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Summer Edition 2016 Open House The Newsletter for County Council Tenants

Mr Billington (Tenant), Dave O’Connor (Tenant Representative), Sue Callery (Engagement Officer) and County Councillor Francesca Jump. Tenants Talk Together More recently an event was held for our posters, flyers and on our in Ystradgynlais. The event was Facebook page too. Back in March we held a couple hosted by tenant representatives, of “Tenants Talk Together” events, Joyce Thomas and Arwel Griffiths one in and the other along with in Llangattock. Tenants who Housing staff, County Councillors, attended had direct access to area the PCSO and the Community tenant representatives, County First Officer. Councillors, Housing staff and the Engagement Team with the Approximately 35 tenants opportunity to express any issues attended the event, where they Tenants attending the of concern or ideas about how had the opportunity to speak with Ystradgynlais Event services could be improved. housing staff about any issues they may be experiencing in and The events were relaxed and around their homes. Alternatively, you can informal and tenants could stay Everyone one said they had contact the Engagement however long it suited them. enjoyed the event and that it was Team on 01597 827464 to Hot topics for discussion in very beneficial. find out when an event will

Welshpool were car parking and We are planning more “Tenants be held in your area. grass cutting and in Llangattock it Talk Together” events through-out was repairs. the County so keep an eye out

For further information visit: www.powys.gov.uk/housing or phone us on: 01597 827 464 News and Information

Hello readers Contents Page Quick Facts About The First Contact Officers At last, summer has arrived and so & Their Role has your Open House newsletter. Home Improvements by Tenants 4 Q: How many First Contact This edition is packed full of useful Dementia Friendly Communities 6 information on energy switching, Officers are there? fire safety in your home, changes Competition Time 7 A: 6 to the repairs call handling service, home improvements plus two Down Memory Lane 8 Q: How many telephone calls competitions where you can Funding Boost For Ystradgynlais Play 11 does the team deal with each win £25. week? Improving Housing Repairs 13 A: On average 774 calls As always we are looking for new ideas, suggestions or features to Parking Improvements 14 make Open House more appealing. Q: What are the most What would you like to see in Fire Safety 16 common calls for? your newsletter? – Contact the team A: Rent enquiries and Time To Foster, Time To Care 20 and please let us know. payments – The Engagement Team Spot The Difference 23 Monica (left) and Lynn (right) Q: Which calls take the most time? A: Completing the the call at first point of contact. Powys County Council The Role of a First housing questionnaire takes If the Officer they are wishing about 20 minutes. Tenant Engagement Open House Needs You Contact Officer to speak to is not available then Contact Addresses: Hi, my name is Monica and I I will send them a request to Would you be interested in helping us with the next Q: When is it most busy? am a First Contact Officer in the call the tenant back with a brief Melanie Jones OPEN HOUSE newsletter? A: Mondays are always a busy Housing Department. I am based description of the problem or Powys County Council day and usually first thing in in the Gwalia, request. Housing Services If yes, you can help in a variety of ways – looking out for the morning till about 11am. and I have been in this role for The Gwalia, Ithon Road interesting and topical articles, taking some photographs, Some of the calls that I take are nearly a year and I am thoroughly Llandrindod Wells interviewing a member of staff or just to give your opinion from members of the public Powys, LD1 6AA enjoying the work. their balances. I also take rent wishing to apply to go on our payments via the telephone, Sue Callery – We Need You My main role is being the first housing list. I complete the update the account and make any Powys County Council point of contact for all enquiries housing questionnaire over notes that may need to be added. Housing Services For more details, please contact The Engagement Team for the Housing Service made by the telephone and once that Neuadd Maldwyn, Severn Road tenants, members of the public has been completed, I will I, along with my colleague Lynn, Welshpool and County Councillors. send it to the relevant Housing manage the garage waiting list Powys, SY21 7AS Would you like this newsletter in large print, braille Management & Options Officer. for the Radnor area and allocate or on tape? I, along with another five First If I get a call from someone any empty garages to tenants on Kathryn Jones & Contact Officers, answer the who is in need of urgent the waiting list. Laura Jones If so, please contact The Engagement Team incoming calls from the public for accommodation, I complete the I very much enjoy the direct Powys County Council the whole of Powys, the majority application form and then pass contact with the public and I Housing Services of which are Council tenants. the caller through to the officer Reminder feel it is important to spend time Neuadd Brycheiniog who is on duty for that particular Some of those calls may just need talking with our customers to Cambrian Way, If you want to contact the day so that they discuss the case to be directed to the appropriate gain their confidence and get to Powys, LD3 7HR Housing Service you only in more detail and assist with officer, e.g., the Housing the heart of their enquiry. Some need to ring one number overnight accommodation if Management & Options Officer, of our callers may be distressed Tel: 01597 827464 01597 827464. the Surveyors or Contractors. necessary. Email: [email protected]. uk or vulnerable and sometimes Remember the website I do try and ascertain a general Another aspect of my role is require addition time and support address: idea of what the caller is wanting, to deal with rent enquiries which as a team we are always www.powys.gov.uk/housing so that I could perhaps deal with and tenants wishing to know willing to give. 2 3 News and Information Money Matters Home Improvements by Tenants As a tenant you may want to improve your home. Before altering Do You Want To Save Money anything you must ask the Council’s permission in writing. This is stated in your tenancy agreement. Asking permission is necessary On Your Energy Bills? to ensure that any improvements you carry out are safe, within the law, will not de-value the property and will not increase Free Energy Appointments costs for the Council. • Find the best deal Even for relatively small improvements like installing a satellite dish, laying laminate flooring or erecting a fence, you need to ENERGY • Grants for improvements ask permission. EFFICIENCY • Help if struggling to pay bills You do not need permission to decorate the inside of IN your home or to carry out minor improvements such as • Complaints about suppliers putting up shelves. • Help for older, low-income or Permission disabled customers If you do decide you would like to make improvements to your home, you should contact us before you make changes If you would like a one to one appointment to your home. A Housing Surveyor will provide you with advice please phone 01686 617 667. on how to carry out improvements safely. We will support you to improve your home, as long as your request is reasonable. Under Contact Us no circumstances will an Officer give verbal permission. Telephone: 01597 827 464 Powys Citizens Advice is delivering free Energy Best Deal Extra appointments across Powys We will respond positively to reasonable proposals to improve Email: [email protected] your home. A permission letter will set out any conditions, Web: www.powys.gov.uk/housing including who is responsible for maintaining the improvement and whether or not you can leave the improvement behind when Writing: To your nearest the tenancy ends. Housing Office: MAKE IT EASY AND PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT Brecon No permission? - You need to get in touch! Housing Office Neuadd Brycheiniog Why don’t you join over 2,000 tenants and make We will work with you to get Where the works are not Cambrian Way, Brecon, LD3 7HR it easier for yourself and pay by Direct Debit? it right acceptable, it may be necessary to ‘undo’ the changes Powys County Council offers all Council House and • by giving permission Llandrindod Wells immediately. We will work with Garage tenants the simple option of paying their rent retrospectively, Housing Office you to restore the property, by monthly Direct Debit. The Gwalia, Ithon Road, • by making sure that your if you contact us before the Llandrindod Wells, LD1 6AA Paying by Direct Debit is a secure and reliable way improvements meet current 1st September 2016. of paying your rent from your bank account to PAYING YOUR RENT building regulations, Welshpool the Council. BY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD • we will let you know if the What happens if you Housing Office We now offer 4 payment dates on the 1st, 6th, 15th You may not be aware that we can now changes you have made are don’t get in touch? Neuadd Maldwyn or 21st of the month – whichever suits you best. accept payments by Credit or Debit card. unacceptable, Severn Road, Welshpool We will be investigating SY21 7AS Simply contact the Housing Service on Payments can be made over the telephone or • we will assess each case improvements and alterations 01597 827464, request a Direct Debit mandate, via the internet at payments.powys.gov.uk individually for example; if to our properties from the 1st Ystradgynlais complete the short form and we’ll take care of the improvement was already September 2016. After this Housing Office setting up your monthly payments. We will also If you would like further information on the there when you moved date we will recharge any costs Hendre Ladus, Ystradgynlais write to you 14 days before the first payment is taken various ways to pay your rent, please contact in or if you have asked for associated with unauthorised SA9 1SE confirming the amount and date of the payment. the Housing Service on 01597 827464. permission but did not get a changes to our properties. written reply.

4 5 News and Information Competition Time Housing Film – Competition The Housing Service supports If you would like to know residents across Powys in lots more about making your community Dementia of different ways. It isn’t just Friendly: attend a Friends about houses, it’s about helping session, become a volunteer, explore ways of getting people feel safe, secure and involved, or if you or someone warm in their homes. close to you needs help or Dementia Friendly support, please contact: If you visit www.powys.gov.uk/housing you will be able to view a film where some Powys Name: Dementia Friendly Brecon Ian Thomas, Dementia Communities: All residents speak about how the service has Mountain Rescue Team Friendly Communities helped them and their families. Address: Working Together to Coordinator, South Powys. communities within Powys – Hay- Make a Difference on-Wye, Knighton, Llandrindod Tel: 07734779719 Email: ian.thomas@ To be in with a chance to win £25, answer the Wells, Wells, , following 3 questions about the film: Nearly all of us have some Ystradgynlais, , alzheimers.org.uk Telephone no: experience of dementia: perhaps Welshpool. , Newtown Marcia Vale, Dementia a family member is living with Where do Irene & Eileen store their scooters? and . Friendly Communities the condition; a friend has been Coordinator Ystradgynlais area. A. In the hall B.In the pod C.In the garage Send entries back to: recently diagnosed A Dementia Friendly Tel: 01269 597411 or Sue Callery or is showing signs of Small Actions Community involves What is the name of the Housing site? increasing memory Can Make a everyone living and 07802875492 Engagement Officer loss; a neighbour working locally: shop Email: marcia.vale@ A. Orchard Close B. Orchard Gardens C. Orchard Way Housing Services is a full-time carer Big Difference! assistants, businesses, alzheimers.org.uk Neuadd Maldwyn How many Air Source Heat Pumps have been Welshpool, SY21 7AS or you’ve witnessed someone police, fire & ambulance staff, Karen Rodenburg bus drivers, school pupils – the struggling to cope in a bank or Dementia Friendly installed County wide? A. 20 B. 70 C.140 a shop as they try to remember list goes on! The important Communities Coordinator, The First correct entry common factor is a commitment their PIN or what it is they’ve Montgomeryshire Send your entries back before FRIDAY 29TH JULY 2016 and you out of the hat on the to working together to enable come to buy. & Radnorshire may be in with the chance to win £25. closing date will win £25. those affected by dementia to Whatever our individual remain independent and part Tel: 01686 629530 OR experience, it is vital that we raise of the community for as long as 07736 125884 awareness and understanding possible. And within this it is vital Email: karen.rodenburg@ of dementia in order to remove to give those living with dementia alzheimers.org.uk the stigma associated with the a voice so that their needs can be Rhiannon Davies or Joan Competition Winner condition, so that people living fully recognised and Brown Co-Chair, Brecon and with dementia, and their carers, appropriately met. District Dementia Friendly do not feel excluded from the Congratulations to Mrs Roberts of Knighton who Community community but receive our One of the ways in which we aim to was the lucky winner of our spot the difference www.dementiafriendly understanding and support. raise awareness and understanding competition in the last edition of Open House. brecon.org.uk This can and is being achieved is by delivering Dementia Friends by creating Dementia Friendly Awareness Sessions within the Tel: 07940 961006 or Mrs Roberts is pictured receiving her cheque which Communities. Brecon is at the community. These sessions have 07533 768575 she will be spending towards a day out with her Email: info@dementiafriendly forefront of this important been devised by the Alzheimer’s children in the summer holidays. social movement, along with an Society take 45 minutes and are brecon.org.uk ever-growing number of other interactive and FUN!

6 7 Down Memory Lane Down Memory Lane

Housing Officer Ann and Warden, Elizabeth

MEMORY LANE

Diamond wedding

were on call twenty four-seven! daily contact is really important There was an alarm system with to people. Of course, now people an intercom and I could speak have carers going in so we don’t directly with residents. Once I do as much as we did.” We’re taking a trip ‘Down had a call in the middle of the May called for help one day when Memory Lane’ with night from a lady who wanted she couldn’t wake Ivor: “Elizabeth May Meredith and her Warden, me to know that the street light couldn’t wake him either! She got Elizabeth Hughes who live had just gone off outside her an ambulance and they couldn’t in Dolybont, Llanrhaeadr ym bungalow!” wake him. He slept all the way Mochnant, Montgomeryshire. “Mami used to do bed and May and Ivor had five children. breakfast for cyclists and she “In 1968 we moved to a council Every day, Elizabeth visits each of to Telford…I wouldn’t like to be The village is home to around charged a shilling each. There house in . We had the tenants in Dolybont: “If I get without a warden. She’s a friend 1200 people and Welsh is the were five of us children at home to move from where we were any problems, I know who to call too..” dominant language. May has in those days. When the cyclists because the children were poorly and if I can’t sort things out, I just lived at Dolybont for twenty came we had to go and sleep from the water.” call Ann the Housing Officer, she When asked about the biggest three years and Elizabeth over the calves in the shed. We has been here nearly as long as change during their time as May said: “When we moved to the for seventeen. had bedding! The cyclists had me!” tenants Elizabeth and May agreed bungalow because my husband our beds, we put out a china bowl that the move away from coal May was born in the couldn’t go upstairs any more, we “I collect prescriptions, pop to and a jug of water - that’s all they fires to central heating had the Workhouse on 1st May 1929, so had one week to clean the house the doctors for people. I do had to wash and clean their teeth biggest and best impact on their her mother named her ‘May’. She ready for the new tenants and to whatever they need really. Most with. For breakfast, the cyclists lives. “We used to have to dust was taken in by a local family as clean and decorate the bungalow. of all, I spend time with them. had home cured bacon and for Warden, Elizabeth with May every day, coal was so dirty! Now, a toddler and describes herself It was such a job!” They just want to chat as much supper they had cream crackers.” we never need to. Houses are so as ‘grateful for her life’. She told as anything. Sometimes, people May has fourteen grandchildren warm.” Elizabeth said. “The new Open House that she went to the May married Ivor Nelson in 1950 Elizabeth has been the Warden just come outside and chat! We and three more on the way and outside lights are good too, like a Llanrhaeadr British School and at the Wesleyan Chapel where she in Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant used to all go out at Christmas. she and Ivor have been married big moon!” only one lesson was in Welsh, all was the organist. She said: “Mami for seventeen years and has We don’t do that now. If I go 66 years. the others were English. During didn’t want me to get married. She wonderful memories of a brilliant away, Yvonne, the Warden from the war, the family included four thought that she would have me service. She says: “it was a covers or one of the evacuees from Birkenhead. forever…. But I did look after her.” different service then and we mobile wardens. The service and

8 9 Tenant Groups Gurnos Tenants & Residents Association Sub Groups of the Housing Services Tenant Liaison Forum Group 100 • Investing In Your Homes 78 tenants are signed up to the This group meets monthly Housing Services Group 100 and they are involved in and they have been consulted programme monitoring on service standards, policies of Welsh Housing Quality and other housing issues. The Standard works. majority of tenants ask to be consulted via email. • Repairs Group This group last met in March Tenant Panel Meetings with the Maintenance 18 meetings were held around Team Leader to discuss the County in April and October the monitoring of repairs but attendance to the meetings standards. have been dwindling. Looking for What’s Going On? new ways to encourage tenants • Policy Group to get involved, the Engagement Following a recent consultation Last met at the end of February Team along with the local TLF survey with various housing with the Service Improvement members and County Councillors groups, the Local Tenant Officer to discuss the latest have been organising “Tenants Participation Strategy group draft policies on adaptations Talk Together” events which have Funding Boost For Ystradgynlais Play (a small group of tenants) and repairs & maintenance. been piloted in Welshpool and have now agreed that they will Llangattock. To date, they have Brecknock Play Network are pleased to announce that produce a news bulletin every • Local Tenant Participation gone well and future events will they have received further funding of £4725 from the Big 6 months to outline what the Strategy Group LTPS be held around the County. Lottery Fund (Awards for all Wales) which will enable them to support the Gurnos Play Pod in Gurnos Park, Ystradgynlais Tenant Liaison Forum, Tenants Meet monthly and have until March 2017. & Residents Associations and produced their 2nd Tenant each Sub Group have been Tenants & Residents Engagement Newsletter for The Play Pod was initially set up by Dyfodol Powys Futures in achieving or consulted on, Associations TRA’s housing staff and County 2012 as part of the Child’s Play 2 project. Ownership of the and any outcomes. Councillors. They have also Pod has now been transferred to Gurnos Tenants & Residents We have 5 Tenants & Residents produced a “tenant’s page” Association. The Pod is full of lots of exciting loose parts and Here is a brief summary of what Associations in Powys (1 in for the Powys County Council play equipment which allow for many types of play to take place the groups have been up to. Newtown, 1 in Felindre Nr Brecon, web site which is now LIVE. including den building, sports, circus skills, arts and crafts, giant and 3 in the Ystradgynlais area). They have been reviewing bubbles, messy play, campfire cooking and many more. Tenant Liaison Forum They all regularly meet with the questions for the 2017 (TLF) the Engagement Officers to Customer Satisfaction Survey. They encourage outdoor play in all weathers. The Pod is staffed work together to improve their During 2015, the Tenant Liaison by fully qualified Playworkers with the emphasis very much on communities and also organise Forum met 5 times. Reports • Tenant Service Monitors child led play. The Pod will now be open weekly on Mondays coffee mornings, day trips and presented to the Forum included; TSMs from 3.45pm to 5.45pm (term time). Children under 8 must be fun days. supervised/accompanied by a responsible adult. Homelessness in Powys, housing Meet monthly with the policies, service standards, Engagement Officers and they Ystradgynlais Town Council recently very kindly donated suspension of the Right to Buy, have put together a brand £200 towards the Pod’s running costs. mobility scooters, service charges, new tenant’s handbook for all and rechargeable repairs. tenants to be given when they Should you require and further information please do not A brief summary of any reports sign their tenancy agreement. hesitate to contact Laurie Pyle, Senior Playworker on are given out at the tenant panel A draft copy is currently being 07813 857 474 or email [email protected] meetings. The Forum have also produced for consultation with had presentations on recycling housing staff before being and waste awareness. rolled out.

10 11 Staff Corner News & Information We have had some new members of staff join the Housing Service and some existing members of Plan to Improve Housing Repairs staff have changed jobs within the Service. The Housing Service is planning to go into partnership with a private company to make wholesale improvements to how Housing Repairs are provided for Council Tenants. Senior Managers are already in discussion with a number of potential partners to see how the Council can harness the Sally Shiels, Supporting People knowhow of the private sector to deliver excellent customer service for our tenants. Development Officer Gary Knight, Contracts Officer This initiative is part of wider plan for the Council to deliver a wide range of building related services through a Joint Venture Company. That is a new company Gareth Price, Repairs to be created in Powys that is part owned by the Council and part owned by an Co-ordinator established private sector company (or group of companies). This new company Carol Church, Repairs CONGRATULATIONS will be a genuine partnership combining the best of the Council’s values around Co-ordinator commitment to local services and customer service and public investment in smarter ways to deliver services. Gareth Thomas, Responsive Ashley Evans, Repairs to Kath Jones, Maintenance Assurance Officer Co-ordinator The partner will be selected in June and then the real work begins with the Council Engagement and new partner developing the new company and the new company then planning Simone Hodges, Gypsy & Mair Walker, Repairs Officer who has to undertake their range of services including Housing Maintenance. We anticipate Co-ordinator Traveller Project Officer recently got married that the new partnership company will be providing service from late 2016 though Julie Carley, Area Maintenance Phil Davies, ICT Housing to John Davies so this date might be subject to change. The existing repairs staff will move into the Lead South Support new company and all the service standards will remain unchanged. So, from day she will now be one tenants should see little change in the service provided. However, we are setting Peter Tagg, Temporary Housing Debbie MacLennan, Service Mrs Kath Davies. the new company ambitious targets to meet and so over the first three years of Environmental Health Officer Charges Officer operations we expect to see improved service delivery and reduced costs. Dale Evans, Carpenter Richard Jones, Housing Managers in the Housing service will continue to consult and advise tenants and Surveyor Montgomeryshire Hugh Lloyd, Electrician staff as this project progresses through the rest of this year.

Tenant’s Page Changes to the Repairs Call Handling Service The Local Tenant Participation Strategy group (which is a small group of tenants) along with the Engagement Team and a County Councillor have The responsibility of the been working really hard to produce a Tenants Page repairs call handling service on the Powys County Council Web Site. will soon be returning to On this page there is lots of useful information on Housing from the Corporate the Local Tenant Participation Strategy, Service Charges, how to get involved with the Housing Contact Centre. Service plus more. This should give us more control in ensuring To view the tenant’s page go to that both your call and repair are responded www.powys.gov.uk/en/housing/council-tenants/ to in a time that meets your expectation. We are working towards this happening Powys County Council Tenant Engagement around the end of May 2016. However, we would ask you to be patient with us Tel: 01597 827464 whilst this change takes place and if you do Email: [email protected] have access to a computer and cannot get through to us by telephone – please go to “Council housing repairs” on the Powys web site and report your repair this way.

12 13 Welsh Housing Quality Standard News & Information

Improvements To Your Council House WANTED The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) requires all social landlords to improve their Do you, your family or friends have any household housing stock to an acceptable items that you no longer need? level by 2018. Larger refurbishments to kitchens, If the answer is YES, perhaps you would like to help a vulnerable or Before bathrooms, central heating, roofs, rendering, windows/doors, heating and less privileged person/family or a new tenant setting up home rewiring are planned and scheduled by us within Powys and give them a helping hand for the future. in order to meet the WHQS standards. We need, items to be clean and in a good condition; Once any works have been completed, it would be very helpful to us if you could spare the time to complete the questionnaire that you are sent. You can now complete the questionnaire on line by going to “Council Housing Improvements” on the Powys website. http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/housing/ scheduled-improvements-to-your- After council-house/

Parking Improvements at Heating Information Saline Close, Brecon For Council Tenants

Saline Close is a small sheltered estate of Air Source Heat Pumps – Video 18 bungalows. The car parking has been a Guides Now Available On-Line problem for some years as more people now have cars and also many residents have carers Powys County Council’s Housing Service are that call regularly and need to be able to park. continuing to improve energy efficiency in There was also a problem with emergency selected properties by installing air source vehicles getting in and out of the estate as heat pumps as part of the Welsh Housing cars were parked in the turning space. Quality Standard improvements. Our main objective is to install this type of heating in An open evening was held in the local Church rural areas where mains gas is not available. Hall to consult with the tenants about plans to Air source heat pumps are a good alternative improve the parking. Once all the tenants had to replacing existing storage heaters, oil given their views, the improvements were able boilers and solid fuel systems. beds | wardrobes | bedside cabinets | sets of draws | tables & chairs | coffee tables | sofa’s to start. The work commenced at the end of and chairs (with the fire retardant label) | cookers | washing machines | fridges | freezers March and took approximately 3 weeks We now have a “Heating Information for toasters | kettles | microwaves | televisions | lamps | radios | alarm clocks (all items will to complete. Council Tenants” web page on the Powys be PAT tested to make sure they are safe before they are given out) | pots | pans | cutlery website which provide tenants with crockery | cooking utensils | curtains | clean bedding and towels Tenants have said that they are very information on how to control their air pleased with the new car park, there source heat pumps. http://www.powys. Please ring 01597 827500 or email [email protected] is much more space now and it is gov.uk/en/housing/council-tenants/heating- easier to park. information-for-council-tenants/ and they will arrange for any items to be collected from you.

14 15 News & Information News & Information Fire Safety Towards the end of last year, Powys County Council conducted a number of Fire Risk assessments in our blocks of flats. This is part of long term strategy to provide facilities that meet the needs of residents, present and future, as well as ensuring our properties are as safe as they can be. We are in the process of analysing the results of these assessments and formulating a schedule of improvement works that will address not only fire risk; but a number of additional measures that will improve our communal stair wells, landings and rooms. In the meantime, there are a number of simple measures that can be undertaken to help minimise the risk of a fire starting and enable your safe evacuation should the worst happen:

• Do not store items in • Plan a route of evacuation • Safely extinguish cigarettes, communal areas. These areas from your property should a candles and other naked need to be kept clear to fire occur. Should you have a flames before leaving a maintain evacuation routes change in your circumstances property or going to bed. and minimise risk of a fire that may affect your ability to Likewise ensure guards and starting. evacuate a building, please doors are in place for open contact us. fires / multi fuel stoves. • Please contact us should you need a facility to charge a • Do not leave pots or pans • Regularly check Smoke alarms,

mobility scooter, as these can unattended whilst cooking. CO2 detectors and Careline present a significant fire risk alarms. These are your first line and block escape routes. of defence and do save lives. If you have any concern contact housing repairs immediately. • Do not overload sockets, ensure appliances have a British or European Safety mark. Unplug appliances, Coming Soon - “My Housing Account” especially chargers, when not in use. The Housing Service is currently working on a project to provide web • If you have more general fire access to tenants as an on-line service which will be available outside safety worries, let us know. We the normal office hours, during weekends and holiday periods. may be able to arrange a free Once available, details can be accessed by tenants in a secure, home fire safety check from password controlled environment for; the fire service. • Viewing rent balance and rent arrears enquiries • Paying rent securely on-line Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Together we • Searching for information about a property transfer, mutual exchange and can help improve safety current scoring with regards to waiting lists. and ensure our communi- • Searching for property availability based on location, type of property, ties are safe for many more number of bedrooms. years to come. You will be hearing a lot more about • Completing application forms our plans over the next few • Submitted feedback and complaints months, we look forward • Requesting repairs, raise an inspection, raise and issue emergency repairs to hearing your views and and receive advice on specific repairs. working with you.

16 17 Low-cost home contents insurance for its tenants

Powys County Council has negotiated a home contents insurance scheme specifically designed for our tenants. Cover is provided from just 45p per week and may depend upon age and your postcode area. News & Information Call 01597 827464 to find outMoney more Matters ServiceSERVICE Charges – Cleaning CHARGES & Grass Cutting

PleaseFollowing find onbelow from thean resultsexplanation and feedback of what booklet you recently received, standardsplease find you below can anexpect explanation from theof what grass standards you can expect from Low-cost home contents cuttingthe grass and cutting cleaning and cleaning services. services. insurance for its tenants

Grass Cutting Services • The grass will be cut 10 Cleaning Services times a year • Litter picking prior to grass • Cleaning will be done once cutting every four weeks • Weed spraying • Remove all litter/rubbish • Grass cuttings will not be from communal areas removed • Remove cobwebs and dust • Anything left on grassed • Clean door frames, doors areas will not be moved and door glass – they will be cut around • Clean window frames and e.g. plant pots internal window glass • Sweep or vacuum as appropriate • Floors mopped (unless there is a risk of frost) • Remove marks from wall where possible • Wipe/clean/dust handrails/ balustrades/paintwork

If you have any further issues about the grass cutting or cleaning, please contact the Housing Service on Powys County Council has negotiated a home contents insurance Powys County Council has negotiated a home contents insurance 01597 827464 scheme specifically designed for our tenants. Cover is provided from justscheme 45p per specifically week and designed may depend for our upon tenants. age and Cover your is postcodeprovided fromarea. [email protected] just 45p per week and may depend upon age and your postcode area. Call 01597 827464 to find out more Housing Services, The Gwalia, Ithon Road, Call 01597 827464 to find out more Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6AA.

18 19 News & Information Getting Involved Tenant Liaison Forum - Vacancies

This information is to explain a little about what the Tenants Liaison Forum is, who is involved We currently have vacancies for some areas in it and what it does. It is written by a tenant and the Tenant Liaison Forum would like to representative and so is written from their know if you would be interested in point of view. representing your area.

The Tenants Liaison Forum meets 4 times a year in Llanfyllin March, June, September and December at County Main Representative & Deputy Representative Hall, Llandrindod Wells from 10am till 1pm. Tenant representatives, County Councillors and Housing Newtown staff get together to look at, discuss and comment Deputy Representative on reports. These are about things that are happening, or are going to happen, within Powys Montgomery County Council, that will affect tenants. Deputy Representative Karen Tenants are elected by the Tenant Panels, who meet twice a year in the areas they serve. There are 15 Time To Foster, Time To Care of us, representing tenants in Montgomeryshire, Deputy Representative The theme of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight, Radnorshire and . Powys County celebrated in May, was “Time to Foster, Time to Council housing department send representatives, or Hay-on-Wye Care”, explaining that somewhere in the UK a from the Engagement team, the Contracts team, Main Representative & Deputy Representative child or young person comes into Foster Care senior management and guest speakers from time approximately every 20 minutes. to time on issues that we as tenants have asked to discuss. Deputy Representative As part of the nationwide campaign, Powys Fostering Service launched two new films in which The Forum reads and discusses lots of reports Brecon experienced local Foster Carers talk about their and presentations. We get regular updates on the Main Representative & Deputy Representative experiences and encourage others to take on the progress of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard challenge of fostering. programme of works, and in fact have a sub-group of tenant representatives who meet regularly with Rhayader The first film focuses on Karen who recollects Murray and his wife Helen the Contracts team and the contractors. We also Main Representative & Deputy Representative memories of the things she enjoyed doing as a have sub-groups who are looking at how to get child, and her desire to provide the children and more tenants involved so we can have more of an Presteigne or Knighton young people she now fosters with their own great influence on the things that affect us and another Main Representative & Deputy Representative memories. She has been a Powys Foster Carer for who have been formed to monitor housing services many years and in that time cared for a wide range from the tenant’s point of view. of children and young people, remaining in contact To view the films visit with them long after they have moved on and into www.powys.gov.uk/fostering You don’t get paid for doing this, but you can get If you are interested in becoming a tenant adulthood. travel expenses back, and lunch is provided. If you representative on the Tenant Liaison Forum where you can also find more about have to pay for someone to look after your child, or you will need to complete a candidate form The second film features Murray who, alongside fostering and all that it entails. if you are a carer and have to pay someone to look which you can get from the his wife Helen, have fostered for almost ten years. after the person you care for, then you can get that Engagement Team on 01597 827464 or They describe fostering as “mad, fun and rewarding”. If you are inspired by Karen and Murray’s payment back by submitting the invoice from the email [email protected] Having successfully brought up their children they stories and want to find out more about nursery or care organisation. (You can’t claim if it is wished to help other young people and specialise fostering for Powys contact the team on a friend or relative who is looking after them.) There Acknowledgement to Mrs S Hill, Tenant and in fostering teenagers. They have welcomed many 01874 614035 or are also benefits in terms of skills learned, training member of the Tenant Liaison Forum. children into their busy home and Murray explains email [email protected] offered, confidence gained and the satisfaction of that “if you like teenagers, that’s where the fun is at!” making a difference.

20 21 News & Information Competition Time

Spot The Difference Can you spot 10 differences between the two pictures?

Circle the differences and send your entries back before FRIDAY 29TH JULY 2016 and you may be in with the chance to win £25!

Name______

Address Telephone No.

Send entries back to; Laura Jones, Engagement Officer, Housing Services, Neuadd Brycheiniog, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HR.

The first correct entry out of the hat on the closing date will win £25. Good Luck!

22 23 Getting Involved

Coming Soon..... Customer Satisfaction Survey

Soon, all Powys County Council tenants will receive a short Customer Satisfaction Survey to complete and return in a prepaid envelope or alternatively you can fill in the questionnaire online.

The Housing Service is committed to providing quality services in an effective and efficient way. This survey will be your opportunity to give us your views and to receive feedback on what you tell us.

The feedback we receive will advise the Housing Service on how to improve the service it provides, and target resources effectively.

Feedback will be given in a future edition of Open House and will be posted on the Council Website.

All completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw where you could win a prize of £100.

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