: Maes y Haf, Queens Park.Queens Park June/July: Maes Alma, Maes Merddyn, Joint Close, Queens Park Court, St Seiriols Close, Maes Houses, Carreglefn. Council Houses, Llanbabo. Y Mor, Llwyn Bryscoe, Waterside. Newry Fields. Four Crosses, Rhosgoch. august: George St, Cross St, Water St, London august: Amlwch Road, Lon Newydd, Rhosybol sept: Ty‟n Llidiart, Rhosybol Rd, Llys Watling, Morrison Crescent. sept: Maes Cyttir, Lon Deg, Ffordd Feurig, Ffordd oct: Joint Houses, Tanrallt, Penysarn. nov/Dec: Tanrallt, Berwyn Bungalows, Penysarn. Jasper, Ffordd Hirnos, Marchog. oct: Richmond Hill, Maes yr Ysgol, Ffordd Beibio, Jan 0: Allt Nebo, School Site, Penysarn. Maes Cil Pebio, Peibio Close. Herbert, Llaneilian. nov/Dec: Cybi Close, Beach Close, Morawelon feb 0: Council Houses, Penrhoslligwy. Maes Road, Morawelon Close. Derwyn, Llandyfrydog. Jan/feb 0: Bryn Glas Close, Nimrod Walk, march 0: Hebron, Maenaddwyn. Rhodogeidio, Llanfawr Close, Llanfawr Road. Llanerchymedd. mawrth 0:Bryn Glas Road, please be aware that these are approximate dates of when the Wian Street. project is due to come to your area. they can be subject to change. *Correct to April 2011 Page | 4 WHQSInternal Internal improvement programme WHQs Improvement programme G Purchase Construction gave an early Christmas present to the staff and clients of the TARAN forum based at Canolfan Byron on Mona Industrial Estate. G Purchase donated a new kitchen and local tradesman Mike Roffe generously gave his time for free to design and install it. TARAN Development Officer, Aled Roberts was delighted with the result. “This has significantly transformed our room, we‟re very pleased with the result and Mike Roffe and his team were exceptional in completing the project in less than half a day!” TPO Lesley Roberts, Taran Development Officer Aled Roberts, local tradesman Mike Roffe, G Purchase Project Manager Mathew Davies and Dave Jones enjoying a cuppa in Taran‟s new kitchen. ENERGY EFFICIENCY solar panels have been fitted to homes on Anglesey in a £.million scheme to improve energy efficiency and cut heating bills. Anglesey County Council successfully secured funding in partnership with Cymdeithas Tai Eryri to invest in over 300 public sector homes. Could you do with some help? g purchase are a community focused company and are more than happy to help out on small community projects. Could you do with some help? If you think G Purchase may be able to help your group and you have a link to Anglesey County Council, then please telephone Lesley – Tenant Participation Officer on 0 . Solar PV Panels have been fitted to homes in Pencraig, Llangefni, to generate electricity with other properties in several smaller villages benefiting from solar hot water systems. Technical Services Manager Dafydd Rowlands said, "The Arbed funding means we can improve energy ratings in our housing stock as well as promote the use of renewable energy. The social benefit of the project also means reducing fuel poverty by making household energy bills cheaper.” He added “once again the Partnership with G Purchase has proved successful and we would welcome the opportunity to install further renewable energy measures should funding be available”. 100%* Satisfaction 100%* SATISFACTION Since the last update on the WHQS scheme in our October newsletter last year, a new member has joined the BMU team. Rhian Madoc Jones has been employed as a tenant Liaison officer and has been a huge success in ensuring that all the tenants on the BMU sites are kept informed and happy, keeping customer satisfaction at 100%*. Should you need to contact rhian with any issues relating to WHQS on the BMU sites, then please telephone her on 00. Page | 5 WELSH STANDARD WelshHOUSING HousingQUALITY Quality ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental standard Get involved What is the WHQS Environmental Standard? Join the WHQs Environmental programme tenant panel. We want to bring together a group of tenants to help us prioritise and decide on environmental projects or schemes to undertake and in which areas. It is the standard that expects homes to be „located in attractive and safe environments to which residents can relate and in which they can be proud to live‟. During November last year we sent out an Environmental Survey to every Isle of Anglesey County Council property and lease holders, asking how you felt about your local area and what are your main concerns. Approximately 4000 surveys were sent with an incentive of £500 in cash prizes to encourage tenants to return their forms. 501 surveys were returned. If you would like to become a Panel member or would like more information, phone the tenant participation team on 0 or 0 Tenants and Residents Association Have you ever thought about getting together with a few of your friends and neighbours on your What next? estate, maybe arranging social days out or a coffee Over the next few months we will be morning? organising meetings and Estate Walkabouts Perhaps, you have some ideas how to improve to find out more about how we can work your estate and make it a better place to live? towards making environmental improvements on our estates. There is a If so then we’d like to hear from you. We have limited amount of money available for these recently developed a new Tenants and Residents improvements, so we need your help to tell Association Booklet to help and explain how to set us where this money would be best spent. up a group. To request a copy, please phone or email the tenant participation team. If you‟d like, Don’t miss out on your chance to have one of the team will visit you and your friends for an your say! informal chat, please let us know. Contact the We are here to help! tenant participation team 01248 752171 or 01248 752166 on [email protected] 0 or 0 WHQs Environmental survey results Q. are you satisfied with the apperance of your local area? No 23% Q2. Do you feel proud to live in your local area? No 13% Yes 77% number of responses 300 250 200 278 150 100 50 91 122 0 Strong No 16% Yes 87% How would you rate community spirit in your area? Average Weak Do you feel safe in your local area? Yes 84% Questions we asked in the survey. Q. are you satisfied with the appearance of your local area? A1. Yes % No 23% Q. Do you feel proud to live in your local area? A2. Yes % No 13% Q. Do you feel safe in your local area? A3. Yes % No 16% Page | 6 Q 7. Which are of the greatest concern to you and your family 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 300 250 143 117 73 61 1 78 2 3 4 5 no.1 = weak community spirit to no.5 = strong community spirit Number of responses Number of responses Q5. How would you rate facilities in your area? 243 200 150 100 0 1. Your 2. Your general 3. A immediate area environment combination of the above Top five issues that our tenants tell us are of concern to them in their area. Issues of concern to Anglesey County Council tenants Issues of concern to Anglesey County Graffiti Council2833tenants Garages Abandoned vehicles and tipping rubbish Lack of parks / green spacesGraffiti Poor street lighting Abandoned vehicles and tipping rubbish Bin areas Poor street lighting 2.Trees / landscaping Other 2.Trees / landscaping Traffic Calming Traffic Calming 1.Untidy communal areas SafeSafe Play areas Play areas Boundaries, Fencing, hedges Concealed areas where youths Concealed areas where youths gathergather Poor paving and pathways Lack of community activities and factilities fouling ParkingDog issues Dog fouling 57 28 28 67 28 33 33 337657 57 5767 84 67 67 76 8876 76 84 84 9784 88 88 88 97 109 97 97 109 113109 109 113 113 113 119 119 119 119 135 135 135 135 139 139 139 139 151 151 151 187 151 187 187 192 192 187 192 192 111 88 50 1. Dog Fouling. 2. Parking Issues. 3. Lack of community activities & facilities. 4. Poor Paving & Pathways. 5. Concealed areas where youths gather. Do you agree? Why not tell us 268 268 268 268 your views, request a survey form from the tp team 0 . WHQs Environmental survey – prize Draw Winners A big tHanK YoU to everyone who returned the WHQS Environmental Survey and congratulations to the Lucky prize draw winners. We will update you on how we are using the results of the survey in the next issue of Mon Tenants Voice. st prize - £0 Mr Joskow Bryngwran nd prize - £0 Mr Jones Pentraeth grass Cutting 0 Are you entitled to FREE grass cutting? If you are over 60 years of age or registered disabled and incapable of looking after your garden, you may be eligible to have the grass in your front and back garden cut free of charge. PLEASE NOTE: Tenants living in Sheltered Housing estates and flats do not need to apply as you are automatically on the list. All tenants who were on the list at the end of last year‟s grass cutting season will automatically be on the list this year. rd prize - £00 Mr Fleming Valley For more information or to request an application form please call: 01248 752264 Page | 7 elpwch eich Hun cwsmeriaid yn cael eu hannog i edrych eto ar eu biliau ynni er mwyn rhoi sylw i‟r cynnydd ym s ynni a effeithiodd 9 allan o bob 10 aelwyd yng Nghymru'r gaeaf diwethaf. Ers Tachwedd 2010, cwmnïau ynni wedi codi eu prisiau, rhai gan gymaint â naw y cant. financial inclusion financial Inclusion – money- money matters matters – tlodi money matters un o bob financial pedair o aelwydyddInclusion yng Nghymru mewn tanwydd ac yn gwario rhagor na 10 y cant Yourself hincwm ar Help filiau ynni. Er y gallai miloedd o bobl arbed arian trwy newid cyflenwyr neu‟r ffordd y Yourself Consumers are being urged wedi to lookgwneud again athynny. their energy bills to beat the energy price hikes which nt yn talu Help am eu hynni, nid yw llawer affected nineare outbeing of 10urged Welshtohouseholds last winter. Since energy Consumers look again at their energy billsNovember to beat the2010, energy price companies hikes whichhave da phwy ddylwn inine siarad? increased their up to ninelast per winter. cent. Since November 2010, energy companies have affected outprices, of 10 some Welshby households ydych chi‟nincreased poeni am dalu their prices, some by up to nine per cent. One in four Welsh households are in fuel poverty, spending more than 10 per cent of their income on biliau gwresogi energy bills.angen Although thousands could save money by changing suppliers theincome way they One in neu four Welsh households areofinpeople fuel poverty, spending more than 10 per cent of or their on gor sy‟n hawdd i‟w ddeall, pay for bills. energy, many people haveofnot donecould save money by changing suppliers or the way they energy Although thousands people ylltwch gyda gymorth Home Heat. so.llinell pay for energy, many people have not Mae done Canolfan J.E. O‟Toole yn rhan o oes rhaid so. i chi fod yn talu‟r biliau i gysylltu â Wasanaethau Tai, Cyngor Si Ynys Môn. Mae eu Who should I talk to? . Cewch ffonio ar ran perthynas, cyfaill, If youshould are worried about Who I talk to? swyddfa yng Nghaergybi ac yn cynnig cyngor, ent neu rywun yr ydych yn malio your heating billsamdanynt. Ifpaying you are worried about cefnogaeth ac arweiniad i drigolion Ynys Môn. or some easy to your heating bills J.E. O‟Toole Centre part mwyaf of the Isle of byddant paying ynneed eich helpu? Maent yn The awyddus i sicrhau fod yis bobl understand advice contact the Home Heat or need some easy to Anglesey County Council‟s Housing The J.E. O‟Toole Centre is part of theServices Isle of ant roi cymorth ar grantiau, inswleiddio‟ch bregus o fewn cymdeithas yn derbyn y buddHelpline. You do not have to be the bill payer understand advice contact the Home Heat Department. Their office is in Holyhead and offers County Council‟s Housing Services ref, tariffau tanwydd is, opsiynau talu. daliadau yAnglesey mae ganddynt yr hawl iddynt. Mae pob to contact them. You on the behalf a Helpline. You doallan not can have to be bill of payer advice, support and guidance to the residents of Department. Their office is in Holyhead and offers d modd iddyn nhw weithio o‟chcall ceiniog yn helpu, cysylltwch â hwy i ddarganfod os relative, friend, client or someone you care to contact them. You can call on behalf of a Anglesey. They are keen to ensure that the most advice, support and guidance to the residents of ylchiadau yr hyn y mae gennych hawl i‟w y gallent eich cynorthwyo. about. friend, client or someone you care relative, vulnerable They in society are receiving to Anglesey. are keen to ensurethe thatbenefits the most rbyn. about. How will they help? which they inare entitled. penny vulnerable society areEvery receiving thecounts, benefitswhy to Bu i’r Ganolfan J E O’Toole, llynedd, h y mae gennyf hawl i’w dderbyn? They will can advise on grants, home insulation, not contact and seeEvery if theypenny help you! why How they help? which they them are entitled. counts, gynorthwyo trigolion Ynys môn ican hawlio ydych chi‟nThey derbyn budd-daliadau megis reduced tariffs, options. They canfuel advise on payment grants, home insulation, not contact them and see if they can help you! The J mewn E O’Toole Centre helped Anglesey ns anabledd byw, credyd will be able totariffs, workpensiwn, out from your £1.8 miliwn budd-daliadau oedd reduced fuel payment options. They The Jresidents E O’Toole Centre helped Anglesey d-dal treth y be cyngor, treth circumstances whatout youfrom are your entitled to. will able tobudd-dal work claim £1.8 million in heb eu hawlio! nt neu lwfans chwilio am waith yn circumstances what you are entitled to. residents claim £1.8 million in What am I entitled to? unclaimed last year! Holyhead 01407benefits 760208 edig ar incwm, mae‟n bosibl eich bod yn If you‟re benefits What amreceiving I entitled to? such as the unclaimed benefits last year! Holyhead 01407 760208 wys am grantiau i inswleiddio living allowance, pension Ifdisability you‟reychwanegol receiving benefits such as the credit, Holyhead 01407 760208 cartref a gwella ynnitax eich councileffeithlonrwydd tax benefit, child benefitcredit, orOs ydych yn dymuno disability living allowance, pension cael cyngor cyfrinachol ref. Yn ychwanegol hyn, mae cyflenwyr income-based jobseeker’s yourhad ac am ddim ynghylch materion buddcouncil taxatbenefit, child taxallowance, benefit oryn wedi neilltuo arian i helpu‟r rheini sydd â may be eligible for additional grants to income-based jobseeker’s allowance, daliadau you a If chymorth gwblhau ffurflenni you wouldi like some free and confidential oblemau ariannol dalu house euforbiliau. Os ydych insulate your and improve your may be ieligible additional grants to home‟s am fudd-dal neu rywun eich cynrychioli advice on benefits, withconfidential filling in If you would like some help free and n anabl, dros 60, efficiency. âyour theulu ifanc, neu’nenergy energy Inand addition, insulate house improve your home‟s gyda phroblemau cyfraith cyflogaeth. benefit claim forms and or assistance advice on benefits, help with filling inand n plant i fyny arefficiency. eich pen eich hun, mae suppliers have money put aside to help those energy In addition, energy representation with employment law benefit claim forms and or assistance and in financial difficulties their If you are ntiau arbennig a gwasanaethau ar gael i bills. suppliers have money pay put aside to help those 01407 760208 neu problems please call: representation with employment law disabled, over 0, young or hau nad ydych yn dioddef yn have ystod tywydd in financial difficulties pay atheir bills.family, If you are e-bostiwch orcall: 01407 760208 email problems please are bringing up children on your own, there disabled, over 0, have a young family, or [email protected] 01407 760208 or email [email protected] are special grants and services available to are bringing upHeat children your own, there Llinell gymorth Home yn rifonrhad Mae [email protected] modd iddynt ymweld make sure you don‟t suffer during cold to are grants and services available ac ni fydd ynspecial costio’r un geiniog i chi. Home visits are available weather. â chi yn eich cartref sure you don‟t suffer during ydych yn make ansicr a ydych yn gymwys amcold by arrangement for Home visits os are available weather. ydych ynby anabl. morth ai pheidio, rhowch iddynt. the Home Heat alwad Helpline is a free phone disabled or thoseforunable arrangement number won’t cost you penny. If the Home Heat is aafree phone to attendor thethose centre or if Ffôn: 0800 33and 66 99Helpline disabled unable you are uncertain to you whether you If number and won’t as cost a penny. one of thethe outreaches. to attend centre or gyngor diduedd RHAD AC AM DDIM ar ynni a ac am gyngor ynghylch arbed arian, qualify for help why just give them you areyn uncertain as not to whether you one of thecysylltwch outreaches. call. tel: 000 not just give them a ag unrhywqualify un o‟r canlynol: for help why call. tel: 000 For frEE impartial advice, contact any of the following: sumer focus ffôn:advice 0on 0energy 0 0 and money saving www.consumerdirect.gov.uk For frEE impartial advice000 on energy and money saving advice, contact any of the following: ddiriedolaeth arbed Ynni ffôn: 0 www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Consumer focus tel: 0 0 0 0 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk gor Henoed ffôn: Energy saving trust000 tel: 000 00 www.ageuk.org.uk www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Consumer focus tel: 0 0 0 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk ell gymorth 0 ageDyledion Concern tel:ffôn: 00000 0 000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk www.ageuk.org.uk Energy savingCenedlaethol trust tel: 000 www.energysavingtrust.org.uk lter Cymru ffôn: 0 0 00 www.sheltercymru.org.uk national Debt Helpline tel: 00 0 000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk age Concern tel: 000 www.ageuk.org.uk ney madenational Clear ffôn: 000 00 000* www. moneymadeclear.org.uk shelter Cymru tel: 00 0 0 0 000 00 www.sheltercymru.org.uk Debt Helpline tel: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk eth pa dariff yr ydych arno, mae galw rhif yn00 costio‟r arferol. Os ydy‟ch money made Clear *tel: 000 000 www. moneymadeclear.org.uk shelter Cymru tel:0300 0 0 00„run fath a rhif ffôn www.sheltercymru.org.uk money made Clear *tel: 000 00 000 www. moneymadeclear.org.uk adau chi am ddim, yna mae‟r alwad honno am ddim hyd yn oed o ffonau symudol. * Whatever tariff you‟re on, the cost of an 0300 number is the same as calling a normal phone number. *IfWhatever you‟re on,it‟s thefree, costeven of anfrom 0300mobiles. number is the same as calling a normalPage phone your calls tariff are free, then | 8number. If your calls are free, then it‟s free, even from mobiles. Page | 8 Page | 8 Don’t get behind with your Rent Everyone in the UK is feeling the effects of the current financial situation. Paying your rent should be one of your first priorities, please see below for the different ways to pay: • By swipe Card at any post office • By post* • By Direct Debit • In person at one of our offices* • online. If you do start getting into difficulties, perhaps you‟ve lost your job or had your hours reduced, please contact your rent arrears officer for advice. Don‟t wait until you are in arrears, think ahead and get advice now! *subject to review If you are worried about paying your rent, contact Housing Services arrears recovery team at the main council offices in Llangefni. tel:0 // If you live in Holyhead, Rhoscolyn or Four Mile Bridge, contact: arwel Jones on: 00 0 If you would like to talk to an officer in person, please telephone and make an appointment, we may also be able to arrange a home visit. Homelessness Meet the Homelessness Team The Homlessness Team is a group of four led by the Senior Homelessness Officer Dylan Rees who stated: „Our team is here to help anyone who may be in danger of losing their accommodation, whether they are tenants or homeowners. If people are getting into difficulty paying their rent or mortgage they should contact either ourselves or the Arrears Team straight away‟. Dylan rees - Senior Homelessness officer - 0 alwena pawson - Homelessness Officer - 0 , Delyth Drake - Accommodation Officer - 0 gwyn thomas - Housing Advice Officer - 0 0 are you worried about losing your home? are you worried about becoming homeless? occasionally our tenants will for one reason or another face homelessness. If this happens to you then please contact Anglesey County Council’s Homelessness team. It may still be possible to rescue the situation, early intervention will give the team the best possible chance of helping people to stay in their current home. the Homeless team will also be able to advise on alternative housing options in trying to secure a satisfactory solution to any housing difficulties. referrals can also be made to a range of other agencies and organisations who might be able to assist. Contact the team on 0 0 Left to Right: Dylan Rees, Alwena Pawson, Delyth Drake and Gwyn Thomas. You can also chat to a member of the Homelessness Team at the following locations: one stop shop signpost - Holyhead Town Hall mondays 0am - .00pm Working with a range of other agencies also in attendance to offer advice and assistance J E O’Toole Centre - Holyhead Wednesday .0am - .00pm To deal with Homelessness enquiries. one stop shop Hen Argraffdy, 12 Ffordd yr Efail Llangefni. monday & thursday .00pm - .00pm Working with Gorwel Domestic Abuse Service tel: 0 0 Page | 9 BENEFIT CHANGES - How will tenenants be affected? BENEFIT CHANGES - How will tenants be affected? The Coalition Government at Westminster has announced a wide range of changes to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The Isle of Anglesey County Council is committed to doing all it can to alerting new and existing benefit claimants, together with landlords, of the effects of the proposed changes. When will the changes come into force? From April 2011 From April 2012 Households, with a financially independent person aged 18 or over will see a reduction in their Housing Benefit, i.e. there will be an increase in the nondependant deduction, having been frozen since 2001-2002. The age limit on people who live by themselves and are therefore required to claim the housing benefit rate equivalent to either a room in a shared property or a single room will increase from 25 to 34 years of age. From April 2013 A new £500 per week ceiling for the total benefits that a working age person, not on disability benefits can receive will be introduced. The housing benefit payable for working age people in council or social housing will reflect their housing requirements i.e. size of the family. From October 2013 – April 2017. a Universal Credit for all out of working age income-related benefits and housing costs for pensioners (from october 0) (except Council tax Benefit) will be introduced. Mae‟r newidiadau yma yn dibynnu ar gymeradwyaeth seneddol yn San Steffan. We will start informing people in the next few months and will also be working with advice agencies and other bodies to ensure they are briefed about the changes. If you have further questions contact the revenues and Benefits section on 0 / or by e-mail: [email protected]. We will also over the next few weeks be developing details on the Council‟s Website. Have you ever thought of downsizing? Are you struggling to pay your utility bills? Have the kids all moved out? Are you in a council house that may be too large for you and you would like to downsize to a smaller property. Housing Services is currently looking at practical ways of assisting existing tenants who would like to move into a council flat or bungalow. If you would be interested in a transfer to a smaller property, please contact the Lettings team on 0 / 10 Moving into a smaller property could have many advantages for you:Cheaper fuel bills. pay less rent. pay less Council tax Costs less and easier to maintain. Any suitable offer would be made in accordance with our Allocations Policy and subject to a satisfactory transfer inspection and other tenancy related checks. Page | 10 BEAT THE LOAN SHARKS - BITE BACK! BEAT THE LOAN SHARKS – BITE BACK As the government cuts hit harder, money problems are affecting more and more of us. Who do you turn to when the rent’s overdue, the gas bill’s higher than you expected, or the washing machine breaks down? The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) is warning local residents not to make the mistake of turning to illegal lenders – male or female. IMLU was set up by central government at the end of 2007 to search out and prosecute loan sharks throughout Wales, and operates as part of Trading Standards. These illegal lenders operate without a consumer credit licence, and prey on people who are vulnerable – whether because of poverty or debt, or difficulties in their lives such as addiction or health problems Loan sharks will rip off borrowers by charging extortionate interest (IMLU say that 150,000% APR is not unheard of!) and adding on penalty payments as and when they want. “Sharks don’t give you paperwork explaining the terms of the loan, and you have to keep paying them back until they decide you can stop. They may appear friendly when they offer the loan, and when you pay - it’s when you can’t pay that you see the other side of them”, explains Steven Hay, IMLU manager. If you are a loan shark victim, or think there may be a shark operating nearby, phone ImLU on the hour Hotline: 000 . Join your local Credit Union. get saving for that rainy day. A credit Union is a community owned 'bank'. You can make regular savings no matter how small AND take out very low cost loans should you ever need to. Members who agree to save together, create a common fund from which its members can borrow at competitive rates. It is non-profiting making, any surpluses being used for the benefit of you as one of its members. Who can join? Everyone who lives or works within the counties of Gwynedd and Anglesey, and any member of their family who lives with them, can join by paying a membership fee of £1 and opening a Standard Share account. How do I save? Savings are totally flexible so you do not have to save the same amount each time, but we encourage you to save regularly, however small the amount. Savings can be made at collection points or by standing order. Many members now have some or all of their benefits paid directly into their credit union account. Can I take out a loan? Anyone who is a member and is 18 or over may apply for a loan. Loans are granted to members on the basis of their ability to repay and according to the loans policy of the credit union. for more information about Y Llechen Credit Union visit www.yllechencu.co.uk or telephone 0 or drop in to one of the collection points below. Gwelfor Community Centre, Ffordd Tudur, Holyhead. tel no: 00 Opening Times monday: am – .0pm. Newry Community Centre, Newry Fields, Holyhead. tel no: 00 . Opening Times friday: .0am – .0pm. Plas Cybi Partnership, Millbank Senior Citizens Club, Holyhead. tel no: 00 . Opening Times – friday 0am – pm 11 Ynys môn sheltered Housing forum YNYS SHELTERED HOUSING Ynys mônMôN sheltered Housing forum FORUM Bogus Callers. At our Christmas Sheltered Housing forum in Bogus December,Callers. members were treated to a three At our Christmas forum course ChristmasSheltered dinner as Housing a thank you forin December, members were treated to a three participating throughout the year. course Christmas dinner as a thank you for participating throughout theAlison year. Farrar came Trading Standards Officer, along to remind everyone of the dangers of Trading Standards Officer, Farrar bogus caller‟s and how bestAlison to deal with came along to remind everyone unwanted doorstep sellers.of the dangers of bogus caller‟s and how best to deal with There weredoorstep lots of freebee unwanted sellers.promotional gifts available and many went home with early There werepresents lots of freebee promotional Christmas of notebooks, pens,gifts door available and many went home with early stickers, tea towels, mugs and energy saving Christmas light bulbs!presents of notebooks, pens, door stickers, tea towels, mugs and energy saving light bulbs! Stephen explaining how repair requests are generated. Sheltered Housing tenants enjoying a Christmas lunch. repairs & maintenance. Sheltered Housing tenants enjoying a Christmas lunch. In our most recent meeting in March, the group repairs maintenance. was given a & presentation from the Senior In our mostOfficer recentStephen meetingOwen. in March, the group Technical Stephen was given a presentation from the Senior explained how repairs are reported and how Technical Officer Stephen Owen. repair requests are generated and Stephen the priorities explained how repairs are reported and how they are given. Technical Inspectors Craig repair requests are generated and the priorities Stanton and Graham Crawford were also on hand they are given. Technical Inspectors to discuss any maintenance queries. Craig Stanton and Graham Crawford were also on hand Later in theany morning, Rhianwen Jones, to discuss maintenance queries. Supporting People Development Officer gave an Later thethe morning, Jones, updateinon WardenRhianwen Service and current Supporting People Development Officer gaveand an developments relating to Sheltered Housing update on the Warden Service and current the Telecare System. developments relating to Sheltered Housing and After a delicious buffet lunch members took part the Telecare System. in a session on „How to prevent falls‟ given by After a delicious buffet members took part Physiotherapist, Louiselunch Carter . in a session on „How to prevent falls‟ given by Physiotherapist, Louise Carter. CHangEs to tHE gofaL môn CaLL monItorIng sErvICE We would like to inform you about changes, from st June 0, at the Gofal Môn Monitoring Centre, CHangEs to tHE môn monItorIng sErvICE the service that responds to any gofaL call you make via theCaLL Community Alarm System in older people‟s Stephen explaining how repair requests are generated. We would like to inform you about changes, from st June 0, at the Gofal Môn Monitoring Centre, accommodation. the service that responds to any call you make via the Community Alarm System in older people‟s Gofal Môn, has been working with other call centres in North Wales, to merge the services so that we accommodation. can provide a better service for all our customers. A new service is being set up, which will have a base Gofal Môn, has working with other in North to merge the services that in Llangefni. Webeen believe that there wil becall verycentres little change to Wales, the service you receive – it willsostill bewe fully can provide a better service for allper ourday, customers. A per newyear. service being set up,the which will by have a base bi-lingual; and available 24 hours 365 days Weiswill improve service making in Llangefni. believe there wil bestandards very little change the service youthe receive it willnumber still be of fully sure that we We comply withthat all the industry and we to intend to expand range– and bi-lingual; and available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We will improve the service by making services provided. sure that we comply with all the industry standards and we intend to expand the range and number of Conwy will manage the service on a day to day basis, on our behalf. However we will remain servicesCouncil provided. involved in the board that manages the services overall. There will be no interruption in service during Conwy Council will manage the service on a day to day basis, on our behalf. However we will remain this transitional period. involved in the board that manages the services overall. There will be no interruption in service during If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Gofal Môn this transitional period. monitoring centre managers, anwen rowlands or Daniel Bostock on 0 0. If . you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Gofal Môn monitoring centre managers, anwen rowlands or Daniel Bostock on 0 0. . Date for your Diary The next Sheltered Housing Forum is being held at: Date for your Diary village Hall, aberffraw, June th , 0 – pm Thelive nextinSheltered is being If you ShelteredHousing HousingForum and would like held to joinat:the th village Hall, aberffraw, June , 0 – pm sheltered Housing forum, please contact: Jodie or Lesley If you live in Sheltered Housing and would like to on 0 or 0 . join the sheltered Housing forum, please contact: Jodie or Lesley on 0 or 0 . 12 Come and join the gang, Come and join remember we the gang, can arrange all remember we your transport can arrange all needs to the yourevents! transport needs toPage the | 12 events! Page | 12 TENANT PARTICIPATION GROUP UPDATE tenant participation group Update Welsh Housing Quality standard (WHQs) panel Above: Betty & Linda members of the WHQS Panel meet up with tenants from Cardiff at the TPAS Annual Conference in Llandridnod Wells. The Panel continues to monitor tenant satisfaction of the WHQS Internal Improvement Programme. Currently both contractors are achieving 100% satisfaction. Three members of the group also sit on the WHQS Steering Group which meets every 3 months, here they get the opportunity to discuss any issues with housing managers and senior officers. If you have any issues relating to the WHQS scheme and would like to talk to a member of the panel, please contact the tenant participation team on 0 / or e-mail [email protected] and they will pass on your details to a panel member. tenant auditing group Tenant Auditing is not new to some of our tenants as they have been auditing the WHQS Internal Improvement Scheme for over a year. However, it is now time to start auditing and inspecting other areas within Housing Services. The first meeting of the newly established Tenant Auditing Group took place in January, 243 invites were sent out to tenants who have previously expressed an G Purchase Customer Liaison interest in either, auditing, mystery shopping or tenant inspectors. Officer Aleta on site in Holyhead We have approximately 10 tenants who have joined the group but with Helen from the Tenant Auditing Group. we do need more. You may not have the time to come to regular meetings but may want to be involved in a one off mystery shop or perhaps new factsheets available! you‟d like to be involved in estate Factsheet 1 Joint tenancies walkabouts – making visual Factsheet 2 non –secure tenancies inspections of your estate with staff. Factsheet 3 Introduction and secure tenancies If transport or childcare is a problem, Factsheet 4 succession to a council tenancy don‟t worry we can help! Factsheet 5 transferring your tenancy Factsheet 6 mutual exchange for secure tenants If you think you may be interested Factsheet 7 paying your rent but would like to know more, then Factsheet 8 Ending your council tenancy please telephone Jodie, tenant Factsheet 9 Homelessness participation officer on Factsheet 10 gas safety checks 0 or e-mail Factsheet 11 goods left behind Factsheet 12 reducing condensation in your home [email protected] Factsheet 13 Comments, Compliments and Complaints Factsheet 14 repairs and maintenance môn tenants voice group (mtv) A group made up of tenants and staff from various departments within Housing Services. The group has been monitoring the Tenant Participation Strategy and trying to improve the way we consult with tenants. Members recognised that there was a need to develop more written information to give out to tenants, therefore a „Welcome Pack for New Tenants‟ and factsheets have been printed. The next project for the group will be to help staff develop a new „Tenant Handbook‟. to request any of our Housing services factsheets, please telephone 0 00 or e-mail [email protected] Page | 13 13 TENANT PARTICIPATION tenant participation Estate Walkabouts – Working together. Housing Services have started a pilot project of Estate Walkabouts. With the help of staff and tenant members of the Môn Tenants Voice Group, estates and dates have been selected. If you would like more information on Estate Walkabouts or have suggestions for improving your estate, please pick up a leaflet from the Housing Services reception, contact a member of the Tenant Participation Team on 01248 752171 or fill in and return the freepost coupon below. Look, Look, Look, Estate Walkabouts Estate Walkabouts will be taking place throughout the year in the following areas: Queens park, st. seriols & maes y Haf, Holyhead. June 20th 2011 1.00pm – 2.30pm Craig y Don amlwch July 11th 2011 1.00pm – 2.30pm GER Y GRAIG penygroes Llanddeusant Llangefni Our first Walkabout took place recently in Ger y Graig, Llangefni. A number of residents joined us on our walk to have their voice heard on all different aspects of their environment. Our next step will be to evaluate all aspects of the walkabout and tackle some environmental issues voiced by the residents. maes gwelfor rhydwyn August 15th 2011 1.00pm – 2.30pm tyddyn mostyn menai Bridge September 12th 2011 1.00pm – 2.30pm In anglesey County Council want all our tenants to live in affordable, high quality housing, we recognise that the environment that you live in can have a significant impact on your sense of wellbeing and quality of life. We are committed to ensuring your homes are located in attractive and safe environments to which residents can relate and which you can be proud to live. Your Home, Your say! If you would like to get involved in any of the groups or activities mentioned in this newsletter and would like us to contact you with more information, please complete the slip and return it to: freepost rrYZ KaHH KCKa tenant participation team Housing services anglesey County Council Council offices Llangefni anglesey LL tW Did you enjoy reading this newsletter? Yes No Please tick the box if you do not want us to send you the newsletter. 14 Name………………………………………………. Address…………………………………………… ……………………...... Postcode……………….. Phone number……………………………………. E-Mail……………………………………………… Please () the boxes of any groups you would like to be involved with: Sheltered housing Forum Tenant & Resident Groups Estate Walkabouts Telephone/Postal Survey Mon Tenants Voice Anti-Social Behaviour Group Publishing Group Tenant Auditing send back this slip for your free entry into our summer prize Draw Page | 14 – see page 3 for details