Council builds new homes for Christmas SEE PAGE 12 FOR DETAILS News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council - Winter 2014 tTwiteter @InpswichaGov n facteboosk/Ip’swi chGtov i mwww.ipsweich.gos v.uk 2 e g a housing matters P Health and Wellbeing - There is much talk at This is why I welcome a Housing and Health present of the challenges faced by the NHS in Charter being pioneered in Suffolk. It is early days meeting increased demands on the service. but we are keen to ensure Housing is fully Some of the discussion surrounds benefits that involved in efforts to achieve a more joined-up could be achieved through more integrated and effective service. working between the NHS and Social Care . This, clearly, makes a lot of sense. Housing, too, is part Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our of the picture. tenants. Those with a special reason to have a good Christmas are those moving into their new It has long been acknowledged that housing homes as the first Bader Close houses conditions are a major factor affecting public are completed. health and the physical and mental health of individuals. Taking steps to help people remain in Councillor John Mowles their own homes can often free up a hospital bed: Housing Portfolio Holder making very good sense. Housing matters 2 Tenants’ Questions and Answers 12 Tenant Scrutiny Panel 3 Play bus Maggi 13 Tenant Conference 3 Drug-related Litter 14 Holiday Bin Collections 4 Don’t Let Thieves Spoil Christmas 15 Community Speedwatch 16 Celebrating with tenants 5 Empty Homes policy 17 At your service over Christmas 6 HEARS 18 Big Local Trust/Quids In 7 Fitness First 8 Chantry Fundraisers 19 Peoples Community Garden 9 Measuring up 20 Eat healthily 10 Useful Contacts 20 Tenants’ editorial panel Caring about your health 11 Angela Griffiths, Pamela Pamment, Front cover shows John Richardson, Clare Lovell, Cllr Mowles, The Mayor, Cllr Bill Quinton, Cllr Ellesmere and Chris Throrgood (builder) Brian Laffling and Derek Rusher 3 e g www.ipswich.gov.uk a P Updates TENANT scrutiny PANEL Dear Tenants My name is John Wragg, a Tenant Scrutiny Panel We are now scrutinising Customer Services to member since it formed. Recently I was voted Vice- assess their service delivery. If you receive a Chairperson, a position I accepted with trepidation questionnaire asking for your opinion on the as I didn’t know what would be expected of me! service you receive, please take time to fill it in to help us get an understanding of how you feel The panel has been working extremely hard about this service area. If you would like to know making sure your interests are being looked after. more or share your experiences with Customer Service please contact us on Over the past three years we have attended many [email protected] training events and meetings with Council officers and scrutiny panels countrywide to exchange Have a great Christmas. ideas. We have completed two scrutiny projects (kitchens/bathrooms and community caretakers) John Wragg and revisited one (kitchens/bathrooms) to check Tenant Scrutiny Panel Vice-Chairperson on progress. Tenant conference Tenant representatives of Ipswich Borough Council and social landlords across the region came together on 21st November for a day of learning and sharing. Delegates listened to the Portfolio-Holder for Housing, Councillor John Mowles and Head of Housing, Ian Blofield, talk on the future of social housing. Delegates also learnt about “tackling anti-social behaviour” and “making effective complaints” and had the chance to meet Chief Executive of the Council, Russell Williams. deliver you can express your views through the The event was held at the Council offices at Tenant Participation Programme. There are lots of Grafton House and was well attended. different ways to get involved so please ring 01473 433313 or email If you would like to get involved in supporting [email protected]. the places you live and improving the services we Facebook page: IpswichBoroughCouncilTenants 4 e g www.ipswich.gov.uk a P Bin collection dates for Christmas and the New Year 2014/15 Remember to recycle old clothes Happy Christmas and textiles Use the council textile bags, tie it up to protect the contents and place in the top of Normal collection date Christmas collection date your blue bin. Need a bag? Tuesday 23 December Monday 22 December Ring 0345 603 9412 Wednesday 24 December Tuesday 23 December email: [email protected] or collect from council offices and libraries Thursday 25 December Wednesday 24 December Friday 26 December Saturday 27 December Recycle your real tree chopped up in the brown bin, or placed Tuesday 30 December no change beside the brown bin if too big to go inside Wednesday 31 December no change www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk Thursday 1 January Friday 2 January for lots of Christmas recycling and Friday 2 January Saturday 3 January composting information Collections return to normal Tuesday 6 January 2015 www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for tips and recipes to reduce food waste Find your local glass recycling banks and use up leftovers www.recyclenow.com or www.ipswich.gov.uk Remember to put bins out by 6am please @IpswichGov www.ipswich.gov.uk 5 e g www.ipswich.gov.uk a P tenants Celebrating with Some of our long-term tenants had a special celebration when they visited the Mayor's Parlour. A lively discussion over tea and cakes were on the menu as the tenants chatted to Mayor, Councillor Bill Quinton and Housing portfolio-holder, Councillor John Mowles. They shared fascinating stories about their family lives moved away leaving just the old ones behind. and the community in which they live and even Having lived on a road for many years you always brought in their original tenancy agreements and bump into someone you know. rent books. One tenant produced a 7s 6d receipt Outside toilets were removed years ago to make for their deposit and asked if the Council would way for bigger kitchens. That was a welcome be repaying this in full when the tenancy ends! change - now a quick trip outside would be Town Sergeant Andrew Beal talked about the preferable to climbing the stairs! history of Ipswich and its Mayors. The Mayor People don’t rush to collect the horse manure presented tenants with a commemoration plate when the coal merchant visits. Horses would be and thanked them for their loyalty and no good today because they don’t understand commitment to Ipswich Borough Council. We traffic lights! chatted with the guests afterwards and got some fascinating insights ... What advice do you have for young people in social housing? What are some of the changes since you first Pay the rent and look after your property! signed your tenancy? Everyone has grown old! When we were young Pictured: Mr & Mrs Oxford, Mrs Barrell and Mrs with children the area was vibrant and active, now Reed with the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Bill the children have their own families and have and Margaret Quinton and Cllr John Mowles Your rent payments over Christmas If your rent account is paid up-to-date there are two weeks annually where no payment is due. These rent-free weeks are: 22ND DECEMBER AND 29TH DECEMBER 2014 If you are in rent arrears you must continue to pay these two weeks. This is particularly important if you are subject to a County Court Order. If you pay monthly these weeks are included in your calculations and your payments stay the same. If you have fallen behind or are struggling to keep up with your payments please contact Tenancy Services for advice on 01473 433370. For money saving tips/advice on managing your money visit the Money Advice Service at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk. The following organisations offer free, impartial support and advice to anyone in debt, worried about debt or facing bankruptcy. Citizens Advice Bureau 01473 219777 Debt Advice Foundation 0800 0434050 StepChange Debt Charity 0800 1381111 Payplan 0800 2802816 National Debt line 0808 8084000 6 e g www.ipswich.gov.uk a P At your service for Christmas The Customer Services and the Contact Centre at the Town Hall will be open on the following days and times for any tenant enquiries: Day Customer Contact Centre & Main Switchboard Customer Services Centre Monday 22nd December 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5.30pm Tuesday 23rd December 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5.30pm Wednesday 24th December 8.30am-3pm 8.30am-3pm Thursday 25th December Closed Closed Friday 26th December Closed Closed Saturday 27th December Closed Closed Sunday 28th December Closed Closed Monday 29th December 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5pm Tuesday 30th December 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5pm Wednesday 31st December 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5pm Thursday 1st January Closed Closed Friday 2nd January 8.30am-5pm 8.30am-5.30pm You can contact us on 01473 433444 for emergencies only outside these opening hours. Victorian Christmas at the Mansion On Sunday 14th December you can explore the Christchurch Mansion in all its Christmas glory during a full day of free family fun. Meet Victorian characters learn traditional dances and make simple crafts to take home. Drop-in sessions: 10 to 4pm Free entry. Meet Santa and receive a gift: £3.50 To book your place please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/museums 7 e g a www.ipswich.gov.uk P Big Local Trust The North West Groups supported so far include: Ipswich Big Local Trust • Avenues East • 24th Ipswich Scout Group is three years old and • Suffolk Positive Futures the past year has been • Ipswich Cycle Speedway Club and a busy one.