Preston Neighbourhood plan Contents Welcome Neighbourhood profile A great place to live... Local knowledge What next? Our commitment

What can you do? Getting involved Your money

Welcome to your new neighbourhood plan

At Jigsaw Homes Group we take pride in main challenges in your neighbourhood and our neighbourhoods and want to work with how we can work with our local partners to residents to achieve our mission of ‘Creating make improvements. homes. Building lives.’ As a result of the findings, we will target This plan takes on board feedback from resources to areas in need through a range employees and residents looking at key of activities to make you feel happier with issues like health and employment, your neighbourhood. crime and antisocial behaviour, money management and the neighbourhood The plan will be in place for three years. We desirability. will monitor performance regularly against a range of indicators including resident This information helps us to identify the satisfaction to drive forward priorities. Neighbourhood profile information

Here are some facts and figures about the people and properties that make up your neighbourhood which we thought you may find interesting. Tenants by age Number of Jigsaw Homes properties 329 Under 25 years - 12% 36 - 54 years - 38% 25 - 35 years - 38% 55+ years - 6% Average length of tenancy Unknown - 6% 3.4 years A great place to live... Jigsaw Homes has 329 of properties across which are managed by Adactus and Chorley Community Housing.

Preston is a small multicultural city steeped in history and home to Preston University. The city centre is home to a number of beautiful historical buildings including the Old Post Office which is being developed into a luxury hotel, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery which hosts fine and decorative arts and archaeology. Local attractions include: • Arts and culture at Preston Guild Hall. • The Guild Wheel walking and cycling path which runs through and Miller Parks, beside the River Ribble. • offers rides on restored trains and a hands-on museum. Preston is home to UCLAN University that has Blackpool or the Forest of Bowland. • The Infantry Museum. been ranked in the top 3.7% of universities in the world by the Centre for World University Jigsaw has plans to build around 2, 400 more • Brockholes Wild Nature reserve. Rankings 2018/19. UCLAN was the UK’s homes by 2022 through a mix of tenures • There are a number of quality primary first modern university to get into the QS including affordable rent, shared ownership and high schools in the area with access World rankings, and was also awarded the and market sale. We plan to build around to doctor surgeries and dentists. maximum 5 stars for the quality of our 200 of these new homes in Preston, some teaching. of which are already in progress and we’re Preston North End Championship football sourcing potential sites for others. club, who are on the cusp of greatness. They Preston has a busy train station and good play in the modernised Deepdale stadium public transport that can take you in and which is still on its original site. Just outside around Preston. Traffic links are good, and the city centre there are two adjacent, within 90 minutes you can be in the Lake stunning parks next to the river Ribble, which District or Yorkshire Dales, and within 60 are a real asset to the city. minutes you’re in Liverpool, Manchester,

How well is your neighbourhood performing? Neighbourhood experience

We have identified a range of both internal and external indicators On average, people who move into the neighbourhood tend to stay that tell us how great your neighbourhood is overall. in their homes for a reasonable length of time. The neighbourhood experiences some antisocial behaviour or neighbour nuisance cases. The indicators range from the condition of the properties in the This indicates that while the majority of residents treat each other neighbourhood to levels of employment and poverty. You can see with respect, there are some incidents that do occur that have a them all below with an explanation of what the ratings mean for negative impact on people’s ability to relax and feel secure in their your neighbourhood. homes. Satisfaction with the neighbourhood is relatively high although there is room for improvement.

Household money management Community insight £

When looking at the way in which people pay their rent, levels of rent The neighbourhood scores poorly when compared with other arrears and the number of evictions, the neighbourhood performs to areas locally in terms of social economic factors. Performance a satisfactorily level. However, this means some households may still in relation to health, employment, skills and training figures be experiencing money management issues, could be at risk of losing and poverty are all given consideration in this section. their homes, and may need additional support. Demand Overall summary The time it takes to re-let a property is generally good across the Overall the neighbourhood is a popular place to neighbourhood indicating that properties are generally popular with a live offering people a good quality of life. The main low number of repairs required and people who are eligible can move aim for this neighbourhood is identifying the right into their new home relatively quickly. activities, services and initiatives that will help it remain like this and deal with any issues that do arise quickly, ensuring that satisfaction remains high. Property condition

Generally, the homes in the neighbourhood are in a good condition, are energy efficient and there are no common issues with repairs and maintenance costs. Local knowledge: What you told us about your area.

‘Neighbourhoods are varied and people are children and young people to do (including nice.’ family activities) would improve the area.’

‘We are close to local schools and shops. ‘There is a lack of community spirit due There are good local amenities and dog to transient residents, including university friendly parks.’ students.’

‘The neighbourhoods and town centre could be cleaner and brighter.’

‘More health activities and more things for

How will we progress the plan?

Intervention work will begin in your neighbourhood on the various actions outlined in your Neighbourhood Plan as well as in the other 21 Adactus neighbourhoods in April 2019.

We will be reviewing the Neighbourhood Performance Data frequently over the next three years and we will keep you updated on the progress through our website, social media and newsletter.

You will also have the opportunity to be involved so please watch out for advertised activities or requests for feedback. Our commitment

We will monitor how residents are managing alongside our targeted investment and Work with residents to provide an improving to pay their rent and continue to offer advice planned replacement programmes. environmental service in the neighbourhood, and guidance to those that are struggling considering the design, maintenance and financially. We will carry out an annual neighbourhood usage of the available open spaces. audit focusing on environmental issues and We will work closely with residents to ensure grounds maintenance to highlight where To identify current youth facilities and work that the community knows where to access improvements are required, liaising with with partners to provide more activities in a help and advice on money management residents in relation to the concerns raised. joined up way, making sure the community issues. are aware of the available activities. We will continue to monitor those quality We will target any properties that are more of life factors that have an affect on the Encourage residents and parents to work difficult to let within the neighbourhood and community, such as the levels of employment together in providing youth activities in the work to resolve any related appearance issues and the health and well-being of residents. area. that may affect their popularity. We will also take action on any other issues affecting the We will work with partners to deliver Work with residents to build on community desirability of the area, to ensure a better interventions in the neighbourhood targeting spirit and provide updates of what’s customer experience. those key issues and ensure residents have happening in the area on a regular basis and access to the services they need the most. through different communication channels. We will regularly monitor the property condition, area appearance and management Alongside partner agencies, we will look issues related to any properties that become at the health of our residents and deliver empty. We will identify any challenges early targeted initiatives to those areas where and make sure any properties that become residents are in need of additional support, empty are ready to let as quickly as possible. advice and guidance.

We will identify where customers are not We will look at the levels of unemployment in happy with the repairs service provided and the area and guide people to our existing job look to establish any trends in this data. We clubs, where advice, assistance and support will establish patterns in the number and can be given to help people into training, costs of repairs and introduce a responsive volunteering and paid employment. plan to address areas of concern to sit What can you do? Familiarise yourself with the money advice the best service. services that we and our other agencies provide and tell your neighbourhoods, Get in touch if you experience antisocial friends and family about them if you think behaviour or, if you feel you are seeing a they may be in financial difficulty. Get in rise in crime in the area so we can assist and touch with us as soon as possible if you feel give practical advice. Tell us if you believe you are getting behind on your rent and bills. properties are being use for illegal purposes. You can also look on our website for advice Take pride in your community and regularly on a range of money matters and links to maintain your own garden or clean the space other sources of help and support. outside your flat etc. We can offer low cost support if you need help with this. Link here Be a great neighbour – top tips

Be observant around your neighbourhood and • Introduce yourself to your neighbours let us know when things do not look great. and consider your neighbours’ lifestyles It may be that the standard of communal • Be aware of the noise you create in your spaces can improve, the environment could own home, particularly in buildings with be improved or when you see something that communal entrances. you don’t think is safe. Let us know if you • Be mindful of where you park and be think a property has been abandoned as soon considerate of others as possible so that we can take action to re- • Let your neighbours know if you are let the property and avoid possible damage. having a celebration Report repairs issues quickly and keep an eye • Maintain your garden and keep your on any recurrent problems you notice in your communal areas free of items home or those of others in your community • Put your bins out on the right night and and let us know. Always fill in the repairs bring them in again once collected feedback surveys, this will really help us • Keep an eye on your neighbour’s address any issues in your area and give you property.

Getting involved We encourage residents to get involved in improving and shaping our performance and the standard of our services. We understand that not everyone wants the same level of involvement, so we offer a range of ways to get involved.

Jigsaw Rewards

Jigsaw Rewards is an opportunity for you to If you want to be more involved you can be give your feedback by completing surveys on part of a focus group to discuss different our services mainly from the comfort of your services and attend events and training. You own home. In return you will receive points can even become a tenant director on our which can be exchanged for gift vouchers or Board or join/set up a residents’ association credits on your rent account. or local group in your area. Jigsaw Foundation

It is simple and quick to register for We also recognise that everyone has skills, April 2019 sees the launch of Jigsaw Jigsaw Rewards. Just visit www.rewards. capability and drive to improve their Foundation offering funds for local projects jigsawhomes.org.uk and enter your neighbourhoods and this is happening with which make a difference to the lives of our surname, payment reference and tell great success in a number of places. residents and their communities. The fund us which areas of the business you are is open to charities, resident and community interested in. We will only share with you We’re keen to promote this and whether groups, voluntary organisations, social the activities you have chosen, so you can it’s a small project near to your home or enterprises and local partner agencies. do as much or little as you like. Activities something more ambitious, we want to Entries will be able to bid for a share of include feedback surveys, photo tasks, hear your ideas and help you to make this £500,000 towards local projects that help to mystery shopping and the opportunity to happen. improve people’s lives. volunteer for our scrutiny panel. Our neighbourhood team will support you For more information and an application In addition to Jigsaw Rewards you can also to do this wherever possible so please get form, visit www.jigsawhomes.org.uk. have informal involvement by attending in touch if you have any ideas on how to Grants under £25,000 will be voted on by community events or following us on social improve your neighbourhood. tenants through Jigsaw Rewards. Anything media, our websites and through our above this will be voted on by Jigsaw’s newsletters. executive team. Your money Housing Benefits & Allpay payment card - Look for the PayPoint You can use the link below to find your or e-pay sign and pay your rent with your nearest credit union. Universal Credit allpay card at the till. https://.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/

Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Through our website - You can pay on our can help you pay your rent if you are website with your debit card and Allpay unemployed, on a low income or claiming swipe card using our online services. This benefits. Whilst Housing Benefit is paid service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days along side other benefits you may receive, a year. Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for all your living costs. The monthly Standing order - Payments can be made Universal Credit payment will include money directly from your bank or building society Budgeting information to pay your rent and you’ll have to make on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. To arrangements to pay this money to your use this payment method please contact us The first step to taking control of your landlord. and we will send you a Standing Order form finances is doing a budget. for you to complete and return to us. Universal Credit will eventually replace the Setting up a budget means you’re less likely following benefits: Over the telephone - You can pay your rent to end up in debt and to be caught out over the phone using our 24 hour automated by unexpected costs. It can also help to • Child Tax Credit service. Please phone connect on 0300 111 improve your credit rating and put you in a • Housing Benefit 1133 and select Option 3. If you are calling great position to save up. • Income Support outside our normal working hours which are • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) between 6:00pm – 8:00am, you will need to You can find out how to create a budget via • Income-related Employment and Support select option 2 instead. Please note that the link below: Allowance (ESA) you will need your allpay card along with a https://www.budget.entitledto.co.uk/ • Working Tax Credit valid debit or credit card to use this service. default If you currently receive any of these If you pay your rent on a monthly basis Getting help if debt benefits, you cannot claim Universal Credit please be aware that your rent is charged on at the same time. a weekly basis and that you must meet all problems become serious your weekly rental obligations within that Payment facilities current financial year (1 April to 31st March). If you are behind with ‘priority debts’ such Therefore we expect you to have one week as your: Direct debit – these can be set up weekly, credit balance on 31st March of each year. • Rent, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly and can This is to reflect the 1st week in advance • Mortgage, be on any date in the month. payment you will have been asked to make • Court fines, when you signed your tenancy. • Energy bills, • Council Tax, • Child support. What is Credit Union? Take advice straight away before your debts become unmanageable. A credit union is a financial co-operative https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/ Recurring card payment – You can set a which provides savings, loans and a range en/tools/debt-advice-locator recurring card payment and can cancel or of services to its members. It is owned and https://www.stepchange.org/ amend this with us at any time. If you did controlled by the members so the emphasis not have the funds when we attempt to take is always on providing the best service to a payment you would not incur any bank members – not maximising profits. charges. facebook.com/AdactusInYourCommunity @AdactusHA facebook.com/CommunityUpdatesInChorley @ChorleyCH Creating homes. Building lives.