Home News Winter 2009

www.warwickdc.gov.uk/homenews

KEEPING YOUINFORMED

ISSUE 61 – WINTER 2009YOUR WDC HOUSING NEWSPAPER

tenantParticiPationuPdate

PreVentinGWinter SLiPSand FaLLS

www.warwickdc.gov.uk

deLiciouS cHriStMaS

caKe reciPe

couPLe ceLeBrate 70 YearS toGetHer

contentS1 ViSit Santa

cHriStMaS oPeninG

2 carBon MonoXide KnoW tHe SYMPtoMS

3 coMMunitY PaYBacK MoneY MatterS

4 cHriStMaS recYcLinG Winter SLiPS and FaLLS

5 ceLeBratinG 70 YearS SWitcH to roK

6 tenant ParticiPation

7 GaraGeS For rent cHriStMaS caKe reciPe

8 tenancY enForceMent tHinKinG aBout

Stair LiFtS?

9 Winter WordSearcH neW HeatinG SYSteM

Published by Housing, Warwick District Council (WDC), Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Royal Leamington Spa CV32 5QE. Tel: 01926 410410. Designed by The Printroom, WDC – 01926 456108. Managing Editor (WDC) Fiona Walsh (01926 456447). Editor Nicki Hughes (01926 456119).

ViSit

Santa & HiS SLeiGH

come and visit Santa and his sleigh at the

royal Priors Shopping centre this weekend. it will be your last chance to let him know what you would like for christmas this year!

Saturday 19th december 10am – 4pmSunday 20th december11am – 3pm

The Rotary Club have arranged for Santa’s visit and all they ask is for a small donation which will go to their chosen charities.

You can also visit Santa at the Chain in Lillington on Saturday 19th December from 10am – 12 noon. All local families are welcome to come along and join in the fun. Any children who would like to have their photograph taken with Santa can do so for £1, which is being donated to local animal charities.

HOME NEWS

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Customer Service Centre Wed 23 Dec 8am -7pmThurs 24-28 Dec ClosedTuesday 29 Dec 8am - 7pmWed 30 Dec 8am - 7pmThurs 31 Dec 8am - 5.15pmFriday 1 Jan ClosedSaturday 2 Jan ClosedMonday 4 Jan 8am – 7pm

Warwickshire Direct, Kenilworth Library, KenilworthThurs 24 Dec 9am - 4pmFri 25-29 Dec ClosedWed 30 Dec 10.30am - 5.30pmThurs 31 Dec 9am - 4pmFri 1st Jan ClosedSat 2nd Jan 9am - 4pm

Warwickshire Direct, Lillington Library, LillingtonThurs 24 Dec 9.30am - 4pmFri 25 – 30 Dec ClosedThurs 31 Dec 9.30am - 4pmFri 1 January ClosedSat 2 January 9.30am - 4pm

Warwickshire Direct, Whitnash Library, WhitnashThurs 24 Dec 9.30am - 4pmFri 25 – 29 Dec ClosedWed 30 Dec 10.30am - 5.30pmThurs 31 Dec 9.30am - 4pmFri 1 January ClosedSat 2 January 9.30am - 12.30pm

Warwickshire Direct, Shire Hall, WarwickThurs 24 Dec 8am – 4pmFri 25 – 28 Dec ClosedTues 29 Dec 9am – 4pmWed 30 Dec 8am – 5.30pmThurs 31 Dec 8am – 4pmFri 1 January ClosedSat 2 January 9am – 4pm

as you know, Warwick district council’s main switchboard

number has changed to 01926 410410. Some of your

Housing contact numbers have also changed which you will

see in the direct dial directory. our customer Service centre

and Warwickshire direct offices will be open during the

festive season. Please see below for the opening hours.

For 24 hour emergency Housing repairs reporting between24 - 28 december, please call 01926 412828

cHriStMaSoPeninGHourS

HOME NEWS


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You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill very quickly and with no warning. According to figures from the Health & Safety Executive, 14 people in the UK have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the last year and 234 have suffered health problems.

If your gas appliances are badly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained, or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked, then it will result in carbon monoxide being produced. If you have ever wondered why we service your boilers once a year then nowyou know!

In addition Warwick District Council provides carbon monoxide monitors as an extra safety measure, but it helps to be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning so that you can do something about it before it’s too late.

There are other signs that might help you confirm that it’s not something else, such as flu or food poisoning.

• Ifyoursymptomsonlyoccur when you are at home.• Yoursymptomsdisappearwhen you leave home and re-appear when you return.• Ifanyoneelseinyourhousehold is experiencing the same symptoms, including your pets.

What you should do;

• Getfreshairimmediately,open doors and windows, turn off the gas supply and leave the house.• Seeyourdoctorimmediately who can do a blood or breath test.• GetaGasSaferegistered engineer to inspect your gas appliances and flues to see if there is a dangerous problem.• Pleasecanyouensurethatif you have received a notification that your boiler needs servicing, but have not arranged for the works to be completed, that you do so as a matter of urgency.

carBon MonoXide PoiSoninGdid you know that unsafe gas appliances produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide? this can cause serious long term health problems such as brain damage, even death.

Know the Symptoms

tHe MainSYMPtoMSoF carBon MonoXide PoiSoninG

There are six main

symptoms to look

out for;

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Breathlessness

• Collapse

• Lossof

consciousness

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical advice immediately and turn off your applicances until a GasSaferegisteredengineer has carried out a full inspection.

HOME NEWS


MoneY MatterS

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GoodBudgeting–3stepplanOnce you get into the habit of budgeting, it will only take you a few minutes each week and then occasions like Christmas and Weddings or Birthdays won’t be quite so scary!

1. Calculate your money coming inList what comes in – your pay, any benefits or tax credits. Your pay may vary from month to month, especially if you sometimes do overtime.

Remember that you might have money coming in from other sources, such as from relatives, or people living with you or you may receive money in chunks such as student loans. If so, work out what your average income is for each month.

2. Calculate money going outDon’t worry if you can’t account for every penny – it just helps to know roughly where you stand – keeping a spending diary can help.Remember that some payments will be occasional such as Christmas, Birthdays, days out, car tax and insurance for instance. You can

Make your money work better for you by planning and budgeting

put in a monthly amount for these, perhaps by estimating and dividing up the average that you might spend throughout the year.

3.KeeptrackofyourbudgetKeep a regular eye on your budget so that you are keeping up with any changes such as a pay rise or bills going up.

Household budgeting is all about understanding how much money you earn and spend over a period of time, it is a plan for spending and saving money. It’s all about saying to yourself, “I have this much money coming in, so I can only spend this much.” It’s easy when you know how!

SoMe KeY PointS

z Check your pay slip to make sure you’re paying the right tax

z Claim any benefits or tax credits you may be eligible for

z Keep a spending diary so you know exactly where your money is going each month

z Don’t forget to allow for special occasions, such as Birthdays.

Good household budgeting is all about setting money aside for payments you must make – your rent, bills, loans and credit card payments. not making payments on time can affect your credit history, which in turn can affect your ability to get a bank overdraft or a mobile phone contract for example.

Budgeting can also help you to live within your means. You’ll have more control over your money and greater peace of mind.

coMMunitY PaYBacK PartnerSHiPWe are pleased to annouce that Warwick District Council Housing and Property Services have gone into partnership with The Probation Service Payback Team to carry out grounds maintenance work at various housing sites across the district. It is not always possible for regular work to be undertaken within your grounds, but this partnership will give us the flexibility to enhance the service to you all and with the team working seven days a week they may even be on your site at the weekend.

The team will complete a one off clean up of various grounds and then return on a regular basis to ensure that everything is kept in order. Superving the team at all times, the supervisor will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

WDC supervisor will also be paying visits to monitor work progress. It may not always be possible for the team to dispose of the garden waste during the actual visit, so it will be left safely and arrangements made to have it collected on completion of the work.

If work is done in your area, a questionnaire will be given to you to return to Warwick District Council. This feedback is important to us so please return your form as soon as possible. The returned forms will go into a prize draw at the end of March 2010.

For further information contact:Pat Taylor Senior Estates SupervisorSean McCabreyRepairs Manager01926 456644 or 01926 410410 ext. 6444

HOME NEWS


there will be no recycling and refuse collections on Friday 25th december 2009 (christmas day). Your normal refuse/recycling day will be one working day later than normal.

Please ensure your boxes and bins are out at the edge of your property as usual by 7am. Normal collection dates will resume from Monday 4th January 2010.

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Obvious dangers are when it’s been snowing or it’s icy, but wet weather and wet leaves can be just as hazardous, so be aware of your surroundings when you are out and about and take a look at the advice below before you go!• Planaheadandgiveyourself sufficient time to get there• Avoidplasticandleathersoles on your shoes and go for rubber or materials that don’t slip• Usespecialcarewhengettingin and out of your car• Walkonwalkwayswheneveryou can and look ahead so you can see where the tricky areas might be• Whenenteringbuildings, remove snow and water from footwear to prevent creating wet and slippery conditions indoors• Testpotentiallyslipperyareasby tapping your foot onto them• Don’tcarryloadsofshopping when it’s slippery

If you have no choice and have to walk across the ice, try and do the following;

1. Take short steps or shuffle2. Bend slightly3. Be prepared to fall and keep your hands free, not in your pockets!4. Bend your back and head forward so that you don’t crash your head on the pavement if your feet slip out in front of you5. Drop your shopping if you fall, so that you can protect yourself And a few suggestions to help reduce your chances of being injured from a slip and fall;

• Usefloormatstoremove moisture from your shoes• Don’tallowwetontoindoorfloor surfaces• Selectappropriatefootwear– avoid leather and plastic soles, or high heels during wet weather• Useahandrailwherever possible• Alwaysreportasliporfall hazard on 01926 412828

Winter SLiPS and FaLLSit’s that time of year again, when there are an increasing amount of us slipping, tripping and falling whilst we’re out. it can of course, have great comedy value, but did you realise how much damage can be done when you slip, trip and fall? You could lose as much as 70 days off work with a broken leg and that’s not so funny is it?

How to avoid them

Friday 25th Dec 2009

Monday 28th

Dec 2009

Tuesday 29th

Dec 2009

Weds 30th

Dec 2009

Thursday 31st

Dec 2009

Friday 1st

Jan 2010

Monday 28th Dec 2009

Tuesday 29th

Dec 2009

Weds 30th Dec 2009

Thursday 31st Dec 2009

Friday 1st

Jan 2010

Saturday 2nd

Jan 2010

Christmascollection

dates

Usualcollection

dates

HOME NEWS


Congratulations to Olive and Bob Meddoms who celebrated their Platinum Wedding Anniversary in November. They live at James Court and cite never going to bed on an argument and their loving and supportive family as the secret to their long and happy marriage.

Childhood sweethearts, they met in Warwick in 1934 when Bob’s parents ran Meddoms Confectionary in the Market Square and Olive and her friend called in for an ice cream. Having walked her home and met Olive’s parents, Bob was a big hit with his in-laws who declared “he was all right!”

They planned to marry in 1940, but as they were unsure about the war they brought it forward to 1939 and sure enough after only 4 months of wedded bliss Bob went off to war. He spent the next 6 years away from Olive in Northern Ireland, FranceandthenGermany.Theydid however keep their romance alive with daily letters which would

arrive every so often in a big bundle and the occasional phonecall.

Their son Ian was born in 1944 and this was a great highlight in their life. Ian is now married with two children of his own and two grand children. The whole family live locally and frequently visit Bob and Olive with cards, pictures and food deliveries “We’re very lucky to have such a caring family who can come and visit us regularly” said Olive.“We were in love when we first met and we’re still in love now!” Olive said and at 95, with Bob being 93, they are still a very happy couple after all these years. Congratulations and every happiness for the future!

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WeSWitcH to roK For eLectricaL rePairThe plumbing, heating and electrical division of Rok will now be responsible for the day to day maintenance of your electrical supply.

Whether it’s a broken switch or a circuit trip, they will be available to come out to your home to carry out the repair, or talk you through what needs to be done over the phone.

Rok will take calls directly from tenants in a bid to speed up the process and help you to get your repairs sorted more quickly.

To report faults call 01926 412828 from 8am - 5pmOutside of those hours in an emergency call01926 412828

Mr & Mrs Meddoms show their card from the Queen

Winter SLiPS and FaLLS

HOME NEWS


ceLeBratinG70 YearS

Winner

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tenant ParticiPation

it’s been a busy time for Margaret allen, she has been organising coffee mornings and afternoon teas across the district to encourage tenants to come along and meet the housing team and discuss any queries they might have over a cup of tea. You have been able to discuss repairs, your rent account, housing benefit and council tax issues with our officers.

– uPdate

getting to know your neighbours and joining together to get things done and making sure your opinion is heard. Our Tenant Participation Officer, Margaret Allen is able to give you advice about funding available to you.

So if you are thinking of organising a residents group in your area, just give her a call.

Free Training for TenantsThere are some really interesting courses coming up in the New Year that any of our tenants can take part in. They are all free, and if there is any travel involved it will be paid for you. It is a great way of learning more about your local council and the services they provide and also about ways in which you might be abletogetmoreinvolved.GiveMargaret a call if you would like any more information on this.

A colouring competition was organised, with Abigail Dix age 2 ½ winning with her beautiful colouring in!

As part of the Council’s review of the repairs service, those who attended our events completed a questionnaire “improving your housing repair services” and were entered into a prize draw. The winners were;

MrsBRennel,Cubbington£75MrPHalliwell,Bagington£50MrsPJavadi-Babreh,HockleyHeath£25

There are more coffee mornings and afternoon teas planned for the New Year, so keep a look out for dates at a venue near you and you too could be a lucky cash prize winner! Check out the Tenant Participation web page www.warwickdc.gov.uk/tp for the latest tenant participation events in your local area.

There is a new residents group at StamfordGardens,RugbyRoadand they are planning regular meetings. It’s a great way of

if you would like to talk to Margaret about setting up a residents group, contact her on: tel – 01926 456451 mobile – 07810 654669email – [email protected] – www.warwickdc.gov.uk/tp

Our winner, Abigail with her mum

HOME NEWS


our cHriStMaS caKeit’S quicK, eaSY and cHeaPimpress your friends and family this christmas with your cooking skills and make your own christmas cake! We have got a special easy to make, budget recipe for you to try. our Home news panel member and local resident, Joy coop, always uses this recipe and tells us that anyone can make a success of it.

It’s that time of year when you start thinking about getting your car under cover, away from frost and snow. You can rent a garage from the council and you don’t have to be a housing tenant to do so. There are over a hundred garages across the district available and the average rent for tenants is £4.61 per week and £5.30 a week for non-tenants. You can rent weekly, so you have the garage for as long as you need it. Just provide the council with a week’s notice to terminate your agreement.

Contact your Housing Officer for an application form, or you can download a form from our website. Please note that if you have rent arrears on your housing tenancy, you will not be eligible to apply for a garage, as the payments on your home must take priority.

GaraGeS For rent

To make the cake just place all of the ingredients below into a large saucepan.

z 100g (4oz) margarine z 100g (4oz) sugar or 50g (2oz) muscovado sugar and 50g (2oz) treacle

z 6 fluid oz water z 300g (12oz) mixed dried fruit z 1 teaspoon mixed spice

Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.Allow to cool, then add one egg, 200g (8oz) self raising flour and a pinch of salt, you can also add some chopped-up cherries, dates or nuts if you would like and stir well.Greaseandflouran18-20cm(7-8inch) deep tin and then pour the mixture in.

Pre-heat your oven to 300°F, 150°C, or gas mark 2 and bake on the middle shelf for 1 hour, then for a further 45 minutes on 275°F, 140°C or gas mark 1.

After this time you can test the cake with a metal skewer to check it is cooked. Once cooled, decorate and place in a tin, ready to enjoy over Christmas!

Decorate your cakehow you prefer

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HOME NEWS


tHinKinG aBoutStair LiFtS?

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tenancY enForceMent uPdateWe work hard to deal with anti-social behaviour and recently obtained injunctions against tenants in Leamington and Warwickpreventing the tenants concerned from using or threatening violence against others, using abusive or insulting language, playing loud music, urinating in communal areas and in one case, keeping a dog in a flat, contravening their Tenancy Agreement.

In a further case, the Council has obtained a Possession Order in the County Court against a tenant in Whitnash because of persistent anti-social behaviour caused at the property. That tenant has now been evicted.

A Possession Order has beenobtained against a family with three children in South Leamington because of their anti-social behaviour.

Possession proceedings have been taken against a tenant in Warwick because of the condition of the property and their repeated failure to address the problem, despite the offer of support. A Possession Order has now been obtained and the tenant evicted.

The Tenancy Enforcement Officers dealing with these cases ensure that all possible solutions are sought before recourse to legal proceedings, but Housing and Property Services Department will continue to take appropriate action against those tenants whose activities impact on the lives and well-being of others. If you want to report anti-social behaviour, then please contact your Housing Officer.

Routine servicing is carried out twice a year. If the servicing has lapsed due to non use of the stairlift, then you should request a service before it can be reused. Please contact the council to arrange for this.

If you have a battery operated remote control for the stairlift and there is an operating fault with the lift, please replace the

batteries (if these are normal household type) and try again. If the fault persists, then report it to the council.

If you do not have a stairlift, but would like to know if you are eligible for one, please contact Social Services on 01926 859221 who will carry out an assessment.

For Your inForMation

BreaKdoWn and FauLt rePairS are carried out BY deLtron LiFtS Ltd.

inSurance inSPectionS are carried out BY ZuricH inSurance

rePortinG oF BreaKdoWn & FauLtS: WarWicK diStrict rePairS - teLePHone 01926 412828

StairLiFt SerVicinG:andreW dYKe – teLePHone 01926 456036

If you have a stairlift please ensure you notify the council if you are no longer using it. This ensures our records are up to date when we are planning our maintenance schedule.

accoMModation For our oLder reSidentSIn the last issue of Home news, we told you about the Tenant Incentive Scheme, which provides a fund for downsizing from a family home to smaller, more suitable accommodation. So far some eight families have been re-housed on the scheme with 24 more on the list waiting for suitable properties to come up. There are still funds available to help with the costs of moving, so if you have been thinking about participating in this scheme, please contact our Lettings Officers on 01926 456424/456425.


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e s a r e h y s e n t o

e i p e c n i m l s s e

l e s n i t n s b r o e

e p o r w c t p u n r r

l e u t e n l n a s f t

t t c p e n a n b n s d

b f i s a u b l e o t h

r e e d n i e r l w u g

m r l e s e n t s b r i

p i n l e l o o h a k e

i h d l s s r n t l e l

m i s t l e t o e l y s

Warwick District Council is constantly looking for ways to reduce its own emissions and those of others within the district. One way it is looking at, already successfully trialled in our corporate buildings is “Biomass Heating”, which uses scrap wood as fuel in place of traditional energy sources such as gas and electricity.

With Biomass technology now proven and widely accepted, a pilotschemeisunderwayinGiffardTerrace, Lowsonford. This property is being heated by a “FireWIN” which combines the roles of a central heating boiler and a fire in one single, stylish unit.

These units burn wood pellets and aside from the reduced emissions, the high efficiency of the new boiler will deliver reduced fuel bills for the tenant.

This system also features roof mounted solar thermal panels that will use sunlight to heat the domestic hot water even more cheaply than the wood pellets, when possible.

The pilot scheme will be closely monitored over the coming months and it is hoped that this system will perform well enough to become the preferred choice in areas that are off the mains-gas supply grid.

We’ll keep you updated with progress in future issues of Home News.

neW HeatinG SYSteM ProMiSeS to SLaSH eMiSSionS & FueL BiLLS

Winter WordSearcH coMPetition

coMPetition WinnerCongratulations to Mrs Tarver of Leamington who won our Autumn wordsearch. She wins £40 of Asda vouchers and said “They are gratefully received and will help towards Christmas.”

a SatiSFied WinnerThank you to everyone who returned their Repair Satisfaction Card to us with your comments. Your feedback helps us to improve the service we provide for you. As you know they are entered into a prize draw every quarter and this quarter’s winner is Jackie Clark, from Warwick – she wins £100 to spend. Congratulations!

Word BanK bauble bells cranberry frost mincepie mistletoepresentsreindeersleighsnowballtinseltreeturkey

One word from the word bank is notinthepuzzle.Ifyoucanfindit, complete the form below and post it to us. In the event of a tie, first out of the hat wins.

Send Your entrieS to:Fiona Walsh, Housing Services, PO Box 2175, Warwick District Council, Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 5QE to arrive by 15 January 2010.

name: .............................................

address: .........................................

...........................................................

tel: ...................................................

the missing word is:

...........................................................

Win a £40 asda Voucher or one of four runners-up prizes of a £5 asda Voucher

HOME NEWS


Leaseholder Enquiries ................... (01926) 456 421

Refuse&Recycling ....................................... (01926) 412 464

RentsProblems with paying your home rent. GuyGreenland/YusafRamzan/Abigail Hay .....(01926) 456 438/435/239Problems with paying your garage rent ........ (01926) 456 457 RentDirectDebit, Eva Nicholls .................. (01926) 456 409RentAllpayCards, Satnam Sangha ............ (01926) 456 408

Tenant Involvement(AreaPanels&ResidentsGroups) ...................... (01926) 456 445

Tenants’ Contents Insurance SchemeSatnam Sangha .....(01926) 456 408/409

WarwickResponse (Lifeline Service)24 hour number ........... (01926) 339 577Supporting People Services Manager Joan Hicks ................... (01926) 456 405

Council Housing Estates SupervisorsChristine Ledger Square – Eileen McKeogh .............. 07866 609 655Fallow Hill – John Lamb 07866 609 674Kennedy/St Paul’s Square – Andy Smith...................... 07866 609 657New Brook Street/Clarendon Suare – Roy Mingaye ................... 07866 609 654RadcliffeGardens– Ant Collins ....................... 07866 609 656StamfordGardens– Ernie Oliver ..................... 07866 609 675

Disabled Adaptations ............... (01926) 456405

GaragesApplying for a garage – Mrs Darlison/Mrs Leech .................(01926) 456 424/5GarageRepairs ............. (01926) 412 828

Homelessness..................(01926) 456 427/428/429/359

HomeNews Fiona Walsh .................. (01926) 456 447

Unhappy with the service you receive from Housing?Fiona Walsh ................. (01926) 456 447

If you prefer to write, our address is: Housing and Property ServicesWarwick District Council, P.O.Box2175,RiversideHouse,MilvertonHill,RoyalLeamingtonSpa,CV325QE

If you prefer to email:Housing Register & [email protected] Queries – not for reporting repairs [email protected] Reporting [email protected] Officers & Estate [email protected] Arrears [email protected] & Moving [email protected] [email protected] Control [email protected]@warwickdc.gov.uk

Where possible, information can be made available in other formats, including large print, CD and other languages if required. To obtain one of these alternatives, please contact 01926 456 108.

HOuSINGREPAIRS01926412828HomeChoice and Housing Officer enquiries 01926 412828

Documents

Home News Winter 2009