The Newsletter for Powys County Council Tenants
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Summer Edition 2016 Open House The Newsletter for Powys 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 Welshpool and the other along with Powys County Council 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, Llandrindod Wells 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, Brecon 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 WALES 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.