Magazine for tenants and leaseholders
www.havering.gov.uk
Our in w o t s tip ain Brit m o o l B in ges See pa
16-17
Spring 2016
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At The Heart  Spring 2016
housing services
Dear residents
Contact us
Welcome to the spring edition of At The Heart.
You can report, apply and pay for a variety of housing services online For all enquiries please visit www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Send your comments about At the Heart or ideas for future issues attheheart@havering.gov.uk
Visit our office
Chippenham Road Harold Hill RM3 8YQ 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday You can follow us on Twitter @LBofHavering To like our Facebook page, log in and type Get Involved - Havering Council tenants and leaseholders into the search box. Your Council @
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News and information about
O N L I N E Havering Council’s housing
Your sign up to Council email updates @
Sign up for the regular email updates from Havering Council www.havering.gov.uk/enews
Once again our magazine for tenants and leaseholders is packed with news and useful information. We are particularly proud that the first homes under our shared ownership programme are now available. A disused garage site in Ongar Way, Rainham, has been transformed and now has nine bungalows and houses on it providing homes for local people. Our feature on the scheme shows the quality of the buildings and, as part of our drive to reduce energy use and costs, the houses are fitted with solar panels as standard. Last year saw Havering win London in Bloom and this summer we represent the capital in Britain in Bloom. Every one can help us win that competition as every colourful hanging basket, planter or garden will make a difference so do check out the latest tips on what you can do. February saw Universal Credit begin to have an impact and it will be rolled out to more people over the coming months. If you are on any benefit you need to make sure you are ready and details of what to do can be found in our Money Matters feature. Making sure your home is properly maintained is important to us and the Do It In A Day scheme is proving popular, as you know when the team will be in your area to do minor, non-urgent repairs. Please do report any repairs in the usual way so they can be added to the list for our contractors to complete. Finally we are asking for your views on three policies we are changing. If you are interested in how we are proposing to allocate council housing in future please do have a look and let us have any comments. We look forward to hearing from you. Councillor Damian White Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing
Published by Havering Council | Job no. 004618 Spring 2016
www.havering.gov.uk
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Pocket Park gets A new pocket park will soon be taking shape behind Highfield House in Collier Row, thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.
which local groups should receive the £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 awards and the Hillrise Pocket Park was voted into second place.
Work will start on the project Tesco teamed up with later this year. Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative across England, Scotland and Wales. The scheme has seen three community groups and projects in each region awarded grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag charge. The public voted in stores across the area to decide
Listening to you
Three policies
Tenant's Survey
Havering Council is consulting on the following housing policy areas:
Our thanks go to all of you who returned the Tenants’ Survey.
• Housing Allocation Policy
The survey went to 11,600 people and we have received a 27 per cent response, which was impressive.
• Homeless Placement Policy • Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy. The policies explain how Havering Council intends to allocate homes and ensure the people with the greatest needs are housed. The consultation period ends on Monday 4 April 2016 and you can make your views known using the online form. Full details of each policy can be found online. More info www.havering.gov.uk/housing
Because of the large volume of replies the detailed analysis is still underway and we are hoping to give a detailed report in the next edition of At the Heart. Tenants who responded to the survey and expressed dissatisfaction with a certain area of Housing Services may be contacted to provide more detail to enable us to improve the service area in the future.
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Recruitment Day success
Havering Council’s Housing services hosted a highly successful recruitment day at the Romford YMCA in February. As well as information stands from different employers, help was available on preparing for interviews and writing applications and CVs. More info www.sharetobuy.com/firststeps
Bradley Tomlin (18) has just left college with a Level 2 Plumbing Diploma and wants to find a plumbing apprenticeship with Breyer Group. Bradley said: “This is a really useful event for me. I’m hoping to join Breyer as an apprentice to get an NVQ Level 3. There are also some other opportunities here for plumbers in the construction industry.” Archie Saltmarsh, (19), from Harold Wood, is looking for an apprenticeship in film and TV as an editor. He is pictured talking to Toni from 3aaa who was helping him apply for a Level 3 or 4 apprenticeship in IT. Archie said: “I’m so glad I came today. Everyone’s been really helpful and I think I’m going to find the apprenticeship I’ve been looking for.” Toni said: “It’s great to come to events like this and meet so many enthusiastic people. Archie is just the kind of person we are looking for and I’m sure he’ll make a real success of his new apprenticeship.”
Doing a good job The new caretaker Chris Hiscock, at Napier House and New Plymouth House in Rainham, has made a big impression with eight residents writing letters commenting on his excellent work.
Time to Foster with Havering Council
www.havering.gov.uk
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g Haverin ster o F l i c n Cou arn up Carers e per to £433 week
Take the next step and come along to our information Event Thursday 7 April 6.00pm - 7.30pm • Havering Town Hall, Romford Thursday 5 May 6.00pm - 7.30pm • Havering Town Hall, Romford
Call today: 01708 434 574
www.havering.gov.uk/fostering
email fostering@havering.gov.uk
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At The Heart  Spring 2016
Shared ownership is first st One of the first shared ownership housing schemes to be built by Havering Council has been completed and is available for local people to buy.
The development of nine new bungalows and semi-detached properties in Ongar Way, Rainham, is on a site previously occupied by unused garages. The scheme is among the first of an expected 1,000 homes which the Council is aiming to build over the next ten years. The new houses will be a mixture of shared ownership and affordable rent.
The scheme includes bungalows which are accessible for people with disabilities
More info www.sharetobuy.com/firststeps
Kitchens are modern and well fitted out
Bedrooms are attractively designed
www.havering.gov.uk
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tep onto housing ladder Solar panels mean the new homes are energy efficient
The lounge and dining areas are ideal for family use
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At The Heart Spring 2016
New opening times for libraries Library opening hours have changed and the opening hours for each library are set out as follows. Collier Row, Elm Park, Gidea Park, Harold Wood and South Hornchurch
Monday and Tuesday closed; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm; Thursday 2pm - 8pm.
Harold Hill, Romford and Upminster
Monday and Thursday 10am – 8pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am – 4pm
Hornchurch
Monday to Friday 1pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm
Rainham
Monday and Wednesday 10am – 8pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm
Remember your local library also offers CDs, DVDs, access to computers and much more. More info www.havering.gov.uk/libraries
Need a garage? Council tenants can receive preferential rent rates for council garages. Weekly charges for council tenants range from £7.41 to £12.64 while costs for non-council tenants start from £9.02 to £15.30 a week. There is a waiting list for some areas and you will need to ensure you are using the garage for a vehicle and not just for storage. If you would like to apply to rent a garage you will need a driver’s licence, log book, MOT certificate and valid insurance. Applicants with rent arrears will not be considered. More info www.havering.gov.uk/garages
Charlbury Court Library
If you’re spring cleaning and have books, board games, CDs or DVDs you no longer need then please donate them to a new library being set up at Charlbury Court sheltered housing scheme. The aim is to have a resource that can be used by residents of any sheltered housing scheme in the Borough, so if you have something suitable you’d like to donate please let us know. More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
www.havering.gov.uk
Housing on Facebook Do keep checking the Havering Housing page on Facebook to see what’s happening. You can also find out when the Do It In A Day repair teams are in your area, when the Cabinet Member for Housing is holding a surgery as well as the latest housing news.
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Don’t miss out on the news Every month we email out At the Heart Online to more than 7,000 Council tenants and leaseholders providing them with the latest news and information about housing issues. Make sure you’re not missing out and sign up to receive your copy. Sign up now to make sure you keep up-to-date. www.havering.gov.uk/enews
More info www.facebook.com/haveringhousing
Looking for an article? Past copies of At the Heart are available on the Council website so you can check an article from an earlier issue anytime. More information www.havering.gov.uk/AtTheHeart
Your Council, anytime More of the Council’s services are now available online, so you can access them day or night when it suits you, and we can provide them more costeffectively.
On average an online transaction is 20 times cheaper for the Council than using the phone, 30 times cheaper than the post and 50 times cheaper for the Council than a face-to-face meeting.
You can now Report, Apply or Pay online, such as reporting a pothole or missed rubbish collection, applying for a blue badge or parking permit, or paying your
EEB NEE
T
Council Tax. Please help us to help you, and contact the Council online next time you need us. More info www.havering.gov.uk
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Investing in security and the environment The last few months have seen 11 significant improvement schemes completed aimed at improving the environment and security of different housing areas across Havering. These have been funded through the Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP), which also paid for repairs and improvements to play areas on housing estates across the Borough. Throughout the year regular inspections are made of housing estates to identify work that needs to be done under the EIP, with the inspectors also meeting residents who have made suggestions. Last financial year the EIP budget was £250,000 with priority given to improve security, including new lighting, gates and fences, as well as adaptations for disabled and vulnerable people. If you have an area you think should be improved please use the online form to let us have details. More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
The 11 schemes are: • Andromeda Court, Briar Road, Harold Hill – Replace wooden gates with metal hoop top. • 1-18 Artesian Close, Hornchurch – White lining on unmarked parking bays. • 1-27 Artesian Close, Hornchurch – Installation of electric touch pad pedestrian gate. • Bader Way, Rainham – Fencing and gates. • Beehive Court, Harold Wood – Car park works and introduction of disabled bay. • Dell Court, Hornchurch – Installation of lighting. • 1-11 Dunster Close, Collier Row – Bulkhead lighting to enhance residents’ security. • Haysoms Close, Romford – Car park lighting. • Malan Square, Rainham – Supply and fit two metre metal barrier at play area • Robin Close, Collier Row near 28, 26 – Widen gate to allow wheelchair access. • Rotunda, Romford – Installation of mobility scooter shed.
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At The Heart Spring 2016
It's easy to do it online Sign up to Havering Council’s ‘My Account’ service at www.havering.gov.uk/myhavering and you can then access a wide range of services 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the website. You can apply to move house, for energy efficiency advice, to rent a garage and much more at www.havering.gov.uk/applyhousing
0000 000
6543 2109 8765 4321
You can also pay your housing or garage rent and Council Tax by Direct Debit by completing and returning the online form, or you can pay online using credit or debit cards through www.havering.gov.uk/payforit You can report to let the council know about community and neighbourhood issues, housing issues and a lot more at www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Council tenants and leaseholders can get secure access to all their housing information online through www.havering.gov.uk/SeeMyData
SeeMyData
Tenant/Leaseholder Repairs
£5 Compost Bin offer
Havering Council is offering residents of the Borough a 220L or 330L compost bin with a free five-litre kitchen caddy for just £5 (plus £5.99 delivery) until the end of March 2016 - a great price to get you composting at home whether your garden is big or small. Composting is nature's way of recycling, helping you to turn your garden waste, kitchen waste, and other household waste into valuable, organic, nutrient-rich compost to be used on your garden. Not only will this save you money, it will also help your garden flourish, and the environment too. Over a third of an average household rubbish bin can be composted at home. To take advantage of this fantastic offer, order your compost bin online by the end of March 2016. More info www.getcomposting.com
Easter Family Fun Day tions i t e p m o C d raffle an prizes to be won
Thursday 31 March 2016, 12noon – 4pm Chudleigh Road, Harold Hill RM3 9AU on the green Activities to include Easter egg hunt Youth bus Bouncy castle Face painting Family learning activity Arts and crafts Games For more information please contact the Housing Community Engagement Team on 01708 434668. Alternatively, email getinvolved@havering.gov.uk
FREE EVEN T
Housing Services working in partnership with Havering Adult College, Early Help Service and Family Mosaic www.havering.gov.uk
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At The Heart  Spring 2016
Christmas Fun at Namco Hundreds of children and their parents headed for the special free family fun day at NAMCO Fun Scape in The Brewery, Romford, the week before Christmas, for a day packed with activities including handicrafts, foosball and bowling. The event included a visit from Father Christmas who had a present for every child. The event was sponsored by NAMCO Fun Scape. Craft activities kept everyone busy The event was a winner with Mary Ndi and Preston Elastin of Romford
Foosball proved popular
Tracy Tory with Riley, Liam and Kailey Irving and the presents they got from Father Christmas Charlotte and Isabella Thompson, of Elm Park, create a gingerbread man
Father Christmas with Namco Fun Scape staff Jess, Kelly, Dean and Gemma
Coral, Adam and Sue-Ann Galer try their skill at tenpin bowling
Letting options for landlords in Havering Guaranteed monthly payments no hidden costs
Property leasing service Long leases 100% guaranteed rent paid in advance with no hidden charges Some free repairs Guaranteed rent even if the property is empty Free annual gas safety checks Property management service
For more information call 01708 431515 email libertyhousing@havering.gov.uk visit us at 163 High Street, Hornchurch RM11 3XS
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Help us win
Haskell’s Hints
Havering will be representing London effort, with residents, schools, busine masterpiece.
Martin Haskell is Havering Council’s Grounds Maintenance Manager and has been looking after green spaces for more than 35 years. That’s quite a job as Havering is London’s greenest Borough. Martin said: “Whatever your relationship with your plants, we can all benefit from getting the best from our gardens all year round, providing us with fresh air and exercise while we keep our little bit of England looking presentable. Here are some tips on what to do each month.
Spring flowers in St Andrews Park
April Mow the lawn regularly – if you have an electric mower, make sure you use a Residual Circuit Device and make sure the grass is dry before you mow. You can cut back any early blooms like clematis and if
you have fruit trees prune any dead, damaged or diseased branches. Keep the cuts vertical, otherwise water will settle on the cut and rot the wood. You could also edge the lawn if you’re feeling energetic. May Time to clear out your bedding for summer
displays, choose strong, healthy plants for your window boxes, hanging baskets or containers. Find a nearby nursery and save a fortune over garden centres and DIY stores. Mow the lawn little and often. Prune lavender back hard, but don’t cut into old wood. Trim back clematis before it gets carried away! Keep an eye on your roses for the first signs of pest or disease.
www.havering.gov.uk
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n Britain in Bloom
n in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition, and the borough’s bid will be a true community esses and community groups coming together to transform the borough into a floral June Sit down with a cold drink and enjoy the roses! In between mowing the lawn (you can lower the cut a bit now) use your bathwater in buckets and containers to give your plants a good drink, or better still, get a water butt. A good soak every few days is much better than the odd sprinkle. Water late in the evening if you can. Fill in any gaps in your borders – weeds only tend to grow where there’s space. Check your plants for aphids or bugs – you can deal with many of them with soapy water.
Crocuses at Coronation Gardens
More info www.havering.gov.uk/britaininbloom
Green Bin renewals If you don’t have room for home composting then the Council’s green bin waste service could be for you. Last year, more than 7,000 tonnes of garden waste were recycled in Havering and turned into compost. The green bin service costs just £35 a year, so is excellent value for money and you can apply online. More info www.havering.gov.uk/gwquestion
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Repair reports go online You can now report a repair at any time of day or night, any day of the week, free of charge through the internet. If you don’t have your own computer or iPad you can use the ones in your local library, at the Housing Office in Chippenham Road, Harold Hill or at the Public Advice and Service Centre (PASC) in Romford.
When you are registered with See My Data it’s easy to report any repair you may need. Reporting non-urgent repairs online is convenient for you and helps save the Council money – a winner all round. More info www.havering.gov.uk/SeeMyData
Is it up to me?
Tenants and leaseholders are responsible for many basic repairs to their properties so before logging a report please check if it is up to you to do the repair or whether the Council is responsible. More info www.havering.gov.uk/TenantsRepairs
Cabinet Member’s Surgery Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damian White, is holding regular surgeries across the Borough so Council tenants can call in and discuss housing issues with him. The surgeries will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and any tenants are welcome to come along. All discussions will be confidential. The next surgery dates are:
Date
Time
Venue
Friday 22 April
4 – 6pm
Highfield, next to Highfield Towers, Hillrise Road Collier Row RM5 3DQ
Friday 13 May
4 – 6pm
98a Macon Way, Cranham, RM14 1NY
Friday 17 June
4 – 6pm
Highfield – room next to Highfield Towers, Hillrise Road, Collier Row, RM5 3DQ
Friday 22 July
4 – 6pm
Hacton Hall, Haydock Close, Hornchurch, RM12 6EA
Friday 19 August
4 – 6pm
Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB
www.havering.gov.uk
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Tackling pests in your home There are a number of animals, birds and insects found in our homes which may be considered 'pests'. Some can carry and spread disease, some may cause damage to buildings or their contents and some are just a nuisance. Havering Council does not offer a pest control service and is not able to identify specimens of insects. Check on the internet to identify insects or pests. In many cases you should be able to carry out your own pest control treatment but if you engage a firm to do the work it is worth making sure they are bona fide contractors. More info www.havering.gov.uk/reportpests
It is a tenant’s responsibility to remove infestations of rats, mice, fleas and other vermin. You can find details of local pest control companies at www.bpca.org.uk Bees are needed to pollinate plants that produce our food so if you see a swarm contact a local beekeeper who may be able to come and remove them for you. More information is available at www.romfordbeekeepers.wordpress.com
Dogs must have chips If you own a dog a new law means it must be microchipped before Wednesday 6 April.
Bats are a protected species and must not be disturbed. If you think bats are roosting in your home please tell the Council.
The new law will help Havering Council, or the Police, return stray dogs to their rightful owners. If you become the new owner of a dog you will be committing an offence if you do not update the microchip database with your details. It will also be illegal to transfer a dog to a new owner if the dog has not been microchipped. More info www.havering.gov.uk/dogchipping
If you have any of the above please let us know using www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Gas certificates If you have not yet submitted your gas safe certificate you are in breach of your lease. The home ownership team will now be taking enforcement action which could lead to the forfeiture of your lease.
check within 12 months of the previous gas safety check and to obtain a Gas Safety Record from a Gas Safe registered gas installer.
Your obligation to undertake a Gas Safety If you sub-let your property then you will be Check at your own expense to your a landlord and you will currently be required Leasehold Property is contained in clause under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) 2(7) of Schedule 1 to your Lease. Regulations 1998 to carry out a gas safety
Get involved – speak to Sandy Havering Council’s Home Ownership Team, with the help of the Leasehold Focus Group, continuously seeks more efficient ways of working and transfer savings made to leaseholders.
general leasehold issues to the attention of the Home Ownership Team.
Sandy Stevenson is the Chairman of the London Borough of Havering Leaseholder Focus Group and she can help you bring
If anything about your lease is on your mind, feel free to email Sandy on sandystevenson44@aol.com
The group meets four times a year with the aim of improving the service provided by the Home Ownership team.
Don’t miss out Are your contact details up to date? Please let the Home Ownership Team know of any changes to your circumstances using the online form. More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Win tickets to Taking place over a bank holiday weekend, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May, We Are FSTVL will feature more than 200 artists across 16 bespoke stages, at Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome, Aveley Road, Upminster, Greater London. We Are FSTVL is an award-winning festival having recently picked up gongs for Best Dance Festival and Best International Festival. Hosting their best ever line-up with their biggest and most elaborate production to date, with Artists including Fatboy Slim, DJ Fresh, Sigma DJ Set, Craig David presents TS5 plus many more.
Win VIP tickets to We Are FSTVL 2016 We have two pairs of VIP tickets to be won by At the Heart readers – one pair for Saturday and one pair for Sunday. Each pair of tickets is worth £160 and gives the lucky winner access to the exclusive Disco Tropics Zone where you can mingle with all the headline acts. You must be over 18-years-old to attend this event and enter the competition.
How to enter
Simply log on to the web link below and complete the entry form telling us how many stages will be at this year’s We Are FSTVL. More info www.havering.gov.uk/wearefstvl
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Keeping an eye on cold callers Cold callers have been causing concerns on some housing estates in Havering so the Community Wardens have been keeping their eyes open for people going door to door.
sure no-one follows you through the door unless you know they live there. When answering your door use a security chain and check the ID of anyone who calls.
Community Wardens Manager, Barry Armour, said: “We are working hard to deter cold callers from visiting our housing estates with regular patrols.
“Recently Community Warden, Liam Knight, was on patrol in Tamworth Road, Harold Hill when he saw a man going door to door trying to sell items.
Police alerted
Liam Knight on patrol
“Within minutes two police cars arrived and questioned the man, making it clear that his actions were a matter of concern.” Barry added: “If residents see someone going door to door and acting suspiciously they should call 999 and alert the police who can then take any necessary action.”
“Our wardens are challenging anyone they see going door to door, but it is important that residents do their part too.
“After speaking with him Liam was unhappy with the answers he got and called for the police.
“If you share an entrance with other residents make
More info www.havering.gov.uk/communitysafety
Don’t B Dim Since November the Community Wardens have been identifying homes that have had no lights on after darkness has fallen, and then called back with timers for residents to use for lights and radios so the house looks occupied.
aimed to reduce the number of burglaries that take place in the winter months as houses without lights after dark are advertising there is no-one home, making them ideal targets for burglars.
switch lights and radios on at specific times as light and noise is a good deterrent to burglars.
“Police figures show that between November 2015 and February 2016 burglary in “Since November we have Havering fell by 15 per cent delivered, and fitted, 310 free compared to the previous Community Wardens timers to residents whose year and we hope our Don’t Manager, Barry Armour, said: homes were in darkness. B Dim campaign helped with “Our Don’t B Dim campaign that reduction.” “Those timers can be used to More information www.havering.gov.uk/communitywardens
www.havering.gov.uk
Universal Credit now in Havering Universal Credit (UC) is now rolled out to include benefit claimants in Havering. If you are of working age, between 18 years and 62 years old, you may eventually be affected by UC. We want you to be able to benefit from all the positives that work brings and to make sure that work pays. UC will be paid monthly in arrears instead of fortnightly or weekly and is replacing six means tested working age benefits. It will be paid to only one person in each household. Your rent costs will be paid as part of your monthly UC payment and you will be responsible for paying your rent out of that money. Computer confidence All UC claims need to be made online so if you’re not confident using a computer there are some special courses on offer to help guide you through what you need to do. If you don’t have your own computer, iPhone or iPad you can use those available at your local library, JobCentre Plus office or Job Club. Bank accounts To receive your money you will need a bank account. Nine banks are offering fee-free accounts so you can manage your money without fear of running up an overdraft and getting bank charges. You will be able to set up automatic payments for your rent and other regular costs. Checklist There is a nine-point checklist of things you need to do to make sure you are ready for universal credit. Full details of what you need to do to prepare for UC can be found in our special booklet online (see web link below). More info www.havering.gov.uk/universalcredithandbook
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Energy checks can save you cash Keeping your home warm is important but Cost controls heating costs can soon add up. Make sure Some simple steps can make a big your home is energy efficient to save money. difference to your bills, including: Residents can have a free home energy • Switching your energy supplier or tariff check by simply requesting one using the • Draught proofing your home to prevent online form. heat loss As part of the check you will receive an information pack, a warm pack, a thermometer card and the opportunity to install a free Energy Monitor in your home.
• Monitoring your energy usage using an Energy Monitor
• Turn your heating down by one degree – you’ll hardly notice the change in Please have your latest energy bills available temperature, but it’ll make a big difference when the home energy check takes place as to your heating bill the experts will be able to see what tariff • Encourage your friends and family to you are on and suggest cheaper tariffs if any switch off electric items, such as are available. computers or TVs, that they are not using There are also various grants which may be rather than leaving them on standby. available to help improve the energy The checks are free and could save you efficiency of your home. money so do book one today. More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
www.havering.gov.uk
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Love food, save money We all know food is expensive and feeding a family can be costly but you can save up to £60 per month by reducing food waste at home. By making a few changes, using the key principles of the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, you will notice a difference in your pocket as well as reducing the waste created in Havering and helping the environment.
Dates Understand the difference between dates. The only date that you need to keep to is ‘Use By’ dates and the date on eggs.
All other types of dates (Best Before, Sell By, Display Until) are for best quality but not Portions food safety so are still Portion sizes can play a big perfectly OK to eat, providing part in food wastage and this they haven’t gone mouldy. is where you can definitely For items with ‘Use By’ dates, save money if you get the check your fridge and rotate portions right. them so that the item going It is easy to cook too much out of date soonest is at the pasta, rice and potatoes so Planning front. Plan your meals and transfer lots of these items can go to Any items that you don’t the items to a shopping list. waste. By using tools like spaghetti measurers, scales, think you will be able to eat Just follow your list at the in time, in particular meats, mugs or food label supermarket without being fish and ready meals, put suggestions, you can cook attracted by offers that you them in your freezer so that the right amount which will may not need, and you will they keep for a later date. save you money whilst also see the difference in your continues on next page... eating a healthy portion. bill.
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At The Heart  Spring 2016
Performance against Targets
Love food, save money continued...
Leftovers Whether you eat leftovers for lunch the next day, create a new dish with them, or freeze them for another day. By not throwing them away you will be saving yourself money and creating an extra meal. More information: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
The performance figures for February 2016 were:
Storage Storing your food in its original packaging, in airtight containers, in the way that the label suggests, and using bag clips or clothes pegs will help to keep it fresher and lasting longer. Using your freezer for storing foods that you know you won’t be able to eat or drink in time is also great, especially for bread and milk. That way you always have these foods available without having to throw any away or spend money on buying more.
Anti-social behaviour case satisfaction Outcome 100%
Target 90.0%
Average time to re-let empty properties Outcome 13.5 days
Target 22 days
Percentage of all repairs completed within target Outcome 90.2%
Target 90%
Percentage of properties with valid gas certificate (Council dwellings only) Outcome 99.94%
Havering Council runs free Love Food Hate Waste cookery workshops, where you will get tips and ideas whilst also watching some live cooking demonstrations by professional chefs and take part in a cooking activity. Register your interest online ready for the next workshop. More info www.havering.gov.uk/lovefood
Target 100%
www.havering.gov.uk
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Voting for London's Mayor, the GLA and in EU Referendum The Greater London Assembly and Mayor of London elections are on Thursday 5 May and the European Union referendum will be on Thursday 23 June. You need to be on the electoral register in order to vote. Register to vote at www.gov.uk/registertovote
Deadlines for the European Union referendum
Deadlines for the Greater London Assembly and Mayor of London elections
June 2016.
If you are not already registered to vote, you If anyone’s information is incorrect, needs must apply by Tuesday 7 June 2016. updating or if somebody has moved out, you The deadline for us to receive new postal must email the elections team with details. vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 8 If you can’t get to the polling station you can June 2016. This is also the deadline for choose to vote by post or by proxy, where amending or cancelling existing postal and someone else votes on your behalf. proxy votes. Application forms for postal and proxy vote The deadline for us to receive new proxy are available on the elections website. vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 15
If you are not already registered to vote, you must apply by Monday 18 April 2016. The deadline for us to receive new postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 19 April 2016. This is also the deadline for amending or cancelling existing postal and proxy votes. The deadline for us to receive new proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2016.
More info www.havering.gov.uk/elections
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Do It In A Day Getting repairs done quickly and effectively is important, which is why a new system has been introduced so that all day to day repairs in a specific street will be tackled on one day by the Council’s contractor, the Breyer Group.
REPAIRS
Housing Services Senior Maintenance Surveyor, Elina Rice, said: “The aim is to improve the repairs service to Havering’s tenants and leaseholders. By having a known day residents can plan ahead and the Council will do more repairs on time and at the first visit and because we will be in one location if a tenant needs something done we will be available to assist.” Tenants should report repairs in the normal way and the Council will programme non-urgent repairs to be carried out during these special days. Also if there is a repair that hasn’t been reported, we may be able to complete it for you on the day. The dates for the events are: 06 April 27 July 16 November 13 April
Farnham Road, Hilldene Avenue, Chippenham Road, Kings Lynn Drive, Dartfields, Rothbury House, Crediton House, Wantage House, Ingleton House, Stratford House, Ripon House, Keswick House, Ringwood House, Morpeth House, Matlock House, Lincoln House. Malan Square, Bader Way, Wood Lane, Thomas Sims Court
03 August 23 November 20 April 10 August 30 November
eyburn Crescent, Leyburn Road, Southall House, Ulverston House, Runcorn L House, Talgarth House, Wallingford House, Coleford House, Denbigh House, Chesham House, Havant House, Atherton House, Middlesborough House, Lampeter House, Enfield House, Helmsley House, Langport House, Orton House, Pulborough House.
www.havering.gov.uk 27 April 17 August 7 December 4 May
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Carnforth House, Marsden House, Bracknell House, Brackley House, Bedford House, Arnside House, Heathfield House, Hungerford House, Lodden House, Marsden House.
14 December
orecambe House, Minefield House, Macclesfield House, Lynmouth, M House, Luton House, Thrapston House, Haslingdon House, Halifax House, Glossop House, Epsom House, Gillingham House, Camelford House, Wilmslow House, Wolverton House, Newmarket House, Portmadoc House, Northampton House, Nelson House.
11 May
St Helens Court
24 August
07 September 21 December 18 May 07 September 04 January 25 May 14 September 1 June
Napier House, New Plymouth House, Dunedin Road, Gisborne Gardens, Queenstown Gardens, New Zealand Way, Christchurch Avenue, Auckland Avenue Queen Street, Waterloo Gardens, St. Andrews Road, William Pike House, Thomas England House, Queen Street Villas (sheltered)
21 September
ighfield Road, Hillrise Road, Highfield Towers, Highfield Link, Hendon H Gardens, Harlow Gardens
8 June
Prospect Place
28 September 15 June 5 October 22 June
Suffolk House, Norfolk House, Sussex House, Surrey House, Kent House, Durham House, Devon House, Cumberland House, Rutland House, Mawney Close, Rodney Way, Valiant Close, Victory Way.
12 October
runswick Avenue, Macon Way, Lexington Way, Roseberry Gardens, B Waycross Avenue, Moultrie Way, Griffin Avenue
29 June
Maygreen Crescent, Park Lane
19 October 06 July
Rush Green Gardens
26 October 13 July 2 November
Ongar Way, Theydon Gardens, Danbury Road, Fyfield Road, Canfield Road, Harlow Road, Writtle Walk,
20 July
The Rotunda, Fambridge Court, Cottons Court
16 November
More info www.havering.gov.uk/repairdays
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At The Heart Spring 2016
Listings
More info www.facebook.com/haveringhousing www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
local food bank working in partnership with St Georges Church, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8AX. It meets each Wednesday between, 10am and 2pm, at St Georges Church Centre
Family Mosaic runs monthly drop-in sessions at:
GENERAL JOB CLUBS
Every Monday, 10am – 1pm Mardyke Community Centre South Street, Rainham RM13 8PJ To book a place E infomyca@yahoo.co.uk Every Wednesday Betty Strathern Centre 41 Myrtle Road Harold Hill RM3 8XS To book a place www.havering.gov.uk/ askhousing Every Thursday 9.30am – 12.30pm Highfield Towers Community Hall Hillrise Road Collier Row RM5 3DQ To book a place www.havering.gov.uk/ askhousing The London - Harold Hill Job Club is free to attend and is facilitated by Christians Against Poverty (CAP). It is run in association with the
OTHER FORMATS
Citizens Advice Havering holds a drop-in advice service at: Harold Hill Library Hilldene Avenue, Harold Hill RM3 8DJ Every Monday, 10am to 2pm Hornchurch Library 44 North Street, Hornchurch RM11 1TB Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 2pm Orchard Village Estate Office,Lowen Road, Rainham RM13 8QD Every Monday 10am to 12 noon South Hornchurch Library Rainham Road, Rainham RM13 7RD on alternate Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm
Havering Council will consider requests for documents to be translated or converted into other formats. More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing
Collier Row Early Children’s Centre. Clockhouse Lane Collier Row, RM5 3QJ Chippenham Road Children's Centre, 85-89 Chippenham Road, Harold Hill RM3 8HP What’s happening in What’s Havering? happening in Havering?
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For the latest news and information from Havering Council sign up for our email updates go to www.havering.gov.uk/ Havering-Updates and then choose the email updates you want to receive
www.havering.gov.uk
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Tell Damian what you think... YOUR DETAILS Name: Address:
email: phone: Councillor Damian White said: “I firmly believe that the Council needs to focus on the needs of tenants, listen even more to their views and, most importantly, act on them so they are reflected not just in housing policies but also in our day to day work that has such a big impact on where people live. “That is why any tenant or leaseholder can contact me directly to raise any housingrelated issue they wish. “Whether you contact me by email or post when you send the form back to me I guarantee that it will be seen directly by myself and you will receive a reply from me. “I look forward to hearing from you. “If you want to get in touch please email” Damian.White@havering.gov.uk or complete the form on this page and then post it to: Councillor Damian White Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD.
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Celebrate St George’s Day, with great family entertainment and shopping Saturday 23 April Enjoy The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford, The Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corps, The Haverettes All Girls Marching Band, the Town Crier in fine voice and St George and the Dragon characters www.havering.gov.uk/romfordmarket Market Place, Romford RM1 3ER