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RENT STANDARD This is about the rent you pay. Questions to Hannah Adey - YHN Income Recovery Manager What is BCT’s average rent, and how does it compare for each property size? Based on rent being paid over 49 weeks each year (excludes service charges) our average rent is £80.30. The average rents for each of our property types are: Average 49 week Basic Rent (current actual position) Bedsit I bedroom 2 bedroom £64.44 £70.51 £79.72 3 bedroom 4 bedroom £89.50 £96.22 If someone is having difficulties making ends meet, do BCT have anyone that can help? Through YHN, you have access to Advice and Support Workers who are available to offer advice, information and support on all aspects of your finances and benefits, such as: budgeting, dealing with debts, benefit checks, welfare reform, utilities, insurance and much more! The Advice and Support Workers are here to support you, our tenants, in making the most of your money, ensuring your money is working as hard for you as you are for it. We work with a number of partners to ensure you receive the best advice for all your queries. What has BCT done to prepare for the impact of Welfare Reform? As you will know there have been a number of Welfare Reforms over the past few years; notably the ‘Bedroom Tax’ and more recently the introduction of Universal Credit. As part of preparing for the impact of Welfare Reform BCT developed an action plan which was ultimately intended to support you, our tenants. You may recall that until the end of March 2015, Andrew Young was a BCT funded full-time dedicated CAB Welfare Benefits Case Worker. By the end of March 2015 Andrew had supported approximately 350 clients, who between them were granted approximately £260,000 of additional entitlement. Andrew’s role has now evolved and he is now employed directly by BCT as a Welfare Benefits and Employability Support Worker. 30 www.bykercommunitytrust.org
Questions to Andrew Young BCT Welfare Benefits and Employability Support Worker. I’ve heard a lot about Universal Credit, but what is it and will it affect me? Universal Credit is a new welfare benefit designed to replace six main benefits; Income support, Employment and Support Allowance (income related), Jobseekers Allowance (income related), Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, and Housing Benefit. So, if you are under pension age and receive one or more of these benefits, then you are likely to be affected now or in the coming years. If you have any concerns about Universal Credit please contact me on Freephone 0800 5335 442 and I’ll be happy to assist you. What help can you give me to help me get into work? As well as dealing with welfare advice I also provide employability support, working with a network of other organisations to help residents find employment and training. These include Newcastle Futures, The Princes Trust, City Learning and other organisations who can offer additional support. BCT are trying to organise some local training for residents, and details of these opportunities will be promoted when more information is known. Did you know that we recently created a job vacancies board in the office which I’d invite you to come into the office to have a look at. I regularly update the board so it’s worth a look because there might just be a job advertised which you might want to apply for. If you would like to speak to me about employability support please do not hesitate to contact me on Freephone 0800 5335 442. BCT: How are we performing 13/14 14/15 Was target achieved? Collect 97.8% of rent and service charges owed 94.9 98.7 excluding arrears brought forward and void rent out of 100 out of 100 loss) during 2014-15 Creating employment opportunities and developing skills A key objective of BCT is to achieve new training and employment opportunities for tenants and residents on the Byker Estate. BCT work closely with Newcastle Futures and delivery key partners like Keepmoat, to maximise their social investment into the estate. The table on the next page summarises what has been achieved to date. ‘Andrew has helped me enormously. I couldn’t have done it without him. In fact we couldn’t do without him. Great work Andrew’ Mr Haworth, Houlet Garth. 31
Page 1 and 2: “OUR BYKER, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR TE
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORD Welcome to our second Annu
Page 5 and 6: JILL HALEY (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) ANSWER
Page 7 and 8: Are BCT responsible for all repairs
Page 9 and 10: NEIGHBOURHOOD AND COMMUNITY STANDAR
Page 11 and 12: Peter Gray (NCC Head of Highways an
Page 13 and 14: How do I know which properties are
Page 15 and 16: Jill and David at ACANE. Anabel at
Page 17 and 18: Working in partnership with YMCA. D
Page 19 and 20: Email Acane2003@hotmail.com Phil.ol
Page 21 and 22: Cultural Exchange Project- Communit
Page 23 and 24: In conjunction with the Tenant Part
Page 25 and 26: VALUE FOR MONEY STANDARD This is ab
Page 27 and 28: How does BCT monitor performance? W
Page 29: AWARDS Jill Haley (Chief Executive)
Page 33 and 34: Did you know... paying your rent by
Page 35 and 36: Glossary of Terms BCT - Byker Commu

OUR TENANTS”

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