29th Edition • September 2014
HHoming In cosots 25p a compy to print in gin In this issue
The Annual Report Summary page 9-16
grand ck for Gas Safety n tra page 17 O 4-5 opening! page
A day in the life page 20 Dear Reader
e know how Thanks to everyone who took This autumn will see the important part in our consultation. We have completion of an 18 month good customer used your priorities to develop regeneration programme on 77 our new Service Standards which flats in Dronfield. They have care is to you. W set out the level of service you been transformed by the At Rykneld Homes we are proud can expect from us. To find out installation of energy efficient that tenant satisfaction with our more turn to page 8. heating systems, new doors and customer care is very high – 96% In this issue we have also windows and external thermal – and we want to make sure it included a summary of our cladding. We hope the tenants stays that way. Annual Report. This looks back and residents will feel the benefit Over the past few months we over the past year at our of the work this winter. have been asking our tenants achievements and how we have Next month we are also looking and residents to tell us what is worked with tenants to improve forward to the first tenants important to them when they the services we provide. It also moving into the new bungalows contact us. You told us, you want looks to the future and sets out we have built in Grassmoor. For us to be easy to contact, to get how we will deliver on your more about both of these things right first time and be priorities as well as those of our projects and other new build able to solve problems or partners – including building schemes in the pipeline, please complaints. more new homes in our district. turn to page 6.
Contents No English? No problem? Congratulations to our winners! 3 This magazine is available in large print , Braille and audio CD on request.
Promoting skills and training 3 We Care We want all of our customers to be able to understand the information we provide about our services. If you have any difficulty reading or understanding this information please contact us by telephone Working with local 01246 217670. You will not be charged for the TALKBACK service. communities 4-5 & 01430 457421 (CANTONESE) & 01430 457426 (URDU) & 01430 457423 (MANDARIN) Regeneration update 6-7
Annual Report Summary 9-16 & 01430 457424 (POLISH)
The Silent Killer 17
& News from the Federation 18 01430 457422 (ITALIAN) & 01430 457425 (PUNJABI)
Useful Contacts 19
A Day in the Life 20 & 0800 731 7878 (OTHER LANGUAGES) TALK BACK
2 Homing in • www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Beverley Wainwright with her Congratulations! vouchers Well done to all our prize were automatically entered into a winners who scooped a total prize draw. The first name out of of £250 in shopping vouchers! the hat was Wayne Wilcox from Killamarsh who won our top prize Annual Tenant of £100 in shopping vouchers. Satisfaction Survey The two runners-up were Mr and Thanks to everyone who filled in Mrs Brock from Kelstedge and our Annual Tenant Satisfaction Beverley Wainwright from Coal Survey, which was included in the Aston who won £50 in shopping last issue of Homing In. vouchers. Tenants who filled in and Feedback from the surveys has returned a survey been very positive and we will Every quarter we enter the include the results in the next satisfaction surveys into a prize issue of Homing In. draw for £50 in shopping vouchers. The winner of this quarter’s draw Satisfaction surveys was Maureen Bryan from We value your feedback on the Killamarsh. Maureen was delighted services you receive from Rykneld with the work done by our Homes. For many of the services Responsive Repairs Service and the we provide – such as Repairs and operative who carried out the Maintenance, Choice Based work, Karl Brownlow, presented Lettings or Gas Servicing – we ask her with the shopping vouchers. Karl Brownlow from Rykneld Homes presents the vouchers to Maureen Bryan. you to fill in a Satisfaction Form.
Back row: Cllr Brian Ridgway (left), Wayne Skills and training Lilleyman from Derbyshire County Supporting people to develop their skills Council (centre) and Niall Clark, Director and working with local partners are key of Property Services and Development at priorities for Rykneld Homes. Rykneld Homes We are supporting Niall Clark, (right) with the gas apprenticeships for trainees Director of apprentices. employed by Derbyshire County Property Services and Council who are working towards Development at Rykneld becoming fully qualified gas Homes, said: “We are delighted engineers. to be able to help these way into the world of work. Rykneld Homes will be apprentices learn the skills they “The high quality of our providing work experience for need to complete their training. apprentice scheme has now been five gas plumber apprentices this “As well as working with partner recognised nationally and working year, helping them to attain their organisations, we also offer our with Rykneld Homes gives our qualification by working on own apprenticeship and apprentices the opportunity to domestic gas appliances, an area volunteering opportunities.” broaden their skills base. of work that the County Council Councillor Brian Ridgway, “I know that Rykneld Homes have doesn’t undertake. Derbyshire County Council Cabinet set their bar very high when it The training will be done in Member for Council Services said: comes to service delivery and I partnership with Chesterfield “We’re committed to investing in have every confidence that our College’s Learning Unlimited division, the young people of Derbyshire by apprentices will not only learn, where the apprentices are studying supporting them into employment but deliver on those high for their trade qualifications. and apprenticeships offer a great expectations.”
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk • Homing in 3 Working with local communities ur Community Involvement Team has been out and about in the district helping local communities Oorganise events over the summer and lending a helping hand with some exciting new schemes. Wheeley good time in Mickley We are very proud of one of Community the schemes we have supported Improvers kick – the creation of a new started the project £150,000 BMX track in Mickley. and went on to The facility, which received raise £900 for the funding and support from scheme Rykneld Homes, was officially themselves. The opened on 19 September and is project has also already proving a great success. received support Our team of from Shirland and Higham Let’s get cooking. Parish Council, Viridor, Keepmoat, and the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner. Cllr Barry Barnes, Chair of the Parish Council, said: “We are delighted that Rykneld Homes and the Community Improvers got the ball rolling on this scheme and New BMX track at Mickley put so much effort into getting it off the ground.” Pond dipping at the Community Care Farm. DID YOU New pond at allotment site KNOW? The All Seasons Allotment Project in North Wingfield enjoyed their second 3 summer of activities during the school holidays. Rykneld Homes and North Anti-Social Behaviour Wingfield Parish Council supported a group of young volunteers, who got stuck in and helped out with all sorts, including creating a wildlife pond on Between April and June the site. 2014 we had 3.47 new cases Local construction firm A Rock Construction kindly donated a digger and of serio us Anti-Social driver for a day to dig the pond. The children then finished the job, adding Behaviour reported. We sand and liner supplied through Rykneld Homes’ Neighbourhood anticipate 13 cases per Improvement Budget. The group then visited Chesterfield Community Care 1,000 properties over a 3 Farm, where they went pond dipping to collect new plant and wildlife to month period. introduce to the new pond. 4 Homing in • www.rykneldhomes.org.uk unities DID YOU Working with local comm KNOW? 3 Major Adaptations Get cooking! Between April and June One of the main focuses this Homes and included activities 2014, we took on average summer has been the “Get such as rounder’s, football, craft 13.5 days to complete a Cooking” project. We have and baking delicious fruity major adaptation, following been working in a number of muffins. The feedback from the agreement to deliver the communities to encourage children has been fantastic. adaptation, against a target children and adults to cook The team also supported a of 29 days. healthy recipes on a budget. holiday club in Pilsley which was In Danesmoor, we held four, organised by the local Police free family cooking sessions Community Support Officer and almost 300 hours of their time and tried out some easy and church. The children took part in over a three month period and nutritious recipes – which you lots of fun activities including without them many of the things can view and download from sports and baking with the we achieve would not be possible. our website Community Involvement Team Rykneld has also been www.rykneldhomes.org.uk and our Community Improvers. represented at many community Every Friday in August the Community Improvers fun days including Stonebroom, St Albans Centre in Holmewood The Community Improvers have Grassmoor, Renishaw and Morton. ran a holiday club for children supported us with many of our This year we introduced our new aged 7–13 years, this project projects over the summer. The interactive game “the zone” was funded through Rykneld young people have volunteered which was popular with all ages. Tenant inspectors A helping hand for air cadets Our Community Involvement This summer, through our Neighbourhood Improvement Budget we Team also worked with our new have been able to support a local group to buy their own transport. Tenant Inspectors. The group is now up and running and the first Clay Cross Air Cadets applied for funding to us to purchase a van of the inspection sessions have which will allow them to attend more events. taken place. Thirteen inspectors Wayne Oldham, from the group said: “We have worked long and have been recruited and trained to hard for this fantastic minibus and when Rykneld Homes stepped-in date and they’ve set about with a grant for around a quarter of the cost, they enabled us to get completing inspections of empty on the road about a year ahead of schedule. properties throughout North East “It carries 15 of Derbyshire. The group now have us in great style their sights set on completing and is powerful further inspections, including enough to tow a conducting interviews with large trailer of kit Rykneld Homes tenants. at the same time. If you would like more It is just perfect information about the for our needs”. Tenant Inspectors project, Picture caption: Flt Lt please contact Jude Milburn on Wayne Oldham, Cdt Sgt Sophie Wilkinson, Cdt 01246 217132, or visit Sgt James Wilkinson, www.rykneldhomes.org.uk/get- Cdt Daniel Broadhurst, Cdt Ben Clark and Cdt involved/involvement- Jack Askin. opportunities/tenant-inspectors/.
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk • Homing in 5 New homes in Grassmoor The construction of 25 October. We will then be able to but we are also creating new homes off Keats Way start demolishing the remaining additional homes on the site, in Grassmoor is now well three bungalows. which will help meet the housing need of our residents.” underway. In addition to the bungalows, we are also building a mixture of As well as building work by This will involve demolishing houses on the site, and work has Rykneld Homes and the Council, nine pre-fabricated bungalows already started on 10 of these there are also plans from South which no longer meet modern properties. The whole Yorkshire Housing Association housing standards and were development, which will include (SYHA) for 11 more family homes difficult to heat and keep warm. bungalows and semi-detached off North Wingfield Road at The first six bungalows are two storey homes, is scheduled Grassmoor. under construction with tenants for completion in March 2015. The new, two and three set to move in by the end of Cllr Betty Hill, bedroomed homes will be for Member with affordable rent for families in responsibility for housing need in North East Housing Strategy, Derbyshire. said: “We are excited SYHA held a public drop in about welcoming session on 25 September at the first tenants into Grassmoor Community Centre, our new homes in New Street to discuss the Grassmoor. proposals. For further
New homes “Not only are we information about the SYHA being built in replacing the scheme contact Anastasija Grassmoor existing bungalows, Clayton on 0114 2900262. DID YOU New homes in Eckington and Killamarsh KNOW? 3 We have now completed on West Street. These properties have been built by Rykneld Homes Decent Homes Phase One of the Tarran regeneration scheme which and the first tenants are set to From the Decent Homes move in next month. has seen 42 new homes built works completed between Work has already started on Phase at the Eckington and April and June 2014 by Two of the Tarran project which Rykneld Homes , 97.73% of Killamarsh sites. will see 24 new bungalows built in tenants said they were The total includes 10 new family Killamarsh and 21 bungalows in satisfied with the work homes created in Eckington on the Eckington. site of the former Woodview House against a target of 97%.
6 Homing in • www.rykneldhomes.org.uk DID YOU KNOW? 3 Allocations Between April and June 2014, 94% of tenants said they were satisfied with the Allocations and Letting system at sign up, against a target of 94%.
New build in Dronfield Work is set to start on four new homes for affordable rent in Dronfield. The developments, by Rykneld Stonelow Green Homes, are for semi-detached family properties which have been identified as in short supply in the flats in Dronfield town and surrounding area. Work is almost completed project which has given a new There will be: on the £4.5m regeneration lease of life to 77 homes in our • two semi-detached houses on project to modernise 77 district. Marsh Avenue – on the land currently occupied by a flats at Stonelow Green. “Tenants have benefited from an extensive modernisation Rykneld Homes site unit. The scheme has seen the flats programme, which has made • two semi-detached units on transformed into modern, warm, their homes easier to heat and Sycamore Avenue – on vacant energy efficient homes and we keep warm. As well as energy land. hope tenants and residents will efficiency improvements the flats We are looking for works to feel the benefit this winter. have also undergone a major commence on these four Over the past 18 months we external refurbishment, which properties in September with an have fitted new, energy efficient has received praise from the expected completion date of gas central heating systems, surrounding community. March 2015. replaced doors and windows and “We are proud of the work we installed external, thermal are doing to regenerate homes in insulation. North East Derbyshire and look In addition we have replaced forward to more regeneration flat roofs with pitch roofs, and new build schemes in the upgraded fire protection works years ahead.” and the water supply and improved the external environment.
Dronfield North Cllrs Graham Artist’s impressions Baxter MBE and Christine Smith, of the new homes said: “This has been a fantastic in Dronfield.
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk • Homing in 7 New livery for a new fleet You will notice that our Nottinghamshire fleet of vans has changed Vehicle Procurement over the summer. Consortium which allows members to Thanks to partnership working achieve savings. with the Council we’ve taken Niall Clark, delivery of a new fleet of Director of Property vehicles – in a smart, new livery. Services and The contract on the old silver Development at vans ended this year and we Rykneld Homes, decided to take the opportunity said: “Being able to refresh and update our image to work with the and chose a blue colour to match Council and tap into the New fleet of vans. our company logo. Nottinghamshire Local The vans were ordered by the Authorities Consortium has been allowed us to realise significant Council through the a tremendous benefit and savings on our new fleet.” At your service Providing high quality • Be able to solve problems and customer care is a complaints. key priority for us. We have used your priorities to develop a new set of Service At Rykneld Homes we Standards that set out what you provide exceptional can expect from us. customer care with 96% of our tenants saying • We will act in a professional they are satisfied with manner the standard of • We will listen to your views customer care we offer. and make it easy for you to However, we are aware there is contact us always room for improvement • We will involve you in shaping and have been looking at how we and improving services DID YOU can make positive changes to • We will communicate clearly make this happen. and honestly with you Over the past few months we’ve • We will aim to get it right first KNOW? 3 been working with tenants to time to your satisfaction. Contact Centre calls find out what is most important At Rykneld Homes we already answered to you when you contact us invite tenants to become Between April and June The feedback showed that you involved in our work and in want us to: 2014, 91% of calls to our future will be looking to increase that involvement and make sure Contact Centre were dealt • Be easy to contact • Get things right first time you are able to directly influence with at the first contact our service development and • Be professional against a target of 84%. investment decisions.
8 Homing in • www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Annual Report 2013/14 Summary Rykneld Homes Ltd
ur Annual Report provides you with Oinformation about what we have been doing over the past 12 months. Finding out what tenants and customers think about our services is key to us. By listening to what you tell us we are able to adapt our services to better meet your needs. This is our seventh Annual Report, from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 Tenant Involvement and Empowerment This Year we’re really Customer Services proud of the In 2013/14 we Satisfaction with Knowing who our recieved the Contact level of Centre customers are and what 112,104 satisfaction they want from the calls 90% with Rykneld’s organisation is key to services that delivering effective you reported customer care. The results of our Tenant Satisfaction Survey to us – 2013 showed 96% of tenants are satisfied with the standard of customer care from Rykneld Homes.
90% Get Involved, Get Empowered As well as service improvements we also have 74% Percentage of Performance lots of projects which focus tenants that 72% said Rykneld on community improvement, Target listens to their including helping troubled views and acts families, organising summer upon them (Annual tenants survey activities and delivering 2013/14) healthy eating sessions.
All the information contained in this report and more is available from our website - www.rykneldhomes.org.uk
2 Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Understanding and responding to the diverse needs of tenants Independent Living Service Our service provides reassurance, support 98% 94% (Target 92%) and help in case of emergency. We (Target 98%) provide regular visits and make sure the day to day support someone may require is in place. 4 Pe4rcentage Percentage of tenants of calls to satisfied Central with the Control Independent answered Living within 60 Service
seconds (Annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2013/14)
Regeneration
New Build The £11million regeneration of the old Tarran bungalow sites has been a tremendous achievement to date with 24 homes completed. The project will see 99 homes, which no longer meet modern housing needs, replaced with 129 new, energy efficient properties.
Trusteel Houses The Trusteel programme included the external cladding of 213 houses in Wingerworth, Grassmoor and Holmgate. Tenants are now reporting large improvements to the warmth of their homes and reduction in fuel bills.
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 3 £609,223 Rent arrears of current tenants
£381,915 Former Tenancy Arrears Tenancy Standard
Rents Choice Based Letting Service – Choice Move During the year we Your involvement and feedback through the Satisfaction undertook texting Survey and through the Allocations Policy Review has campaigns for tenants in enabled us to: arrears reminding them to • Speed up our letting process pay. These have proven successful with over £268k • Improve the banding scheme to make it clearer to of income received from understand these tenancies at the year • Make sure that existing Council tenants are able to move end. to smaller accommodation – more appropriate to their family size or needs. We have supported tenants affected by Welfare Reform, assisting 49 people to move to smaller 96% accommodation and Percentage of tenants satisfied assisting tenants with with the allocation process Discretionary Housing Payment applications with over £68k being awarded to tenants affected by under- Lettable Standard occupation. This year we have successfully embedded our new Lettable Standard. The standard is higher than before which has meant that it takes a little longer to get homes ready for people to move in to. 93% We have received great feedback from new and transferring tenants about the standard.
Average 4Percentage new time to tenancies sustained 27 days Target of 21 days for more than relet 12 months empty (Target 91%) properties
4 Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Home Standard Repairs and Maintenance In 2013/14, we carried out: • 13,932 Planned • 5982 Emergency Repairs – Maintenance and Batched an average of 115 a week Repairs – an average of 268 a week. • 19,218 Responsive (urgent and routine) Repairs – an average of 370 a week
Percentage of Quality of Accommodation responsive repairs completed on target We aim to maintain and modernise your home. Money is spent based on your priorities. Through Business Planning and the Tenant Investment and Development Group, we listened to your priorities and built your feedback into our plans. 99% (Target 99%) Facts and Figures Satisfaction with 248 In 2013/14, we repairs and spent New Roofs maintenance £21million (Monthly Tenant Satisfaction Survey bringing 2103/14 properties up 660 to the Decent 407 Homes New Decent Bathroms standard. The Homes Works improvements 95% have received (Target 97%) very positive feedback 981 719 through the Gas Servicing New Heating 422 New satisfaction Systems Kitchens survey. In 2013/14, we carried out: House • 7415 checks and servicing Rewires to gas heated properties.
Gas Safety Audit Satisfaction with Decent GOOD Homes 98% 2013/14 Gas Process (Target 97%) Servicing Audit 4 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 5 Satisfaction with the way we dealt with your Anti-Social Behaviour complaint 88% (Target 70%) Neighbourhood and Community Standard 4 Living in North East The Estate Caretaker Service Derbyshire has been an enormous Helping people to feel safe success. We are regularly Percentage and enjoy where they live is receiving compliments from one of our strategic you and from residents of Estates objectives. thanking the Caretakers for assessed as the improvements they have made to the local Excellent or Mediation Service environment. Good This year we have A tenant in Tupton rang to introduced a new praise the help for getting his mediation service. The garden done. “I would like mediators are trained, to thank the men who did impartial and non- 4 judgemental. They provide the work as they had a nice 100% support throughout the smile and have done a (Target 95%) sterling job.” whole process and are accredited.
Satisfaction with Neighbourhood as a place to live (Annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2013/14) 87% (Target 86%) 4 6 Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Where was your money spent? We are committed to delivering the best value for money for every pound spent. Providing good quality homes that are well repaired and maintained is a key service provided by Rykneld Homes. In 2013/14 we spent £4.6m on this service.
4 Value for Money
In 2013/14 we spent Decent Homes and • new doors and windows more than: Improvement • new central heating systems • £450,000 providing Budgets services to help people • new kitchens and In 2013/14, Rykneld Homes remain in their own bathrooms budget to deliver Capital home and enjoy an works, such as the Decent • empty properties improved quality of life. Homes Estate Delivery Plan, • electrical works delivered £25m of • In 2013/14 we invested • asbestos testing £1.1m in our improvement programmes Neighbourhood Services. which included: • major adaptations • new roofs • structural, damp and Trusteel programme.
You have also told us how beneficial to the community. important good Whether you contacted us by communication is to help you telephone or called in at one access services. of our Area Housing Offices, In 2013/14 we invested almost we were on hand to help £960,000 in customer services with everything from paying and communications. your rent to reporting a We deliver a lot of activities repair. We also kept you up to to divert people to positive date through our regular experiences that are newsletter Homing In.
The estimated social value of all the Community Involvement projects is in excess of £982,00.
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 7 Key Plans for 2014/15
Tenant Involvement and Empowerment • Introduce customer care training sessions to Understanding and refresh the knowledge of our staff and responding to the diverse embed our customer care principles. Explore needs of tenants new methods of communication to improve access to services for all tenants and • Work towards becoming a customers dementia friendly organisation • Review and update our Service Standards to • Review our service provision so it make sure they are customer focused. meets best practice and offers value for money
Tenancy Standard Home Standard • Increase housing choice by offering private rented • Deliver £17.5million of Decent Homes properties and Registered and other improvements to people’s Provider properties homes • Reduce the number of refusals by • Build new homes to help meet providing more information housing demand earlier in the application process • Develop refurbishment and and make sure the service is regeneration projects to address non- accessible to all traditional housing. • Reduce the time it takes to re-let empty properties.
Neighbourhood and Community Standard Governance and Viability • Promote and offer Rykneld • Put in place the Registered Homes Mediation Service Provider requirements that • Develop the Estate Caretaker deliver risk management and service to make sure estates are accountability to meet new clear of litter and consider regulator standards. extending this service.
8 Rykneld Homes - Summary Annual Report 2013/2014 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk The Silent Killer DID YOU As we head into autumn and colder weather everyone will KNOW? be turning up their heating to keep warm. Complaints That’s why it’s vital you have Last year 10 people given us access to your home to Between April and June carry out important safety checks nationally died as a result 2014, 41% of complaints if you have gas central heating. of Carbon Monoxide were justified (of those By law and under the terms of poisoning and a further that are resolved within your Tenancy Agreement you 343 had to be treated for the month) against a must allow us into your home to target of 45%. carry out the annual gas service. its effects. It is free of charge and is done to ensure the safety of your family Carbon Monoxide poisoning – What are and neighbours. the symptoms? Faulty and poorly serviced gas appliances can lead to Carbon You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill Monoxide poisoning – which is quickly and with no warning. sometimes called the silent killer Carbon Monoxide symptoms are similar to flu, food poisoning, viral because you cannot taste or smell infections and simply tiredness. That’s why it’s quite common for the poisonous gas. people to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else. To help us keep you safe, please Other signs that could point to Carbon Monoxide poisoning: allow us access to your home. l Your symptoms only occur when you are at home Our team of gas engineers are Gas Safe registered and fully l Your symptoms disappear or get better when you leave home qualified to carry out inspections, and come back when you return servicing and repairs. l Others in your household are experiencing symptoms (including Because it is so important we your pets) and they appear at a similar time carry out the service, we will seek What should I do if I experience any symptoms legal methods of access if you refuse access to allow us to carry of Carbon Monoxide poisoning? out the work. You may be l Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas charged with associated costs. appliances and leave the house
l See your doctor immediately or go to hospital - let them know The engineer who calls at that you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning. They can do a your home will: blood or breath test to check. l Check for gas leaks Being aware of the symptoms could save your life! l Clean the internal parts of the appliances we have installed
l Check and adjust the gas pressure where necessary
l Check that the flue is not blocked and is working correctly
l Inspect your cooker although this will not be serviced
l Give you a receipt to say all your appliances and pipe work are safe.
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk • Homing in 17 A message from Alan Jess, Chair of the Federation of North East Derbyshire Tenants and Residents
Federation Annual Commission evaluation has General Meeting allowed over £50,000,000 of Government funding to be spent Group Contact Details The Federation will be holding its improving our Council homes over Danesmoor & Clay Cross: AGM in October 2014 and 4 the last 5 years. The Federation officers will be elected to carry out and its member Groups worked 01246 861673 the day-to-day running of the closely with Rykneld to ensure this Eckington: 01246 433155 Federation. This will be the last success. article I write as Chair of the Holmgate: 07855 667116 Federation as I will not be standing Solid Fuel Servicing for re-election. The next article The Federation has asked Rykneld Killamarsh: 01246 498427 will be from the newly elected about delays to solid fuel servicing, North Wingfield: Chair of Federation. and as a result Rykneld is working My involvement in Tenant to ensure that all solid fuel services 01246 852075 Participation began in February have been completed by the end of Renishaw: 07980 292713 1995, and I have been Chair of October. There are 2 operatives Federation for just over 8 years and carrying out the servicing and if feel that now the time has come for you have not yet been notified, someone else to take over. I have please contact Rykneld on 08000 Please get in touch with no doubt that my successor will 121621 to arrange an appointment. us if you need any help continue to improve involvement in Ultimately tenants are responsible or advice. North East Derbyshire. for reporting any repairs that they The Federation constantly tries to feel are required, and if a reported Chair, encourage greater membership of repair has not been completed by groups and involvement in general. the notified date, please remind Alan Jess: Our Secretary produces leaflets for Rykneld that your repair is 01246 250639 Groups to distribute within their outstanding. area, as well as at events the Vice Chair, New Logos Groups attend. The Federation Wilf Nightingale: officers are always there to offer You may have noticed our new help and advice to tenants, logos at the top of my article. We 01246 498427 leaseholders and residents across worked with Rykneld to design the District, by phone, email or them as the original logo did not Secretary, face-to-face. represent our remit of tenants and Lorraine Dung: During the last 8 years we have residents. 01246 861673 seen many, many changes, not the The Federation is now a member least of which was the creation of of the North East Tenants’ Alliance, Treasurer, Rykneld Homes Ltd as the where it meets with other management agent of North East Federations from the north of Stella Nightingale: Derbyshire District Council’s England to exchange ideas and 01246 498427 housing. Rykneld’s success gaining share experiences. 2 stars following an Audit
18 Homing in • www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Useful contacts
Rykneld Homes Rykneld Homes, Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6NG. North East Derbyshire For all services please District Council call us on 01246 217670 Council House, Saltergate, Home Ownership Chesterfield S40 1LF. Or visit our website at: (Right to Buy and Leaseholders) Tel: 01246 231111 www.rykneldhomes.org.uk Tel: 01246 217670 Or visit our website at: Or Text us at 07800 002 425 Email righttobuy@ www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk Housing Offices rykneldhomes.org.uk Leaseholdmanagement@ For all Area Housing Offices at Council Tax and Housing rykneldhomes.org.uk Benefits Eckington, Killamarsh, Clay Cross, Dronfield and North Wingfield Tel: 01246 217600 Housing Accounts/Rents telephone 01246 217670 . Tel: 01246 217670 Elections and Electoral Registration Repairs Tenancy Support For repairs contact 01246 217670 . Tel: 01246 217670 Tel: 01246 217069, 217068 Emergency housing repairs Text: 07971 793 892 Energy Advice Centre (including drainage). Only serious by writing to Community Tel: 01246 217263 emergencies accepted out of hours. Sustainment, Pioneer House, Environmental Services Freephone 08000 121 621 . Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Text repairs4u to 07800 002 425 Tel: 01246 217610 for abandoned Chesterfield S42 6NG vehicles, Burgundy Bin collection, Adaptations or via an Area Housing Office. Bulk Collections, Cleansing, Dog Tel: 01246 217670 Community Involvement Wardens, Fly Tipping, Pest Control, E-mail: adaptations.team@ Team Pollution Control (air, noise, odour), rykneldhomes.org.uk Tel: 01246 217295 Recycling initiatives, refuse collection Email: and street cleansing . Choice Move [email protected] Tel: 01246 217650 Food Safety and Hygiene Email: choicemove@ Warden Services Tel: 01246 217238, 217239 rykneldhomes.org.uk Tel: 01246 217670 Homelessness Tel: 01246 231111 . For emergency Other services Derbyshire County Council out of hours call Derbyshire out of Tel: 08456 058 058 Federation of North East 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday hours duty team 01629 532600 . Derbyshire Tenants and Residents During normal office hours if anyone and 9.30am - 4pm Saturdays. Tel: 01246 861673 is in need of emergency housing they Email: Email: [email protected] should contact 01246 231111. [email protected] Derbyshire Constabulary After 5pm the emergency out of Text: 86555 For non-emergencies phone 101 hours service kicks in and this is run Fax: 01629 585995 www.derbyshire.police.uk by Call Derbyshire (managed by Minicom: 01629 585400 Chesterfield Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire County Council). By writing to: Tel: 01246 343100 The emergency out of hours Derbyshire County Council, North East Derbyshire Citizens number is 01629 532600. County Hall, Advice Bureau Matlock DE4 3AG . Tel: 0844 848 9800
www.rykneldhomes.org.uk • Homing in 19 A Day in the Life of..... s part of a regular feature about the work of staff at ARykneld Homes, we are looking at the role of our Accommodation Support Officer, Terri Croft. Terri helps tenants to find the right size accommodation to suit their needs – whether it’s downsizing because a home has become too big or because of a change in personal circumstances which leave someone unable to cope. Terri Croft discusses accommodation needs with a local family.
If you would like to speak For instance, I can refer tenants What is the best to our Independent Living to our Accommodation Service or Occupational thing about your job? Support Service, Therapist, if they need additional A lot of our elderly tenants telephone 01246 217670. support in the home. worry about what the future may hold. The quality of their life may What does your job What is an average be affected if they are in a home day like? they cannot manage and they involve? are afraid of going up stairs or No two days are the same! I I work with tenants, who for a taking a bath for fear of falling. generally go out and meet variety of reasons may need to It is great seeing their faces light tenants who have been referred downsize from their current up when we have found them a to the service. I carry out an home. suitable home. assessment of their I also get a great feeling of We want to help people to circumstances to find out which achieve a positive outcome from satisfaction from helping people of our accommodation support who are under-occupying and the Accommodation Support schemes they qualify for. Service – and this is not just struggling financially. I can refer Following the Welfare Reform about moving home. them to our Financial Inclusion changes in 2013 we offer help to Team for advice and support. tenants affected by the Under- Occupancy charge. As a result of HomeSwapper a reduction in Housing Benefit We want to help tenants make DID YOU they may be struggling to pay more effective use of the their rent and want to move to HomeSwapper Service which somewhere with fewer bedrooms. KNOW? helps tenants to find a new 3 Through our Should I Stay or home. Should I Move? Scheme we are Responsive Repairs HomeSwapper can put you in also able to offer support to the touch with other tenants in the We know how important a over 55s. Because of ill health or district who are also looking to speedy repairs service is to financial difficulties, they may move. For more information you. Between April and June wish to move to a smaller please contact our 2014, 99.63% were property and we can help them Accommodation Support to locate an alternative. completed on time, against a Service on 01246 217670. target of 98.9%.
Rykneld Homes Limited is a company limited by guarantee, controlled by North East Derbyshire District Council and registered in England and Wales. Registered number is 05864912. Registered Office is: Pioneer House, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S42 6NG. Registered Provider number 4608. Designed by North East Derbyshire District Council 6541