On the House April 2013

12
Work has started on building the first Council homes in the Winchester district for over 20 years. Building five new homes is underway in Micheldever and planning permission has been given to start building new homes at Coles Mead in Otterbourne and Station Approach in Itchen Abbas. Speaking at the launch of the new Micheldever development, Cllr Ian Tait, Portfolio Holder for New Homes Delivery said: I am delighted that we have the first five Council homes being built in the district. This is an excellent partnership scheme that will benefit many local people who currently cannot live in Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, said: Please read the information in this edition carefully. Anyone who thinks they could be affected by benefit changes should contact their Area Housing Manager straightaway. We can provide advice and support and will do all we can to help. However, not paying rent is not an option and you could put your tenancy at serious risk if your rent account goes into arrears.edition 1 April 2013 edition 24 Housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders house Welfare Reform 4-5 Repairs Information 7-9 Downsizing Scheme, Loft Conversions 10 Major changes are being made to the benefits system over the next few years because of the Welfare Reform Act 2012. Some of the changes took effect immediately after the Act became law, but others are scheduled for 2013 or later. See pages 4 and 5 for details. These changes could affect you! inside this edition: Changes to Welfare Benefits Explained New Council Homes their local area. This is the start of an exciting new time for Council homes and we are working to extend this good work across other parts of the District.Between 10 and 15 new homes should be available this year with building of over 100 planned to start in 2014.

description

Housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders house

Transcript of On the House April 2013

Page 1: On the House April 2013

Work has started on building thefirst Council homes in theWinchester district for over 20 years.Building five new homes isunderway in Micheldever andplanning permission has been given

to start building new homes atColes Mead in Otterbourne andStation Approach in Itchen Abbas.

Speaking at the launch of the newMicheldever development, Cllr Ian

Tait, Portfolio Holder for NewHomes Delivery said:

“I am delighted that wehave the first five Councilhomes being built in thedistrict. This is an excellentpartnership scheme that willbenefit many local peoplewho currently cannot live in

Portfolio Holderfor HousingServices, said:

“Please read theinformation inthis editioncarefully.

Anyone who thinks they could beaffected by benefit changes shouldcontact their Area Housing Manager

straightaway. We can provideadvice and support and will do allwe can to help. However, notpaying rent is not an option andyou could put your tenancy atserious risk if your rent accountgoes into arrears.”

e d i t i o n 1 A p r i l 2 0 1 3

e d i t i o n 2 4

Housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholdershouse

� Welfare Reform 4-5� Repairs

Information 7-9� Downsizing Scheme,

Loft Conversions 10

Major changes are being madeto the benefits system over thenext few years because of theWelfare Reform Act 2012. Someof the changes took effectimmediately after the Actbecame law, but others arescheduled for 2013 or later. See pages 4 and 5 for details.These changes could affect you! inside this edition:

Changes to Welfare Benefits Explained

New Council Homes

their local area. This is the start ofan exciting new time for Councilhomes and we are working toextend this good work across otherparts of the District.”

Between 10 and 15 new homesshould be available this year withbuilding of over 100 planned tostart in 2014.

Page 2: On the House April 2013

Officers from Winchester, EastHampshire, Havant and Test ValleyCouncils have been reviewing theway in which social housing isallocated. This follows theintroduction of the Localism Act2011 which gives councils greaterflexibility to manage waiting listsand ensure social homes go tothose who genuinely need them.

Part of the review included anonline customer survey for us to getthe views of people who could beaffected by any changes and askingthem who they thought should beprioritised for social housing. Thankyou to those who completed the

survey, your views have helped usto determine the Allocations Policy.Details of the new AllocationsFramework are available on ourwebsite and Hampshire HomeChoice at www.winchester.gov.uk/HampshirehomechoiceCustomers registered on HampshireHome Choice will receive a letterinforming them of the changes andadvising them if they are affected.Advice and assistance is available toanyone who is affected by thechanges. For more information,contact the Housing Needs team on01962 84 84 00.

There is a new quick and convenient way to contact us and report nonurgent repairs, pay your rent or tell us about a host of other issues 24hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year using your smart phone ortablet device with our new app.

“Your Winchester” is a simple way to report problems. No need tohang on the phone and no need to work out who you should sendthe report to.

Just scan this image or go to the app store from yourdevice, type in Your Winchester, download it and startusing it straight away.

p a g e 2 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

Changes to the Hampshire HomeChoice Allocations Framework

If you have any particular needswhich affect how you are able touse or be involved in our servicesor how you would like to receiveinformation - for exampletranslation, interpreters, Braille,audio tape, large print, sign language - please contact theCustomer Service Centre either bytelephone: 01962 840 222 or by email: [email protected]

Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street,Winchester, SO23 9LJ.telephone 01962 84 84 00 fax 01962 841 365email [email protected] website www.winchester.gov.ukTelephone calls may be recorded.Printed on 75% recycled paper.

TEXTPHONEThis facility is available for readerswho are deaf or hard of hearing.Please telephone 01962 878 982.

thebigwordtelephone interpreting service

The Council uses a 24-hourTelephone InterpretingService, which also provideswritten or recordedtranslations.

If you, a relative or aneighbour would like to talkto the Council through aninterpreter, please contactyour Area Housing Manageron 01962 84 84 00.

on discOn the house isavailable in large print,

MP3 or on CD (audio). Please callthe Tenant Involvement Team on Freephone 0800 716 987.

Report it or Pay it

New Phone App!

Page 3: On the House April 2013

o n t h e h o u s e p a g e 3

A new Estates Services team hasbeen set up to provide a dedicatedfocus on estates andneighbourhoods. The team will beresponsible for delivering estateimprovements from an increasedbudget of £350,000 for the 2013/14

Converting Empty Units into New HomesAs well as building new homes, the Council is also looking to convertunused buildings into new homes. Two new properties were created inCompton, near Winchester. The properties, both two-bedroom flats, used tobe the old Post Office until the business closed a few years ago. Theconversion was completed in September 2012, helping to house twohouseholds on the Hampshire Home Choice housing register.

A former shop premises in Cromwell Road, Stanmore was converted inOctober 2012 to create a new two-bedroom house. The shop which had beenempty for many years, had in the past been vandalised and was boarded up.It was given a new lease of life and is now a fantastic family home.

Cromwell Road before

CromwellRoad after

Compton old Post Office

year. Projects to bedelivered across the district fromApril 2013 include improvedparking, external lighting,improvements to garage areas andbin areas, benches, fencing anddoor entry systems.

The Estates Services team will alsobe working on improving estateservices to tenants andleaseholders, including the groundsmaintenance and cleaning services.

The new team also brings togetherthe Garage Officer, Winnall flats’Caretakers and the TenantInvolvement team. The team willwork with tenants and leaseholdersto involve residents, to ensure wecontinue to improve the standard ofestate services.

www.facebook.com/WinchesterTenants

Estate ServicesTeam (left toright): SarahCharlton,CarolineRobinson, Paul Dewhurst,Fiona Churcher,Selo Kaymak,Kelly Morris,David Lumby,Heather Wensley

Estate Improvements

Welcome to Heather WensleyHeather Wensleyjoined the HousingServices team inOctober 2012, asthe TenantInvolvementSupport Officer, working alongsideDavid Lumby to support tenantinvolvement activities across thedistrict. Heather has a backgroundin retail, and brings with her lots ofrelevant skills and a wealth ofenthusiasm to her new role.

Heather is also working ondeveloping and promoting theCouncil’s Tenant InvolvementFacebook page. Go and have alook at it!!

Page 4: On the House April 2013

Welfare Reform Are you of “WorkingAge” and in receipt ofsome form of welfarebenefit payment? If so,changes being introducedin April could affect yourability to pay your rent.

Please read the followingpages very carefully. Ifyou think the changesmay affect you, please actnow! Contact your AreaHousing Manager on 01962 84 84 00 for helpand advice on what to donext.

p a g e 4 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

Find workIf you are able to work but arenot working at the moment andwould like to find out how toget back into employment ortraining, contact your nearestJobcentre plus for help or visitwww.gov.uk for furtherinformation.

Make up the shortfall inrent yourselfPlease contact us to set up adirect debit, get a payment cardor discuss the ways you can paythe shortfall.

Take in a lodger You will need to speak to yourArea Housing Manager as youwill need our permission first.You should also think aboutwhether this will affect anyother benefits you receive andany taxes that you pay.

From April 2013, housing benefitwill be reduced for tenants who areworking age and living in aproperty that is larger than theirhousehold is deemed to need.Tenants who are under-occupyingby one bedroom will have theireligible rent used to calculatehousing benefit reduced by 14%and for those under occupying bytwo or more rooms, the reductionwill be 25%.

If you are affected, there are anumber of things you can do:

Housing Benefit Size Criteria

Working Age =

from 16 years to

pension credit age

(currently 61 ½)

Make sure you aregetting all the benefitsyou are entitled toWe can refer you to the Benefitsand Money Advice Service toensure you are not missing outon any benefits which wouldhelp you meet the shortfall inyour rent.

Move to a smaller homeYou could look for a mutualexchange by registering onwww.homeswapper.co.ukwhich is free for Counciltenants, apply for a transfer byjoining the Hampshire HomeChoice register onwww.winchester.gov.uk/Hampshirehomechoice or lookfor a home in the private sector.If you are interested indownsizing you may be eligiblefor help under our downsizingscheme (see page 10 for details).

Page 5: On the House April 2013

o n t h e h o u s e p a g e 5

There are some people who will beallowed a spare bedroom, forexample if you are disabled and needan overnight carer, if you are a fostercarer, have adult children in theArmed Forces or have a severelydisabled child who needs their ownbedroom for medical reasons. Also,limited funds (known as DiscretionaryHousing Payments) are available tohelp tenants who have specialcircumstances (such as disabledtenants who have had their propertysubstantially adapted for their needs)to meet their shortfall.

Any Discretionary Housing Paymentwill be based on the income andcircumstances of your householdand any payment is likely to be fora short period only. If thesecircumstances apply to you, pleasecontact your Area Housing Manageron 01962 84 84 00 or the BenefitsSection on 01962 848 539.

It could be difficult to make up theshortfall between the reducedhousing benefit you receive and therent you have to pay. If you fall in torent arrears you will risk losing yourhome so please contact us now ifyou are struggling to pay and wecan offer you help and advice or willput you in contact with someonewho can give you the informationand support you need.

Benefit CapThe Government will beintroducing a ‘cap’ on themaximum amount of benefit aworking age household canreceive. If your combined incomefrom certain benefits is more thanthe cap, your housing benefit willbe reduced. The level of the capwill be £500 a week if you are acouple, with or without dependentchildren, or a single parent; and£350 per week for single peoplewithout children.

If you are likely to be affected bythe limit, you would have receiveda letter from us and theDepartment of Work and Pensions(DWP). If you have been contactedabout the benefit cap, please getin touch with your Area HousingManager or call the DWP Helplineon 0845 605 7064 (8am to 6pm).

For more information on whatbenefits are included in the capand which won’t be counted, aswell as who won’t be affected, (forexample people who qualify forWorking Tax Credit or DisabilityLiving Allowance,) please contactyour Area Housing Manager on01962 84 84 00 or the BenefitsSection on 01962 848 539.

Other Changesto BenefitsThere are a number of otherchanges which will be introducedbetween 2013 and 2017.These include:

� Replacing Disability LivingAllowance with a new benefitcalled Personal IndependencePayment (PIP) for people ofworking age.

� Replacing the current complexsystem of working age benefitsand tax credits with a newbenefit called Universal Credit.

� Changes to Pension Credit toinclude a new housing element tohelp with the payment of rent forpeople of pensionable age.

We will keep you updated aboutthese and any other changes aswe learn more about them. Lookout for articles in On the Houseand on our website. If you arelikely to be affected by thechanges you will be contacted bythe Department of Work andPensions (DWP) or the Councilnearer the time.

More information onthe size criteria and thebenefits cap is availablein our leaflets. Pleasecontact us for a copy.

Page 6: On the House April 2013

Money Matters – General hints & tips

Pay your rent by directdebitSetting up a direct debit whichleaves your account just after youare paid your salary or benefits is agood way of making sure your rentis paid on time.

Organise a bank accountChanges to benefits such as theintroduction of Universal Credit willmean the benefits you will receivewill be paid directly to you. You’llneed a bank account and it’s a goodidea to have one which allows youto set up a direct debit to help youpay your rent and other bills. If youneed help setting up an account,please contact us.

Be prepared for yourbenefit meetingsIf you are invited to an appointmentwith the Job Centre, make sure youattend and take along all thepaperwork they have asked to see.

Avoid using loan sharksand pay-day loansLoan sharks and pay-day loans canbe tempting as they offer fast money.But there are some big problemswith using them – mainly high feesand interest rates – which can seeyou having to pay a lot of money forthe loan. If you are struggling tomake ends meet, please contact usand we can talk through the optionsavailable to you.

Hampshire Credit UnionHampshire Credit Union is a ‘notfor profit’ organisation which offersa wide range of banking andsavings facilities to Hampshireresidents including a new ‘Jam Jar’account. This account allowsbenefit payments or wages to bepaid in; separate ‘jars’ to be set-upfor essential bills including rentand utilities and the balance to betransferred to a Credit UnionPrePaid card or into anotheraccount. The Credit Union has asatellite service point in theCouncil’s Customer Service Centrein Colebrook Street (currently everyThursday from 9.30 until 2.30) oralternatively can be contacted bytelephone on 023 9282 7980 oronline at www.usal.org.uk. TheCredit Union is authorised andregulated by theFinancialServicesAuthority.

The downturn in theeconomy, along with risingfuel prices continues to putpressure on householdbudgets. Changes to thewelfare and benefitssystem from April will onlyadd to this pressure.

It is essential that everyone ensuresthey review household budgets andchoose the right spending priorities.

Please remember, rent and Counciltax are priority debts and are notsomething that can be ignored atthe expense of other bills.

Spring into Action: With a feast of fashionand foreign flavours!Where: St John’s House,

The BroadwayWhen: Saturday 4th May

10:30 – 15:00

Join Winchester City Council andA2Dominion for a day of fun withOxfam Charity fashion shows,Zumba dancing, beer, wine and freefood tasting from around the world!You can also chat to our housingofficers for advice along with otherorganisations. Its free to enter andall are welcome!!Advice stands:� Winchester City Council� A2Dominion� Citizens Advice Bureau� uSwitch� Winchester Job Club� Credit Union

Refreshments and snacks will also beavailable from South Central Forum.

Contact: The Tenant InvolvementTeam – 0800 716 987

We will be holding moreMoney Matters events andoffering benefits advice atStreet Meets and othertenant meetings in your area.Look out for these on ourwebsite and Facebook page.

p a g e 6 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

Page 7: On the House April 2013

o n t h e h o u s e p a g e 7

“Green Cards”What do we dowith them?You must sometimes wonder why weask you to return your customersatisfaction cards to us; what do we do with them other than produce tablesof statistics? Well, each and every response that we receive from you eitherby post or over the telephone is logged against the job number on ourcomputer system. According to what you tell us, we can use the informationto commend our contractors on a job well done; or perhaps we can follow upon a report of bad workmanship. We are able to monitor if tradesmen areoffering you ID and if they are sticking to the appointment times. All of theinformation that you feed back to us helps us to manage our contractorseffectively, ensuring that you receive the best possible service.

On the whole you tell us that you are satisfied with the standard of workfrom our contractors. If you are not happy with any of the maintenanceservices we provide, don’t suffer in silence – tell us. Help us to bring aboutcontinuous improvement to make a good service even better.

Winnall Flats UpdateFollowing an extensive tenantand leaseholder consultation thedecision has now been taken tooffer full gas central heating toall homes in the four high riseblocks at Winnall. This willinvolve bringing in new gasmains and the installation ofpiping to all flats whether or notresidents choose to take up theoption of gas heating. This willenable future incoming tenantsto be readily connected withoutfurther disturbance to the fabricof the building. Work is expectedto start in April and we wouldhope that it will be finished intime for a much cosier winterthis year! Residents will be keptfully informed at all stages ofthe installation.

Repairs Information 2013/2014

Stock Condition SurveyCouncil homes are generally in goodcondition, although too many have notbeen surveyed in recent years.

To make sure we spend money where it isneeded most, we will shortly be surveyingevery Council home in the district.We are in the process of appointing a firm of surveyingconsultants to complete the surveys whilst the Asset Management Team ledby Keith Miles, will use the results to allocate annual spending from 2014and beyond. No doubt there will be some surprises in store but it promisesto be an exciting time for the Council in delivering a whole new programmeof work over the coming years.

We will be writing to you shortly with details of how and when you canexpect to be involved.

Asset Management Team (left to right): Barbara Howells, Keith Miles, Sarah Trollope

Page 8: On the House April 2013

Tenant CommentMrs Prescott of Highcliffe said:

“The scheme was a wonderfulidea. It gives people theflexibility to do things forthemselves with the vouchers, orif you can’t manage yourself youcan get jobs done for you.”

p a g e 8 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

As last year, all homes included inthe Discretionary Works Programmewill also be included in the annualrepairs and painting programme(see below for this year’s list). Allaffected tenants and leaseholders

will receive a hand-delivered letterat the time of the survey to let themknow exactly what work will becarried out, who the contractor isand when work will start.

External Repairs and Painting DiscretionaryWork SchemeThe new DiscretionaryDecorating/Minor Improvementsscheme was launched in October2012 and the first 1,100 tenantswere invited to apply. The majorityof work has now been completedand Decorating Vouchers have beenissued. We will be approachingtenants in all roads listed on thispage offering improvements in thenext year and the offer will beextended to all tenants by 2016.

Instead of the old paper voucherssystem we have elected to useelectronic cards so that you mayvisit your chosen store any numberof times and easily keep a check onyour available balance. These cardswill be valid until the 31 March theyear following their issue.

Tenants have told us that they’redelighted with the scheme whichhas given them the opportunity tospend extra money where they needit most. The scheme does not affectthe Council’s responsibility toundertake the routine maintenanceof your home.

Repairs Information 2013/2014

AlresfordGrange Road Nicholson Place

Bishops WalthamFolly FieldMalt LanePenfords PaddockVernon Close

BramdeanWood Lane Close

Colden CommonFleming Place New RoadSpringhouse Close

ComptonGodwin Fields

CurdridgeBotley Road

DenmeadAnmore Road Furzeley CornerMill Road

DurleyManor View

HighcliffePortal Road

KilmestonWestwood View

Kings WorthyHarwood Place Pound Road Ramsey Road

SpringvaleTovey Place Vian Place

LittletonHollands CloseThe Hallway

MicheldeverWarren Cottages

OwsleburyBeech GroveGorse DownHilly Close

PurbrookWidley Walk

ShedfieldHeathlandsSloane Park

SobertonBold Forrester Cottages

South WonstonDowns Road Groves Close

StanmoreBailey CloseChatham Road Cobbett CloseLent Hill Court Library HouseMinden Way Somers CloseThe ValleyThurmond Crescent Thurmond Road

Valley CourtWalpole Road Wavell Way

Sutton ScotneyWonston Close

SwanmoreBrentness,Church RoadDonigers Close

Waltham ChaseHillviewRed Leaves

West MeonHeadon View

WickhamDickson Park Elizabeth CloseElizabeth Road Garnier Park Roberts CloseThe CircleThe SpurWykeham Fields

Winchester CityCentreEastgate Street Godson HouseGreyfriarsLawn HouseMews LaneWindsor HouseAlresford Road

WinnallBaigent CloseShepherds Road

Page 9: On the House April 2013

o n t h e h o u s e p a g e 9

GarageMaintenanceIn previous years, limitedbudgets meant theCouncil had little to spendon maintaining garages.However, we havedoubled investment thisyear and recognise some garages arein poor condition. It will be necessaryto prioritise work for those garageblocks which are most in need ofmaintenance rather than restrictingwork to geographical areas. TheCouncil will need to consider themost cost-effective options whichmay include the demolition andrebuilding of a number of garageblocks whilst targeted repairs will beundertaken on others. Please reportany maintenance issues with your

garage throughCustomerServices in theusual way.

Electrical TestProgrammeA rolling programme of ElectricalTests is carried out at a number ofproperties throughout the districteach year. Any works that may beidentified will then be scheduled inthe following few months. If yourhome is due for an electrical test wewill write to you to let you knowwhen it is likely to happen andwhich contractor will complete thework for us.

Heating SystemsReplacement /RenewableEnergyWe will be spending£1.5m on replacementboilers in the next year.The Council will also use

Government grants to continue tofund the installation of a number ofalternative energy heating systemspredominantly in rural areas wheremains gas is not available.

Annual Servicing of Gas,Solid Fuel and Oil FiredAppliancesThis annual MOTfor your heatingand hot watersystem is withoutdoubt one of themost importantactivities that Property Servicesundertakes every year. Not only is theCouncil legally obliged to undertakean annual inspection and service ofthese appliances; it ensures that youare kept safe and well in your ownhome. This also applies to gas supplypipes that may be fitted even if youdo not use gas.

Our current access rate stands at98.9%. The majority of tenants haveno hesitation in co-operating with usin this. However it’s disappointingthat we are still forced to take thestrongest possible steps to gainaccess to all those homes wheretenants have not co-operated,

Repairs Information 2013/2014

including gaining orders forpossession of homes from the Court.Liberty Gas will continue to workwith you to make flexibleappointments to carry out theservicing. They will also check andservice your smoke detectors andcarbon monoxide detectors ensuringthe safety of your home.

Kitchens / BathroomsWe now spend up to £2million eachyear and continue to make steadyprogress on replacing older kitchensand bathrooms. Properties will besurveyed in turn based strictly on

the installation date ofthe current fittings. Asalways though, shouldyou be experiencingmaintenance problemsin your kitchen orbathroom, theseshould always be

reported through Customer Services.

External Windows / DoorsMore money is also being spent onreplacing old doors and windows.Surveys will take place throughoutthe coming year at properties wherewindows have not yet been fittedwith double glazing. Whereplanning regulations permit,schemes of work will be drawn upto fit properties with suitable energyefficient windows and doors. Inrestricted areas the Council willinvestigate the installation ofsecondary double glazing.

Page 10: On the House April 2013

Over time, many people’s housingneeds change; perhaps your childrenhave moved on and you’ve foundyourself in a home that is larger thanyou need. You may find it difficult tokeep warm and afford heating andelectricity bills or are struggling tomaintain the property and thegarden. Downsizing to a smallerproperty can have lots of benefitsand has the added value of freeingup family-sized accommodation,which is in very short supply inWinchester, so it can be offered tothose that need it most.

The Winchester City CouncilDownsizing Scheme can helptenants who are under-occupyingtheir home to move to a smallerproperty. If you qualify for thescheme, there are a number of wayswhich we can help you:

� We will give you a high priorityon our housing waiting list andcan help you to identify and bidfor properties you areinterested in.

� We can offer you a cashincentive, up to £1,000.

� Alternatively, we can use up to£1,000 to help with the movingprocess, such as packing andremovals, arrangingdisconnections / reconnectionsof utility services and appliancesand providing decoration /fixtures / fittings at your newhome.

If you are interested in downsizingand would like more informationabout the Scheme, please contact01962 84 84 00.

In addition to building new Council homes, we have beencontacting tenants who are registered on Hampshire HomeChoice because they need more bedrooms, to see if theirhome is suitable for a loft conversion or an extension. Thiswould allow the family who are currently overcrowded toremain in their property rather than move to largeraccommodation.

We will be repeating this scheme, so if you would like to beconsidered next time, please register on Hampshire HomeChoice and we will contact you.

Thinking aboutmoving to asmaller home?

Do you need more space?Would a loft conversion helpyou and your family?

Are you living in a property that is too big for you? Would you like help to move to a smaller home?

p a g e 10 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

Page 11: On the House April 2013

o n t h e h o u s e p a g e 11

� When replacing appliances,check the energy rating is‘A’ rated.

Save Energy, Save Money

The Home Heat Helpline is a freephone service set up to help fuelpoverty and vulnerable energycustomers worried about theirbills. Call 0800 33 66 99 or visitwww.homehealthelpline.org.uk

The winter fuel payment is anannual payment to help peoplewho have reached the age forclaiming state pension with thecost of keeping warm during thewinter. For further advise onWinter Fuel Payments call 08459 15 15 15 or visitwww.direct.gov.uk

Save on your energy bill byswitching supplier. Use one of theapproved online price comparisonservices listed on the ConsumerFocus website. For more informationwww.consumerfocus.org.uk orcall the Citizen’s Advice consumerservice on 0845 40 40 506 for apricing factsheet.

A good way to save money and reduce your energybills is to take steps to make your home more energyefficient. Not only will it cut costs but will help theenvironment too.

� Turning the heating downby 1°C can save up to 10%on the cost of fuel bills.

� Turn off lights when leavinga room.

� Don’t leave applianceson standby.

� Don’t charge uplaptops and mobile phonesunnecessarily

� Use low-energy lightbulbs, they use80% less energy.

� Wait untilyou have afull loadbefore youuse thewashingmachine, tumble dryer ordishwasher. One load usesless energy than two halfloads.

� Don’t over-fill the kettle forone drink. Use

the kettlewater toheatvegetables.

� Close curtains at dusk andput curtains across doors tokeep in the heat.

� Keep yourfreezer full,an emptyfreezer usesmore powerthan a fullone.

Page 12: On the House April 2013

Changes have been made to the AreaHousing Manager patches. The map showsyou who is your Area Housing Managerand how to contact them. More detailed information,including street listingsfor patches is availableon our website.

Your Area Housing Manager

HS00

41-0

2674

Apr

il 20

13 P

rodu

ced

by W

inch

este

r City

Cou

ncil

Natalie Cain01962 848 [email protected]

Alresford, Bighton, Bishops Sutton,Bramdean, Cheriton, Compton, Crawley, East Stratton,Easton, Exton, Hursley, Itchen Abbas, Itchen Stoke,Kilmeston, Littleton, Meonstoke, Micheldever, SouthWonston, Sparsholt, Stoke Charity, Sutton Scotney,West Meon

Maria Dore01962 848 [email protected]

Central Winchester

Steve Machen (Assistant Area Housing Manager)01962 848 [email protected]

Colden Common, Otterbourne,Owslebury, Twyford

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright.Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Winchester City Council Licence No LA08610X © Winchester City Council.

p a g e 12 w w w. w i n c h e s t e r . g o v . u k

WinchesterDistrict

Michaela Knowles01962 848 [email protected]

Stanmore

Gareth Darke01962 848 [email protected]

Headbourne Worthy, Kingsworthy,Martyr Worthy, Weeke

Steve Gevaux01962 848 [email protected]

Abbotts Barton, Winnall

Chris Pope01962 848 [email protected]

Curdridge, Droxford, Durley, Hambledon,Highcliffe, Soberton, Titchfield, Wickham

3

2

4

7

6

8

Jayne Stanbury01962 848 [email protected]

Bishops Waltham, Boarhunt, Denmead,Shedfield, Shirrell Heath, Southwick,Swanmore, Upham, Waltham Chase

5

1

Winchesterr

M3

Compton & Otterbourne

SOUTH WONSTON

KINGS WORTHY

CHERITON

SUTTON SCOTNEY

NEW ALRESFORD

WINCHESTER

WEST MEONOWSLEBURY

HURSLEYHURSLEY TWYFORD

OTTERBOURNE

COLDEN COMMON

BISHOP'S WALTHAMDROXFORD

WICKHAM

WHITELEY

DENMEAD

MICHELDEVER

7

43

7

2

4

6

1

1

1

66

8

5

5

City

Stanmore

WeekeAbbottsBarton

Winnall

Highcliffe

City

WinchesterTown