Twitter @IpswichGov facebook/IpswichGov www.ipswich.gov.uk

News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council Autumn 2016

tenants’ times

Honouring the Heroes SEE PAGE 4

housing mattersProviding good quality council housing is a longterm aim of Ipswich Borough Council.

With that in mind, work on a new HousingStrategy to take us through the next decadehas just started.

It’s a big area to cover and the strategy will befar-reaching. The focus will be on increasingthe supply of affordable housing, making thebest of existing council housing and preventinghomelessness. Background research is beingpulled together into a first draft, which will beavailable for comment by Area Housing Panelsand all tenants in the autumn.

Pag

e 2

Pag

e 2

I was disappointed to hear there are now moreformer council houses in Ipswich than councilhouses. Ipswich Borough Council now has just7,465 council houses, down from over 15,000 atone time. There are almost 3,000 families onthe housing waiting list. I’m sure you can seethat the need for more affordable housing is asgreat as ever and a long-term strategy will bevital in achieving our aims.

Pay to Stay

Cllr Neil MacDonaldHousing Portfolio holder

In the July 2015 Budget, the Governmentannounced plans to increase rents for council andhousing association tenants with incomes over£31,000 a year.

This is known as ‘Pay to Stay’. This could start assoon as in April 2017 for council tenants. Pay to

Stay means if your household income is morethan £31,000 a year, your rent will be increased.This additional rental income is then passed tocentral government.

Pay to Stay is part of the Housing and PlanningAct 2016.

Pag

e 3

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Hello everyone

So long, farewellAfter four years with Tenant Participation, SimonLanning has moved to a new role within theCouncil. He had this to say …

“I have had an amazing time supportinginvolvement with the Housing Service. Our tenantvolunteers are a really wonderful group of peopleand it has been a privilege to work with them.Their passion and dedication to making adifference for their neighbours is genuinelyheart-warming and inspiring.

I am passing the baton to April Dale and it’sencouraging to see she is already full of greatideas.

If you have an interest in your neighbourhood it’sa good time to get involved and a Get-Together isa fun taster (see below). Thanks to everyone for alltheir support and patience over the years.”

Check out www.facebook.com/groups/IBCtenants/to see more.

I am April, your new Tenant Participation Officer.I have been in the post for only a few months andlearning something new every day.

My main aim is to get our tenants, therefore you,more involved with the Council and making vitaldecisions on a multiple of issues. At Area HousingPanel meetings tenants help to decide whichprojects should receive funding in order tobenefit the environment and you. I am lookingfor new recruits so we can make a positivechange to our communities as I believe thatparticipation is very important and vital for areas.

coffeetime

z

HG

qq

www.ipswich.gov.uk

IpswichGov@IpswichGov

Get involved in your community?Have you ideas to improve your neighbourhood? Would you like to make new friends? Do you want a say in how the Council works with regards to housing?

Pop to one of our get-togethers at Arlingtons in Museum Street for a friendly, informal chat. See how you can be more involved in having your say and helping others!

Thursdays 8 September 10.30am and 29 September 6pm

13 October 10.30am and 27 October 6pm

10 November 10.30am and 24 November 6pm (venue to be confirmed)

I used to work for anotherlocal authority, in theWaste and Recyclingdepartment, so housing is anew area for me.

I am open to hearing fromyou and any ideas youmight have so please get intouch - after all, you arethe ones who will benefit.

t: 01473 433321 e: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk

Mayo House resident, Harold Farrow, hasreceived one of France’s highest honours to markhis involvement in the D-Day landings duringWorld War Two.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of thelandings, the French Government offeredcampaign veterans the Legion of Honour medal.In June, Harold received his medal and letterconfirming his appointment to rank of Chevalierin the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, anhonour comparative to an MBE.

Harold was in the 1st Battalion of the RoyalNorfolk Regiment which helped prepare for theD-Day landings and on 6th June 1944 landed onSword Beach near Caen.

The regiment fought with distinction throughnorth west Europe and Harold’s tour took him allthe way to Bremen by the end of the war. As thegunner on a Bren Carrier armoured vehicle heencountered many hair-raising moments. Hissmall division was surrounded by SS troops atSourdeval in France before tank reinforcementsarrived and in the final days of the war when hisdivision reached Bremen they fought house tohouse against the retreating German army.Families had hidden with such haste that potswere still bubbling on the stove. One happymemory was cooking for the other soldiers. Theysometimes used wreckage from destroyedbuildings to fashionpit-stoves and cook uptinned rations. One of theworst parts was stopping

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Honouring the heroes

Pag

e 4

the vehicle as whether it was overnight or for 10 minutes it meant digging atrench!

Harold’s sons lost his medals in the garden as children. They arrangedpresentation of replacement ones by the Mayor on Armed Forces Day.

After returning from service in 1949 Harold moved to Ipswich where he hasbeen ever since. He moved into Mayo Court not long after it was built andnow enjoys spending time in the garden and seeing his family.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 5

Garden competitionWINNERSNorth WestOwn Garden: Rebecca Chennell,Browning RoadNorth West CommunalGarden: Marie Hume/MandyDriver/Pam Edwards,Kingsley Close

South West OwnGarden:Mrs Kingston, Robin Drive South West CommunalGarden: MargaretQuinton/FredaGrainger, Mallard Court

East Own Garden: Sue, Derby CloseEast CommunalGarden: Ivan Harris/Brian Green/Mary JollyMorecambe Court

Council tenants from across Ipswich were nominated for the Best Kept Gardencompetition featured in the last edition.Everyone who entered has, and still are, doing a marvellous job of making their own orcommunal gardens look amazing. It was difficult to pick a winner and took us sometime. All the gardens were beautiful, every tenant should be proud of what they haveachieved - it does make such a difference. Each housing area winner received a £30 garden centre voucher. We hope to run thecompetition again next year, so keep your eyes open for details.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 6

Tenancy Support SchemeIpswich Borough Council offers tenancy support to all existing and prospective tenants for a variety ofissues.

The scheme provides short term, low level support for many reasons including:

• help setting up a home/moving home• assistance with welfare benefit claims and correspondence• assistance with debt advice referrals• support to access mental health services• support to access drug or alcohol related services• accessing other agencies within the community• domestic violence related issues

In addition to our existing Tenancy Support Officer, Nicola McCourt, the Council has recently recruitedtwo new Tenancy Support Officers, Jennie Roberts and Annie Mackay.

If you feel you are in need of support with any of the above issues or you are experience difficulties thatare impacting on your tenancy, you can access the scheme by contacting your Housing Officer andrequesting a referral to us or for more information contact us on 01473 433370.

HOUSING FRAUDIT AFFECTS ALL OF US!Housing fraud includes:

• not telling the truth when applying for a property -e.g. claiming to have children when you don’t

• sub-letting a property without permission

Don’t let the cheats take away much needed homes -you can contact Ipswich Borough Council’s FraudHotline on 01473 433999 or emailfraud@ipswich.gov.uk

You don’t have to give your name - we treat every callin the strictest confidence.

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Pag

e 7

Swimming with sharks ...

If you or someone you know is a victim of a loan sharkoperating in your area, contact Trading Standards instrictest confidence. 24 hour confidential hotline -

0300 555 2222 TEXT 07860 022 116 or email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Sid the Shark is spreading the message in Ipswichthat loan sharks should always be avoided.

Sid was accompanying Big Local Trust volunteersat a Family Fun Day in Whitehouse. Residents hadthe opportunity to meet North West Ipswich BigLocal Trust Partnership members and chat aboutissues affecting them. Sid the Shark received theattention of many young people and encouragedconversations with parents and guardians aroundloan shark lending and the alternatives to lending.

Sid has been sighted at summer family days inIpswich parks - look out for him around town inSeptember too. Ipswich Borough Council will becatching up with Sid as part of Money SafetyAction this month, follow onwww.facebook.com/IpswichGov or @IpswichGov.

They may not have fins or killer jaws, but loansharks - or illegal moneylenders - are every bit asdangerous and predatory as their name suggests.Victims are charged astronomical rates of interest,and often face violence, blackmail or intimidationif they fall behind with payments. Great newsthough - a specialist Trading Standards team ishelping to hunt down illegal money lenders.

What is a loan shark?It is illegal for anyone to operate a moneylending business if they do not have permissionfrom the Financial Conduct Authority.

A loan made by an illegal money lender isprobably unenforceable. This means you probablywon’t have to pay it back. It is the loan shark whois behaving illegally. Reporting the loan shark’sactivity will not get you into trouble with theauthorities. The average cost of borrowing from aloan shark is three times the price of the highestcost of legal credit. The highest interest rate theteam have come across so far was 131,000% APR.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 8

Universal Credit WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Universal Credit is a new single payment for people looking for work or on a low income.

Universal Credit is being introduced in stages andby 2017 will replace:

Child Tax Credit | Housing Benefit | Income basedJob Seeker Allowance | Income SupportWorking Tax Credit | Employment SupportAllowance.

Most people won’t be affected to start with.Below is what you can do to prepare for thesechanges.

• To receive Universal Credit payments youneed a bank or building society account. Ifyou have an account already, check it is ok forreceiving automated payments.

Post Office Card accounts are not suitable for Universal Credit.• If you have a partner you will each get a

single payment so think about whether youwant to have it paid into a joint account.

• Check your bank account lets you set upregular payments for rent and other bills. If itdoesn't, you might want to switch to one thatdoes.

• Universal Credit is paid monthly, so you mayhave to alter the way you budget. Work outcarefully how much money is coming in eachmonth and what you spend it on, that wayyou can be sure you will not run out beforethe end of the month.

• If you do not have access to the internet, askat your Jobcentre (they will tell you whereyou can get online) or pop into your locallibrary, most have computers which you canuse for free.

• An email account is required to claimUniversal Credit online. Setting up an emailaccount is easy, and free. You can choosefrom a range of email providers and create aunique email address. Sites such asOutlook.com (run by Microsoft), Gmail (runby Google), Yahoo! Mail and AOL Mailprovide email accounts - but there manyothers to choose from.

• If your IT skills need updating, the Jobcentre or library should be able to help you find a course.

If you qualify for help with your rent you will bepaid direct, you then need to pay IpswichBorough Council’s rent yourself. Let us know assoon as possible once you have made a UniversalCredit claim. We will be able to help advise youregarding your rent and assist with informationrequired to support your claim.

Useful contacts

Universal Credit HelplineFriday 8am-6pm t: 0345 6000 723 (Ask for call-back as this helpline is not free)Citizens Advice Bureau(advice on budgeting or debt management) Friday 8am-6pm t: 0800 1387777Money Advice Servicewww.moneyadviceservice.org.ukTenancy Services(advice and help regarding your rent) t: 01473 433370

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 9

Cumberland Towers is set to have major improvementworks completed over the next year.

The works have been agreed by the Council and will beginsoon.

The improvement works will see new cladding being placedon the outside, new windows to insulate the building toretain heat, more efficient storage heaters and glassedbalconies.

Sheltered Housing Manager Kevin Barnes has discussed theproposals with tenants to ensure they are fully aware of thetimetable. It is hoped the first stage of the project will startlater this year when updating of the heating will becompleted.

External works will take approximately six months tocomplete so the aim is to start this stage next spring.

Major improvement works

TSG - new contractorsIpswich Borough Council has recently awardeda contract for the installation of new boilersand central heating systems in its homes toTSG Building Services plc.

Ipswich Borough Council has received themessage below from our new contractor as anintroduction to their service.

“TSG Building Services are thrilled to beinstalling new boilers and central heatingsystems for Ipswich Borough Council’sresidents.

TSG are experts in delivering this type of work,having been established since 1961, as afamily-owned business, which remains truetoday.”

TSG’s friendly, professional administration teamcan be contacted on the specific telephone

number 01707 808 051, Monday-Friday 8am to5pm. TSG’s staff will be easily identifiable at alltimes, and will wear company-branded uniformsdisplaying their logo. This will be supported withan ID badge that will be shown before they enteryour home. Their details can be confirmed byphoning the TSG office on the above number.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 10

Come to our GIVE & TAKE events below.Reuse/recycle your unwanted items, or comealong and take something away for free!

26 OCTOBER 2016 at Bramford Road Methodist Church, Bramford Road, IP1 4AY

3 JANUARY 2017 at Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich, IP4 3PD

ELECTRICAL ITEMSBring along any unwanted small household itemssuch as kettles, vacuum cleaners, TVs, hair dryersand straighteners, irons etc. All items will be PATsafety tested before being placed out for reuse.

FURNITUREBring along any furniture in good condition and,if upholstered, with a fire label still attached.Local charity Ipswich Furniture Project can collectlarger items from your home for free, if they arein good condition.

BICYCLESWorking and non-working bicycles or bicycleparts.

TEXTILESBring your unwanted clean clothing and textiles.We cannot accept pillows, cushions, duvets orcarpets.

BOOKSWe will reuse all books in good reusablecondition.

BOARD GAMESAny complete board games in good condition.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOWThe event is for materials from households, notbusinesses. If your items can fit in a family car, wecan take them. A limited number of items can betaken away per person.

Items not reused locally will be donated to localcharitable projects.

Give and Take eventsNEW GIVE AND TAKE EVENTS:

Re-use unwanted items and help reducewaste by bringing items you no longerneed or want for others to take away.

BRING YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS

- TAKE SOMETHING HOME

www.ipswich.gov.uk/RecycleElectrical

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Pag

e 11

Volunteers neededVolunteer befrienders needed to help combatloneliness in older people. Can you spare one hour aweek to visit and chat to a lonely older person?Established charity, Suffolk Age UK needs volunteersin the Ipswich area (between 10am-4pm).

Could this be you? If so please contact SheenaSkinner on 01473 284254 for an informal chat andmore information.

Ipswich Furniture ProjectDON’T DUMP IT, DONATE IT!

Free collection of unwanted furniture andelectrical items

Charitable organisation Ipswich Furniture Project is

offering free collection of furniture, metal and

electrical appliances from your home. Items such as

fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers can

be collected, even if they don’t work as they will be

repaired or recycled. So please don’t dump them! All

soft furniture must have a current fire warning label

attached which complies with The 1988 Fire &

Furnishing Regulations or conforms to British

Standard 7177. Ipswich Furniture Project can be

contacted by calling 01473 404004 or emailing

service@ipswichfp.org

Drug activityThe Police and Ipswich Borough Council areworking in partnership to addressdrug-related issues.

Please help us by reporting any drug-relatedactivity (including drug-related litter such asneedles and spoons). This will allow us to directresources more effectively.

Call 999 If you require an immediate Policeresponse (i.e. a crime is in progress or about tohappen). You don’t have to provide your details ifyou don’t want to.

Call 101 For the Police if the matter is less serious.

Call 01473 433000 Ipswich Borough Council’sCleaner Ipswich Hotline to report needle findsand drug litter.

Call 0800 555 111 You can also call Crimestoppersanonymously. They will not ask for any personaldetails.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 12

Free Ipswich sport sessions

COMMUNITY CAFELimerick CloseIpswich IP1 5LR 01473 745470

10am -2pm • MONDAY - FRIDAY

Hot/Cold Food and DrinkKids Meal Deal • Specials Board

Book Clubs • Mum and TotsOver 50’s Lunch Club Meal Deals

everyone is Welcome

During the autumn term the Positive Futures project is running free activities across Ipswich. Young people aged 10-19 can simply turn up and join in; there is no charge to take part.

Football Chantry Sports Centre Tuesday 5-6pm

Football Whitton Sports Centre Wednesday 4-5pm

Boxing YMCA Wednesday 5-6pm

Girls Only Chantry Sports Centre Wednesday 6-7pm

The project is managed by national charity Catch22 and funded by the Suffolk Police and CrimeCommissioner. It also works in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

For further information please contact paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 13

North West Ipswich Big Local Trust hosted a teaparty in honour of the Queen's 90th birthday forthe senior residents of Whitehouse, Whitton andCastle Hill.

The party was free and more than 80 residentsenjoyed the event.

The programme included local choir, VoicesTogether, who sang a variety of songs tocommemorate the Queen's reign. This wasfollowed by a quiz and a delicious afternoon tea.Jacqui Pearson, party organiser, was delighted thatthe residents had enjoyed such an entertainingtime.

North West Ipswich Big Local Trust recognises themany problems senior residents can encounter.They are working with other organisations withinthe local community to make the area dementia

friendly. This tea party was just one of the manyactivities the group has organised and has plansfor more in the future.

For further information on NWI BLT projects andfuture events, or if you would like to join or helpthe group, please contact Faye Smith, ProjectOfficer, on 01473 345349 or 07976565329.

Dundee House tenants also put on a tea party forthe Queen’s 90th birthday. They decorated thelounge with flags and bunting and also wore red,white and blue for the occasion. There was a prizefor the best crown, which was won by Stephen Frost.

Tenants enjoyed sandwiches, homemade cakes,Pimms, scones with jam and clotted creamfollowed by local strawberries and cream. Thetenants sung the National Anthem and everyonewho attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Celebration parties

Pag

e 14

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Hedgehog champion

Chantry Residents’Association

Lark in the Park took place in Gippeswyk Park. Theweather stayed dry throughout the day despite adownpour while setting up.

This year Chantry Academy and other familyvolunteers helped set up stalls and assistedmembers of the public. Silver Spinners Majorettesand Freedom Sounds kept us entertained withmusic all day. We also had games, donkey rides

and bungee climb which was very popular. Ourgrand draw was well supported, with prizessupplied by local residents. Thank you to everyonewho came along and enjoyed the day.

Why not pop along to our coffee morning in aid of Macmillian Cancer on 23 September at26 Lavender Hill, IP2 0NB. Ring 01473 683680 for more information.

Earlier this year, Mary Jolly of Morecambe Court was recognised as a HedgehogChampion and received a certificate from BBC Radio Suffolk that is proudlyhung in the communal room. She believes four hedgehogs come into thecommunal gardens and she places food and water out for them nightly. Shethinks one of the hedgehogs is a baby and ‘Bolshie Borris’ is the one in charge!

Mary orders foodfrom a supplier whodelivers to her door.Hedgehogs eat nuts,insects and meal-worms and whenthey come out atnight, Mary watchesfrom her window.She thoroughlyenjoys her eveningswatching thehedgehogs eat anddrink the food andwater.

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Pag

e 15

HEARS to helpThe Home Emergency AlarmResponse Service (HEARS) is apersonal alarm service. It hasbeen established for more than25 years and works to improvethe health and well-being ofpeople in Ipswich and thesurrounding areas (includingWoodbridge, Stowmarket andFelixstowe). HEARS enablespeople needing support to liveas independently as possible intheir own homes, for as long asthey are able and wish to doso. The service works byproviding a personal mobilebutton, which can be worn as a

pendant or wrist strap. Analarm unit is provided,connected through a hometelephone socket to theIpswich based 24-hour controlteam. The alarm can be used inan accident or medicalemergency, such as a fall. There are two HEARS options -a full monitoring and responseservice for £5.15 weekly or amonitoring-only service for£2.55 weekly. The monitoringand response service is limitedto specific areas so pleasecontact us to confirm your areais covered.

ROUND THE CLOCK, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

If you know anyone who would benefit from the service, please let them know. For more informationabout HEARS please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/HEARS or call the 24 hour control team on 01473 433236.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 16

We want to hear from you

WordsearchH Z T U C O T E Q G B L K H O

Q T V K P Z L S A U F R B T Q

U X E D B C G R P A Y G G B PO L N B Y F D U U M Q O D N QQ V E C A E K A Q I R H K I BL S E W N Z Y C U S L E H V DE R B H S Z I G H J R G A S MS U P P O R T L K G H D R Z NG Y F Q L U A Y E Q E E O X GE A E A Y M Y E C Y A H L Z IK T B A Y J X C H R K L D K JM S P U V E L A S R E V I N UA P R D B Z D U A R F D X G GW E V T E D W A D B Q K I J VP E I Y D Z A C L B A P N T F

CREDITELIZABETH

FRAUDGARDEN

HAROLDHEARS

HEDGEHOGPAY

RECYCLESTAY

SUPPORTUNIVERSAL

Words to find:

Have you got a story about yourself or another

tenant that you believe should be shared in

Tenants’ Times? Then we want to hear from you!

We are always on the look out for stories (old and

new), celebrations, award news and anything else

you feel would be of interest.

To find out more or, to submit your stories please

email: tenant.participation@ipswich.gov.uk or

ring 01473 433313.

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 17

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 18

Your blue bin

Limited mobility?

SHOPMOBILITYoffers FREE use of a

wheelchair

or battery

powered scooter to

get you around the

town centre

All equipment to be returned by 4pm

*two hours free parking for Shopmobility users

www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility

t: 01473 222225

Call in and see us at IPSWICH

SHOPMOBILITY at the

Buttermarket shopping centre

on the lower ground (LG)

car park level*

Monday - Saturday 9.15am-4.15pm

Please remember, there are a few items thatcause problems if placed in the blue bin andthis may mean your bin is not collected.Getting your recycling wrong can spoil a whole loadof recycling – wasting valuable resources andtaxpayers’ money.

No thank you

� no food waste or nappies

� no clothing or textiles unless bagged and tied upin a bag provided free from the Council*

� no glass or electrical items, find your closestrecycling point for these at www.recyclenow.com.Electricals should not go into the black bin eitheras they contain hazardous materials.

*A free textile recycling bag can be collected fromthe Customer Service Centre, Town Hall, Suffolklibraries or Ipswich Borough sports centres.

Yes please� paper, card, aerosols, metal cans, metal pots and pans, clean tin foil, drink cartons, plastic bottles, plastic pots and tubs, books, bagged and tied textiles.

Further information and a full list of itemsaccepted for recycling in your blue bin can befound at www.ipswich.gov.uk/bluebin

ALL RECYCLINGSHOULD BE CLEAN,DRY AND LOOSEPLEASE

www.ipswich.gov.uk Pag

e 19

CHEAP WATERFRONT CAR PARKING

Athena Hall car park is off Duke Street, close to all theWaterfront attractions, including Profiles gym, Universitycampus and a wide range of restaurants and bars. Just followthe road signs.

It is also a few minutes’ walk from Holywells Park, using theMyrtle Road entrance. The new parking tariff will leave you withmore money in your pocket to enjoy events at the park!

Athena Hall benefits from being covered and having CCTV andis open from 8am until midnight, every day of the week.

From Monday to Friday the maximum stay is 4 hours and thetariff is just 70p an hour, £1.20 after 6pm

All day at Athena Hall on Saturdays & Sundaysnow just £2.50(or 70p per hour)

P1

P1

P3

P2

Crown car park, William Street, Regent (Woodbridge Road), Portman Road, West End Road,

Upper Barclay Street (Upper Orwell Street) and Bond Street ...

£1 AN HOUR PARKING

QUIDS IN OFFER£1 AFTER 3PM FOR THE REST OF THE DAY (MON-FRI)

Fore Street car park

This short-stay car park is in the grounds of the Fore Street swimming pool but isavailable to the public at all times and is handy for the Waterfront and town centre.Access is from Star Lane, and you can park for up to four hours for just 90p an hour.

Smart Street car park

Ipswich’s newest car park has 21 wide bays, which are ideal for motorists with biggercars or those armed with lots of bags or children. It’s 90p an hour to park here,access is off Foundation Street, ideal for the town, Waterfront and historicBlackfriars. The maximum stay is 4 hours.Pay by cash, card or through Android Pay or Apple Pay on your smart phone.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/parkings

IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL IS KEEPING CAR PARKING CHARGES LOWWHY PAY MORE?

P2

P3

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Housing Services 01473 433370 To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry 01473 432100(including out of hours emergency repairs)

To order a gas repair or gas service 0800 533 5630 or 01473 835145

Environmental Health (noise problems) 01473 433015

COMPLAINTS We received 10 complaints about Tenancy Services. 5 complaints received a full response within the deadline of 20 working days. 1 complaint unable to conclude / progress due to tenant not responding to request for contact. 1 complaint responded to outside the deadline. 3 complaints are not due a response at time of editing. 6 complaints were not upheld.

ALLOCATIONS It took on average 23.75 working days to process a housing application. (Target <20)

RENTS At the end of July £743,233 in rent payment was outstanding, which is 2.03% of thetotal due for the year. (Target < 2.38 %)

GAS SERVICING We averaged 3.5 properties that did not have an up to date gas safety certificate. At the end of July 0 services were overdue.

REPAIRS 6,286 repairs were raised of which 88.5% were completed on target at the end of July (Target >98.5%)

TENANCY We averaged 96.74% re-let of empty properties on time against a target of 95%.In total 89 of the 92 properties were let on time.

COMMUNITY 97% of pledge visits and 1,424 other minor repairs in communal areas were completedCARETAKERS

CUSTOMER Out of 23,805 calls made to housing and repairs 89.2% got through to an agent beforeSERVICE ending the call in April-July (Target >90%)

ANTI-SOCIAL We averaged 31.25 cases and at the end of July there were 38 open cases.BEHAVIOUR

Update on housing performance - Period covering April 2016 – July 2016

WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED?

JOIN THE TENANT FACEBOOK GROUP

www.facebook.com/groups/IBCtenants/

Measuring up