2 Glenbu rn News Making a difference to Our Community

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Welcome to Our Winter Newsletter... PARK We would like to wish all of our tenants Happy Holidays and all the best for 2019

In this issue: Staff News Maintenance News Smoke Alarms Care and Repair Rent Increase Home Energy Advice Ready for Winter Our Performance

Easthall Residents Association News Christmas Carnival Christmas Recipes Festive Opening Hours Our office will close at 12p m on Monday 24th December. The office will re-open at 9am on Monday 7th January 2019. If you have a gas heating emergency throughout the festive pe riod, please contact Gas Sure on 01294 468 113.

For all oth er emerge ncy repairs, please contact Mitie o

n 0845 600 8624. Please note non-emergenc y repairs will not be carried out fro m Friday 21st D ecember to Monday 7th Janua ry.

Winter 2018

EASTHALL PARK HOUSING CO-OP • EASTHALL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION 2 Glenbu rnNews

My Welcome Brooke MyGlasgow is a mobile phone app that can be downloaded for free from your phone’s app Brooke Alexander joined store and allows you report issues directly to Easthall Park on . You can attach photos, 5th November as our video or any other relevant information to your Modern Apprentice. report and pin point the exact location via She will be helping out integration with Google Maps. The app lets you: with administration tasks • Submit a report in the office. • Receive information about your report by SMS, push notification or email If you see her about • View your submitted reports please say hello! • Add notes to existing reports You can submit reports for issues such as: • Missed bin collection • Illegal fly posting • Broken street light • Graffiti • Pot holes • Illegal dumping of waste • Dog fouling

If you have any enquiries about the app, please contact the ‘MyGlasgow’ team at [email protected] or visit Glasgow City Council’s website at www.glasgow.gov.uk

Universal Credit We recently visited 590 tenants to discuss Universal Credit. We don’t know when individual tenants will be transferred on to Universal Credit, so we felt this was the best approach. We have received excellent feedback and we are pleased that so many tenants welcomed us in to their home and found the information useful.

Our key message remains the same: We are here to help. If you receive any communication regarding Universal Credit please contact us immediately and we can assist you in dealing with this. Winter 2018 3

Reminde r Tenants are responsible for all internal decoration. This includes wallpaper and floor coverings such as carpets and laminate:

Example 1: If your central heating system develops a leak under the floor which has a laminate covering, care will be taken to lift the flooring, but it cannot be guaranteed that the laminate will relay exactly as it was before. Example 2: You live in a flat and there is a leak from the flat above which causes your wallpaper to bubble. In both of these instances Easthall Park are not responsible for replacing either the laminate or wallpaper. It is for cases like this that Easthall Park recommends all tenants have Contents Insurance covering the replacement of any of their belongings, including decoration. Tenants can contact any insurance company and the following two companies offer services to housing co-operative and association tenants.

Thistle Diamond Insurance Services Insurance Services

Stock Condition Survey Veranda Project Please change paragraph to read “Stock Easthall Park are continuing to work with our partners in condition surveys help us plan ongoing work the project to deliver the best possible and safest programmes to your homes, to ensure that our outcomes for our tenants and our community. The plans stock is maintained effectively for the future. The are currently with Glasgow City Council for approval. stock condition surveys are ongoing. Only 10% Therefore there is still no confirmed start date. of our properties will be surveyed, chosen tenants will be contacted directly by Brown & We can only apologise for the delay to the project and we Wallace, the company carrying out the surveys. would like to thank our tenants for their continual patience. All their operatives will be carrying clear As soon as there is any update we will be in touch. identification of who they represent at the time Closes included in contract: of the inspection • 5, 7, 9 Glenburnie Place • 41, 43, 45 Wardie Road • 9 Edderton Place 4 Glenbu rnNews

Well Done! Congratulations to the 1st Brownies. They raised an amazing £1282 through their Marie Curie coffee morning. Well done again and looking forward to your future fundraising events! Winter 2018 5

Proposed Rent Increase for 2018/19

Tenants of Easthall Park Housing Co-operative - Facilitate a drop in session at the Glenburn own and control the organisation; we depend on Centre between 5-7pm on 17 January 2019 your rent payments to manage the housing stock - Highlight rent increase proposals on posters and deliver the services necessary to maintain around the community and improve your home and the local environment. The rental income that we receive is re-invested into our community to help achieve Please let us our purpose of “making a difference to our know your thoughts community”. We would like to give tenants the opportunity to have their views heard on the proposed rent In November 2018, we start the process of increase. We also want to ensure that we give looking at our budgets for 2019/20. It is essential you more information in terms of levels of that we meet our existing and expected costs investment in our homes and the level of and with rent being our main source of income; it services offered 95% of Tenants are satisfied is therefore paramount that we review our charges with our overall service and 99% feel that we to ensure we meet our costs as part of the are good at keeping Tenants informed. Please budgeting process. After careful consideration, take the opportunity to take part in our our Management Committee are considering telephone survey, return our questionnaire, three options for a rent increase of: reply to our text message or contact us at: [email protected] Option 1: 3.3% Option 2: 3.5% Please be assured that your views are Option 3: 4.0%. important when proposals directly affect you and rent levels obviously affects all of our We believe that either of these increases would Tenants; this is why we need as many people allow us to maintain our current level of services to speak to us as possible. Please let us know while keeping tenants’ rents affordable. If agreed, if you want to attend our drop in sessions at the the increase would take effect from 28 Glenburn Centre between 5-7pm on 17 March 2019. January 2019.

We have considered the best ways to engage with our Tenants about proposed rent increases and have decided that we will:

- Highlight the rent consultation in this newsletter - Issue our information letter from 8 January 2019 - Carry out a telephone survey - Send text messages - Post information on Facebook and Twitter @EasthallPark - Update our Website - If requested, meet Tenants in their own homes 6 Glenbu rnNews

Getting Ready for Winter

Did you know that heating accounts for about 55 per cent of what you spend in a year on energy bills, and that the average saving you could make by switching supplier is £200 but it could be as much as £300 if you have never switched at all? You can start to take control of your energy bills in a range of ways, so Easthall Park has teamed up with Home Energy to help you find out how.

Funded by Scottish Government, Home Energy Scotland provides free, impartial energy advice designed to help householders make informed decisions. Home Energy Scotland has no connection with any energy supplier, and does not cold call.

At this time of the year, heating systems start to be put to the test, so now is a great time to make sure you are set up so as to get the most out of your system. Advisors can help in a range of ways, including how to manage your heating controls, and simple ways to help you save energy and keep your home warmer for less. The team can also see if you’re eligible for financial support, benefits and incentives, and advise on shopping around for a cheaper energy supply.

To find out how Home Energy Scotland help you, family or friends, call free of charge on 0808 808 2282, quoting Winter2018. Alternatively email [email protected] and an advisor will call you back, or contact the team on Facebook (@HomeEnergyScotlandSC) or Twitter (HES_SC).

Free Prize Draw

Home Energy Scotland is offering a chance to win FREE energy bills for a whole year. Imagine a year with no energy costs; and if you follow the team’s top tips too, a cheaper annual cost in future. Winter 2018 7

Winter Fuel Payment Affordable Warmth Dividend

If you were born on or before 5 November 1953 Glasgow residents aged 80 years or over can receive a £100 you could get between £100 and £300 from the payment from the Council to keep warm during winter. Department of Work and Pensions. You can use the online form to quickly apply for your payment. You can also ask someone to help you complete This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. the application. You usually get a Winter Fuel Payment Applications for this year's payment can be made automatically if you are eligible and you get the between 5 November 2018 and 31 March 2019. State Pension or another social security benefit Do I have to apply each year? (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, If you received a payment last year you do not need to Child Benefit or Universal Credit). reapply. You will automatically receive a payment again. If you’re eligible but do not get paid The council will already have your details on record. These automatically, you will need to make a claim will be checked against the Council Tax records to confirm (https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuelpayment/how-to- you still live at the address given. claim). You will be sent a letter no later than 30 November 2018 The deadline for claiming payments for winter advising when your payment will be made. If you have not 2018 to 2019 is 31 March 2019. received a letter by the end of November please phone 0141 287 7961. Most payments are made automatically between November and December. You should get your Am I eligible for a payment? money by 14 January 2019. The Affordable Warmth Dividend is available to anyone that will be 80 years or older on 31 March 2019 and lives in the If you do not get your payment, call the office Glasgow City Council boundary. that pays your benefits - their details are on any The payment is not limited to one person per household. letters they send you. You can also claim if you are a Glasgow resident living in a residential care home or hospital. How much you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week. The How do I Apply? qualifying week for winter 2018 to 2019 is 17 to Using the online form is the easiest way to apply and 23 September 2018. Any money you get is ensures we get your application straight away. Someone tax-free and will not affect your other benefits. can help you complete the form and we can contact them if we need more information. You can find the form at You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by phone or www.glasgow.gov.uk by post. Alternatively you can download an application form and If you’ve claimed Winter Fuel Payment before, guidance to return to the council. you should get it automatically from the office You can also request an application form or get further that pays your benefits. Contact them if you information by phoning 0141 287 7961. have any questions or if your circumstances have changed. Winter Fuel Payment Centre Telephone: 0800 731 0160 Textphone: 0800 731 0464 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm 8 Glenbur nNews

Are You Ready For Winter Hints and tips to keep you safe and warm this winter Heating – You may already know that the thermostat to one temperature and then use heating can come on and go off at certain a timer to turn it on and off when you need the times but make sure you know exactly how heating most. That way you won’t waste the heating system functions. It is best to excess energy from leaving the heating on too leave the heating on low if you are thinking high, for too long. about going away for Christmas and the New Year or set the timer so that the heating Be Prepared - The Met Office provides continues to come on regularly whilst you weather forecasts on radio and TV, so listen are away. in to these bulletins regularly to keep up to date with the weather. Severe weather warnings are also issued on the Met Office website, through the Met Office Twitter feed, or you can call the Weather Desk on 0370 900 0100. The Met office also has advice on getting ready for winter. This includes suggestions for practical things you can do to Stopcock – Where the stopcock is located prepare for winter weather, including cold, ice – if there is a burst pipe or other emergency and snow, high winds and flooding. Flooding related to plumbing you can cause damage not only to your property, should be aware of but also to your personal belongings. Check where to turn off the that your contents insurance policy covers mains water supply. If flood damage and, if you don’t already have you don’t know how to contents insurance, make sure you take it out. do this, now is the time Our website details insurance companies who to find out! provide tailored contents insurance for housing association/co-operative tenants for as little as a couple of pounds a month! Pop Condensation – Condensation occurs into the office to grab a form. usually in rooms that do not have sufficient ventilation or heating. In the winter condensation problems are worse and cause Look in on vulnerable neighbours mould to form, which in turn damages the and relatives paintwork, fixtures and fittings. Remember to – Check up on older neighbours and relatives, make use of your extractor fans! and those with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems, to make sure: How warm should your house be? - It’s • they're safe and well easy to turn the thermostat all the way up • are warm enough, especially at night when it’s freezing cold but what temperature • have stocks of food and medicines so should your house be? Aim to set your main they don't need to go out during very room thermostat somewhere between 18°C cold weather and 21°C. It’s also a good idea to set your Winter 2018 9

Moving Snow Think about where you are going to put it, make sure it will not cause problems. Let it Snow? Ensure you don't block other people's paths or the road and do not pile snow Earlier this year the “Beast from the East” brought over gullies or drains as this some of the heaviest snow Glasgow has seen in may stop melting snow Use Salt or Sand decades. Glasgow City Council’s website has draining away. Be careful not to make lots of information including gritting areas and pathways and pavements more dangerous by causing them to grit bin locations to help you refreeze. Do not use hot water. This prepare for winter. may melt the snow and ice but is very likely to refreeze turning to Our caretakers will try to provide some Where can black ice causing more risk than it I get free salt? prevents, as black ice support gritting and clearing snow on Small quantities of rock salt increases the risk of injury pathways and close accesses during are available Monday - Sunday: because it is invisible extreme weather. However, this does 10.00am-4.00pm at and very slippery. not replace the responsibility that Easter Recycling Centre tenants are expected to take for clearing 90 Easter Queenslie Road their own garden paths and nearby Glasgow G33 4UL pavements if necessary. Please bring your own shopping bag for salt collection. All residents are reminded to take extra care during wintery weather, even if paths and accesses have been gritted.

Be a Good Neighbour Some people may be unable to clear their paths, if your neighbour has difficulty getting in and out of their home offer to clear their path for them. Check that elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in cold weather. These are kind and practical steps that most of us can take during cold weather.

Easthall Park Areas gritted by the Council: see website www.glasgow.gov.uk for details

Clear Snow & Ice Early in the Day It's much easier to clear fresh snow than hard packed snow, so if possible start early in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can prevent the area from refreezing overnight by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared Grit Bins in the Area: before nightfall. see website www.glasgow.gov.uk for details 10 Glenbu rnNews

How are we performing? Below is a table that highlights our performance against target for Quarter 2 of this year for some of our key business indicators. How did we perform in Quarter 2 (July-Sept)

Arrears Voids Former Tenant Arrears Target - 2.60% Target - 8 average days Target - 1.0% How we performed - 2.46% to re-let a property How we performed - 0.65% How we performed - 8 days

Anti-social behaviour Target - 90% of anti-social behaviour complaints responded in timescale How we performed - 94.64%

Average time to complete Average time to complete emergency repair and make safe non-emergency repair Target - 4 hours Target - 4 working days How we performed - 2.32 hours How we performed - 4 working days

% New Tenants Satisfied with the standard of their home when moving in Target – 100%

We are pleased with our overall performance in quarter 2. However, we recognise the importance that performance remains high; every pound spent needs to be used wisely and we hope that you can see from our performance figures that is exactly what we are doing.

We would love to hear any comments or questions you have. Please feel free to get in touch, our Housing Manager, Claire McGraw, would be delighted to speak to you. Mрry Christmas Winter 2018 11

Easthall Residents Association News GLENBURN CENTRE Glenburn Christmas Carnival EASTHALL On Saturday 8th December Easthall Residents Association RESIDENTS ASSOCI A TION organised our Glenburn Christmas Carnival event. This year’s event proved hugely popular with residents of all ages. Once again we were able to provide all Fun Fair rides and Santa’s Grotto completely FREE.

The community event, which took place from 12pm to 5pm, is delivered to help bring the community together and ensure Christmas is a magical and memorable time of year for everyone within Easthall and the wider communities.

Our event is growing in both size and popularity each year and includes our amazing raffle which this year had the chance to win a garden shed worth £500, cash prizes, various vouchers for restaurants at the and many other prizes kindly donated by local companies. This support is greatly appreciated and pivotal to the success of the day

Overall the day would not be possible without the generosity and support of MITIE, who made a large contribution towards our Carnival and MCS Safety Services who provided all the selection boxes for distribution at Santa’s Grotto. This year we also gained support from Easthall Park Housing Co-operative, MCN, Gas Sure, Glasgow Life and Europrint. Thanks to all of the aforementioned companies as this ensures that we are able to provide the carnival and Santa’s Grotto completely FREE.

We would also like to thank the army of staff and volunteers who support our event, not just on the day but in the build up to our Christmas Carnival. It takes around 3 months of planning and organising to put on the one day event. Our dedicated team give so many hours behind the scenes. Thank you to each and every one of you this year. So with all this said all that’s left to do is wish each and every one of you a Merry Christ - mas and all the best for 2019 when it comes! 12 Glen bu rnNews

Christmas Bake Looking for an easy recipe to make? How about these little Krispmas Trees? Kids (and big kids) can have fun, shaping the marshmallow mixture and decorating them how they like:

Ingredients • 35g butter • 200g white marshmallows • 100g Rice Krispies • Green food colouring • 18 Peanut Butter Cups/ Rolos • Sprinkles, sweets and 50g water icing, to decorate

Method 1. Melt the butter in a large pan then add the marshmallows gently stirring. 2. Remove from the heat and add the Rice Krispies and a few drops of green food colouring. Cool slightly. 3. Place the peanut butter cups or Rolos on to a flat surface as bases and shape the green mixture into cone-shaped trees, or flatten out and cut into triangles. 4. Decorate your trees how you like! You could try sweets and a garland of white icing.

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The Glenburn Centre, 6 Glenburnie Place, Easthall, Glasgow G34 9AN Telephone: 0141 781 2277