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The KNH tenants’ andresidents’ magazinewww.knh.org.ukYour HomeEnter our gardencompetition16Your Estatekeeping it clean andgreen3YourCommunityWhat’s beenhappening in yourneighbourhood18Time for action!Are you prepared for benefits changes?Win £100page 14page 8If you let your KNH gas surveyor in onthe first appointment you’ll be in with achance to win.Save more than 50% ontickets to Super League homegames & under 12’s go freeExclusive KNH Excel offer. page 22

Front cover,Turn worry into action -Get benefit adviceYou’ll find lots ofinformation on theKNH website. Youcan report a repair,contact your EstateManagement Officer,pay your rent andmuch more.KNH is a non-profitmaking companymanaged by a Boardconsisting of five tenantrepresentatives electedfrom across the Kirkleesarea, five local councillorsand five independentmembers with specialistbusiness and housingknowledge. KNH provideshousing and constructionmanagement on behalfof Kirklees Council.WelcomeThere are severalspecial featuresin this edition ofDoor to Door that Ihope you’ll find bothuseful and interesting.Changes to welfare benefits have been in thenews lately, and we’ve got a special featureon how tenants may be affected, as well as asection outlining all the major changes. Thechanges will impact most people in someway, so please get in touch with us if you’reworried about how you will be affected.There’s also a chance for you to have yoursay on how council housing should beallocated in the future, as well as usefulinformation if you’re thinking of movinghome. As it’s spring, we’re also launchingour annual garden competition.Other features in this edition include:• The results of our latest customersatisfaction survey• Important safety information• Pictures from recent community events• The latest community grant winnersand good neighbour awards• Exclusive offers for KNH Excel members• Contact information for useful servicesAnd much more.I hope you enjoy this edition of the magazine.If you’d like to comment on it in any wayor want to ask a question to be featuredin a future edition of Door to Door, pleaseuse the cut-out form on the back page.Cora Carter MBEChair of KNH BoardContents1 How are we doing?2 Have your say2 KNH Board elections3 Accessible services3 Taking care of estates4-5 Right to Buy changes6 Is your home too big?7 Home security7 Improving our flats8-13 Benefits changes14 Gas safety15 New council homes16 Garden competition17 Good neighbours18-20 Community spirit21-25 KNH Excel offers26 Useful numbers

Up, up, up and away - our best ever resultssatisfaction withthe overall servicessatisfaction with thequality of homessatisfaction with repairssatisfaction with howenquiries are dealtwithease of getting hold ofthe right personsatisfaction with the helpfulnessof our staffOur customers are happierwith the services theyreceive from KNH thanthey were last year, according to asurvey carried out by independentresearchers last autumn.The survey asked 1,500 randomlyselected tenants for their viewson a range of housing issues,including access to services,rent, repairs, value for moneyand quality. It also asked themto highlight areas of concern.Thirty five percent of thosesurveyed responded. The resultsare used to judge how wellKNH is performing comparedto other housing organisationsand to identify areas wherewe need to improve.The results show that since 2010:• satisfaction with the overallservices provided by KNH hasgone up by 3% to 86% - ourbest ever performance• satisfaction with thequality of homes hasgone up by 2% to 85%• satisfaction with repairs hasgone up by 9% to 86%In previous years, customers havehad concerns about getting holdof the staff they want to talk to.In response, we have improved ourcomputer and telephone systemsand set up a one-stop supportand information service. As aresult, satisfaction with the easeof getting hold of the right personis up 4% to 69%. Across the board,satisfaction with the helpfulnessof our staff is up 5% to 84%.In some areas – for example,grounds maintenance andantisocial behaviour – we did notperform as well as we would likeso we will be looking at how wecan improve our performance.The survey also revealed the thingsthat bother people more thanany other – car parking, litter anddisruptive children. While theseissues have no easy solutions, wewill continue to work closely withresidents, the council and otherservices to try to resolve them.

We’re looking at starting a readers’ questions page in Door to Door, so ifthere’s something you’re not sure about or an issue that you want moreinformation on, why not drop us a line? Send your question using thecomments form on the back cover or email knh.communication@knh.org.ukThe way the council decides who can have acouncil house in Kirklees is changing. If you liveor work in Kirklees these changes may affectyou and your family now or in the future.The council is consulting on major changes tothe way it lets (allocates) council homes and thetypes of tenancies that it offers to new tenants.This consultation is being carried out becausethe government has given councils new powersto make local decisions about who can applyfor social housing in their area and how longtenancies should last for; and because thecouncil wants to make sure customers can accessaffordable homes that meet their needs.The council wants to find out whatyou think about the proposed changesand needs your help to decide:• Should a tenancy be for life?• Who should be able to apply?• Who should come top of the waiting list?These are very important questions that willaffect what the council’s allocations policylooks like. This is the set of rules the council useto decide how to give out their housing.To find out more, go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/housingconsultation and look out for details ofthe consultation events we will be hosting acrossKirklees. Get involved, and Have Your Say!XBALLOTThis summer, tenants livingin Huddersfield North,Dewsbury and Mirfield willbe sent ballot papers to vote fortenant representatives to sit onthe KNH Board of Directors.The KNH Board is responsible forrunning KNH, providing strategicleadership and challenging KNHon our vision for the future and theservices we provide to our customers.Board members are responsible forthe sound management of KNH’sfinances, ensuring we achieve valuefor money in all that we do. They arealso responsible for the performanceof the company, and the health andsafety of our staff and customers.Being a board member is animportant role, so please take afew minutes to vote for the personyou think will best represent yourinterests and help take KNH forward.

Buying your home is probably the biggestinvestment you will ever make, so take timeand get appropriate advice to see if buyingis right for you. Before borrowing money, considerall the costs involved and the choices available.You need to be aware that there is more to buyingyour council home than just switching from rent tomortgage repayments. As a homeowner, your mortgagewill be secured against your home. This means that ifyou do not pay your mortgage on time, you could beevicted and your home sold to pay off what you owe.You will also be responsible for all the costs of maintainingyour home. If you buy your flat or maisonette, you willhave to pay service charges and also meet the costs ofmajor repairs and refurbishment, which can be substantial.For free independent advice, contactThe Money Advice Service on 0300 500 5000Kirklees Citizens Advice on 0844 848 7970Fusion Housing Advice on 01484 223922or 01924 324990If you would like to apply for the Right to Buy,contact the council’s Right to Buy team on 01484223288 or email right.to.buy@kirklees.gov.ukAlternatively, you can download an application formand information booklets from the Right to Buy sectionof the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.ukKNH and thecouncil’s FraudInvestigationTeam are workingtogether to crackdown on socialhousing fraud.As part of their work the team is urging localpeople to blow the whistle on housing cheatswho illegally sublet their social housing homesor leave them empty so they can later takeadvantage of the Right to Buy Scheme.Cheating the system not only coststhe taxpayer millions of pounds eachyear but also deprives those in genuineneed of much-needed housing.Local information is invaluable for helpingus root out these cheats who think theyhave a right to ignore the rules.You can report your suspicionsin total confidence.If you suspect someone is not living attheir address, or are illegally sublettingtheir property, please call: 0800 1697 451,email benefit.fraud@kirklees.gov.uk,or you can speak to your housing officer.

If you have two or morespare bedrooms, thenour Homefit Scheme maybe able to help you.Changes to welfare benefitsmean that HousingBenefit will be reducedfor working age tenants whosehomes are deemed to be toobig (see page 8). But there areother reasons why you mightwant to think about moving:• Your home is too big andgetting difficult to manage• Your utility bills aretoo expensive• Your garden has becomehard to maintain• A disability or mobilityproblem means your currenthome is not suitable• You want to move nearerto family, friends, shops,doctors and so on.We can offer• A smaller home that ischeaper and easier to manage• A higher level ofpriority for housing• Help and support froma dedicated officer• Advice about moving to ahome in an area you preferTo apply for the scheme, youwill need to complete a Choose‘n’ Move application formbefore you will be assessed.For more information, contactSarah Jowitt, Homefit Officer,on 01484 416900 or email:Homefit@knh.org.ukIf you are currently biddingfor a council propertythrough the Choose‘n’ move service, you maybe offered a new homesooner than you think.To make sure you are in agood position to move anddon’t cause delays for otherbidders, please consider thefollowing before you start:• You need to give at leastfour weeks’ notice on yourcurrent council home andallow us to inspect it. You willbe charged for any damagecaused and for clearing anyrubbish you leave behind.• Do you know the area wherethe property is based? Ifnot, visit the area to see ifyou would like to live therebefore you place your bid.• Will you be able to movein straight away? Youwill not be entitled toHousing Benefits if youdo not move in as soonas your tenancy begins.• If you are moving fromanother council property,you will have to pay renton both homes until youhand in the keys to theone that you are leaving.If you are unsure about any ofthese issues, please contactus on 01484 414886

While the number ofburglaries in KIrkleeshas fallen over thepast year, there’s been quite abit in the news recently aboutthieves breaking into homes byattacking locks in outside doors.KNH is working hard toimprove home security for ourtenants. New doors in our doorreplacement scheme are fittedwith additional security measuresto keep tenants safe. We arealso improving the security ofexisting doors and we workwith the police to protect morevulnerable tenants from crime.But you can play a big partin improving the securityof your home by followingsome simple advice.• Lock your doors and windowswhen you go out or are ina different room. Removeyour keys from windowsand doors but make sureeveryone in your home knowswhere they are so you canescape in an emergency.• Check the identity of callersat your home and reportanything suspicious to thepolice (999 in an emergency).You can offer support to elderlyor vulnerable neighbours bybeing a part of the ‘NominatedNeighbour Scheme’ availablethrough NeighbourhoodWatches (NHW).• Mark your property with asecurity marking pen. NHWs aregreat for distributing these pensalong with crime preventionadvice so think about startinga scheme if you are notalready within a NHW area.KNH works closely with thepolice and fire services toimprove safety in the homeand reduce risks. Please contactyour neighbourhood housingteam with any initial queriesaround home security.Every year, KNH invests millions ofpounds improving homes and estatesacross Kirklees and is currently carryingout a major improvement programmeon the six-storey blocks we manage.One of these is at Malham Court in Huddersfield,where there had been complaints of dampness, aswell as problems with insulation, windows and theroof. A building survey also revealed other concerns,including security of outside doors and wiring. Someflats also needed bringing up to decent standardwith new kitchens and central heating boilers.KNH and Kirklees Building Services have workedclosely with the tenants and residents throughoutthis complex project, listening to their concernsand coming up with ways to keep disruptionto a minimum and to make sure the work wasdone as quickly and efficiently as possible.The local tenants and residents association (TRA)have been actively involved throughout the projectand are delighted with the new improvementsto their homes. To thank those involved in theproject, the TRA recently held a presentation eventfor them, which was much appreciated by all.

turn yourBENEFITSworriesintoactionYou may have seen in the news or read in previous editions of Door to Doorabout wide ranging changes to the benefits system. The reforms were made lawin March 2012 and will affect nearly everyone who claims state benefits.The main changes are outlined below. Many of you are bound to have questions or concernsabout what is going to happen to YOUR benefits, so please contact us for help: 01484 414886You can pay by:Direct Debit - this is thepreferred method of payment.Contact your housingoffice or telephone:01484 414 886Credit & Debit Cardsby calling: 01484 414 818Cash (with a payment card )ChequePostal OrderPay with your payment card at:Kirklees librariesPaypointPost officewww.kirklees.gov.uk/paymentsHousing-related changesThe Welfare Reform Act 2012 introduces:• Universal Credit• an overall benefits cap• an under-occupancy penalty; and• stops direct payments of Housing Benefitto landlords in many cases.Universal Credit brings together a range of working age benefitsinto a single streamlined payment that will be paid direct to tenants’bank accounts. The benefits being replaced by Universal Credit are• Income Support, Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance andIncome-Related Employment and Support Allowance• Housing Benefit• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax CreditPeople claiming these benefits will automatically be movedon to Universal Credit on a phased basis from 2013.Benefits not included are:• Council Tax support• Disability Living Allowance• Contributory Benefits(although earningsrules aligned)• State Pension• Child Benefit• Pension Credit• Carer’s Allowance

The overall benefit cap will cap thetotal benefits a person or couple isentitled to. The cap will be set at theaverage net earnings for a workinghousehold. Current projectionsof the cap are £500 per week forcouples and lone parents and £350per week for single people withoutchildren, including housing costs.Under occupation penalty(also known as spare bedroom tax) cutsthe amount of benefit that workingage tenants can get if they have aspare bedroom in their council orhousing association home. It allowsfor one bedroom for each person orcouple, with the following exceptions:• Children under 16 of the samegender are expected to share• Children under 10 are expectedto share, regardless of gender• A disabled tenant or partnerwho needs an overnightcarer will be allowedan extra bedroomThe Government is introducingthis reduction from April 2013. Therates of reduction proposed are:• 14% reduction for being 1bedroom under occupied• 25% reduction for being 2bedrooms under occupiedIf you are of working age,receiving Housing Benefitand have one or more sparebedrooms, your HousingBenefit will be reduced.Direct Payments From October2013 working age tenants will havethe housing element of the newUniversal Credit paid to their bankaccount. Some people will continueto have housing costs paid to theirlandlord but most will have to startpaying rent themselves, out oftheir overall benefit entitlement.What you need to do:• If you are an existing council / housing associationtenant of working age, you can remain inyour present home but from April 2013 youwill have to pay the difference between yourrent and your reduced housing benefit.• If you want to move to a smaller home, you shouldapply for re-housing. Our supply of smaller homes islimited so you need to complete a housing registerapplication. Call 01484 416900 or talk to your housingofficer about the possibility of a mutual exchange.• If you want to stay in your present home, you couldtake in a lodger to help pay the rent – but check withus about non-dependant deductions to housingbenefit.• If you start receiving direct payments, you will need topay your rent on time to avoid legal action.• If you need advice about budgeting, getting a bankaccount or are worried about how you will be affected,call our Money Advice Team on 01484 414886.What we’re doing:Collecting rent is a vital part of KNH’s workas your rent pays for all the housing servicesyou receive. We will do all that we can to helptenants deal with the changes to the benefitssystem but we will also take action againstthose who do not pay their rent on time.Paying rent by direct debit will be the easiestway for most people to pay their rent in thefuture. We are working with banks and creditunions to make sure our tenants have accessto bank accounts so that they can receive theirbenefits and make payments quickly and easily.KNH will be getting in touch with all thoseaffected over the coming months. We will alsokeep you updated about benefits changesthrough Door to Door, special leaflets andon www.knh.org.uk. But if you have anyconcerns in the meantime, please get in touchwith us so we can help. Call 01484 414886.

Important changesto Welfare BenefitschemesApril 2012 – March 2013If you receive money from thegovernment, the amount you getcould change.The Welfare Reform Act 2012introduces the biggest changesto welfare benefits for over 60years.The Act aims to make benefitsand Tax Credits fairer andsimpler for everyone, creatingincentives to encourage thosewho can work into employmentwhilst protecting the mostvulnerable in our society.If you receive benefits or TaxCredits, and your payments willbe affected by the changes, theoffice which deals with yourclaim will contact you directwith more information.Please remember, if yourincome goes down as a resultof benefit changes you maybe entitled to financial helpthrough other schemes. Lotsof organisations offer free,independent advice which couldhelp you. We’ve included somepopular contact details at theend of this insert.Housing Benefit and CouncilTax Benefit changes fromApril 2012Non-dependantdeductions will increasemeaning you’ll receiveless benefit if you claimHousing Benefit orCouncil Tax Benefit andyou live with another adult(who is not your partner),like a grown-up child forexample.The government expectsthese other adults to pay yousomething towards yourhousehold bills, so we haveto stop an amount from yourHousing Benefit or CouncilTax Benefit to account forthis. This action is called a‘non-dependant deduction’.If you live with a non-dependantwe’ll automatically recalculateyour claim and send youconfirmation of your newentitlement.You will need to pay any shortfallin your rent or council taxyourself.NB - This information is correct at the time of going to press.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)changes from April 2012Employment Support Allowance (ESA) forWork Related Activity GroupContribution-based ESA for people in theWork-Related Activity Group will be limitedto a maximum of 365 days (without requalifying).If you’ve received this benefit for 365 daysor more by 30th April 2012, your benefitwill stop on this date. If you have underlyingentitlement to income-related ESA you willbe automatically transferred to this benefit.The time limit includes any time you spendin the assessment phase and starts fromthe date you first receive contribution-basedESA, or were transferred to it from anotherbenefit. Any time spent in the SupportGroup, or gaps in your claim, would not beincluded in this time limit.The Department for Work and Pensions iswriting to claimants reaching this time limiteight weeks before their claim is due to stopto explain their options.No new claims for Youth ESA will beaccepted. The special conditions underYouth ESA previously allowed people agedbetween 16 and 20 to receive contributionbasedESA without paying NationalInsurance contributions.Existing claimants receiving contributionbasedESA in the Work Related ActivityGroup under the Youth conditions will havethe same time limit applied as explained inthe bullet point opposite.People in the Youth Support Group willcontinue to receive contribution-basedESA providing they continue to meet thequalifying criteria. Young people will stillbe able to claim income-related ESA if theyare entitled to do so.Income support for loneparents changes fromMay 2012If you claim Income Support solely on thegrounds of being a lone parent, your entitlementto this benefit may stop when your youngest childreaches a certain age.This age limit was previously seven, but from May2012 it will reduce to age five.Existing claimants with the youngest child aged6 will be contacted by JobCentre Plus Advisersbefore your Income Support is due to end, to tellyou when your last payment will be and provideadvice about other benefits you may be entitled to.

Working Tax Creditchanges from April 2012Child Tax Creditchanges from April 2012childrenYou must work a total of 24 hours betweenyou, with one of you working at least 16hours per week. If only one of you works,that person must work at least 24 hoursper week. You may try to change yourworking hours so you can still receive thisbenefit. There are a few exceptions to theserules to account for age or disability.The income limit to receive Child Tax Credithas changed and now depends on yourown circumstances and income. As a veryrough guide, you might not be able to getChild Tax Credit if:− you have one child, and your annualincome is more than around £26,000− you have two children, and your annualincome is more than around £32,200The extra amount of Working Tax Creditscalled the ‘50-plus element’ will no longerexist. If you are aged 50 or over, work lessthan 30 hours per week, are not disabled ordo not have children you will be affected bythis change.or overWhen the 50-plus element stops you, oryour partner must work at least 30 hoursper week, if you have no children, tocontinue receiving Working Tax Credit.The basic family element of £545 will bewithdrawn quicker from higher earningfamilies. Many households earning £40,000or slightly more during 2011/12, receivingat least some of the family element,will find themselves without Tax Creditsin 2012/13. However those with largerfamilies, or who spend a lot on formalchildcare, could still be entitled to somepayment.If you’re responsible for at least one child:you’ll still qualify for Working Tax Credit ifyou’re: week, or working hours rules for couples withchildren (see Working Tax Credit:New working hours for couples withchildren).

Other changes to Tax Credits from April 2012You must report all change ofcircumstances as soon as they happen.However, if your income goes down by£2,500 or less your payments won’t changefor the current tax year.If your income goes down by more than£2,500, the Tax Office will recalculate yourTax Credits for the current tax year.Contact usreducedIf a change in your circumstances meansyour payments should go up, the maximumamount of time your Tax Credits paymentscan be backdated reduces from threemonths to just one month.Whether you’re making a new claim, orreporting a change which means yourTax Credit payments will increase, makesure you get the information in on timeso you don’t miss out on money youcould have had.Many organisations and services offer free, independent advice including:T: 01484 414886W: www.knh.org.ukFor help with housing benefit and council taxbenefitE: T: W: For information about working age benefits likeEmployment and Support AllowanceT: W: www.direct.gov.ukFor Tax Credit informationT: For housing options, or help with homelessnessE: T: W: For advice on all benefits and Tax CreditsE: T: For help with a wide range of topics includingbenefits and housing issuesE: 0844 848 7970W:

Tpi es ThissVoVoucherexpiresonXX.XX.XXX.XXX XThis Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XXThis Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XXHelp us keep you safeKNH has a legal duty to carry out safety inspectionsand services of all gas appliances and fluesthat we have installed to ensure that all ourproperties are gas safe and have working smokealarms. During the visit we also carry out safetychecks on any gas appliances that you haveinstalled to make sure they are working safely.Appliances that have not been serviced canincrease your fuel bills. More importantly, they maybe leaking carbon monoxide, which you cannotsmell, see or taste. This is very serious as carbonmonoxide poisoning can, and often does, kill.If you do not let us in to do this vital work, we will takelegal action, which could result in you losing your home.We will send you a letter telling you when yourgas service is due and when you can expect anengineer from Building Services to call. If wecannot gain access on the first visit we will try twomore times before sending you another letter. This Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XX This Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XX This Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XX This Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XX This Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XXThis Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XXThis Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XXIf you have any questions aboutannual gas servicing or gas safetyin general, please get in touch:For queries about your annualgas service, call the KNH technicalcoordinators on 01484 416689If you have missed a gas servicingappointment with Building Services andneed to rearrange it, call 01484 414800For gas safety advice, contact a KNHgas surveyor on 01484 416737

Work has begun onbuilding 466 newcouncil homes forrent across Kirklees by thecouncil’s contractor, RegenterExcellent Homes for Life.The homes are being builtthrough the Excellent Homes forLife project and will be one andtwo bedroom flats, suitable forsmall families and people who livealone. There are a small numberof ground floor flats specificallydesigned for people who need touse a wheelchair. The project alsoincludes three extra care housingschemes with self-containedflats and communal facilitiesfor older people who requirecare and support. These homesare much needed in Kirkleesand will help older people tolive independently for longer.The homes are being built in 27locations across Kirklees. Theyare being built to high standardsin energy efficiency and securityand will include design featureswhich make them flexible if thetenants needs change over time.Flats for individuals, small familiesand people who need to use awheelchair will be let throughChoose ‘n’ Move. Those within thenew extra care housing schemeswill be let to applicants on thebasis of need and suitability.To find out more, please seewww.kirklees.gov.uk/excellenthomesor call 01484 225210For more information aboutrenting one of the new flats or toapply for membership ofChoose ‘n’ Move, please seewww.choosenmove.org.ukor call 01484 416900For more information about theextra care housing schemes, emailgatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.ukor call 01484 414933

2012 garden competitionHow to enterThe competition isopen to KNH tenantsand leaseholders only.You can enter your owngarden, but you can alsonominate a neighbour, ifyou think they deserve therecognition for their efforts.Send your entries in anenvelope to KNH Freepost,NAT9958, Huddersfield, HD16DQ (you don’t need a stamp)Entries received after thisdate will not be includedin the competition.Shortlisting will takeplace from 09 Julywith the final judgingon 24 and 25 July.It’s that time of year againfor you to showcaseyour delightful gardensby entering our annualgarden competition.Headed up once again byour resident gardeningexpert, Graham Porter, thecompetition includes thefollowing categories.• Best garden• Best fruit andvegetable garden• Best use of small space• Best retirementgrange garden• Best use of communalspace ** If you are entering the bestcommunal garden category,you need to ensure that youhave received permissionfrom KNH to use the areaThe overall winnerwill receive £100 ingardening vouchers,with categorywinners receiving£50 in vouchers.2012 KNH garden competition entry formYour name ………………………………………………Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Postcode ……………....Tel Number ……………………………………….…….Category entered ……………………………………….When nominating a neighbour’s garden please includeNeighbour’s name …………………………………………Address …………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tel number: ………………………………………….Category: ………………………………………….

Say thank you to a neighbour or friend with £25* in vouchersWe believe good neighbours should be recognised and rewarded.To nominate your neighbour, pick up a form from yourneighbourhood office or call the Community Engagement teamon 01484 223213.- Phone or see www.knh.org.uk for detailsMatthew makes a differenceMatthew Reid of Golcar was nominated by hisneighbourhour, Pamela Gillett and housing officerChris Thomas, for all the hard work he has carried outon the Trees estate – helping disabled residents withtheir gardens, looking out for elderly neighbours andhelping to keep the estate tidy. According to Pamela,Matthew is “invaluable, reliable and conscientious.”Alec just loves LowerhousesAlec Ross of Lowerhouses was nominated by hisneighbour, Rodreck Chipezeze for all the hardwork and pride he has in his neighbourhood.Rodreck says of Alec: “what he has done for the othertenants in our street is amazing. He cuts grass, loanshis tools and keeps our streets free from rubbish.”Hightown couple excel for theirneighbourJean Parker of Hightown nominated herneighbours, Ben and Pauline Hardisty, for all theirsupport during a recent illness. The wonderfulcouple did all her shopping, housework andlooked after her garden while she was ill.

Chickenley OlympicsChickenley youngsters came outin force for an Olympic-inspiredsports day during the Easterholidays. A late snow stormthe day before threatened toput a dampener on the event,but on the day, the sun shoneand the children had a greattime, with prizes awarded towinners and runners-up by theMayor of Kirklees. Thanks toeveryone who either took partor who helped with the event.Windybank jubilee gardening clubBudding young gardeners fromthe Windybank estate have formeda gardening club with the help ofchildren’s activity group OrganisedChaos and KNH caretakers. Theclub meets weekly and aims tolook after and improve the gardenarea around the communitycentre, which has been vandalizedin the past. The group has onlybeen meeting for a short time,but already the area is lookingbetter and there is less litter.Good for the heartTo mark National Heart Monthin February, KNH communityengagement staff organizedtwo well-attended events inHuddersfield and Dewsbury,aimed at raising awarenessabout how to look after yourheart and raising money forthe British Heart Foundation.

Football funKNH and Communities UnitedProject (CUP) organizeda series of football eventsduring February and March,including a Champions Leaguefinals day at Dewsbury sportscentre. The programme gavechildren from a wide range ofbackgrounds a chance to getinvolved in football activities,including the chance to meetHuddersfield Town ambassadorand former player, Andy BoothEaster activitiesKNH and the Windybank TRAorganized an Easter egg hunt,egg and spoon race and anegg-rolling race at High BankSchool during the holidays.Elsewhere in the neighbourhood,young people from the Wiltonand Fieldhead estates took partin a range of activities aimed attackling stereotypes and breakingdown barriers between differentgroups. They took part in a bakingsession, egg and spoon race, eggrolling and an Easter egg hunt.Meanwhile in Huddersfield,children from the Town andSpring Bank estates enjoyeda community day, helping toclear up the community gardenand taking part in a treasurehunt and craft workshops.

You’ll be eligible to apply if:• You can show how your project will benefit the community; and• One member of the project team is a Kirklees Council tenant and/or a customer of KNH.If you would like more information, an application form, or advice on how to write astrong application, please call 01484 223213Wroe Street banish winter bluesWroe Street Tenants and Residents Association held awinter blues buster party at Dewsbury Rugby Club inJanuary, supported by a KNH Excel community grant.The TRA Committee. - made up of Ann Durkin,Lilian Sanders, Patricia Shaw and Chris Jenkinson -worked hard to put on the event. The evening wasa great success; everyone had a great time and leftfeeling much more positive about the year ahead.The TRA provided food and entertainment forall ages and everyone received a free door alarmand information on home insurance to help withhome security. The evening rounded off witha raffle to raise some cash for future events.If you would like more information about thecommunity grant scheme, please contact theCommunity Engagement Team on 01484 223213.You can also apply online for a community grantby visiting our website www.knh.org.uk – justfollow the link to the KNH community grants.

Being a KNH Excel membermeans you get exclusivebenefits and offers!In January, we launchedour 2012 discount card at an event hosted by HuddersfieldTown football club and attended by tenants from the Excelproject group and representatives from local businesses.The 2012 card entitles you to great discounts at over200 locally-owned and operated businesses.Doing a spot of home improvement?You’ll find offers on supplies, decorators,new carpets and furniture.Looking for a way to treatyourself or a loved one?There are dozens of great discounts at beautysalons and hair dressers, florists, gift shops andrestaurants.Upgrading your TV, stereo or gadget?Check out the offers available onappliances and other electricals.You can find all the great discount card offers atwww.knh.org.uk/reward or in the brochure that wassent to all qualifying Excel members in January.If you haven’t received your KNHExcel discount card and think youmay qualify for one, contact theExcel team on 01484 223246 oremail us on excel@knh.org.ukCorrections to brochure:• The Beauty Spot,Batley (incorrect offer listed) -10% off products• Kirklees Computer Supplies,Huddersfield(incorrect email address listed)info@kirkleescomputers.co.uk• Steve’s Carpets, Huddersfield(incorrect offer listed) – 5% off.33a John William Street,Huddersfield, HD1 1BL.T: 01484 425627.www.dgopticians.co.uk25% off complete glasses over £99• is a secure tenant who hassuccessfully passed theintroductory tenancy period• has a clear rent account and/or service charge account• has rent arrears BUT has madeand maintained a suitablerepayment agreement forat least 13 weeks and• has no other breaches oftenancy that have resulted ina Notice of Seeking Possession(NOSP) being served.Our competitions are open toall KNH Excel members, with theexception of anyone who worksfor KNH, Revenues & Benefitsor KNH Board members.

Great offers from Huddersfield GiantsExclusive benefitsand offers fortenants andleaseholders whomeet the eligibilitycriteria.Excel discount cardholders can nowsave more than 50%on tickets to SuperLeague games in2012.Tickets must be bought from the Galpharm ticketoffice and are for the Fantastic Media Stand lower tier.

Answer these simple questions based on articles inthis edition of Door to Door and you could win £20!For conditions of entry to all KNH Excel competitions, see page 21.The closingdate forcompetitionentries isFriday 29 June.1. What is the name of the new benefit that will replace a range of working-agebenefits from 2013?2. Who will be affected by the ‘under occupation penalty’?3. What is the name of the KNH service that can help if you have two or morespare bedrooms and want to move to a smaller home?Send your entries inan envelope to:KNH Freepost,NAT 9958,Huddersfield,HD1 6DQYou don’t need a stamp.4. What is one of the problems that can happen if you do not have your gasappliances serviced every year?5. Name one of the things you need to be to qualify for the KNH Excel schemeThis Voucherexpires on XX.XX.XX6. Who can get a free Kirklees passport? NameAddress & postcodeThissVV Vouchercherexpires e s onnXXX.XX.XXX.XX XPhoneSigned You must be a KNH Excel member to enterYou can not enter if you work for KNH,Revenues & Benefits or are a KNH board member