On the House - June 2010

City Councillors will bemeeting at the end ofJune to consider plansannounced by theGovernment for a reformof council house finances.Councils have until July to respond toproposals replacing the existinghousing revenue account (HRA)subsidy system – in which Winchesterpays £9 million a year – with ascheme that would leave Winchesterwith a debt of £156 million.

The new Government says it iscommitted to reforming the currentHRA subsidy system and will considerall responses before supporting theproposals.

Under the proposed new scheme,councils could retain all rent income inreturn for taking on a share of thenational housing debt.

The City Council would be expectedto take on more debt per propertythan most, because rents are high and assumed costs are low comparedto other areas.

It would mean more money formanaging housing in Winchester –just about enough to maintain theDecent Homes standard in futureyears – but many Winchester tenantswould still have to accept kitchensand bathrooms over 30 years old.

The deal on offer does not match thevalue for money that could beachieved through a transfer to ahousing association or tenantmanagement organisation, whichcould provide far more resources tofund tenants’ services.

However, Winchester’s tenants arestrongly opposed to any option thatseparates the housing service fromthe Council and so the Governmentoffer will be considered veryseriously by councillors.

For more informaton please contactfree phone 0800 716 987 or email your views [email protected]

The Council will continue to argue fora better deal for Winchester and willprovide more information on this infuture editions of on the house.

e d i t i o n 1 J u n e 2 0 1 0

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housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders

Tenant News, produced by Tenantsfor Tenants can be found at the back of this edition

househouseGovernment to Change Funding of Council Housing?

� Making a difference � New housing standards � You said. We did � Stanmore spring clean� Get gardening� Property Repairs

2010/11

inside this edition:

Congratulations to Bernie and HelenSheppard, from Alresford, who wonour on the house survey competition.Their name was picked out of the hatto win £50 in Love2Shop vouchers.The couple are keen gardeners andformer winners of the Best FrontGarden. Full results of our on thehouse survey on page 2.

lds0206-0573_on_the_house_tenant_news:Layout 1 14/06/2010 12:19

It is really pleasing to see theimpact an active ResidentsAssociation can have! NorthStanmore Residents Association ismaking such a fantastic differenceto people’s lives in the local area!

The big Spring Clean earlier thisyear brought so many peopletogether to get things done –congratulations to you all!

Once again I’m looking forward tovisiting your beautiful gardens forour annual competition. Cllr RobHumby has kindly agreed to be thejudge again this year – look out forthe entry form on page 8.

Glynis Cole

Dear Readers

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

The results of our latest on the house surveywere really positive!Nearly 90% of tenants who replied read the newsletterin detail and well over 80% of you find it interestingand relevant.

If you have any particular needswhich affect how you are able touse or be involved in our servicesor how you would like to receive

information - 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 840 222 fax 01962 841 365email [email protected] website www.winchester.gov.ukTelephone calls may be recorded.Printed on 75% recycled paper.

T E X T P H O N EThis facility is available for readerswho are deaf or hard of hearing.Please telephone 01962 878 982.

get it tapedIf you would like any of theinformation in on the house madeavailable in large print or audioformat, please call Glynis Cole onFreephone 0800 716 987.

thebigwordtelephone interpreting service

The Council uses a 24-hourTelephone InterpretingService, which also provideswritten or recordedtranslations including audiotapes and CDs.

If you, a relative or aneighbour would like to talkto the Council through aninterpreter, please contactyour Area Housing Manageron 01962 840 222.

Easy to read and interesting

We were also delighted thateveryone who replied said thenewsletter was easy to read and 6tenants are interested in helping usput future newsletters together. Keysuggestions include:

� Competitions

� Local news about local areas

� Information on Area HousingManager including photographs.

You have made some excellentsuggestions for future editions,which we will act on!

Richard Botham, Head of LandlordServices, said: “My housing

colleagues from other parts of the country say on the house is agreat example of communicatingwith tenants.

“These results show that you enjoythe newsletter and like to knowabout the Housing services weprovide for you!”

Like the style �

Like the size �

Easy to read �

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

Making aDifferenceto family lifeA local family has settled into anew home in Alresford thanksto the Council, housing officersand contractors.

In late 2009 a high priority requestwas received to re-house Mr and MrsGreen and their family who wereliving in Harestock.

The Greens needed a new home thatwas big enough for the family butsuitable for the specific needs of awheelchair user.

The Strategic Housing team togetherwith Landlord Services Voids andDisabled Adaptations teams began toreview available properties.

At that time most properties fell shortof the space required, and lacked thepotential to be adapted to meet thefamily’s specific needs.

In January 2010 a suitable propertybecame available in Alresford whichhad the potential to match the longterm needs of the family unit and theNational Goal of Independent Living.

Just six weeks later the Council hadput in place the necessaryadaptations.

Richard Botham, Head of LandlordServices, said: “I am so pleased thatwe were able to help this family insuch a practical way.

“Council staff working with ourcontractor Mostlane pulled out all thestops to ensure the house was turnedround in a few weeks.

“I hope Mr and Mrs Green and theirfamily will be really happy inAlresford.”

Kate Mooge retired in April after 21 years servicewith the Council. We all wish her a long and happyretirement.

Chris Pope joined in June to manage Colden Common,Denmead, Bishops Waltham & the southern parishes.He is a qualified housing professional and has gainedexperience from working in both the local authorityand housing association sectors.

You can contact your Area Housing Manager on 01962 840 222.

AREA HOUSING MANAGER UPDATE

Residents, children andlocal agencies joined forcesfor a week long campaignto clean up the streets andget rid of litter.Pathways were jet washed, pavingwas repaired, graffiti was removedand the roads were swept.

The campaign was led by NorthStanmore Residents Association and the Council’s NeighbourhoodWardens.

They were joined by the Police,Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service,A2 Dominion Housing, SERCO andthe Council’s Housing, CommunitySafety and Open Spaces teams.

Neighbourhood Wardens recycleditems where possible, to either the

Bar End recycling centre or Emmaus,a local charity that helps homelesspeople rebuild their lives. Theyremoved bulky items for elderly anddisabled people who needed extrasupport.

Neighbourhood Warden HannahKing said: "We were completelyoverwhelmed by the uptake of thebulky goods service, but were sopleased we could help so manypeople out.”

If your local area would benefit froma spring clean and you live withinthe Winchester City Council areaplease contact Hannah King,Neighbourhood Warden forWinchester City Council on 01962 840 222.

Stanmore Spring CleanThe Stanmore area of Winchester has beengiven a thorough spring clean!



The newand updatedTenantsHandbookwas sent outlast June andthe majority of tenantswelcomed the new designand format.More than 400 tenants responded toour survey about the handbook,which was an excellent response:

� 89% liked the new design and format

� 92% thought information andadvice was good.

Other comments were:

� Very happy with the book,content and format

� Delighted and overwhelmed withthe wide range of information

� Better format because it is easierto store. An improvement onprevious handbook

� Better than the “Yellow Pages”!

Tenants wanted more informationabout local amenities and moreadvice for those with children.

Some preferred the former ‘ringbinder’ system. Tenancy ServicesManager Amber Crosskey explained:“We put considerable thought intothis and it was felt that the newformat would prove more cost-effective in the long term.”

The Council will use the feedback forother housing publications.

People on the Hampshire Home Choiceregister (HHC) have had a chance to givetheir views on the new allocation systemand scoop a prize in the process.

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Bishops WalthamOak RoadDenmeadBere RoadFieldwayStanmoreBailey CloseWalpole RoadThurmond Crescent

WeekeRowlings RoadTrussell CrescentWestman RoadWinnallBaigent CloseFirmstone RoadShepherds RoadWinnall Manor Road

GARAGES TO LETBetter, safer and affordable

Why park your car onthe road when youcan park it in a dry,secure lockup? Garage

charges starts from as little as£7.87 per week and are currentlyavailable in the following areas.

If you are interested in renting a garage pleasecontact Steve Machen on 01962 848 148 or by email [email protected]

April marked the first anniversary of Hampshire HomeChoice, the scheme that aims to provide a fair andequitable housing service for all applicants.

In March questionnaires were sent to everyone housedthrough the scheme, those searching for propertiesonline and visitors to local housing offices.

The results were:

� A whopping 90% (162) agree or strongly agree thatHHC is easy to access and understand.

� Over two thirds (68%) agree or strongly agree thatHHC kept them informed of their housing situation.

� 84% (150) said that HHC does make it easier to selectwhere they want to live.

Happy with Hampshire Home Cho

TENANTS HANDBOOK FEEDBACK



You said We didSheltered Housing Tenants during aregular Information Sharing Sessionasked officers for more recreationalactivities to be held at their Schemes.

We introduced Later Life Fitness andMovement Classes tailored to theindividual. Get Fit 1-2-1 wasintroduced across some of oursheltered schemes giving tenants anopportunity to get together andkeep fit at the same time.

A householder in Stanmorecomplained that drivers were usingthe Minden Way garages as a shortcut to Chatham Road. She wasconcerned for the safety ofpedestrians and other road users.

Officers began looking for a solutionlast September. Barriers were notsuitable because of the need foraccess by emergency vehicles.

After consultation with localresidents it was agreed to installlockable posts. These are now onorder together with road signs.

You said... We did... (�)Everyone who completed aquestionnaire was invited to enter aprize draw to win a shoppingvoucher and the winner, picked atrandom, was Mr Jon Griffiths fromKnowle Village.

The Councils' Head of StrategicHousing, Andrew Palmer said:“Hampshire Home Choice is mostgrateful to all those who took part inthis survey.

“It is important that we use exerciseslike this one to review and monitorour processes ensuring transparencyacross the scheme and learn fromthis experience for the future.”

Hampshire Home Choice!

Tenants are set to benefitfrom a major change in theway councils and housingassociations are regulated.

For the first time, every socialhousing tenant in England will begiven a common set of standards

from their landlord whether it is acouncil, housing association orother provider.

The standards came into force inApril 2010 when the TenantServices Authority (TSA) took overthe Audit Commission’s

responsibility for regulating socialhousing in England.

The TSA, with the help of tenantsnationally, has put togetherstandards, which include thefollowing:

New Standards for Housing

For more information about the TSA go to

www.tenantservicesauthority.org

We take your views very seriously and although it is not always practical orcost efficient to action all the suggestions we receive from you, they are allconsidered on their own merit. We also consider your comments throughquestionnaires, forums, and Tenant & Resident group meetings. Here are acouple of your suggestions and the action we have taken.T E N A N T S

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1. Tenant involvement andempowerment – coveringcustomer service, choice andcomplaints, involvement andempowerment, understandingand responding to diverse needsof tenants

2. Home – covering quality ofaccommodation and repairs and maintenance

3. Tenancy – covering allocations,rents and tenure

4. Neighbourhood andcommunity – coveringneighbourhood management,local area co-operation and anti-social behaviour

5. Value for money.

The TSA expects landlords to worktogether with their tenants to shapelocal service delivery, local priorities,and to involve them in scrutinisingperformance.

Later in the year the Council willbe contacting you to invite you toget involved in helping us meetthese new standards.



Major repairs and renewalsprogramme 2010/11Redecoration programme for older tenants – this programme remainssuspended.

New kitchens and bathroomsThese will be installed where necessary for re-letting purposes and a limitednumber where they are beyond economic repair.

The Council is reviewing pre-1980 kitchens and pre-1970 bathrooms, andwill replace a limited number later this year.

Adaptations for disabled tenantsThe Council is clearing the backlog from 2009/10 and should cope withdemand in 2010/11.

Term Contract RenewalsThe Council is in the process of drafting new contracts for day to dayresponsive repairs and void (empty) properties. This work is currentlycarried out by Serco, and JAD Builders Ltd and Munro, but the contractsexpire at the end of March 2011.

Council officers are liaising with TACT to draft new contracts, which are beingput out to tender this year. Following a detailed assessment contracts will beappointed in December and will start in April 2011.

Pages 6 and 7

Property REPAIRS 2010/2011

Gas HeatingUpgradesHeating Upgrades will take place in certainareas as determined by the age, reliabilityand condition of the existing gas appliance. Certain appliances will be upgraded in thefollowing areas. If your home is to be includedyou will be notified in writing.

� Battery Hill, Bishops Waltham

� Bere Road

� Devenish Road

� Elizabeth Road

� Jesty Road

� Moss Road

� Rowlings Road

� Taplings Road

� Westman Road

� Wykeham Field

The External Repairs & PaintingProgramme operates on a five-year cycle, which means thataround one fifth of the housingstock is included in theprogramme annually.

However, there have been somechanges to the way this programmewill be handled.

External Repair and Paint

Annual Servicing of Gas and SoAs your Landlord the Council isrequired by law to undertake anannual inspection of any gasfired or solid fuel heatingappliance in your home. Thisalso applies to gas supply pipesthat may not be in current use.Over the past year the Councilhas continued to take thestrongest steps to gain accessto some homes where tenantshave not co-operated.

Electrical TestingThis programme will startwith remedial works beingcarried out that wereidentified during last year’s



BIGHTON� Wood Lark Cottages

BISHOPSWALTHAM� Castle Road

� Norton Close

COMPTON� Martins Field

DENMEAD� Ashling Park Road

� Bere Road

� Brookside Close

� James Howell Court

� White Wings House

KINGS WORTHY� Somerville Road

OTTERBOURNE� Coles Mede

SOUTHWICK� Castle Road

� Norton Close

SPARSHOLT� Sheddon Place

� Stockwell Place

� Woodman Close

STANMORE� Fox Lane

� Keble Street

� Sheridan Close

� St Mary Street

� Wolfe Close

UPHAM� Elm Crescent

WEEKE� Devenish Road

� Fromond Road

� Greatfield Road

� Pemerton Road

� Trussell Close

� Westman Road

WINNALL� Furley Close

WINCHESTERTOWN� Abbey Passage

� Beggars Lane

� Blue Ball Corner

� Chester Court

� Granville Place

� Hyde Gate

� Hyde Lodge

� Mildmay Court

� Parmiter House

� Riverside House

� St Johns Street

� Union Street

� Wales Street

� Water Lane

� Wharf Hill

� Wolvesey Terrace

Property REPAIRS 2010/2011 l Repair and Paint

al Servicing of Gas and Solid Fuel Fired Appliance

Following a detailed survey of thoseproperties which make up this year’sprogramme, only those homes whichhave been identified as requiringessential repairs (see list opposite) willhave work carried out.

Therefore if a property which was lastpainted five years ago remains inreasonable condition, no further workwill be carried out at this time.

By carrying out essential repairs wherenecessary this will keep properties in awind and weather-tight condition andensure that they do not fall short of theGovernment’s Decent Homes Standard.

But remember:

FAILURE TO CARRY OUTTHIS WORK COULD RESULTIN SERIOUS ILLNESS ORDEATH BY CARBONMONOXIDE POISONING.

For further information aboutProperty Repairs 2010/2011call Gaynor Bromley or BarbaraHowells on 01962 840 222.

As a result of this firm approach, weare pleased to report we have gainedaccess to 98.9% of properties resultingin an improvement on last year’sperformance.

However we must strive to gain access to 100% of properties and yourco-operation as tenants is absolutelyessential. The Council will continue totake whatever legal steps arenecessary to gain access – e.g. byseeking possession of your home

through the courts. Don’t lose yourhome – let us in!

Kinetics, the Council’s contractorsare able to offer appointments atyour convenience to carry out thisservice. Their staff will also checkand service your smoke detectorsand carbon monoxide detectorswhen carrying out the heatingsystem maintenance, ensuring thesafety of you and your home.

programme, before moving onto a new regime of testingbased upon the previous testdate.

If your home is to be included, youwill be notified in writing.


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

Now turn the magazine over to read

Best Novelty Container – First Prize £25

Best Front Garden – First Prize £35 Vouchers; Runner Up £20

Best Hanging Basket – First Prize £25 Vouchers

Best Sheltered Housing Scheme –First Prize £35 Vouchers; Runner Up £20

As you maybe aware,analogue

television signals are beingreplaced by digital signals inall areas of the UK byDecember 2012.

In order to stay ahead of thisnational deadline the Council isreplacing communal TV aerials byJanuary 2011.

If you share an aerial with otherresidents, it will be upgraded toreceive digital services.

� Existing Analogue Channels (until they are switched off)

� Digital Freeview � Digital Freesat� Sky Digital � Sky + � HDTV.

You will need to have a digital TV orreceiver box.

If you want to receive Sky or HighDefinition services you will need tosubscribe to the relevant provider.

Leaseholders living in Council-ownedblocks will be asked for a contributiontowards the cost of the work.

We will provide one aerial point perdwelling. You are able to have extraaerial points in your home if you

pay for these. You can arrange thiswith the contractor selected to carryout the works.

If you live in a block with acommunal aerial and you currentlyreceive your TV signals through yourown satellite dish, the dish may nolonger be required. In these cases,the Council will remove the dish atno expense to you.

Further information on whether yourexisting television is capable ofreceiving digital signals is availablefrom Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50,or at www.digitaluk.co.uk

Get gardening! ��

Television aerials

Your Name..............................................................

Address ..................................................................

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

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

Daytime Tel. No .....................................................

Name*.............................................................

Address .................................................................

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

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

Daytime Tel. No .....................................................

The deadline for entries is Friday 16 July 2010 and judging will take place in the last week of July.Glynis Cole, Tenant Involvement Manager, Winchester City Council, FREEPOST, NAT15377, Winchester SO23 9ZQ.

No stamp required. Email entries to [email protected].

* if you are nominating another gardener please enter their details here: (Please make sure you have their permission).

It’s time for proud gardeners – or theirneighbours – to join our annualcompetition to find the best gardens,balconies and hanging baskets.

Councillor Rob Humby, from Owslebury, a keengardener and nurseryman, has kindly offered

to return as the judge for this year’s contest. He said: “I had such a lovelytime last year meeting people and seeing their hard work. When I wasasked to return as judge I didn’t hesitate to say yes!”

Entry is free to all Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders.


On the House - June 2010

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Transcript of On the House - June 2010