Housing News and Views Summer 2012
Post on 15-Mar-2016
219 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Transcript
Star performance drives improvementsMore than four out of five (83%) tenantshave told us that they are satisfied withthe housing service we provide.
We have now begun analysing the
feedback sent in by over 4,700 of you as
part of the Survey of Tenants and
Residents (STAR) we sent you in January.
The graph on the right breaks down how
satisfied different resident groups feel.
The survey results show a significant
increase on satisfaction levels shown in
the 2008 Status Survey.
Nine out of ten tenants (89%) agreed that
our staff are friendly and approachable.
You also reported very high levels of
trust in Dacorum Borough Council as
your housing landlord.
However, you showed us where
improvements are needed:
� Car parking and litter are a concern
throughout the Borough.
� Satisfaction with repairs and
maintenance is not as high as it could
be, particularly when it comes to the
time taken before the job is started
and getting the repair ‘right first time’.
� Satisfaction with grounds maintenance
(especially planted areas) is lower than
with other areas of our service.
� You sometimes find it difficult to get
hold of the right person to answer
your queries.
Car parking, litter and improved repairs
form part of our Local Offers to you and
so have already been identified as
priorities. We will look into the other
issues and let you know how we intend
to address them in a future edition of
News and Views. We will be sharing our
performance with other landlords to
establish how our results compare.
For a copy of the full results of the
Dacorum 2012 STAR Survey please call
01442 228000 and ask for TenantInvolvement or email
tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk
Calling all to the conferenceWe are starting to prepare for this year’s annual Tenant andLeaseholder Conference – so please put Saturday 29September in your diary.
The conference gives you the opportunity to take part in
workshops which explain more about the housing service, and
put questions to managers face-to-face.
It runs from 10am until 4pm and will be based at the Civic
Centre in Hemel Hempstead. You’re welcome to stay for the
whole day or just part of it. There will be refreshments and
lunch, competitions and prizes plus children’s entertainment
and activities.
We would like more tenants and leaseholders to help us
organise the day so that you all get the most out of it. To have
your say in what goes on, call 01442 228000 and ask for
Selina Burris or email tenantinvolvement@dacorum. gov.ukby Friday 13 July 2012.
If you would like to attend the conference, you can call Selina
now and she will send you an invitation with full details
nearer the event.
HousingNews and Views
Summer 2012
86%(79%)
93%(89%)
71%(54%)
General Needs Housing
Supported Housing
Leaseholders
Satisfaction with Dacorum’s housingservice overall
Key: 2012 (2008)
02 | News and views www.dacorum.gov.uk
We’ve been busy recently improving the planting on a number
of estates.
At Figtree Hill in Hemel Hempstead Old Town (picture inset) the
shrub area was at the end of its life, so new young plants have
now been planted and a weed-proof membrane with wood
chippings placed on top. A small strip of land has been pebbled
so that we can access the building for maintenance.
New planting has also been carried out at Hetchleys (main
picture) and Wood View in Gadebridge.
To find out if similar improvements can be made in your area,
call 01442 228000 and ask for the Estate Improvement Officeror email tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk
Housing celebrates Animal Action WeekWe are hosting a week of events around the borough to celebrate AnimalAction Week in July, offering free dog health checks and flea treatment,and free neutering vouchers for cats:
Wednesday 4 July, 10am to 5pm Queens Square, Adeyfield
Thursday 5 July, 10am to 5pm Cowper Road Car Park, Boxmoor
Friday 6 July, 10am to 5pm Rossgate shops, Gadebridge
Saturday 7 July, 10am to 5pm Highfield Community Centre
Sunday 8 July, 10am to 4pm Ashridge Visitor Centre
We have invited the
RSPCA, PDSA, Cats
Protection and
Appledown Dog Rescue
to join us – so there
will also be loads of
free advice on hand
about caring for your
pet.
Tenants can bring their
dog along to be micro-
chipped for free. Please
bring your rent
statement/card for
identification. (It’s only
£10 for everyone else.)
We are also drafting a new pet policy which will give you guidance on
keeping animals in Council-owned properties. Please talk to us at the events
if you have thoughts on this.
See our website www.dacorum.gov.uk nearer the time for more details, or
call Lindsey Walsh or Sarah Lewis on 01442 228000.
Keeping up appearances
Over the last six months, housing staff andcolleagues have spent a total of five wholeweeks clearing personal items from thecommunal areas of flats that residents shouldhave removed themselves.
We want to make
sure that access
and escape routes
are free from trip
hazards should
you and your
family need to
evacuate the
building.
However, it is your responsibility to keep
communal areas such as landings and stairwells
clear – for your own safety and to reduce the
time and rent money the Council spends
clearing them.
Residents living in flats with communal areas
need to keep them completely clear of all
belongings, including doormats, shoes and
bikes. Items that have been found in the
communal areas will be removed and residents
will be charged to have their items returned.
For more information on keeping landings clear
please call 01442 228000 and ask for the
Estate Improvement Officer.
Communal areasfeedback
Keep clearDon’t clutter!
Do your communal flower beds need revamping? If so, let usknow and we’ll see what we can do.
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk News and views | 03
Ideas needed forcommunity clean upsWe are teaming up withtenants and local residents torun a series of CommunityClean Up days at locationsacross the borough over thecoming year.
The aim is to tackle issues
such as:
� Fly tipping (dumping
rubbish illegally)
� Street cleaning
� Removing graffiti
� Tidying up drying areas
� Clearing weeds and ivy
What else would you like to see us tackle
– and where? All suggestions are
welcome.
The staff involved will all be
volunteering their time and we would
like as many tenants and residents as
possible to join us to make these days a
success. Please call Simon Smith on
01442 228000 or email
simon.smith@dacorum.gov.uk
Behind the scenesWho are the
people who
make up
Dacorum’s
Housing
Service? In this
issue we meet
Risk,
Compliance
and Health and Safety Officer Liz Hine.
“I am relatively new to the Asset Team
within Property and Place, having
joined at the end of 2011. My previous
roles have been in the private sector
so social housing is a new challenge
for me.
“I look at a range of health and safety
issues relating to the Council’s housing
stock, acting as a point of contact for
managers, tenants and staff. Health
and safety legislation changes
frequently so I support staff and
contractors in keeping up-to-date and
ensuring that the housing department
is compliant.
“I enjoy getting out and visiting our
properties across the borough and am
keen to meet representatives from
similar organisations to share
knowledge. Unfortunately health and
safety can get a bad press, but by
encouraging a positive, common sense
approach at all levels I hope to remind
people that health and safety is
everyone’s responsibility.”
You can call Liz on 01442 228000 oremail elizabeth.hine@dacorum.gov.uk
It now costs Council tenants just £8.50 each week(£10.20 for non-tenants) to hire one of our garages.
Call Lettings on 01442 228000 to see if we have
any near you. You can apply to rent a garage using
the form on www.dacorum. gov.uk/garage or call us
and we will post one to you. If you are a Council
tenant you can pay by adding the cost to your
weekly rent. Non tenants will need to pay by
monthly direct debit.
There is limited availability in Tring and
Berkhamsted but it is possible to go on a waiting list
for these areas.
Garage users – please be considerateIn the nicer weather it’s good to get out and about more – but we’vealso been receiving more complaints about people who rent ourgarages.
Householders have reported cars blocking the way by parking in front
of garages and drivers working on vehicles on the forecourts. Other
garages are underneath bedsits and noise can be particularly
disturbing to the residents who live above.
We would therefore like to ask all garage users to please be
considerate of others.
Garages to let
04 | Tenants and Leaseholders Committee www.dacorum.gov.uk
Keeping a close eye on housing The Tenants and LeaseholdersCommittee plays a vital role on theHousing and Community Overview andScrutiny Committee (HCOSC), whichguides and examines the policies andperformance of the Council’s housingservice. Two members from the Tenantsand Leaseholders Committee representthe voice of tenants on the committee.
Who are we? TLC members Stuart Parker
and Mavis Cook, tenants from Tring and
Hemel Hempstead.
When did we join? We were co-opted to
the HCOSC in 2011.
Why were we co-opted? So that tenants
are represented on a key committee of
the Council that affects council tenants
and leaseholders. Having tenant
representatives present at HCOSC
meetings provides the committee
members with an instant response to
questions posed about tenants, and
Councillors hear an independent view.
We are fully involved in HCOSC debates
on all housing matters, reporting directly
back to the TLC. This ensures
transparency and keeps tenants’ interests
at the heart of everything discussed.
Being co-opted also lets us see how
things are run at the Council and why
decisions are made. This knowledge is
passed back to the other TLC members,
and minutes of these meetings are
published online for all tenants to see at
www.dacorum.gov.uk This two-way
communication aims to enhance the
partnership between tenants, the Council
and Councillors, so that tenants are
actively involved as part of the decision-
making processes.
How often do we meet? Meetings are
held approximately every four to six
weeks, with a full agenda at each
meeting.
What areas have been looked at so far?Housing performance, the 2012/13
housing budget, hard standing for
creating additional parking, tenant policy
reviews, community alarm monitoring –
and much more.
Getting advice on getting involved In April, Mavis Cook and Barry Stoker from the TLC, along with Jules Goodridge andSue Prowse from the Tenant Involvement team, attended a Tenant Scrutiny inPractice conference called ‘Secrets of your success’ to pick up some hints and tips onsetting up a tenant scrutiny panel.
The conference was run by three of the leading organisations championing co-
regulation and tenant scrutiny: the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, Chartered
Institute of Housing and HouseMark.
Mavis said: “It was a really informative day and I’ve learnt lots about how other
organisations are working to scrutinise their landlord services”, while Barry felt that
“It was good to see that other organisations are in the same position we are – just
starting the process.”
If you are interested in getting involved, call Jules Goodridge on 01442 228000 or
email her at tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk
By Stuart Parker and Mavis Cook
Contacting the TLCPlease remember the TLC representsyou, the tenants and residentleaseholders from all over Dacorum.To get in touch, email us attlc@dacorum.gov.uk We promise torespond to all emails that areaddressed to us. You can also write tous, in confidence, c/o:
Tenant and Leaseholder Committee,Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre,Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1HH.
What have we been scrutinising?Procurement for housing repairs and
planned maintenance, implementing
Choice Based Lettings, CCTV, analysing
the move to self-financing, refurbishment
and re-decoration of sheltered housing
schemes, and the Housing Service Annual
Report. The HCOSC in our opinion is
managed and organised very well by the
Chair, Cllr Janice Marshall, who has a
broad and balanced view.
The next HCOSC meeting is on
Wednesday 18 July. Anyone is welcome
to attend this public meeting at the Civic
Centre in Hemel Hempstead at 7.30pm. If
you want to speak about something on
the agenda, just call Member Support on
01442 228000 first to let them know.
The agenda is published the week before
on www.dacorum.gov.uk
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk Help and advice | 05
If you’re thinking of going awaythis summer, please don’t forget toput money aside to pay your rentand Council Tax first – and keepyourself out of debt.
If you are struggling, please
remember that our Income Team
are here to help. We can help you
prioritise your existing debts, sort
out your finances and, if
necessary, arrange an individual
payment plan to get you back on
track.
Income Team Leader Katie Kiely
says: “It can be tempting to just
pack your suitcase and get away
for a while, but if you are having
problems it’s important to face
them. Please get in touch – and
together we’ll work out a plan.”
Heads up onbenefits systemchanges Major changes to the benefits systemare planned for April 2013.
These involve replacing means tested
benefits and tax credits for working age
people on a single benefit.
The way you are paid for your housing
costs will be affected. If it is considered
that too few people live in your house
for its size (that it is underoccupied),
the amount you get paid will be
reduced.
The way you receive benefit for Council
Tax will also change. However, this will
be phased in over several years,
starting with new claims.
We will do our best to guide you
through these changes and will provide
more information nearer the time.
For help and advice on the current
benefit system, call 01442 228000 or
visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/benefits
We are looking at which of ourproperties would benefit from improvedinsulation to save you money on yourfuel bills and make homes morecomfortable.
Thanks to a successful bid to get
Government funding, we will be able to
make these improvements at no cost to
you.
We have asked surveyors from Interglow
to check if cavity walls have been
insulated and, where appropriate, look at
the amount of insulation in lofts. You will
get a letter confirming when they are
visiting and all representatives will carry
identification. Please always ask to see
this.
A quarter of a house’s heat can be lost
through an uninsulated roof. Insulating a
loft is a simple and effective way to save
waste and reduce heating bills. If you
have a loft, please clear out any clutter
Useful contact details
Citizens’ Advice Bureau or CAB
Call 08444 111 444 from a landline or
0300 33 00 650 from a mobile
Drop in to your local branches: the
Civic Centre, 161 High Street,
Berkhamsted, HP4 3HD; and Dacre
House, 19 Hillfield Road, Hemel
Hempstead, HP2 4AA. Please call for
opening hours.
Get advice from the CAB website
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Dacorum Borough Council
Call 01442 228000 and ask forHousing Income
Visit our website
www.dacorum.gov.uk/dontforgettopay
Struggling to pay your rent?
Reduce your fuel bill withoutspending a penny
to enable us to lay insulation.
Not all properties have cavity walls, but
where they do, insulating the cavity
keeps the warmth in and makes the
property more energy efficient.
Please contact Ricky Lang or PeterFarrier on 01442 228000 if you have
any questions.
06 | Children and young people www.dacorum.gov.uk
Calling all children and young peopleToday’s children and teenagers may beour future tenants, so it’s important tous to know what they think about livingin our homes.
If you can spare a few minutes, we’d like
to ask them some quick questions.
Please bring them along to our Olympic
Torch Event in the Marlowes on Sunday
8 July between 11am and 4pm and in
return for completing a short survey
they can have a free go on the fantastic
Aqua Zone underwater simulator ride
(pictured - minimum age five years).
If you don’t want them to take part in
the survey then they can still have a ride
for just £2. All proceeds raised will be
donated to Dacorum’s Olympic Legacy
Fund.
Play area improvementsChildren will soon be seeing a difference to nine of ourplay areas, including:
� Jocketts Road,
Chaulden
� Coronation Fields,
Bennetts End
� Warners End Valley
Lower, Warners End
� Hyde Lane,
Bovingdon
� Lockers Park,
Boxmoor
� Butts Meadow,
Berkhamsted
� Miswell Lane, Tring
� Lagley Meadow,
Berkhamsted
� Marlowes, Hemel
Hempstead
We are carrying out improvements this summer, such as
installing new and servicing existing equipment, catering
for wider age groups and improving safety surfacing.
For more information contact Joe Guiton, Neighbourhood
Action Team Leader, on 01442 228000 or email
joe.guiton@dacorum.gov.uk
Are your children into skateboarding or BMXing? GadebridgeSkate Park is the place to go.
Back in March, we refurbished the skate park in Gadebridge
Park, strengthening and re-concreting the ramps. Since then,
we’ve been working with a newly established skate park users’
group to make sure that we continue to make the
improvements that the skaters and BMXers using the facility
want to see. An impressive 138 local users gave us their
feedback in a recent survey.
Louis Smith, BMXer at Gadebridge Park and member of the
user group said: “We’ve set up a group to have a say in what
needs doing at the skate park and what we would like to see in
the future. … All of us on the group are really into skating and
BMXing and we want to see more people taking it up. We’ll be
organising some skate-jams and BMX-jams for everyone to
join in.”
For more information about the group, please contact RobertCassidy on 01442 228000.
Re-ramp forGadebridgeskate park
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk Supported Housing | 07
Schemeswave theJubliee flagSupported housing schemes across theborough held Jubilee celebrations overthe June bank holiday weekend.
To set the scene, we provided each
scheme with a start up box of red, white
and blue flags, bunting, balloons and
table wear.
Age Concern Dacorum, which runs active
living clubs for residents, organised
afternoon tea parties at Southernwood
Close, Christopher Court, Phyllis
Courtnage House and Gilbert Burnett
House.
Phyllis Courtnage residents also enjoyed
watching the Coronation on a big screen
and ended the afternoon with a group
sing song.
Other schemes joined up with
On your marks,get set, grow!The fiercely contested annualSupported Housing gardeningcompetition has an Olympic Gamestheme this year.
There’s still time for last minute entries
if you get your application form in
quickly.
There are two categories: supported
housing schemes and individual tenants
under the care of our Supported
Housing service. Prizes will be awarded
to the best three gardens in both
categories.
Gardens will be judged by a panel of
members from the Tenants and
Leaseholders Committee at the
beginning of July and winners will
feature in the next issue.
To get an application form call 01442228000 and ask for Supported Housing.
Young people delighted residents of William Crook House in April (pictured) withmusic, singing and Irish dancing – and are now calling on others to join them.
They were part of a group called Youth Action Entertainers who visit older people in
supported accommodation across Dacorum to provide entertainment, serve
refreshments and chat with the older residents.
We are looking for more people, between 10 and 19 years old, to join. You don’t have
to perform; we also need people to help organise.
The group has been set up by Age Concern and Dacorum Borough Council. Call
Susan Lea on 01442 228000 or email susan.lea@dacorum.gov.uk
Wanted: Youth action entertainers
Above: Gilbert Burnett House gets festive
Right: Doreen from Gilbert Burnett goesthe extra mile
neighbours to celebrate, while residents
at Mayflower Avenue booked a meal at
The Midland pub to celebrate.
Evelyn Sharp House and Field Road
organised commemorative mugs, a
tombola and a street party buffet.
08 | Involving you www.dacorum.gov.uk
Street Championsmake a difference
29 volunteers have registered as Street
Champions, a scheme launched in April in
Maylands Woods (pictured).
They have pledged to improve the area
by reporting faults, looking after the
environment and encouraging neighbours
and friends to get more involved in
community events and activities.
14 sacks of rubbish and six sacks of
recycling were collected from Maylands
Woods and we are making arrangements
to remove the fly tipping that was found.
New volunteers are always welcome.
To sign up or find out more please call
Neighbourhood Action on
01442 228000 or email
neighbourhood.action@dacorum.gov.uk
Estateimprovementsbids all grantedIn the last issue of News and Views weasked: how you would improve yourarea if we gave you some money?
We received ten bids of up to £1,000
from the housing service’s new Estate
Improvement Budget – and we were
pleased to be able to grant each request.
Sheila Stapleton from Florence Longman
House (pictured with fellow resident
Edward Matthews) asked for a new shed
and a lawn mower to enable her and
other green-fingered residents to look
after the communal garden.
Sheila wrote to us saying: “I just wanted
to show my appreciation for the
wonderful shed ... We are making very
good use of it. The guy who took the old
shed down and put the new one up was
so very helpful. Once again thank you.”
Would some new planters in your drying
area or a new patio, bench or water butt
benefit your local area? Have a think as
we’re hoping to open up the fund again
later this year.
For more information and details of how
to apply please call 01442 228000 and
ask for the Estate Improvement Officer.
Going walkabout in Grovehill The Local Area Walkabout aroundGrovehill back in March was a bigsuccess, bagging an unbelievablefour tons of rubbish.
Councillors Ann Ryan and
Alexander Bhinder joined council
staff and local residents, who
responded after receiving a hand
delivered invitation.
Litter is an issue which residents
bring up regularly, so a team of
litter pickers also got stuck in.
Other walkabouts which took place in Tring and Berkhamsted during May highlighted
faults such as pot holes, blocked drains and road signs that need renewing. We will be
working with colleagues at Hertfordshire County Council to tackle these.
The dates and times of walkabouts in July will be publicised on
www.dacorum.gov.uk/walkabouts, and on our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/dacorum Please come and join us and improve your own local
environment.
Residents in Adeyfield have been showing how much their community means tothem by donating their spare time to make a difference.
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk Your tenancy | 09
How should tenanciesbe let in the future?
We have been considering how we willrespond to changes brought in by theGovernment's Localism Act 2011 whichrequires us to create a tenancy strategyby January 2013. This needs to explainhow different types of tenancies will begranted and clarify how they will berenewed.
We have prepared a draft Strategic
Tenancy Policy and we would like to
hear your views on it.
The Portfolio Holder for Housing,
Councillor Margaret Griffiths, said:
"These proposals do not affect existing
tenants. Their rights are protected
permanently. But we do need to be more
flexible in how we allocate homes in the
future to ensure they are more widely
available to the next generation. This
proposed new policy aims to get the
right people in the right accommodation
and set out the rules openly and fairly."
"I hope that all parts of our community –
tenants, owner occupiers and people
already on the housing register – look at
the proposals and let us know what they
think."
The policy contains the following
recommendations:
� Current tenants will not be affected by
the proposed policy. You will be able
to keep your existing tenancy length
and conditions if you transfer to a new
property.
� All new and re-let properties (except
supported housing in sheltered
schemes) will be let as five year fixed-
term tenancies.
� There will be a presumption to renew
a five year fixed-term tenancy if the
household's circumstances do not
change.
Councillor Griffiths concluded: "We need
to achieve a balance between ensuring
that the housing is used by those who
need it most while providing the level of
stability that households need –
particularly those with children."
From July you can complete the
consultation paper on our main website
www.dacorum.gov.uk or on our housing
register website
www.movingwithdacorum.org.ukFor more information call 01442 228000and ask for Jack Burnham.
Time for tenancyagreementreviewWe are updating the agreementwhich all tenants sign before gettingthe keys to their door.
Since it was last reviewed in 1998,
there have been many changes to the
law and different types of tenancies
can now also be granted. We need to
have a document which sets out the
complex conditions clearly both for
tenants and staff to help us to manage
our homes more effectively.
At the ‘stop while you shop’ road
show last December we asked tenants:
1. What is the one most important
thing that you would want included in
the new tenancy conditions?
2. What one thing do you consider is
good about the current tenancy
conditions?
3. What one thing would you change
in the current tenancy conditions?
The feedback we received was varied,
ranging from tenants wanting stricter
anti-social behaviour sanctions to
having more security for family
members to take over tenancies.
Following on from this consultation,
we have set up working groups made
up of staff, residents and Councillors
to discuss how these specific issues
will be covered in the agreement:
� Repairs
� Anti-social behaviour
� Pets
� Consultation and estate
management
� Rent
� Support services
� Legal issues
We are now writing a draft Tenancy
Agreement and will be asking for your
feedback later in the autumn. Look
out in the next issue of News andViews for more information.
How do you think we should grant tenancies to make the bestuse of homes in Dacorum?
10 | Repairs www.dacorum.gov.uk
How are we performing?Reducing re-let times
When tenants move out of a property
our repair teams work quickly to get it
back up to standard. The faster we can
do this, the sooner new tenants can
move in. We are doing everything we
can to keep the time that properties are
empty to a minimum.
The graph below compares re-let times
over the last three years and shows the
target we are aiming for next year.
Average number of days taken tore-let an empty home*
� Working together with tenants
(represented by the Maintenance Focus
Group) and staff from Apollo, MITIE
and the Council to examine the
process.
� Visiting the out-going tenants before
they move to inspect the property and
ensure they are aware what condition
they need to leave it in. This means
properties are now returned to us in a
better condition.
� Providing a clearance service at a
realistic price, should the tenant prefer
us to carry out this work.
� Monitoring every stage of the process
to minimise delays.
� Taking action immediately if tenants
refuse to leave their property in an
acceptable condition.
� Introducing the improved Standard for
Letting Empty Homes which clarifies
what needs to be done.
� Advertising properties earlier so that
we can allocate them as soon as
repairs are complete.
� Allowing new tenants to visit while
repairs are still in progress to prepare
for the move (where it is safe to do so).
However, we have set ourselves an even
lower target of 25 days by next year, so
will be working hard to meet this.
Be gas safe,not sorryAn explosion at a house in Gateshead inMay which injured seven people was astark reminder about the need to carryout regular gas safety checks.
If you smell gas or are worried about gas
safety, you can call the National Gas
Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 at
any time, day or night. Your call will not
cost you anything.
As your landlord, Dacorum Borough
Council has a legal requirement to carry
out a gas safety check on any Council-
owned gas installation or appliance in
your home. This must be carried out
every year by a qualified gas safety
engineer. We have appointed Carillion
Energy Services (previously known as
AFR) to do this on a ten-monthly cycle.
Carillion will send you a letter to let you
know when your service is due. When
you receive your letter, please contact
them as soon as possible to confirm or
re-arrange your appointment as
necessary. All tenants who help us to
carry out the check first time are
entered into a monthly prize draw to
win £100. For terms and conditions call
01442 228000 and ask for Pat Coles.
*These figures relate to general needsaccommodation
Carillion engineer Neal Rutherforddelivers the latest £100 prize
How are we reducing re-lettimes? As you can see we have already
managed to significantly reduce the time
taken to re-let empty homes. We have
managed to achieve this by:
We want to keep you up-to-date with how the housing service is performing andwill be putting the spotlight on a different area in each issue of News and Views. Inthis issue we are looking at how we manage our empty homes to get them ready tobe re-let.
2009/10 39 days
2010/11 29 days
2011/12 28 days
2012/13
Pelham Court re-claddingWe are replacing the externalinsulation system on the second blockof Pelham Court in Leverstock Green(pictured).
The insulation on the first block was
replaced in 2006. The second block
will be finished by the end of July.
Target 25 days
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk Repairs | 11
Scouting for a new apprenticeWe are working with Apollo to recruit another apprentice who will become an assetto our partnership.
In May, managers and directors from Apollo and Dacorum’s housing team, and the
Scout group Chairman Peter Collins, helped trainees (pictured) to renovate the Scout
hut in Potten End as part of the Kick-Start programme.
Nine NVQ construction students applied to take part in the scheme, gaining hands on
experience in basic construction skills as well as learning about team working, CV and
interview skills and health and safety awareness.
The trainees will now be interviewed for the one apprentice position which will be
based in Dacorum. Their participation during the training programme and input
during the work experience will also be taken into account.
Apollo meetsKeepmoatIn late March, our plannedmaintenance contractor Apollomerged with the Keepmoat Group ofcompanies. From now on it will beknown as Keepmoat.
But nothing is
changing
overnight. The
existing contract
between Apollo
and Dacorum
Borough Council
will be
completed and
letters and staff
identity badges
will remain with Apollo logos for the
time being. If you are concerned at all
about the identity of a repairs worker,
please call 01442 228000 and ask for
Housing.
Our repairs contractor MITIE hasbeen helping Age Concern collectand dispose of large unwanted itemssuch as cookers and armchairs fromelderly residents’ homes inDacorum.
Maria McKenna, MITIE’s Dacorum
Residents Liaison Officer, has also
joined Age Concern’s Befriending
Scheme. She will be matched up with
an elderly resident and then visiting
their home once or twice a week.
If you’d like to join the Befriending Scheme, call Age Concern Dacorum on
01442 259049 or email admin@ageconcerndacorum.org.uk
Maria has a weekly repairs hot desk at Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre every
Thursday from 9.30am to 1pm where you can drop in and talk to her about your
repairs.
HeatingrepairsreminderA quick reminder that during thewarmer months (1 May to 31October) we aim to carry outheating and hot water repairswithin three to seven workingdays.
In exceptional circumstances (such
as a vulnerable person returning
from hospital) we try to carry out
repairs faster.
During the colder months (1
November to 30 April) heating and
hot water repairs will normally be
carried out within one working day.
More details about when we carry
out repairs can be found in your
Tenants’ Handbook.
Age Concern gets a helping hand
12 | News and views www.dacorum.gov.uk
Register to vote
You’ll receive a form by the end of June,
which includes the names of the electors
who are registered at your address.
If there are no changes to the
information on the form you can confirm
your details quickly and easily using our
automated text, free phone or internet
service. If there are any changes to your
details simply amend the form, sign it
and return it to the Council in the
prepaid envelope.
For more information call
01442 228000 and ask for
Electoral Services,
email elect-reg@dacorum. gov.uk or visit
www.dacorum.gov.uk/registertovote
Summer Digestout nowHave you read the latest DacorumDigest, our quarterly residents’magazine? This issue includes:
� A whole
programme of
events to
mark the
London 2012
Olympics and
Paralympics.
� Your latest
copy of the
Dacorum
Card
Directory,
with full details of where you can get
discounts.
� Details on how you can now recycle
more of your plastics.
You should have received a copy through
your door by now, but you can also read
it online at www.dacorum.gov.uk/digest,
read it at your local library or pick up a
copy from our civic centres.
A message fromyour local fireserviceGet free advice and a free home fire safety checkfrom your local fire and rescue service. This canhelp you and others to get out quickly and safelyif a fire does break out.
To arrange for your free home fire safety check,
and free smoke detectors fitted where necessary,
please phone 0300 123 4046 or go on line at
www.hertsdirect.org/fire
ASB feedback Have you contacted us recently toreport anti-social behaviour? We’d liketo know how your complaint was dealtwith.
If you
haven’t
already
filled one in, please ask us for a
satisfaction survey. Contact Tracy Vause
on 01442 228000 or email
tracy.vause@dacorum.gov.uk
Of the 11 surveys returned between
January to March this year, eight people
said they were satisfied or very
satisfied. We are using the feedback to
help us improve our service further.
The Council is signed up to the Respect
ASB Charter for Housing, demonstrating
our commitment to tackle this serious
issue.
Contact us...If you would like more information, want to give us somefeedback or would like this issue in another format such aslarge print, audio tape or in another language, please call01442 228000 and say the name of the person you want tospeak to or simply ask for Housing or Tenant Involvement.You can also email us on tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.ukor visit www.dacorum.gov.uk
Textphone users please call 01442 228656.
Find us on facebook and twitter.
This summer we’re asking every household in Dacorum to update their details onthe electoral register. Although we normally update the register in the autumn, weare doing it earlier this year to prepare for the Police and Crime Commissionerelection being held in November.
top related