HometalkChristmas 2013

www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

-seePages7 & 8

The official opening of Cannock’s

new Elizabeth Road estate was a right Royal celebration!

The “Queen” and “Prince William” joined Housing Leader Cllr Frank Allen to

mark the occasion. Turn to page 2 for the full story.

Inside:Focus on:

Norton Canes

-P 4

‘ Love your block ’ -P 5

The magazine for Cannock Chase Council tenants

Gift Vouchers

search for ‘Cannock Chase Life’ #CannockChaseDC

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Yule time is party

time!

Merry Christmas &

Happy New Yearto all our readers

Home swaps mutually beneficial

Liz and Wills crown a regal occasion!

They’re all winners

The official opening of the children’s play area at the newly-

completed Monarch Park housing development in Cannock had some people rubbing their eyes and doing a double-take.

Was it really Her Majesty and Prince William, who were special guests, joining residents to mark the completion of 150 new homes which have transformed an estate originally built 60 years ago and named to honour the Queen’s coronation?

Unfortunately the royal personages couldn’t make it themselves to Elizabeth Road, but their lookalikes did a pretty good job as stand-ins.

The £17 million housing redevelopment is the result of a successful partnership between Cannock Chase Council, Waterloo Housing Group and house builder Lovell, which has replaced worn-out concrete houses with 150 stylish and spacious new family homes.

Cllr Frank Allen, Portfolio Leader for

Housing, pictured above cutting the ribbon, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the transformation. The two-year housing regeneration project has created homes which residents can be proud of. This community event marks the successful partnership working of all agencies involved and is the way forward in the future.”

The redevelopment has also provided attractive public open space, a children’s play area and a newly laid road through the estate.

The community fun day was organised by Waterloo Housing Group with support from Lovell and local community groups and offered residents a host of information and free activities.

Dozens of Cannock Chase tenants have found out how easy it is to arrange a Mutual Exchange and move to a new home. Since April this year, the Housing Allocations team has processed 103 requests for a home swap.

The first in a series of Mutual Exchange Open Days was held at Norton Canes library on 7th November when two members of the Team, Lorraine and Tracy (pictured right) were on hand to explain how to go about it.

Most tenants who go through with an exchange say how simple the process is and how quickly they can exchange properties.

For more information on Mutual Exchanges, call the Allocations team on 01543 462621

Christmas and New Year is celebration

time, and perhaps we should all recognise that.

There are more complaints to the Council about noise over the festive period than any other time of the year.

If you are having a house party, spare a thought for the neighbours. If it’s going to be a late-night affair, why not let your neighbours know in advance, tell them what time you expect to wrap up, maybe bring a peace offering - a mince pie or a box of chocolates?

At the same time, people should recognise that Yuletide IS a joyous occasion, families and friends get together and there WILL be merriment, especially on New Year’s Eve.

So, before you

get on the phone to the Council, give the partygoers some leeway. You might need their indulgence next time you have a party; after all, life should be a bit of give and take.

Belinda Wildey, Estate Management Team Leader said: “We hope that all our tenants and their families have a good Christmas and New Year and are able to get together to enjoy the festive period.

“If, however, you are suffering unreasonable noise in unsociable hours, please call the ASB Out of Hours Service ‘Don’t Live with It - Report it’ on 01543 464657.”

Longford Court sheltered scheme in Bideford Way, Cannock is holding a fashion event on Monday, 16th December at 10.30am. Members of the public are more than welcome to attend.

Gas Servicing DrawSeptemberMrs J Bowker, ChadsmoorMiss J Swann, Cannock

Repairs Satisfaction Draw:AugustMrs S Edwards, Rugeley;SeptemberMr A Fereday, HednesfordOctoberMrs C Haytree, Cannock

Hometalk WordsearchTo be published next time as closing date was end of November

Alarm Pull Cord Draw:Mrs J Price, Rugeley.

Estate Walk DrawMiss L Cockbill, Cannock

Quick Quiz QuestionThe answer, as stated in the Annual Report, was 295 — the winner was:Mr D Welch, from Cannock.

Fashion parade

A couple of tenants contacted the Housing Department recently with Bright Ideas for improving the service.

One of them was a suggestion regarding the cleaning of the Council’s blocks of flats which has been taken up and has earned the tenant a £25 gift voucher.

The other idea, while sensible in itself, can’t be implemented by the Council, however the sender has been thanked by Housing staff for putting it forward.

See below for ways to put forward your Bright Idea or complete the enclosed Bright Ideas form and return it.

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www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

���If you

think you’ve got a Bright Idea, to benefit the Housing Service, contact the Service Improvement Team.

Text message them: 07 814 758558; Phone them on:01543 464757;

E-mail them at:

serviceimprovements@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Write to them at:The Civic Centre,The Bungalow Annexe,PO Box 28,Beecroft Road,Cannock WS11 1BG.

Or use the suggestion forms available in Local Council offices.

We’ll pay for Bright Ideas!

Christmas Opening Hours

No hiding place for gas safety check dodgers

Free debt advice

A Christmas

& New Year Message

from Councillor Frank Allen Housing Portfolio Leader

The Council has announced the opening and closing times for its offices over the festive period:Monday, 23rd December: normal opening;Christmas Eve: Closed- but Depot still open;Christmas Day: Closed;Boxing Day: Closed;Friday, 27th December: Closed;Monday 30th December: Open 9am - 5pm;New Year’s Eve (Tues 31st Dec.) Open 9am

- 5pm;New Year’s Day (Weds.): Closed;Thursday, 2nd January: normal opening times resume.

Cannock Chase Council is getting tough with the stubborn few tenants who

won’t let gas engineers in to carry out the vital routine gas safety check.

Where tenants persistently deny access and their last gas safety check was more than a year ago, the Council will now make a formal application to Magistrates for a ‘Warrant of Entry’.

The warrant gives the Council the legal power to enter the property by force, whether or not tenants are present. The gas installation will be made safe (capped off) and the property will be secured.

Three tenants have been taken to court recently for denying access to their homes.

These checks are completely FREE, they are potential life-savers and they are also a LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

The Council has a legal duty to carry out regular safety checks on all gas heating appliances in its properties to ensure the appliances and their flues are safe.

While court action and forced entry

is a last resort on pure safety grounds, the Council has also decided that no housing improvements or repairs (except emergency repairs) will be carried out on any of its properties where a gas safety check is overdue (over 12 months).

Housing Property Services Manager Rick Pepper said: “Unfortunately a small minority of tenants, for reasons

unknown, appear to ignore all attempts by the Council and its contractor to allow access. Tenants should not ignore any information sent by the Council regarding gas safety checks. Those who refuse to co-operate could end up in court and the real possibility of having the embarrassment of Council Officials forcing their way into their homes. Tenants are putting themselves, their

family and neighbours at risk.”Any tenant who has put off or refused to

arrange a safety inspection, or thinks that they are overdue for one, call the Council NOW on 01543 462621. It could save your family’s and your neighbours’ lives.

Worried about money and debt?Take the first step to get control of your finances.Contact your rent officer on 01543 462621 for a priority Citizens Advice Bureau appointment.

Bright idea wins

£ 25

Don't forget: some bin collection days will change over the festive period.

The Council's waste & recycling teams will not be working on:

• Christmas Day (Weds)• Boxing Day (Thurs)• New Year's Day (Weds).

Check your refuse collection calendar for December. If you've misplaced it, there are downloadable ones on the Council's website - you will find a link on the Home page.

Refuse collections

2013 has been another busy year for housing.

The structural reinstatement of the Reema properties on the Moss Road Estate and the Cornish properties on the Rowley Close Estate has

been completed. We have also upgraded the communal areas of our blocks of flats on the Moss and Carfax Estates.

The double glazing programme commenced in July of this year and we are currently installing or upgrading windows at the rate of 25 dwellings a week. This will continue throughout next year and subsequent years until

completion.

We also introduced our new Housing Allocations policy and new Choice Based Lettings website Cannock Chase Homes.

This year has been particularly difficult for tenants on benefits with the introduction of the ‘Bedroom Tax’. Our Allocations and Rents Sections are

working hard to help all tenants this is affecting.

Looking forward to the coming year should be particularly exciting with the plans to start building the first Council houses in Cannock Chase since

1987.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Teamwork will tackle the troublemakers!

Campaign to tackle domestic violence

Tenants and residents on two estates in Cannock and Chadsmoor are being encouraged to ‘Love your block’ and take pride in where they live.

Over the past year, the Council has put a lot of work in to improve the blocks of flats on the Carfax and Moss Road estates by making them more welcoming and better places to live.

Tenants have seen their communal areas refurbished and transformed into clean, bright and stylish spaces.

The improvement work to the flats did not stop inside: Staffordshire County Council’s Highways team joined forces with the Council’s Environmental Services team to carry out environmental improvements to the outside areas which has also improved the external appearance of both of these estates.

Now it is up to the people who live there to make sure they stay in good shape. The Council has launched a campaign called ‘Love your block’.

‘Love your block’ aims to maintain the standard of these improvements by encouraging tenants to get involved and become a Resident Champion. This initiative will help people have pride in where they live and keep the appearance of the communal areas clean and tidy.

ChampionA recruitment drive is now

under way to engage with local tenants and encourage them to come forward and become the ‘Champion’ for their housing block. If you are interested in becoming a Resident Champion

- get in touch with your local Estate Management Officer.

The flats initiative forms part of a wider campaign – ‘Love Where You Live’ - which was launched by Cannock Chase Council in 2012. It aims to inspire, encourage and enable people to make where they live, work and visit, the kind of place they really want to be.

Tenants will receive regular updates about this campaign to ensure they are fully informed.

To find out more about this campaign speak to your local Estate Management Officer on 01543 462621.

The launch of the ‘love your block’

campaign in a refurbished flat

entrance on the Moss Road

estate.

NORTONCANESThe Council and Staffordshire Police have been working together for some years now to keep tenants and residents safe and to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Each area of the district has a neighbourhood policing team - and the Council’s Housing Department has estate management officers to look after tenants’ interests.

Working together they can spot issues early, deal with them before they get out of hand and challenge and intervene when needed.

Recently, the police named a new team to look after the Norton Canes area, so now is an ideal opportunity to introduce the people who are looking after this particular community.

PC Bob Gent (left) has recently been appointed to cover the area, working alongside Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Neil Griffiths, and PC Lucy

Spicer (right).Staffordshire Police hold

regular ‘street meetings’ throughout the year, when local people

can raise topics or concerns about the neighbourhood.

Dates and times of the street meetings can be found on the police’s website www.staffordshirepolice.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 2345.

As well as seeing these officers on patrol in Norton Canes, tenants will likely come across two members of the Estate Management Team on the ‘patch’. They are Estate Management Officer Lisa

Harvey and Estate Caretaker Neil Deakin.They normally accompany

tenants and residents on the Estate Walks which take place throughout the year. The

walks, often attended by the neighbourhood bobby or PCSO, raise environmental issues such as damaged paths and roads, broken street lights and overgrown gardens.

(Don’t forget - you can make a suggestion to improve your neighbourhood via the Minor Works scheme - see the form enclosed with this issue.)

ALL tenants and residents from the area are always welcome on the walks. If you are interested in joining an Estate Walk, dates and times can be found on the Council’s website or by calling 01543 462621.

The next Norton Canes Estate Walk is on 6th March 2014 at 10.30 a.m. in Breeze Avenue.

IMPORTANT: To contact Staffordshire Police in an emergency or a when a crime is in progress, dial 999. For non-emergency calls, dial 101.

Spotlight on:

A successful campaign that has helped reduce domestic violence in Cannock Chase has been brought back again this year.

‘It’s Never OK’ was first launched in 2011 and since then it has had a big impact.

The campaign launches in Rugeley town centre on 13th December and in Cannock town centre on 14th December.

Led by the Chase Community Partnership, it will see the Council working with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Staffordshire Women’s Aid and members of the PubWatch scheme.

Partners will be in Cannock and Rugeley town centres on each night handing out information and ensuring revellers have a safe night out.

The campaign aims to prevent incidents of alcohol-related violence by challenging the behaviour of perpetrators and encouraging victims to report abuse.

Living with domestic abuse can make you feel isolated, but you are not alone. Staffordshire Women’s Aid

support women and children living with, escaping from, or recovering from domestic

violence or abuse.If you are a female victim: call

Staffordshire Women’s Aid on 0870 2700 123.

If you are a male victim of domestic violence: call Arch on 01782 683702.

If you think your behaviour is abusive and want to stop: call Respect on 0808 802 4040.

For further information about the ‘It’s Never OK’ campaign visit

tw i tter@CannockChaseDC

Don’t forget…

search for ‘Cannock Chase Life’

www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/itsneverok

54

I my block!

6 IMPORTANT NOTICE:

RENT FREE WEEKSThe Council currently charges an annual rent for its properties. The rent is then divided equally between 50 weeks of the year, resulting in “two free weeks” which are currently taken at Christmas.

From April next year, annual rents will be divided by 52 and not 50 weeks. Tenants will pay less each week, but there will be no rent free weeks at Christmas and New Year.

The change has been agreed by Housing chiefs in the interests of tenants due to the national benefits shake-up, to assist all tenants to budget their finances and will bring rent payments and universal credit in line.

For those tenants who would prefer to have payment free weeks or even a payment free month at Christmas, your Rent Officer will calculate how much you need to pay each week, just give us a call.

The changes will not affect the amount of annual rent as fixed by the Council each April.

Here’s an example:Now: The average annual rent for a three bedroom Council house

in Cannock Chase is £4,024.50. Divided by 50 weeks (with two rent free) works out at: £80.49 per week.

From April 2014:Annual rent £4,024.50 divided by 52 weeks (NO rent free weeks)

equals: £77.40. per week (NB: this does not include any increase from the annual rent review in April.)

For more information or queries, contact your rent officer on 01543 462621.

Tenants’ Rent Free” weeks this festive season are:Week starting Monday 23rd December and week starting Monday 30th December.Note for tenants with rent arrears: you will not be charged rent for these weeks but you must make a payment to reduce your arrears, as required by your Tenancy Agreement. IMPORTANT: Please see the above article about the future of Rent Free weeks.

The Council aims to keep Cannock Chase tenants up to date on

the Government’s welfare reforms and to provide as much help as it can.

This is the situation as HOMETALK went to press:

Universal CreditIt is believed the roll-out of

Universal Credit across the country may be delayed until April 2014. The introduction will be gradual and tenants should contact their rent officer immediately when they are affected.

Claimants who don’t already have a bank account should see about opening one as soon as possible - it will make it easier for you to receive universal credit.

Free budgeting advice is available via the Housing Department, contact your rent officer on 01543 462621.

Benefit CapPhase one of the Benefit Cap

started in July this year when families with income from certain benefits of over £500 per week saw their Housing Benefit reduced. So far, only five Cannock Chase Council tenants and their families have been affected. If you think you may become affected by the cap, contact your rent officer to arrange budgeting advice with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

‘Bedroom Tax’ (Social Sector Size Criteria)

The Council changed its allocations policy in October to permit tenants in rent arrears to apply for a transfer to a smaller property where the ‘Bedroom Tax’ will not apply- as long as they have a repayment agreement in place and are sticking to it. Housing have now had 83 new applications to move.

For further advice and information on transfers and mutual exchanges call 01543 462621 and ask for the allocations section. To make an agreement to pay your rent arrears, call the same number and ask for the rent section.

Update

7

Quick

Quiz!Here’s

another chance to

win £25 in High Street vouchers to spend in the new

year. All you have to do is read through

this edition of Hometalk and answer the following question:

How many requests for a Mutual Exchange have been processed by the Housing Department since April?

You can give your answer on the Council’s website:www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/htcomp

or if you have an Android smart phone, scan the QR code

here:or you can post your answer

to the usual address, marked HTCOMP not forgetting to include your name and address. The closing date is 25th January 2014.

Our winner who answered correctly from the Annual Report was Mr David Welch of Cannock who said: “It was so easy to enter using my smartphone by scanning the QR code which took me straight to the website to put my answer.”

£25 !

When looking round your estate, do you

ever say to yourself something like:

“I wish the Council could……” or

“If only we had some……”

Well - if it’s a good idea and will benefit others as well as yourself, your wish could come true!

Every year, the Council sets aside a pot of money for estate improvements suggested by tenants: the Minor Works Budget.

Any tenant or leaseholder can make a suggestion on how the money should be spent.

Pictured below is an example of one of the most recent

improvements, a community notice board, suggested by Tom Dawson of Cleveland Drive, Kingsway Estate.

ALL ideas are given serious consideration by members of the Minor Works Focus Group, who are tenants themselves.

The money is there - come on, let’s use it!

If you want to make a wish for an estate improvement, there is a ‘Make a Wish’ form enclosed with HOMETALK.

* If you are interested in becoming a member of the Minor Work Focus Group Panel, contact the Estate Management Team on 01543 462621.

Tenants struggling through disability or other problems to use facilities in and around

their home could have the property specially adapted to help them cope - or be moved to one that already has.

Here’s what to do:First - call the Staffordshire and Stoke

on Trent Partnership NHS Trust on 0300 111 8010 and explain your problem. An Occupational Therapist (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant will come and assess you in your home.

Quite often, an aid or piece of equipment will solve the issue and these can be provided very quickly!

Sometimes, only a special adaptation to the property will suffice.

The most beneficial types of adaptations include:

an easy access shower a ramped entrance to the property Widened doorways for wheelchairs

A specialist wheelchair-accessible kitchen

a stair lift or vertical lift.These involve considerable work

and will take time to complete. It is sometimes better for people with difficulty to move to a more suitable property - a ground floor flat or bungalow, for example.

priority statusCannock Chase Council award

priority status to their tenants for moves to existing adapted properties and we would urge anyone who is having difficulty in coping in an unsuitable property to consider moving as an alternative to having adaptation work undertaken.

If you have been assessed as needing an adaptation, contact the Council’s Housing Allocations Team on 01543 462621 They will guide you through the process or help you choose somewhere to make living much easier.

Can’t manage the stairs?Can’t get into the bath?…or simply not as agileas you used to be?

Estate improvements are not wishful thinking!

Here’s an eye-catching treat for your coffee break or tea-time snack. It’s economical and easy to make: Filo FingersHands-on Time: 15 minutes;Cook Time: 10 -12 minutes;Makes = 12;Calories = 102;Total fat = 4g;Saturated fat = 2g;Total carbs = 17g;Sugars = 12g.

Ingredients

24 filo sheets, cut into 12.5cm (5in) squares;40g (11/2 oz) unsalted butter, melted;175g (6 oz) mincemeat;Icing sugar for dusting.

Method1. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper. Lay out a square of filo

pastry on a clean, dry work surface. Lightly brush with melted butter, then lay another sheet of pastry on top. Spoon a thin line of mincemeat diagonally from corner to corner across the filo square. Fold the pastry over the mincemeat to form a triangle. Starting along the long edge, roll up to make a finger shape. Transfer carefully to the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filo and mincemeat. 2. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. Brush the remaining butter over the pastry fingers.

3. Bake for 10-12 mins until crisp and golden. Dust with icing sugar and serve with coffee as a light alternative to mince pies. This recipe works out at 26p per finger using basic ingredients.

A little treat for everyone

Published by: CANNOCK CHASE COUNCIL HOUSING DIVISION Editorial Consultants: MID STAFFS NEWS AGENCY 01785 823489 Printed by: RENFOR, Watling Street, Tamworth B77 5AE.

Tenants who suspect their electricity meter box may have a fault or is damaged in any way, are urged to report it to the Council as soon as

possible - phone 01543 456861.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Hometalk is available in LARGE PRINT and ON TAPE. Contact

the Service Improvement Team on 01543 462621.

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Your name .................................................

Your address ............................................

................................ Post Code ...............

Tel. ............................ I am aged over 16

NB Closing date is: 25th January 2014.(Employees of the Council and their families not eligible to enter)

Housing Services may wish to contact you concerning housing matters. If you do not wish to be contacted, tick this box

A £50 gift voucher Z H E R C U L E S JI I M S A N A L U MN P U S N A E N J LQ G E T D C G I O AC S A T L L D M T LC I N D E R E L L AH B I B S R O L T DI R O R H B P P R DR O A T O N K A O IK C E Y E P O P N N

exclusively for tenants!

Send entries to:Hometalk WordsearchThe Civic CentreBeecroft RoadCannock(or hand it in at your local Council Office).First correct entry drawn out wins the prize.

With Hometalk’s

WORDSEARCH:Junglebook CarsCinderella BoltAladdin TronCandleshoe GusHercules TonkaPeter Pan Mulan

Tiebreaker: This Disney character is all at sea!:

_ _ _ _ _ _

ContactCentre

Cannock Chase Council website:www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Opening Hours…The Council’s Housing Office at the Bungalow in Beecroft Road, Cannock, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Local Council Office in Anson Street, Rugeley is open the same times EXCEPT Wednesdays, when it is 9am to 1pm.The One-stop Shop at the Library in Market Street, Hednesford is now open for general inquiries 9am - 5pm (closed 1pm

- 2pm). Appointments can also be made.

Writing to us…Cannock Chase Council,Civic Centre,P O Box 28, Beecroft Road,CannockStaffs. WS11 1BG.

Housing Enquiries…General enquiries: Tel: 01543 462621

Emergency Repairs…

Repairs Reporting…All repairs: Tel: 01543 462621 or

All areas outside office hours:Tel: 01543 456816

Anti-social behaviourOut of hours service…DON’T LIVE WITH IT - REPORT IT! Tel: 01543 464657ONLINE: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Housing and Council Tax Benefitsenquiries: 01543 464292

Benefits Enquiries…

Pay by Phone: 0845 2340080

Rent Payments…

Council Online…Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Pay it’

Online: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk - ‘Report it’

CHECK THOSE ALARMS!Tenants & all other clients using the Council’s

alarm system are reminded to carry out their monthly check:

ONCE A MONTH pull the cord to alert the call centre. This will test the alarm is working and

reassure operators that you are all right.DON’T FORGET THE £25 ALARM TEST PRIZE DRAW!