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www.-.gov.uk/council-housing in homing Spring 2020

Repairs staff Harry and Nick are ready for the new repairs, maintenance and improvement service which starts on 1 April. Your guide to the new service is included...

In this issue Celebration at community orchard How to report anti-social behaviour Taking action on climate change Win a tour of the Albion stadium

Welcome

Ready for action – staff in the Councillor Gill Williams repairs and maintenance team

Welcome to the spring issue and a scheme to pump heat of Homing In. from underground at a seniors In this edition we’re looking housing scheme in . ahead to the launch of Cutting carbon emissions as the council’s new repairs, part of action on climate change maintenance and improvement is one of the priorities in the service, which starts on 1 April. council’s new corporate plan for

We’ve been working hard with the next three years. residents over the last two years Improving council housing, to make sure the switch is as providing genuinely affordable smooth as possible. Thank you homes, and reducing to the ‘Task and Finish’ group homelessness and rough and all the other residents sleeping are also priorities – involved in helping to shape these are all things people the new service. have told us they want to see There is a special guide to the in the city. STAR survey new service included with You can find out more on our Thank you to everyone who took this issue for you to keep for website at www.brighton- part in the Survey of Tenants and reference, with information hove.gov.uk/our-plan Residents (STAR) in the autumn. about what’s changing and We’ve also got ideas for getting We will be using your feedback to what’s staying the same. out and about this spring, and a further improve services and are We’ve also got news of how chance to win tickets for a tour currently taking a close look at we’re taking practical steps to of the Albion stadium! your responses, particularly about cut carbon emissions, by Councillor Gill Williams how you’d like us to improve your installing solar panels on new neighbourhoods. council flats in , Chair of the Housing Committee The number of people who took part increased to 1,000, up from Coronavirus 829 for the last survey. The Coronavirus situation is changing all the time. For the latest advice We will share the results with you and updates from Public Health England visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus and propose actions at Area Panels, Service Improvement Groups, and If you are concerned about your health, or have been in an area linked in the next edition of Homing In. with the virus, call NHS 111.

2 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Friends reunited School pals Harry Haines and swapping news from over Ron Redman are making up the years. for lost time after more than The friends met at school in 70 years apart. , but lost touch after Harry and Ron, both 90, were they left school at 14 and went amazed to meet up in the on to National Service. communal lounge at Sanders Ron said: “Harry was the first House seniors housing scheme in person I got talking to when Ingram Crescent West, Hove. I went down to the lounge. The pair had been living in flats We had a bit of chit chat and Friends Ron (left) and Harry are at Sanders House for years, but eventually it twigged that we catching up after 70 years were reluctant to join in social went to school together. Harry events there and so didn’t realise is one of the nicest blokes you they knew each other. could ever meet.” Sanders House is one of 23 council-run seniors housing Scheme Manager Tina Symmonds Harry said: “It’s been lovely to schemes in the city. They are is always encouraging residents meet up with Ron again. We’ve open to over 55s and designed to visit the lounge to meet their had a lot of years to catch up on, to help people continue to live as neighbours and one weekend we’ve been remembering the independently as possible. Harry and Ron did just that. people we knew and some of the For more information visit Another resident introduced characters of the town.” www.brighton-hove.gov. them, they got chatting and the Tina said: “It’s wonderful to see uk/seniors-housing, email rest is history! them socialising and catching up seniorshousing@brighton-hove. Now they are catching up like the old friends they are. It’s gov.uk or call 01273 293030. on childhood memories and given them a new lease of life!”

It’s all happening at Our Place! A mix of family friendly theatre, dance, music, games, activities and workshops will be held in Hangleton and East Brighton in May as part of Our Place celebrations. Residents are organising the free Our Place events to bring to the heart of local communities. They will be held at the Manor Gym in Whitehawk on

16 May and at Hangleton Community Centre on 23 Jen O’Brien/Brighton Festival May. Events will take place throughout the afternoon, finishing with a family party. Fun at last year’s Our Place event in Whitehawk Our Place is now in its fourth year and has grown bigger and more popular each year. The events are put together Brighton Festival takes place from 2 - 24 May. by the local communities of Hangleton, Knoll and East For more information visit: Brighton along with Brighton Festival, the Hangleton and www.brightonfestival.org or ring 01273 709709. Knoll Project, and Due East.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 3 New Homes Update

In Selsfield Drive, Brighton, More flats take shape 30 new homes are taking shape on the site of the former housing office. The development is made up of 16 one-bedroom flats and 14 two-bedroom flats, including two wheelchair accessible homes. The homes are due to be completed at the end of the year. Thank you to residents living near Buckley Close and Selsfield Drive for your patience while building work is in progress. More New Homes for Neighbourhoods developments Homes nearing completion in Buckley Close are being planned, and we’ll keep you updated in future issues Twelve new council flats in They include one fully wheelchair of Homing In. accessible flat with a level access Hangleton will soon be ready For more information visit shower, adjustable kitchen and for tenants. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/nhfn The homes in Buckley Close are a wheelchair storage space. mix of one and two-bedroom The flats are due to be ready flats and will be available to for people to move into in people on the housing register. early summer.

Plan to provide more temporary housing The council is planning to buy Gladstone Court, a block of 38 flats in Hartington Road, Brighton, to provide emergency and short-term temporary housing. Gladstone Court is currently student accommodation and was previously used for social housing by a housing association. Colourful posters designed by children at Benfield Primary School are We want to increase the amount of council-owned brightening up hoardings around the temporary accommodation to help people in need Buckley Close site. of housing.

4 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing “It was lovely to move into a brand new home”

Buckley Close and Selsfield Drive are latest developments in our New Homes for Neighbourhoods building programme, which has already seen 185 new council homes built since 2015. The new homes are making a big difference to the lives of residents and bringing benefits to surrounding communities. Debbie Juden (pictured) downsized from a house to a new one-bedroom flat in Hobby Place, Whitehawk, and loves her new home. Debbie said: “The stairs were getting too much “Everybody gets on with everybody. We all moved for me where I was living before. My flat is lovely. into the flats around the same time, and that It’s quiet and it was lovely to move into a brand helped us to get to know each other. I have no new home. regrets at all about moving.”

Residents have their say on community hub More than 200 people took part in our ‘planning for real’ sessions in January and February to help shape proposals for a new A 3D model of the neighbourhood neighbourhood hub and redevelopment used at the planning sessions of a number of sites in and . Thank you to everyone who took part – your Services that could be located in the hub include a feedback will help us develop plans for a new GP surgery, Moulsecoomb Library, youth services, community building to improve the services and adult learning and a community café. facilities for residents. Bringing services together into a new purpose-built The proposals are to develop a neighbourhood centre would also free up a number of sites to hub building on land next to Moulsecoomb Sports build up to 250 much needed new council homes. Centre, and redevelop the sites currently used by It’s very early days and there are a number of the Moulsecoomb north and south hubs and the stages to go through to progress the plans. If 67 Centre. approved, the development is expected to take There will more opportunities to help shape around four years. proposals in the future and we’ll keep you You can email moulsecoombhub@brighton- updated via the council’s website, social media hove.gov.uk to be added to our mailing list and Homing In. for updates.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 5 Community Launching the new compost bin on the composting Bates Estate in action A new compost bin is helping residents on the about setting up a scheme in your area, Bates Estate in Brighton cut their waste. contact the Food Partnership by emailing The Bates Estate Tenants and Residents Association [email protected] or calling 01273 234810. applied for funding from the Estate Development For more information about composting visit Budget to pay for the bin in Selsfield Drive. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/composting. Terrence Hill, chair of the association, said: “We can You can also apply for a discounted home compost now put our fruit and vegetable peelings to good bin or water butt on the website or by calling use. We’re hoping that in a few months we’ll have 0800 316 4454. compost to use in our window boxes!” Do you have an idea to improve your estate? Brighton & Hove Food Partnership helped the To find out how to apply for funds from association to set up their community composting the Estate Development Budget visit www. scheme which is managed by local volunteers. brighton-hove.gov.uk/edb or call 01273 294651. To join the Bates Estate scheme or find out more

Remembering Glynis Chapman Glynis, who was chair of daughter, Amanda, who passed Nettleton Court and Dudeney at the age of just 47. Easter, Lodge resident association, Christmas, Jubilees, Royal passed away in December. Weddings and any other reason This is a tribute from her for a ‘natter’ and a cup of tea grandson, Sam Evans. with residents, Glynis would be Glynis was a true Brightonian there, kettle in one hand, tea - born and bred in the city and towel in the other and eyes fixed would never consider living firmly on the table to make sure anywhere else. London Road that the donation tin was filling and Western Road was her up. Sure enough by the end of each coffee morning it was full Glynis pictured at one of her comfort zone and where she popular coffee mornings would regularly be found. I often to the brim and ready to send joked that if she was a Brighton to Macmillan. bus it would do a constant Some of you may remember those who were afraid to speak shuttle between those roads. Glynis fondly and others may up for themselves. Dudeney Lodge in recall her being of a forthright I pay tribute to her neighbours was her home for 20 years. nature - and as her grandson - at Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Recently she took on the role of I certainly speak from experience Court, councillors and many chairwoman of the association, on the latter! Deep down there staff members at the council but was at her happiest when was a loving woman who who assisted Glynis in her organising Macmillan Coffee cared and wanted to make a pursuit of this during her time as Mornings in a tribute to her difference by speaking up for chairwoman.

6 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Celebrating diversity in Hangleton & Knoll From Bollywood dance classes to coffee mornings – there is lots going on at Hangleton and Knoll Multi-Cultural Women’s Group. The thriving group marked its ten year anniversary in November with a special celebration at Hangleton Community Centre attended by 350 people. The event celebrated cultural diversity and showcased the group’s skills, achievements and talents such as dancing, pickle making, baking, sharing stories, flower arranging, arts and crafts. Entertainment included a variety of world music Music and and dance performances, while a health and traditional wellbeing area offered hands-on activities such customs at as seed planting, seated yoga and circuits exercise Craven Vale’s taster sessions. wassail event A member of the group said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for the wider community to find out more about our group and its activities and to celebrate together.” Supported by the Hangleton and Knoll Project, the Seasonal fun at group has been developing health and wellbeing activities to meet the needs of the local Black and community orchard Minority Ethnic (BME) communities since 2009. Craven Vale residents celebrated the estate’s Hangleton and Knoll Multi-Cultural Women’s Group community orchard at their first ‘wassail’ event. holds regular activities at Hangleton Community Centre in Harmsworth Crescent and St Richard’s More than 100 people joined Brighton Morris Men Community Centre, in Egmont Road. for an afternoon of music, dance and craft activities. Wassailing is an old custom which traditionally For more information about the group and involved drenching apple trees with cider and making activities, call Claire Johnson at the Hangleton lots of noise to ward off evil spirits, in the hope it and Knoll Project on 01273 410858 would help the trees to flourish. or email [email protected] Craven Vale Community Association has planted more than 70 fruit trees around the Brighton estate and decided a wassail event would be a great way of brightening up a winter afternoon. Alan Cooke, secretary of the association, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come along. “We ‘serenaded’ a couple of the trees and followed it up with mulled juice, cider and morris dancing in the community centre.” To find out more about what’s going on in Craven Vale, visit www.cravenvale.org.uk or leave the community association a message on 01273 571573.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 7 Taking action on climate change With climate change in the headlines, the council is taking practical steps to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. We are committed to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030 and taking action to help achieve this. It’s an ambitious target and we’ll be working together with residents, businesses and other partners to set up a new city-wide climate assembly. To find out more visitwww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/climate-change

Here are two examples of how we are working to make a difference: Ground breaking heating plan to of Elwyn Jones Court to extract heat from the cut carbon emissions ground. Each flat will have its own control system Heating and hot water for residents at Elwyn for heating and hot water, and the pump will Jones Court in Patcham is going to be provided by also supply communal areas. Solar panels will be extracting heat from the ground. installed at the scheme to drive the heat pump. Plans to install a ground source heat pump at the Thank you to residents at Elwyn Jones Court seniors housing scheme in South Woodlands have who have taken part in consultation, and been given the go ahead and work is due to start welcomed the idea of an upgrade to their existing later this year. system. We will keep residents informed as the work progresses. The scheme’s 75 flats are currently heated by night storage heaters which are old, inefficient, and expensive to run. Replacing them with a new low carbon heating and hot water system is expected to cut energy bills for residents and the council, and help reduce emissions. It will also generate income from the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive. The new system will be more efficient for residents and involves drilling boreholes in the grounds Switching on to solar energy Solar panels are being fitted to two new council housing developments, to help cut fuel bills for tenants and provide a pollution-free renewable source of energy. Tenants moving into new flats nearing completion in Buckley Close, Hangleton, will benefit from reduced energy bills all year round thanks to solar panels fitted on the roof (pictured). Eight flats in a new temporary housing development in Oxford Street, Brighton, will have a rooftop solar panel directly wired into their fuse box, giving tenants in these properties free electricity whenever the sun shines. The work is part of a European Union funded project called Solarise, which aims to increase the uptake of solar technology across the UK and other parts of Europe. As the funding has already been agreed, it will Elwyn Jones Court not be affected by Brexit.

8 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Tackling anti-social behaviour

If you are a victim of anti- We do all we can to resolve We would like to thank social behaviour, don’t suffer the issue and where drug residents who have helped in silence. dealing or other crimes are by providing statements Every year housing staff reported, we work closely and evidence to enable us respond to hundreds with the police to take to successfully take action of reports of anti-social legal action. in court. behaviour, ranging from This has resulted in four You can report anti-social neighbour disputes and noise properties being ‘closed’ over behaviour online nuisance to harassment and the last year and the tenants www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ drug dealing. evicted, bringing an end to asb-housing or call Housing We are here to help, so if nuisance for neighbours and Customer Services on 01273 there’s a problem in your freeing up homes for other 293030. neighbourhood, please let people in need of housing. us know.

Closure orders bring relief for neighbours

Neighbours are enjoying a quieter life after action to tackle drug dealing on their doorstep. A flat in Ardingly Court, Brighton, was closed earlier this year after residents in the block faced serious nuisance and disorder, with dealing taking place and fights breaking out. Ardingly Court Housing staff and police went to court to obtain a closure order the council or police to quickly introduced in 2014, and have to bring an end to the problem close down properties where been important in tackling and protect the victims. there is - or where there’s likely ‘county lines’ drug dealing. The same action was taken in to be - serious nuisance. “Thankful to get my life back” Malthouse Court, Brighton, last Once the court makes a One neighbour said: “The year because of similar problems. closure order, council staff and situation has had a huge impact In both cases the closure orders police immediately go to the on my life and I’ve felt frightened have been successful in stopping property to remove anyone and extremely vulnerable. The drug dealing at the locations. living there and make it secure. nuisance has completely stopped Closure orders are a legal These powers have been used now and I am so relieved and measure which can be used by extensively since they were thankful to get my life back.”

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 9 Brighton & Hove stands Leaseholder Action together on Brexit People from over 150 different countries Group News including an estimated 19,000 EU residents make up Brighton & Hove’s There is considerable discussion for all work and repairs diverse population. arrangements post April 2020. The new IT system is now We know Brexit is causing uncertainty for at the implementation stage. some people, and leaders of the city’s three The Leaseholder Action Group (LAG) are currently asking for main political parties are working together the following things: to support EU residents to remain here and • Early consultation process for all major works, ie to start well safeguard Brighton & Hove’s reputation as an before the Section 20 notice of the 30 day consultation period open and welcoming place. required by law ID checking service • For the new customer portal on the Housing IT system called All EU citizens, as well as those from Iceland, ‘Housing Online’ to allow residents be able to access information Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, need about their block/estate and for this to directly come from an to sign up to the EU settlement scheme if they integrated database which includes the asset management want to continue living in the UK. database currently known as APEX The application is free and can be done online • A schedule/diary for planned maintenance for ongoing on www.gov.uk/eusettledstatus or call 0300 maintenance such as guttering, doors, and windows 123 7379 if you need help. The deadline is 30 June 2021. • Changes to the way major works are reported to Housing Committee (who approve Housing’s decision-making) To help, the council has a free identity document checking service at Brighton Town • Logging of all repairs on the system - repairs to major works are Hall, in Bartholomew Square, for anyone not currently logged without online access, or who doesn’t want to Thank you to all councillors supporting council leaseholders at post their documents to the Home Office. Housing Committee, we are grateful for their support. Our Annual The drop-in service is available on Monday, General Meeting will be on Saturday 18 April at the Friends Meeting Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am House starting at 9.30am. All leaseholders are welcome to attend. to 12 noon, and on Wednesday from 10am to Our contact details are 01273 605225 or [email protected] we’d 12 noon. be very glad to hear from you. There’s more on our website at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/brexit

Grants for community projects Annelies Clarke used To mark 100 years of council to find out more, by emailing the document checking housing, grants are available communityengagement@ service at Brighton Town for resident-led art projects brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling Hall and found it friendly which ideally bring people of 01273 294651. and reassuring. all ages together. • You can find out about the Annelies, who is Dutch We hope to showcase a round- history of council housing on our and has lived here for 40 up of the projects at various website www.brighton-hove. years, said: “It was a dreary, rainy morning locations later this year. gov.uk/century-council-housing, when I went to Brighton Town Hall. Craven Vale residents, for including a presentation which “When I approached the information example, have made a film at Alan Cooke from Craven Vale desk, the woman shook my hand and reassured me that she and her colleague their wassail event (see page 7). gave to our Housing Area Panels in December. Alan organises would make the experience as pleasant If you have an idea for your for me as possible, and they did. neighbourhood, there’s still time the Local History Group of the “When I walked out of the town hall it to apply for a grant. Contact the Brighton & Hove University of was as if the sun had come out, in spite of Community Engagement Team the Third Age. the rain and the greyness!”

10 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Singing for health and wellbeing Singers from Leach Court out at the end on a real high, seniors housing scheme in it really lifts your spirits. Brighton got a chance to “We start with gentle exercises, shine on BBC . which help with breathing, and A carol by the residents in learning the songs is good for the scheme’s ‘Sing Well’ group the memory. On top of that, was broadcast as part of we always have such a laugh!” Jean and Shirley from the Leach Court singing group Christmas festivities on the Eileen added: “It was amazing local radio station. to hear our carol on BBC Sussex Weekly singing sessions are and lovely for our family and • Brooke Mead, Albion Street held at Leach Court, Brooke friends to be able to hear us.” Brighton, Mondays 2.30pm to 4pm Mead and Hazelholt seniors The Leach Court group will be housing schemes. They are performing at Brooke Mead • Hazelholt, Chalky Road, organised by Sing Well Music, Extra Care housing scheme , Thursdays a small local charity which in Albion Street, Brighton, on 2.30pm to 4pm encourages people to sing Wednesday 15 April at 2.30pm. and make music together. Sessions are free and open to All are welcome. anyone with a long-term health Eileen Esposito, from Leach Sing Well sessions are held condition and anyone over 55. Court, said: “I’ve always loved as follows and new singers If you don’t live in one of the singing, and when a notice are welcome: seniors schemes, please call went up about a singing group 07703 437745 to book a place. starting here I couldn’t believe • Leach Court, Park Street, my luck. We thoroughly enjoy Brighton, Wednesdays 5pm For more information, visit singing together and we come to 6.30pm www.singwellmusic.co.uk

Whitehawk Legends

There is a chance to share stories and memories of Whitehawk Football Club, and the local area, at the ‘Whitehawk Legends’ group. The group, which is for over 50s, usually meets at the football club at 2pm before Saturday home games. Admission is £5, which includes refreshments and Whitehawk FC in 1959 a ticket to the game. Transport can be arranged for The Whitehawk Legends will meet from 11am Whitehawk and Bates Estate residents for £1. ahead of an early kick off for the Guernsey Forthcoming matches are against: match, as the match will be part of a community day at the club. Guernsey 28 March The group is organised by Hawks In The Sevenoaks Town 11 April Community in partnership with Brighton & Hove Ashford United 18 April Ageing Well Festival. To find out more call 07920 016122.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 11 How we’ve October to December 2019 been doing Tenancy management Here are the highlights of We’ve helped 34 people our performance over the to keep their tenancies which last quarter… were at risk and taken back two properties due to housing fraud.

Repairs and improvements Estates service We completed routine The team completed 82% of repairs in an average of 13 bulk waste removals within days and kept 98% of seven working days. appointments made.

Customer services and Moving home complaints BH We re-let 90 homes in an The Housing Customer MOVERs average of 17 days (excluding Service team answered 88% properties requiring major of calls and responded to work), an improvement 72% of complaints within compared to 20 days during 10 working days. the previous quarter.

Anti-social behaviour Rent collection and “*!!*” 95% of people surveyed current arrears (18 out of 19) were satisfied We’ve collected 97% of rent with the way their anti-social and this is down slightly on the “?!!” behaviour case was dealt with. previous quarter.

Don’t get caught out contact Sussex Police directly by calling 101 or reporting online. A Hove man is urging people to be thanks’ and shut the door. Never give In an emergency always call 999. on the alert after he was conned out any personal or bank details. You may also wish to contact the out of hundreds of pounds. If someone claims to be from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline Fraudsters told the resident he needed council or from another authority, on 03454 040506. emergency work on his home, then always check their ID. If in any doubt For more advice, visit the police took his bank card and withdrew cash. about whether the ID is genuine, and council websites: The police and Trading Standards shut the door. www.sussex.police.uk advice if someone calls at your home Fraud should be reported to Action www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ trying to sell you something, or telling Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If the tradingstandards you work is needed, is to say ‘no victim is vulnerable or elderly, please

12 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing October to December 2019 Thank you for reusing and recycling In response to the global climate crisis, A major issue we face is ‘contaminated’ we’re aiming for Brighton & Hove to be a recycling. This happens when waste is mixed carbon neutral city by 2030 (see page 8 to with recyclable materials. find out more). When recycling is contaminated, the contents A big part of this is reducing the waste we of the whole bin and in many cases a lorry load produce, and everyone can do their bit by must be treated as waste and not recycled. reusing as much as possible and recycling. If you’re not sure whether something can be put Converting used materials into new products, in the recycling, please leave it out. reduces the need to consume important raw More items, like drinks cartons (including Tetra materials and protects natural habitats. Paks), clothes and electrical items can be recycled It reduces the need for extracting, refining at local recycling points and at our two recycling and processing raw materials, all of which create centres, at Wilson Avenue in Brighton and Old substantial air and water pollution. Shoreham Road in Hove. Recycling uses considerably less energy than To find out more, including our A to Z guide making new products from raw materials, even which shows how you can reduce, reuse and with associated costs, like transport. As recycling recycle 180 different items and materials, visit saves energy, it also reduces greenhouse gas www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/recycling emissions, which helps tackle climate change.

Here’s a reminder of what we collect in our black box recycling service:

All plastic bottles Cans, tins, aerosols Paper & cardboard & metal jar lids (please flatten all boxes)

All glass bottles and jars No plastic yoghurt pots, butter please separate glass tubs, food trays, plastic bags or from your other recycling. any other materials please

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 13 Dates for your diary… Carrot and lentil soup Area Panels The next round of Area Panels It’s International Carrot Day on 4 April apparently! This will be held as follows: seasonal carrot recipe from Brighton & Hove Food Partnership Central 22 April is cheap and easy to make, plus it’s super healthy. 2pm at Hampshire Lodge, off Veronica Way, Brighton East 20 April 7pm at Whitehawk Inn, Whitehawk Road, Brighton North 23 April 6.30pm at the Housing Centre, Unit 1, Fairway Trading Estate, Eastergate Road, Brighton West 21 April 2pm Sanders House, Ingram Crescent West, Hove The agenda and minutes of meetings are available at www.brighton-hove. gov.uk/area-panel-meetings For more information contact the Community Engagement Team, email communityengagement@ brighton-hove.gov.uk or call Ingredients – serves six 01273 294651. 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic City events 700g carrots, chopped 100g red lentils Weekend 18 – 19 April 2 medium onions, chopped 700ml vegetable stock Brighton Festival 3cm of fresh ginger, peeled and Salt and pepper 2 – 24 May, various locations chopped 2 tablespoons chopped coriander Children’s Parade 2 May Jubilee Street to Madeira Method Drive 1 Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. 5 Remove the pan from the heat Fry the garlic, onions, ginger and and blend the soup using a 1 – 31 May, various locations carrots for 5 minutes. liquidiser or stick blender. Hove Carnival 2  Add the red lentils and stir in. 6 Taste and add seasoning if 26 May 3 Dissolve the stock cubes in the necessary. (For a more chunky Classic Car Run water and pour into the pan. Bring texture, leave some of the soup 31 May Madeira Drive to the boil. un-processed.) Lions Fayre 4 Stir , turn heat low, and cover the pan. 7 Add the chopped coriander 13 June Rottingdean village green Simmer for about 25 minutes, or and serve. Find out about forthcoming events in until all the vegetables are soft and the city at www.visitbrighton.com/ the lentils are cooked. whats-on If you have an event you’d like us to For more recipes, local food news and events, check out the Brighton & promote, please email homingin@ Hove Food Partnership website www.bhfood.org.uk or sign up for their brighton-hove.gov.uk or call Housing fortnightly e-newsletter. Customer Services on 01273 293030.

14 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Enter our free draw for a chance to win tickets to tour the American Express Win Albion Community stadium - home of the Albion stadium tour tickets! Send your answers by email to homingin@ brighton-hove.gov.uk or by post to Homing In competition, Performance & Improvement, Housing Centre, Unit 1, Fairway Trading Estate, Eastergate Road, Brighton BN2 4QL. Please include your name, address, postcode and phone number. The closing date for entries is 14 April 2020. The winners will be notified and their names published in next issue of Homing In. The competition is open to all households who receive Homing In by email or post.* About the stadium tour Whether or not you’re a Seagulls fan, the We have three pairs of tickets for a stadium tour provides a fascinating behind-the- stadium tour to be won, courtesy of scenes look at this major sporting venue. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. The tour takes in the pitch-side dug outs, trophy room, press areas, changing room, Albion Simply answer the following questions, museum and hospitality lounges. based on information in this issue: For more information visit • When does the council’s new repairs brightonandhovealbion.com or call service start? 0844 327 1901. • At which seniors housing scheme were * Tours can be taken on scheduled days two old friends reunited? and times, subject to availability. Terms • What is the Albion’s nickname? and conditions apply.

Congratulations Star rating for beaches Thanks to everyone who entered our , Brighton Kemptown, Brighton Central winter competition. and Hove, which cover the 13 kilometre (8 miles) The lucky winner is Eileen Pollard, from stretch of the city’s beaches, have been given an Brighton, who wins Theatre Royal A star rating for bathing water quality by the Brighton tickets. government’s Environment Agency. Eileen said: “It’s a lovely surprise to win. Inspectors took 20 water samples from the sea in I try and enter any competition I can, these areas between May and September last year but this is the first time I’ve had a win!” and gave the highest award of three stars.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 15 16 16 01273 605225 [email protected] Leaseholders ActionGroup 01273 294266or293541 foroutofhours www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/noise Noise Nuisance 01273 700812 www.bhims.org.uk Mediation Service B The Portal 0845 1203710 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/brightonhovecab Citizens AdviceBureau 0800 9887037or01273809288 www.advicebrighton-hove.org.uk Moneyworks Brighton&Hove 01273 295555 [email protected] Access Pointforadultsocialcare 01273 294651 [email protected] For informationabout tenantandleaseholdergroups Community EngagementTeam with speechorhearingdifficulties 01273 292000or290333forpeople [email protected] Housing Benefit 01273 293224 [email protected] Housing IncomeManagementTeam 0800 0526140(localline01273294409) Report onlineatwww.brighton-hove.gov.uk/repairs Repairs Helpdesk 01273 293030 [email protected] Housing CustomerServices Useful contacts www.theportal.org.uk Freephone 03003239985 sexual abuseorviolence) (advice andsupportforsurvivorsofdomesticor righton & Hove Independent righton &HoveIndependent

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www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-meetings meetings are availableat Agendas, minutesandwebcastsofcouncil you cansubmitpublicquestions. All councilmeetingsare opentothepublic,and Hove, BN33BQ. Council Chamber, HoveTown Hall,NortonRoad, The meetingwillbeheldat4pminthe Wednesday 29April2020 Meeting Housing Committee homingin online! Save paper andget Hove, BN33BQorcall01273293033. Room 166,HoveTown Hall,NortonRoad, the Tenant EditorialBoard. City Council’s communicationsteam and and we’llemailyouwhenit isavailable onourwebsite. gov.uk tostopreceivingapapercopyhomingin of Email housing.customerservices@brighton-hove. homingin to [email protected] orwrite for futurearticles,email If youhaveanycommentsorsuggestions Likeusonfacebook.com/BHHousing Followusontwitter.com/BHHousing and more www.gov.uk Information aboutmoneymatters,tax,benefits www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/housingcos Go totheHousingCustomeronlinesystemat Pay onlineatww2.brighton-hove.gov.uk www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing all housingonlineservicesat thecouncilhousingwebsitetocheckout Visit Online services homingin isproducedbyBrighton&Hove , CommunicationsTeam,

6863 Brighton & Hove City Council Communications Team