Government plans tooverhaul the subsidysystem and allow councilsto keep their rent havebeen announced – butwith a “sting in the tail”for Winchester tenants.

The Government currently takesover 40% of Winchester’s rents –over £9million each year – to fundservices in other areas.

But under the proposed newscheme, the Council would besaddled with a debt of at least£130 million.

The plan, which is out forconsultation, would dismantle thecurrent system, invest up to 25%more resource into Council housingand allow councils to keep more ofthe rent they collect.

But, councils would have to pick upa share of the Government’s £18billion national housing debt and,

according to the Government,Winchester could afford a biggershare of this debt because rents arehigher than average.

Richard Botham, Head of LandlordServices, said: “This is a case ofgiving with one hand and takingaway with the other. Whilst thismeans more money in the longterm, it is not clear what impactthis will have on services in thenext few years.”

Cllr Tony Coates, Portfolio Holder forHousing, added: “Taking on such alarge share of other councils’ debt istotally unacceptable and means thetax on Winchester tenants justcontinues in another form. I will beresponding very strongly to theGovernment proposals.”

Alan Rickman, joint chair of tenantgroup, TACT, has spent yearscampaigning on the issue and said:“The Government seems to havelistened but it remains to be seenwhether we will get enough to

address the Council’s £3millionshortfall. Both TACT and the Councilare arguing for a fair deal from theGovernment but most of all, if itworks in tenants’ favour, we hopeour Council will start to build again.”

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e d i t i o n 1 5

housing news for Winchester City Council tenants and leaseholders

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

househouse

� Annual Report 2008/09

� Top Tips for the winter

� Keeping pets

� Winning gardens

An end to negative subsidy - butWinchester tenants still hit hard!

inside this edition:

Pets need permissionTenants in general needs homes (those that arenot restricted to people aged 60 years and over)may keep a pet with consent from the Council.

However, you should apply to your Area Housing Manager for permissionbefore you actually get the pet.

If you already have a pet and did not seek permission, you should let yourArea Housing Manager know.

Tenancy Services Manager, Amber Crosskey, said: “We understand that petscan be a much-loved and valued part of the family.

“Where possible we do allow them, but if they’re causing a nuisance or arenot suitable for your type of property we may refuse or withdraw consent.”

Clause 52 of the tenancy conditions explains that Area Housing Managersconsider these requests. If permission is refused you are responsible forfinding another home for your pet.

Pets are not allowed in certain sheltered schemes. The Supported HousingTeam will soon be asking sheltered residents for their views on keeping pets.

For more information about keeping pets or to ask for permission pleasecontact the Customer Service Centre on 01962 840 222 and ask to speak toyour Area Housing Manager.

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: customerservice@winchester.gov.uk

Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street,Winchester, SO23 9LJ.telephone 01962 840 222 fax 01962 841 365email housing@winchester.gov.uk 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.

What a summer it has been! Thebarbeques weren’t out as much aswe would have liked but certainlythe blooms were very much ondisplay!

I had a lovely couple of daystravelling around the district withCllr Rob Humby judging thewonderful gardens.

Sadly, there can only be fourwinners, but we were so impressedby everyone and how much effortthey had put into their gardens.

It was a case of third time lucky forKath and Henry West fromCompton who just pipped BernieSheppard to the title! There’salways next year – and we’ll beintroducing a new category for the2010 competition.

This edition contains our annualreport, which includes some factsand figures on your housing service,as well as information oncondensation and keeping warmthis winter.

I hope you continue to enjoy theautumn and winter and we’ll beback again in the spring!

Glynis Cole

Dear Readers

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Putting yourwords intoaction!The Council respects andresponds to tenants whohave special needs becauseof age, ethnicity or disability.

Council officers were able to giveindividual help to tenants withspecial needs because they knewwho they were thanks to feedbackforms.

Twenty tenants with additionalneeds were offered help from theirArea Housing Managers after theywere part of the random selectionfor the recent Tenant SatisfactionSurvey.

When the Council revised thetenancy conditions, officerscontacted everyone they knewwho needed information in adifferent format. The survey formsand letters were sent to 15 tenantsin large print and one in Polish. Afurther 10 tenants had home visits.

The Council has a Housing EqualityGroup which works to ensure no-oneis disadvantaged and a member ofTACT (Tenants and Council Together)has recently joined the group.

This personal and flexible approachhas meant that tenants with visualimpairment, literacy and learningdifficulties, amongst other issues,

have been given the opportunity toexpress their views.

It has also meant that the resultswe receive about our performanceis more representative of ourcustomers as a whole.

Best BalconyWinner: Phil Sherlock, of Winnall.

Cllr Humby’s verdict: “A stunningdisplay of beautiful home grownplants. The small balcony is packedwith colour producing an overallfantastic effect both for Phil and hisneighbours.”

Best Front GardenWinners: Kath and HenryWest, of Compton.

Cllr Humby’s verdict: “A beautifulcollection of begonias and a superb

selection of plants in theborders and

containers, allgrown from

eitherplugs orseeds.”

BestShelteredScheme GardenWinners: Beth McVicker, LilianJoyce, Evelyn Sylvester andRay Long of Danemark Court.

Cllr Humby’s verdict: “A great teameffort both for producing the plantsand creating a wonderful displayfor all the residents to enjoy.”

Best Hanging BasketWinner: Ron Ruddle, fromBishops Waltham

Cllr Humby’sverdict: “A fantasticbasket packedwith colour and avaried range of plants –all produced from his own stock.We could have chosen any one ofseveral impressive baskets – welldone Ron!”

Garden competitionreaches new heightsA painter and decorator from Winchester hopes his first prize in the Council’s gardening competition willinspire his neighbours to follow his lead.

Phil Sherlock lives in a top floor flat in Firmstone Road, Winnall and won thebalcony category. He said: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the whole roadcould do this – it would look fantastic!”

The gardening competition is open to the Council’stenants and leaseholders and was judged by CllrRob Humby, a local nurseryman.

The winners received gardening vouchers.

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

CondensationDuring the autumn and wintermonths many of youwill be experiencingproblems withcondensation andmould in yourhomes.

It is a nuisance, but one that canbe easily solved. Our informationleaflet on how to tackle theproblem is available from CustomerServices on 01962 840 222 orwww.winchester.gov.uk

The Council has introduced newstandards for cleaning the communalareas of flats across the district.

The company carrying out thework, City Cleaning, has got off toa cracking start.

A tenant satisfaction survey carriedout at the end of the first quartershowed that of the 279 tenantswho responded:

� 216 reported that cleaning wascarried on the day expected.

� 199 were satisfied with thestandard of cleaning.

� 192 reported that the cleaning was carried out efficiently.

� 195 were pleased with thecleaners conduct andbehaviour.

� 152 confirmed that thecleaners wear identification.

� 156 confirmed that safety signswere being used.

This customer feedback is a verypositive start to the new contractand will continue to be monitored.

Launch of FreeServices for Victimsof domesticviolenceA free and fast emergency servicefor victims of domestic violence isnow available in Hampshire.

The confidential service is availableto all men and women and providesfree legal advice and supportthrough the civil courts. Otherservices include:

� Free Legal Advice and Aid

� Injunctions within 24 hours

� Direct links with local councils,health centres, refuges,Women’s Aid Centres.

The 24-hour Hotline is 0844 804499 but anyone in immediate dangershould call 999.

Information is also available fromLaura Brown, the Council’sCommunity Relations Officer, on01962 848 133 or email:lbrown@winchester.gov.uk

Keep Warm this winterAccording to recent statistics one in six British households isliving in fuel poverty, which is defined as when a householdspends more than one tenth of its income on utility bills.

If you are experiencing difficulty heating your home orpaying your utility bills we can help you! Our Keeping Warmfact sheet is available from Customer Services on 01962 840 222 orwww.winchester.gov.uk

The Council’s Maintenance Contracts for Responsive Repairs andpreparing empty properties for re-letting is due for renewal in April 2011.

The work is currently carried out by Serco, JAD and Munro – whosecontracts are due to expire on 31st March 2011.

Landlord Services has begun the lengthy process of procuring a newcontract and selecting contractors to tender for these services.

Your TACT representatives (through Property & Contracts Group) areaware of the outline timetable for this project and their potentialinvolvement in considering any changes or improvements to the currentservice. Watch out for further updates throughout 2010.

City Cleaning get off to a cracking start

Renewing the Contract for Property Maintenance

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