Talkback Winter 2009 - Corby Borough Council
Talkback Winter 2009 - Corby Borough Council
Talkback Winter 2009 - Corby Borough Council
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Housing newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
for all tenants and long-term residential leaseholders<br />
A SUCCESS - SEE INSIDE<br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Building a bigger, better, brighter corby...<br />
email: neighbourhood.pride@corby.gov.uk website: www.corby.gov.uk
CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL<br />
02/03<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
Firstly we would like to say a big thank you to all our<br />
tenants who pay their rent on time and who either<br />
keep their rent account clear or in credit.<br />
The ‘Pay to Stay’ campaign ran from 23rd November <strong>2009</strong> until 4th December <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
Each estate was visited once during the two week campaign and all available Housing<br />
Officers were out at the same time – you may well have seen them on your estate in<br />
their ‘high-vis’ jackets. During this period the Housing Officers made 645 visits and<br />
were able to make arrangements with 115 tenants to clear their debt.<br />
If tenants were not at home the Housing Officers left a card to say they had visited.<br />
Many of our tenants responded and telephoned us back to make a payment over<br />
the phone. Housing Officers took a total of £12,732 in phone payments during the<br />
campaign which is substantially more than normal.<br />
Housing Officers also worked four evenings during the campaign telephoning<br />
tenants who they had been unable to contact during the day. This resulted in making<br />
arrangements with a further 38 tenants to clear their rent debt and taking just over<br />
£600 in telephone payments.
At the start of the campaign there were 1,511 tenants in arrears totalling £327,916. By<br />
the end of the campaign the number of tenants in arrears had fallen to 1,218 and the<br />
amount of debt had been reduced to £307,039. This appears to be a fantastic reduction<br />
of nearly £21,000 but, at the start of the second week monthly direct debits were<br />
credited to accounts.<br />
To get a more accurate figure we compared the arrears at the end of the campaign<br />
with the corresponding week in October and this showed that arrears were down<br />
by £13,425 which is a tremendous reduction in just two weeks. For those of you who<br />
regularly read ‘talkback’ you will see that since the article in the summer <strong>2009</strong> issue we<br />
have reduced the rent debt by a massive £94,452 so far this year.<br />
As well as the ‘Pay to Stay’ campaign we have introduced a text messaging service.<br />
This sends messages to tenants who have a debt on their account asking them to<br />
contact their Housing Officer. If you receive a text message about your rent account<br />
please contact your Housing Officer as soon as possible.<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
With the campaign being such a success we aim<br />
to run another before the end of March this<br />
year so please help us to help you ‘keep your<br />
home in the palm of your hand’.<br />
Meet your<br />
Housing officers<br />
- Happy to help
Dear Reader,<br />
On behalf of <strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> I<br />
would like to wish all our tenants and<br />
leaseholders a Happy New Year for 2010.<br />
I hope it will bring us as much success in<br />
housing as <strong>2009</strong> did. I am happy to report<br />
that we have again had a bumper year<br />
in respect of improved performance.<br />
We have met our <strong>2009</strong> target for the<br />
collection of rent arrears when between<br />
April and December we reduced<br />
arrears by £140,000 to £279,516 - the<br />
largest reduction for 6 years. We held<br />
campaigns focusing on rent arrears<br />
during the year one called “Pay To<br />
Stay, Happy To Help”, which we will be<br />
continuing during 2010.<br />
We have continued the good work<br />
started in 2007 on empty properties and<br />
repairs, and have had another successful<br />
year meeting targets set for <strong>2009</strong>.<br />
I can also report that the Donald<br />
Greaves House refurbishment is near<br />
to completion, and we will be open for<br />
tenants to take up occupation early<br />
in 2010. If anyone is interested in a<br />
property at Donald Greaves House please<br />
ring 01536 464629 or 01536 464631.<br />
Best Wishes for the coming year,<br />
Assistant Chief Executive<br />
08 10<br />
Contents<br />
Are You Worried About Your Mortgage? 05<br />
Can You Afford Not To Claim? 05<br />
Financial Help 06<br />
Midland Community Finance Loans 08<br />
Loan Sharks 10<br />
Subletting – Blow The Whistle 12<br />
Home Contents Insurance 14<br />
Condensation 15<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Leaseholders Association 16<br />
Choice Based Lettings 16<br />
New Age Kurling! 17<br />
Performance Information 18<br />
Association Meeting Dates 20<br />
Community Walkabouts Schedule 22<br />
Different Language, Tape, Or Larger<br />
Print Versions Available<br />
Rent Free Weeks – It’s Your Choice! 24<br />
24<br />
15<br />
17<br />
04/05<br />
www.corby.gov.uk
Are You Worried About<br />
Your Mortgage?<br />
• Don’t ignore the problem<br />
• Look at your situation and check what help you can get<br />
• Talk to your lender<br />
• Find out what options are available<br />
• Make the right decision for your family’s future<br />
Not knowing who to talk to is half the problem. You can get<br />
advice on the full range of options available to you such as<br />
free legal representation, the Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol,<br />
Support for Mortgage Interest, Homeowners Mortgage<br />
Support, and the Mortgage Rescue Scheme from <strong>Corby</strong><br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>s’ Housing Options Team.<br />
Don’t delay, whether you are buying your home as leasehold<br />
or freehold please contact the Housing Options Team on<br />
01536 464626 or 464612 or 464628.<br />
Just ask yourself one question.<br />
Can you afford not to claim?<br />
See if you can beat the credit crunch by applying<br />
for Housing Benefit today!<br />
• Are you or your family surviving on a low income<br />
or receiving state benefits?<br />
• Are you having difficulty paying your<br />
Rent and/or <strong>Council</strong> Tax?<br />
If so you may be entitled to Housing Benefit and/or<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Tax Benefit to help pay these major<br />
household expenses.<br />
You can telephone us on 01536 464000 or<br />
e-mail us at benefit.enquiries@corby.gov.uk<br />
or alternatively you can call in person to see us at:<br />
The One Stop Shop, Grosvenor House, George Street,<br />
<strong>Corby</strong>, Northamptonshire, NN17 1QB<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
DON’T DELAY – CALL US TODAY!<br />
DON’T DELAY – PUT IN A FORM TODAY!
Financial Help<br />
Is At Hand<br />
Although the financial crisis and credit crunch is said to be<br />
easing, many people are still struggling to effectively manage<br />
their finances. Here are 10 top tips to help deal with debt:<br />
06/07<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
1. Don’t ignore the problem - the longer it’s left, the worse it’ll get.<br />
2. Make the most of your income - check you’re claiming all the benefits you can.<br />
If you’ve lost your job or are off work because of illness, make sure your debts<br />
(such as your mortgage) are covered by payment protection insurance.<br />
3. Tackle your priority debts first, such as your rent or mortgage so that you<br />
don’t lose your home or risk having your gas and electricity cut off.<br />
4. Work out your budget - what money comes in and what you have to pay out.<br />
5. Contact all the people you owe money to (creditors) straight away - not just<br />
the ones who are shouting the loudest! You could make matters worse if<br />
you pay some off and not others.<br />
6. Work out a reasonable offer for each creditor - they prefer a small amount to<br />
be paid regularly rather than nothing at all.<br />
7. If creditors are difficult, stick with it and speak to someone more senior if<br />
need be.<br />
8. Keep copies of letters and papers you send or receive. Record dates and times<br />
of phone calls and who you’ve spoken to.<br />
9. Beware of borrowing money to pay off existing debts - it’s not necessarily<br />
a good deal. Watch out for companies offering to combine all your loans -<br />
get advice especially if they want your home as security.<br />
10. If you get taken to court, make sure you reply to all letters straight away.<br />
Always go to court hearings, give the court the facts and take your<br />
personal budget with you.
Further support and advice can be obtained<br />
from the following resources:<br />
Payplan<br />
www.payplan.com<br />
FREEPHONE helpline 0800 280 2816 - 8.00am to 9.00pm<br />
Consumer Credit Counselling Service<br />
www.cccs.co.uk FREEPHONE helpline 0800 138 1111 8.00am - 8.00pm Monday to Friday<br />
Financial Services Authority<br />
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk Tel: 0300 500 5000<br />
Typetalk: 18001 0300 500 5000 Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 8.00pm<br />
(excluding Bank Holidays) Saturday - 10.00am to 4.00pm<br />
[Whatever tariff you’re on, the cost of a 0300 number is the same as calling a normal phone number.<br />
If your calls are free, then it’s free, even from mobiles]<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
National Debtline<br />
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk<br />
Tel: 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday 9.00am-9.00pm, Saturday 9.30am-1.00pm. 24-hour voicemail<br />
service. Please leave a message to request an information pack or fact sheet.<br />
DirectGov<br />
www.direct.gov.uk<br />
Public services all in one place DirectGov Real Help Now campaign<br />
www.direct.gov.uk/en/campaigns/RealHelpNow<br />
Help with keeping your home, with training and skills, and with jobs and benefits.<br />
www.realhelpnow.gov.uk<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Welfare Rights & Citizens Advice Bureau<br />
Deene House, New Post Office Square, <strong>Corby</strong>, Northamptonshire,<br />
NN17 1GD Tel: 01536 265501.
08/09<br />
Opens In <strong>Corby</strong><br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
MCF Loans is a Community Development Finance<br />
Institution that is registered as an independent<br />
not-for-profit business. It exists to bring together<br />
public and private funding to people or communities<br />
who would otherwise be financially excluded from<br />
being able to obtain an affordable loan.<br />
It first started operating in Derby in May 2003 helping people get access<br />
to affordable loans across the midlands, and we are really pleased<br />
to announce that MCF Loans have recently brought their affordable<br />
financial services to <strong>Corby</strong> where they are based at Voluntary &<br />
Community Services in the TA Building on Elizabeth Street.<br />
Melanie Andrew, Chief Executive of MCF Loans said “Our main aim is to<br />
give people loans at a decent competitive interest rate. Many people<br />
cannot get loans from high street banks; they go to doorstep collection<br />
agencies and pay very high interest rates. We want people to make the<br />
most of their money and by offering them a low cost loan they have<br />
more money in their pocket to spend in their local shops, which also<br />
helps the local community.”
“We do loans for a variety of reasons. Our loans start from<br />
£200 up to £1,000 for new customers.<br />
We have a quick turnaround. You can get an answer within<br />
two days and if approved we can advance the money within<br />
a week. Too date we have lent money to buy carpets, washing<br />
machines, driving lessons, training courses, school uniforms,<br />
Christmas presents and to help people move home.”<br />
For more information, or to make an appointment with<br />
Jim McPherson, the MCF Loan Officer for <strong>Corby</strong>,<br />
please telephone him on<br />
0845 3883998.<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
At MCF Loans we believe that every penny COUNTS!<br />
• If you need a loan we can help you!<br />
• Call us for a quote or an appointment!<br />
• We can help with a loan up to £1,000!<br />
• You can save up to £208.00 by having a loan with us!<br />
Just look at the example below.<br />
A loan from the main doorstep lenders<br />
A loan from Midland Community Finance<br />
Example loan amount: £300.00 Example loan amount £300.00<br />
52 weekly payments of: £10.50 52 weekly payments of £6.50<br />
Total amount payable: £546.00 Total amount payable: £338.00<br />
272.2% Annual Percentage Rate!! Typical 25% Annual Percentage Rate
10/11<br />
A regional task force is still turning up the heat<br />
on loan sharks who are causing misery for people<br />
who turn to them for help. In December 2007 the<br />
Government backed Trading Standards Illegal Money<br />
Lending Unit was formed in Nottingham to cover<br />
the East Midlands - including <strong>Corby</strong>.<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
The unit concentrates on helping people gain access to affordable<br />
credit, provides support to victims of loan sharks and secures<br />
convictions against illegal lenders.<br />
Steve Ward, spokesman for the unit, said: “Using loan sharks can ruin<br />
people’s lives and that is why the East Midlands Illegal Money Lending<br />
Unit is so important. We not only tackle the illegal money lenders, we<br />
also support the victims by referring them to legal forms of credit. In<br />
the case of loan sharks, there will often be individuals on estates who<br />
are known as someone who could lend money if you need it, but there<br />
are also doorstop legal lenders, who also offer very high interest rates,<br />
and we want people to know that they have other options.”<br />
Although there are no figures for the problem of loan sharking in<br />
<strong>Corby</strong>, about 10,000 households in the East Midlands fall prey to loan<br />
sharks each year.<br />
Anyone affected by illegal money lending can call the Illegal Money<br />
Lending Unit helpline on 01604 6511099 or 0115 8510351 or find further<br />
information at www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Have You Been Bitten By A Loan Shark?<br />
1. Have you or anyone you know been approached by<br />
someone offering you a loan?<br />
2. Have you been offered a loan without a credit check?<br />
3. Are you paying lots of interest on a loan?<br />
4. Are you unsure about how much you owe or how many<br />
more payments you have to make?<br />
5. Have you or your family been threatened with violence<br />
or damage being done to property as a result of not<br />
making repayments?<br />
Help Is Available<br />
Call your local Northampton team in total confidence<br />
on our 24 hour 7 days a week hotline on<br />
01604 651099 and let us help you - we can also<br />
call you back if you need us to.<br />
What We Can Do To Help<br />
• Offer advice and support<br />
• Refer you to legitimate credit agencies including credit<br />
unions, which are funded especially to help people who<br />
have been bitten by a loan shark<br />
• Investigate complaints<br />
• Prosecute people involved in loan sharking<br />
You Can Help Us To<br />
• Reduce illegal money lending<br />
• Discourage potential loan sharks<br />
• Increase awareness<br />
• Encourage other people to come forward<br />
If you or anyone you know has been affected<br />
by a loan shark please call our 24 hour<br />
confidential hotline<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Did You Know?<br />
A loan shark is an unlicenced money<br />
lender and this means that you may<br />
not have to pay back a loan.<br />
A loan shark if prosecuted can be<br />
sent to prison.
BLOW THE<br />
WHISTLE ON<br />
HOUSING<br />
CHEATS<br />
12/13<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
CHEATS<br />
Unlawful Sublet<br />
It’s Just Not Fair<br />
Those who live in our homes have an obligation to follow the rules under<br />
which tenancies are provided. Unlawful subletting and occupancy amounts to<br />
housing fraud which the Government is determined to root out.<br />
John Healey, Housing Minister has said:<br />
“We can’t allow cheats to hang onto the tenancies of council houses they don’t need and don’t live<br />
in. I want people to feel the system for housing families who need homes is fairer and that’s why I’m<br />
launching this national crackdown on tenancy fraud….which could free up as many as 10,000 homes<br />
for those on council waiting lists...”
<strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> takes<br />
reports of unlawful subletting<br />
seriously and every case is<br />
investigated. All landlords are<br />
expected to view this problem as<br />
of fundamental importance and<br />
intensify their efforts to deal with<br />
it. This priority is shared by the<br />
new regulator for social housing<br />
providers, the Tenants Services<br />
Authority, which has included in<br />
its proposed Tenancy Standards<br />
a requirement on all landlords<br />
to set out how they will work to<br />
prevent unlawful occupancy.<br />
What Is Unlawful Subletting?<br />
This is where a tenant lets out<br />
their council ‘home’ without the<br />
knowledge or permission of their<br />
landlord, and includes obtaining<br />
a tenancy by deception either<br />
by failing to notify the <strong>Council</strong><br />
when the legal tenant moves out<br />
or dies. It can include instances<br />
where the whole property is let<br />
to a single household, or multiple<br />
sublets occur within one property.<br />
Impact On Landlords<br />
We think it is important to deal<br />
with unlawful subletting because<br />
we need to demonstrate that<br />
we are able to make best use of<br />
existing housing stock, that our<br />
properties are not overcrowded<br />
or being used for illegal purposes.<br />
We also know that unlawful<br />
subletting reduces our ability<br />
to tackle homelessness, and<br />
reduces the chances for housing<br />
applicants who could be your son,<br />
daughter, brother or sister, being<br />
allocated one of our properties.<br />
The Housing Act 1985 gives secure<br />
tenants the right to sublet part<br />
of their home provided they have<br />
the landlord’s written consent.<br />
Introductory tenants however do<br />
not have a right to take in a lodger<br />
or to sublet part of the property.<br />
What Are We Doing To Deal<br />
With The Problem?<br />
Our process starts with a good<br />
look at the information supplied<br />
on the housing application form.<br />
Cross referencing checks are<br />
made to ensure the validity of the<br />
application and to verify that the<br />
current household circumstances<br />
are correct. When an application<br />
reaches the stage where it is<br />
eligible for a housing offer we<br />
will scrutinise the application<br />
papers before arranging a viewing<br />
and sign up of the tenancy. Any<br />
irregularities will result in housing<br />
offers being withdrawn until<br />
we are satisfied that the details<br />
submitted are correct.<br />
The Housing Officers involved in<br />
the management of tenancies are<br />
responsible for undertaking Post<br />
Letting visits to all new tenants<br />
and those who have transferred<br />
into alternative accommodation.<br />
They also undertake Tenancy<br />
Reviews and Property Inspections<br />
as part of a rolling programme,<br />
and they carry out investigations<br />
when they receive information<br />
about unlawful subletting,<br />
property misuse or abuse.<br />
Maintenance staff also report any<br />
suspected unlawful subletting<br />
and we welcome reports from<br />
anybody who suspects that one<br />
of our properties is being<br />
unlawfully sublet.<br />
If you know or suspect that a<br />
property is being sublet please<br />
contact us. We will treat all<br />
information we receive with the<br />
utmost confidentiality. We can<br />
and are able to act on anonymous<br />
information.<br />
B<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
W<br />
C H
4999_JLT TR <strong>Corby</strong> BC Ad_V2.indd 1 15/12/09 15:13:06<br />
Tenant Risks<br />
Home Contents Insurance<br />
that does more - for less<br />
Caught between paying too much for contents insurance and trying to<br />
save a little extra? It’s easy to see why some people decide to “risk it”<br />
and don’t bother at all. However it needn’t be that way.<br />
All the cover you need<br />
• £1.23 a week or 54p if you are aged over 60<br />
• No excess to pay under the standard cover<br />
• All postcodes included at no additional cost<br />
• No minimum home security requirements<br />
• No yearly commitment - Pay as You Go<br />
• Pay weekly or annually along with your rent.<br />
Sound good? Why not contact a member of the Housing Finance Team on:<br />
01536 463 183<br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Made for<br />
Tenants<br />
14/15<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
tenant risks<br />
4999_10/09<br />
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Tenant Risks is a division of Jardine Lloyd Thompson UK Limited. Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.<br />
A member of the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group. Registered Office: 6 Crutched Friars, London EC3N 2PH. Registered in England No. 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96
condensation<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> receive a large number of repair<br />
requests concerning condensation which can cause damage<br />
to a property. Below are some ideas on how to maintain good<br />
living conditions within your property:.<br />
Remedies to help with<br />
condensation to reduce water in the air<br />
• Keep the property warm and ventilated.<br />
• Keep the heating on for longer at a lower level (use of thermostat).<br />
• Avoid using portable Gas or Paraffin Heaters.<br />
• Open windows, especially whilst cooking or after bathing.<br />
• Put lids on boiling pans when cooking and do not leave kettles boiling.<br />
• Use extractor fans where fitted.<br />
• When using a clothes dryer the property must be vented to the outside.<br />
• Reduce drying clothes indoors where possible.<br />
• Do not dry clothes on radiators.<br />
• Put cold water in the bath first.<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Dealing with condensation and mould growth<br />
• Wipe off condensation from windows and cills daily.<br />
• Remove mould growth with bleach solution / mould kits.<br />
• Use fungicidal paints if redecorating affected walls.
LEASEHOLDER<br />
INFORMATION NOTICE<br />
The <strong>Corby</strong> Leaseholder Association Open<br />
Seminar scheduled to take place on<br />
Tuesday 26th January 2010 was cancelled<br />
due to the committee unfortunately<br />
arranging a meeting on the same day with<br />
the Leasehold Advisory Service, which is<br />
otherwise known as LEASE.<br />
Members of the committee were present at a regional<br />
seminar that was held by the East Midlands Tenant<br />
Participation Forum on 26th November <strong>2009</strong> at the PERA<br />
Innovation Park in Melton Mowbray. They attended two<br />
interesting workshops that were delivered by LEASE and<br />
as a result the committee arranged to have a meeting to<br />
be given some free advice on leasehold issues that affect<br />
leaseholders.<br />
You may recall that LEASE is an independent advice agency<br />
staffed by officers with legal training which is funded by<br />
the Government to give free advice on the law affecting<br />
residential leasehold and commonhold property.<br />
Hopefully the committee will be able to arrange for a<br />
representative from LEASE to attend the next <strong>Corby</strong><br />
Leaseholder Association Open Seminar which will take<br />
place on Monday 10th May 2010. Watch out for further<br />
details in the next edition of ‘talkback’<br />
In preparation for <strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> being able to implement its<br />
Choice Based Lettings Scheme in 2010<br />
the <strong>Council</strong>’s housing allocation policy<br />
has been reviewed and agreed.<br />
You can view a copy of this policy on<br />
our website at www.corby.gov.uk or<br />
in hard copy at the One Stop Shop on<br />
George Street.<br />
If you wish to make any comments<br />
or if you have any questions about<br />
this policy or Choice Based Lettings in<br />
general please e-mail us at<br />
housing.options@corby.gov.uk<br />
or call us on 01536 464629 or 464631.<br />
CHOICE BASED LETTINGS<br />
CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL<br />
16/17<br />
www.corby.gov.uk
New Age Kurling<br />
Takes Off In <strong>Corby</strong><br />
New Age Kurling has been a regular sports activity<br />
for the last few months at both Sykes Court and<br />
Wollongong House who played against each other<br />
just before Christmas.<br />
The Supported Housing Team would like to get more matches going and<br />
perhaps even start up a league. The equipment was kindly provided for the<br />
tenants through the Sports Development Team, so a big thanks to them.<br />
It has been adapted from the original curling game so that it can be played<br />
indoors on any hard flat surface. It is suitable for all abilities and can even<br />
be played sitting down. It gets you moving and is great fun and we have<br />
also seen people get very competitive!<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
- Kye Bishop, Physical Activity Leader at the <strong>Council</strong> says<br />
“A massive well done to the Supported Housing Team and<br />
especially Support Worker Ava Ross for getting this organised.<br />
It was fantastic to see two different courts coming together,<br />
enjoying themselves and taking part in sport. May there be<br />
many more matches to come!”<br />
FREE KIT<br />
If you or your friends in the supported housing complexes or<br />
grouped bungalows would like to hire the kit for FREE and have a<br />
game alongside members of the Supported Housing Team - then<br />
please call the Control Centre on 01536 400088 to check availability.
Performance<br />
How Well Are We Doing?<br />
We monitor our performance using performance indicators which are calculated to show how well we are doing from<br />
year to year. There is a set of national performance indicators, which all councils must collect, which enable us, and<br />
you, to compare how well we are doing compared to other local authorities. In addition we also use local performance<br />
indicators which we have chosen to collect to help us assess how we are performing.<br />
We gather a large amount of information to see where we are making progress and where we need to concentrate<br />
more effort in order to improve our service delivery to you.<br />
Below you will find performance information for December <strong>2009</strong> in key areas within Neighbourhood Pride Services<br />
to show you how well we are doing or not doing.<br />
18/19<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
HOUSING OPTIONS<br />
What we are measuring? Our target... Current performance is... How we are performing?<br />
Preventing Homelessness –<br />
number of households prevented<br />
from becoming homeless<br />
“Number of homeless rough sleepers<br />
provided with temporary accommodation<br />
during the severe weather conditions”<br />
HOUSING FINANCE<br />
Percentage of all dwelling rent accounts<br />
paid by Direct Debit<br />
100 per year<br />
N/A<br />
12%<br />
Last year (2008/09) 97 households<br />
were assisted by Housing Options in<br />
preventing homelessness<br />
During December 5 persons were<br />
temporarily accommodated by <strong>Corby</strong><br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Current tenants paying by Direct Debit<br />
stands at 11.9% this is the most<br />
cost effective way for the <strong>Council</strong><br />
to collect your rent.
Number of tenants on housing contents<br />
insurance scheme<br />
TECHNICAL SERVICES<br />
MINOR Disabled Adaptations - works<br />
completed within 10 weeks from receipt of<br />
OT referral<br />
300<br />
95%<br />
Currently there are 318 tenants using<br />
the contents insurance scheme which is<br />
assuring our tenants peace of mind<br />
100% - 15 minor disabled adaptations were<br />
completed during the month of December<br />
<strong>2009</strong>. All were completed within time.<br />
SAP1 Energy Efficiency of Housing Stock 72% 73.8%<br />
LANDLORD SERVICES / REPAIRS<br />
Outstanding rent arrears on dwellings £295,000 £279,516<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Average cost of repairs per empty property £275 £330<br />
Cash collected as a proportion of debit 98.70% 98.05%<br />
Number of properties let during month 25 27<br />
COMMUNITY SAFETY<br />
CCTV number of arrests 81<br />
CCTV number of incidents recorded 231<br />
Status Guide<br />
33 arrests have been made over October,<br />
November and December – directly<br />
attributable to CCTV<br />
103 incidents have been recorded over<br />
October, November and December<br />
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT US<br />
This is significantly below target.<br />
This is slightly below target.<br />
This is on target.<br />
Gradually moving up towards target<br />
Gradually moving down from target<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has in the region<br />
of 4600 properties.<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> has in the region<br />
of 3471 garages.
20/21<br />
Tenants’ & Residents’<br />
Association Meetings<br />
Please note the forthcoming dates from February 2010 to April 2010<br />
for your local Tenants’ and Residents’ Association meetings.<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
Association Meeting Day & Date Time Venue<br />
Beanfield<br />
Wednesday 24th February<br />
Wednesday 31st March<br />
Wednesday 28th April<br />
7.30pm<br />
The Beanfield Community Centre,<br />
Beanfield Avenue <strong>Corby</strong><br />
CENTARA<br />
(The <strong>Corby</strong> Town<br />
Centre Area)<br />
Monday 15th February<br />
Monday 15th March &<br />
Monday 19th April (AGM)<br />
6.30pm<br />
The Conference Room,<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Police Station,<br />
Elizabeth Street Entrance Door<br />
The <strong>Council</strong> Chamber,<br />
1st Floor, Grosvenor House,<br />
George Street, <strong>Corby</strong><br />
(Subject to possible priority need<br />
by Democratic Services)<br />
COVRA<br />
(The <strong>Corby</strong><br />
Old Village Area)<br />
Bi Monthly Meetings<br />
Wednesday 13th February<br />
Wednesday 9th April (AGM)<br />
7.15pm<br />
The Old Village Community<br />
Centre, just off the High Street,<br />
<strong>Corby</strong>
Exeter<br />
Hazel Leys<br />
Lloyds West<br />
Lodge Park<br />
Wednesday 17th February<br />
Wednesday 17th March<br />
Wednesday 21st April (AGM)<br />
Monday 1st February<br />
Monday 1st March<br />
Monday 12th April (AGM)<br />
Wednesday 24th February<br />
Wednesday 31st March<br />
Wednesday 28th April (AGM)<br />
Thursday 25th February<br />
Thursday 25th March<br />
Thursday 29th April<br />
7.00pm<br />
7.00pm<br />
7.00pm<br />
7.30pm<br />
The Autumn Centre,<br />
Counts Farm Road, <strong>Corby</strong><br />
The Hazelwood Community<br />
Centre, Gainsborough Road, <strong>Corby</strong><br />
St. Columba’s Church Hall<br />
Studfall Avenue <strong>Corby</strong><br />
The Arran Community Centre<br />
Mull Drive <strong>Corby</strong><br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
Old Lodge Park<br />
Monday 22nd February<br />
Monday 29th March<br />
Monday 26th April<br />
7.00pm<br />
The Lodge Park Sports Centre,<br />
Shetland Way, <strong>Corby</strong><br />
Shire Lodge<br />
Tuesday 2nd February<br />
Tuesday 2nd March<br />
Tuesday 6th April (AGM)<br />
6.45pm<br />
The Ennerdale Community Centre,<br />
Ennerdale Road, <strong>Corby</strong><br />
TAROD<br />
(Danesholme)<br />
Tuesday 16th February<br />
Tuesday 16th March<br />
Tuesday 20th April (AGM)<br />
7.00pm<br />
The Danesholme Communicare<br />
Centre, Danesholme Square,<br />
<strong>Corby</strong>
Community<br />
Walkabouts<br />
CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL<br />
Every 3 months your Community Involvement Officer, Housing Officer and Neighbourhood Warden take<br />
part in community walkabouts. Representatives from Environmental Quality, Repairs and Maintenance, Kier<br />
Street Services, the Police, as well as residents, are invited to take part in the walkabouts to look at all sorts<br />
of issues that may affect your estate or village. From looking at untidy communal areas and open spaces<br />
to checking for abandoned cars and fly tipping, their role is to ensure that your estate or village is a more<br />
pleasant place to live in.<br />
Want To Join Us?<br />
For these walkabouts to be as successful as possible we would like to encourage all residents to join us. If you are<br />
a wheelchair or a mobility scooter user are you aware that you are most welcome to take part in our community<br />
walkabouts to help us undertake a thorough inspection and to ensure that we are aware of as many issues as<br />
possible? It is also a good way for everyone to actively participate in the environmental well-being of the estate<br />
or village that they live in.<br />
If you are interested in taking part in an estate or rural walkabout, or would like further information, please contact<br />
Peter Byrne, Community Involvement Officer on 01536 463167 or by e-mail at peter.byrne@corby.gov.uk<br />
22/23<br />
www.corby.gov.uk<br />
February 2010 – April 2010 Community Walkabouts<br />
AREAS DATE & TIME MEETING POINT<br />
Beanfield – Becks Green,<br />
Mantlefield & Woods End<br />
Beanfield – Steyning<br />
Beanfield – Wedmore Court<br />
& North Lawns<br />
Wednesday 3rd February at 1.30pm<br />
Wednesday 10th March at 10.00am<br />
Wednesday 7th April at 10.00am<br />
Beanfield Community Centre<br />
Bodiam Place entrance to<br />
Steyning Close<br />
Beanfield Community Centre
Gretton Wednesday 3rd March at 10.30am Outside Kirby Road barbers shop<br />
Cottingham Wednesday 3rd March at 11.00am Ripley Rd/Rockingham Rd Junction<br />
East Carlton Wednesday 3rd March at 11.30am East Carlton Park Cafe<br />
Danesholme Tuesday 9th February at 10.00am Boden Close shops<br />
Exeter Wednesday 24th February at 1.00pm Autumn Centre, Counts Farm Road<br />
Hazel Leys North Wednesday 17th March at 1.30pm Gainsborough Road shops<br />
Hazel Leys South Wednesday 10th March at 1.30pm Gainsborough Road shops<br />
Kingswood – Lincoln & Dunedin Tuesday 6th April at 10.00am Canada Square shops<br />
Kingswood – Brookside Tuesday 27th April at 10.00am Canada Square shops<br />
Lloyds East Wednesday 7th April at 10.00am Stephenson Way Community Centre<br />
Lodge Park New Wednesday 7th April at 1.30pm Arran Community Centre, Mull Drive<br />
Lodge Park Old Wednesday 28th April at 10.30am Pytchley Court Shops<br />
Lloyds West Area 1 Tuesday 6th April at 9.30am Studfall Shops newsagents<br />
Lloyds West Area 2 Tuesday 20th April at 9.30am Water tower on Tanfields Grove<br />
Old Village Tuesday 2nd March at 1.30pm Stanion Lane<br />
Shire Lodge Tuesday 9th March at 9.00am Shire Road flats opposite Tay Close<br />
Stanion Wednesday 14th April at 10.00am Stanion Village Hall<br />
Weldon Tuesday 13th April at 10.00am Weldon Village Hall<br />
Town Centre<br />
Wednesday 21st April at 1.30pm<br />
Elizabeth Street flats opposite<br />
Crown House<br />
Welland Vale & The Chestnuts Tuesday 23rd February at 9.00am Velbert House, Ennerdale Road<br />
The Poets Old & New Tuesday 13th April at 9.30am Water tower, Willow Brook Road<br />
<strong>Corby</strong> Housing Newsletter <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
If you have difficulty reading this<br />
newsletter, and would prefer to have<br />
a newsletter on tape or a larger print<br />
version, please contact us. We will<br />
send it out free of charge.<br />
Telephone 01536 464605<br />
If you would like information in another<br />
language or format, please ask us.<br />
Rent Free Weeks<br />
– It’s Your Choice!<br />
Each year we charge rent for 48<br />
weeks of the year and this year we<br />
would like to receive your views on<br />
when the rent free weeks should occur.<br />
Below we have laid out two options.<br />
To register your preference please text<br />
your tenancy number [e.g. 99999 0 9]<br />
followed by either A or B to 07818 193964.<br />
Alternatively ring 01536 464607 or<br />
e-mail housing.finance@corby.gov.uk<br />
before 15th February 2010.<br />
Option A<br />
Week 9 - 31 st May - Bank Holiday<br />
Week 22 - 30 th Aug - Bank Holiday<br />
Week 39 - 27 th Dec - Christmas<br />
Week 52 - 28 th Mar -<br />
Last Week of The Financial Year<br />
Option B<br />
Week 5 - 3 rd May - Bank Holiday<br />
Week 18 - 2 nd Aug -<br />
Holiday Period<br />
Week 36 - 6 th Dec - Pre Christmas<br />
Week 52 - 28 th Mar -<br />
Last Week of The Financial Year<br />
<strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
for all tenants and long-term residential leaseholders<br />
email: neighbourhood.pride@corby.gov.uk<br />
website: www.corby.gov.uk<br />
01536 464605