Tenant awards at Mayor’s
Parlour
READ MORE ON PAGE 3
tenants’ times
News for tenants of Ipswich Borough Council
Twitter @IpswichGov
facebook/IpswichGov
Summer 2016
www.ipswich.gov.uk
I was delighted to take on the Housing
portfolio at Ipswich Borough Council after John
Mowles stood down from the Council.
Mr Mowles, as he is now, was a Councillor for
45 years and has been a big figure in Ipswich
housing for much of that time. He leaves a
well-managed and well-liked housing service.
Page 2
housing matters
The Government has recently passed a new
Housing Act. The devil is in the detail, but the
Act could mean changes for tenants with “Pay
to Stay”, possible forced sale of “high value”
council house and proposals to end lifelong
tenancies.
Consultation is taking place and your Council
will keep you up-to-date on developments.
In the last Tenants’ Times, he wrote “Good
quality, well-maintained accommodation,
affordability and secure tenancies make for
stable and strong families and communities”.
Cllr Neil MacDonald
Housing Portfolio holder
I whole-heartedly agree and I intend to ensure
that Ipswich Borough Council’s outstanding
housing service reputation continues.
Tenants tell us what to say and how to say it
Thanks to our tenant volunteers who have been helping us to update the Tenants’ Handbook, the Local
Offer and prepare the Annual Housing Report.
Tenants talked through what they wanted included and gave input on making publications clear and
attractive. Thanks to these incisive questions and constructive suggestions, these important documents
have been reviewed, improved and will be published shortly.
You can download your copy from www.ipswich.gov.uk/housing or for a printed copy ring the Tenant
Participation team on 01473 433313.
Available in July
The Local Offer
Available in July
Tenant Handbook
Available in July
Annual Housing Report
Sets out the standard of
service we offer to tenants
Your user guide to managing a
tenancy and living in a Council
property
A summary of how we have
performed over the 2015/2016
year delivering our services
Tenants’ Handbook
IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL
A guide to
living in your
Council home
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Page 3
Awards for tenants
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Tenants were welcomed to the Town Hall to receive awards and prizes in recognition of their
volunteering, neighbourliness and personal achievements. Each winner received £75 of shopping
vouchers and each runner-up £25 by way as a small thank you for their contribution to community life in
our neighbourhoods. The awards were presented by the then Deputy Mayor, Bill Quinton.
Tenant of the Year
Winner: Rosemary Benson
Despite being 80 years young, Rosemary helps
several of her elderly neighbours and has been a
great friend and supporter to a new young
neighbour who has some challenging needs.
Young Council Resident of the Year
Winner: Leah Rowland
Leah succeeded to her tenancy following the
sudden loss of her mother. In the midst of
profound bereavement she faced the challenges
thrown at her with maturity and responsibility
beyond her age.
Runner up: Vinny O’Donnell
Vinny and his two teenage brothers spent time
with no adult support at home, during which all
three continued with education and work. He has
overcome a lot and is working to improve his
future. Vinny now has his own flat and is a role
model to his siblings.
Runner-up: Kelvin Cracknell
Kelvin is a tenant rep, as well as working tirelessly
volunteering with us, he helps at the Disability
Advice Bureau. He puts time and effort in to
whatever projects he is dealing with. Kelvin is a
dedicated Tenant Panel member who does not let
his disability stand in his way.
Tenant Representative of the Year
Winner: Barbara Brown
Despite ill health, Barbara has thrown herself into
involvement. She has advocated for several of her
neighbours and referred them for additional
support.
Runner up: Darrill Lawrence
Darrill’s commitment and passion for getting the
best deal for tenants has been recognised by his
colleagues. He has been a key figure in Tenant
Participation for many years.
Page 4
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New
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Roger Fern is the new Mayor of Ipswich. He took
office at the Annual Ipswich Borough Council
meeting. His consort for the year is his elder
grand-daughter Ellie Griss. Former Mayor Glen
Chisholm becomes Deputy Mayor, with Hayley
Riley as his Deputy Mayoress.
"It was a great honour and a privilege to be
Mayor of Ipswich in 2004 and even more so to be
nominated again, 12 years later,” said Councillor
Fern. "It is with a mixture of excitement and
nervousness that I look forward to the year
ahead."
His family moved to Ipswich in 1957 and a
lifetime in education followed, including a spell
as a primary school head teacher. Now he is equally well known for his part in helping homeless people
in the borough - Councillor Fern was a founder member of the Ipswich Umbrella Trust.
Councillor Fern said: "My wife, Pat, and I met while still at school. She completed her nurse training at
Anglesea Road Hospital and we married in 1966. Our two daughters, Sue and Lizzie, were born in
Ipswich and educated here. A few years ago Pat was diagnosed with dementia. I know, at first hand, at
least some of the challenges and frustrations facing those living with dementia and their carers."
Councillor and Mrs Fern, who have six grandchildren, are active members of Chantry Methodist Church.
The Mayor’s official charities are the Ipswich branch of the Alzheimer’s Society and the Ipswich Housing
Action Group (Chapman Centre).
New Executive announced
At the Annual Meeting of Ipswich Borough Council, Leader of the Council David Ellesmere, announced
the new make-up of the Executive Committee. Deputy Leader: Bryony Rudkin (Culture & Leisure
portfolio); Martin Cook (Resources); Carole Jones (Planning & Development and Museums Service); Neil
MacDonald (Housing and Health); Sophie Meudec (Communities); Alasdair Ross (Community Protection
and Customer Services) and Phil Smart (Environment and Transport).
Councillor Ellesmere retains the Economic Development and Property portfolio. Councillor Ross joins
Executive on retirement of former Councillor John Mowles, although the latter's housing role is taken by
Councillor MacDonald. Conservative Group Leader Nadia Cenci will continue to serve on Executive as a
member without portfolio.
Following the election on 5th May, Ipswich Borough Council has 33 Labour, 13 Conservative and two
Liberal Democrat Councillors.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group is Councillor Inga Lockington.
Page 5
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Tenant involvement’s new start
We’ve been looking again at the support offered to our tenants who want to have a say in how the
Housing Service works and to contribute to their neighbourhood.
We have been talking with our tenant volunteers and surveying other tenants to see what is required.
The message is clear ... people who are interested in being involved want to be able to get things done
to help improve their neighbourhoods. They want involvement to be friendly, informal and convenient.
Most of all they want their time and input to be valued and acted on.
So we have made it easier to get involved and choose what you do. We have made it easier to raise
neighbourhood issues and we’ve improved the rewards we offer.
Come along to one of the Tenant Get-Togethers for a coffee and chat to find out more, or talk to the
team on 01473 433313.
Coffee and a catch-up
Tenant Get-togethers are a friendly chat with
other tenants and staff about all things housing
and local community.
z
coffee
q
time
HG
Come for a free drink at Arlingtons on Museum
Street on:
Thursday 16 June
10.30am
Wednesday 29 June 6pm
Thursday 14 July
10.30am
Thursday 28 July
6pm
Thursday 11 August 10.30am
Thursday 25 August 6pm
If you would like more of a say in how the
Council’s Housing Service is run or in supporting
your neighbourhood it’s a great way to meet
like-minded people and find out what’s available.
There is no need to book, just turn up.
www.ipswich.gov.uk
@IpswichGov
IpswichGov
If you would like to know more phone Tenant
Participation on 01473 433313.
Page 6
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www.ipswich.gov.uk
good credit history
Your credit rating is used to help lenders decide
whether to lend you money, how much to let
you borrow and, in some cases how much
interest to charge you.
Having a strong, positive credit history helps
demonstrate to lenders and other providers of
goods and services that you can be trusted to
repay what you borrow.
Unfairly, some council tenants struggle to get
safe, affordable credit because they don’t have
much credit history. Some stores offer credit
without making any checks but these often come
with a very high interest rate and insurance
charges.
Payday loans also have high interest rates and
these rates can increase if you miss a payment.
We believe you should get credit for paying your
rent on time. That is why we will be joining the
Rental Exchange, a way to enhance your credit
report without needing to take on new credit
agreements.
How will you benefit?
Sharing your rental payment history will help
create an online proof of identity, proving you
are who you say you are and that you live where
you say you live. Proving this makes you a more
reliable potential customer to companies. A
higher credit score means it may become easier
for you to:
•
•
•
•
•
open a bank account
get a new credit card
have a loan application approved
shop online
qualify to pay for gas/electricity via a credit
meter
• receive better mobile phone rates
If you would like further information about the
Rental Exchange, visit
www.experian.co.uk/rental-exchange
If you would like advice on how to improve your
credit history, you can access independent and
impartial advice from www.moneyadviceservice.
org.uk (for £2 you can get a copy of your
Statutory Credit Report by visiting
www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report).
Page 7
New intervention helps
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Pre-warrant panels are an initiative to reduce the number of tenants being evicted for rent arrears.
We invite tenants to a formal meeting before issuing a Warrant for Possession, which is when we take
back a council property.
In November 2014 we began a
trial, formally introducing the
process into our arrears
procedure in April 2015. During
that time we invited 90 tenants
in breach of their Court Order
for rent arrears to meet us.
Nearly 60% attended and
discussed what had caused them
to fall into rent arrears. This gave
us a deeper understanding of
issues affecting tenants in money
crisis and a chance to offer
support.
• 60% of attendees needed
advice with money budgeting
and debt
• 47% told us household health
issues contributed to problems
paying
• 22% had gone through a
relationship breakdown
• 36% had adult children living
with them who were not in
education and half of these
children were not contributing
to the household, placing
further strain on the
household budget
Total debt for these 90 cases was
£145,415, the average debt
being £1,609.
By March 2016 the total debt
had more than halved to £61,358
(inclusive of evictions) and the
average debt reduced to £681.
Twenty households cleared their
rent debt entirely. Unfortunately
same number ended in eviction.
Our aim was to reduce rent
arrear evictions by working with
tenants to find new solutions.
Our evictions fell from 37 in
2014/15 to 16 in 2015/16. We
have worked closely with tenants
most at risk of losing their home
by providing intensive support
including money advice, Housing
Benefit assistance, support to
down size to more affordable
property and debt relief orders.
The Council has worked hard to
develop this process which has
been praised by County Court
judges and gained national
recognition for good practice in
housing.
If you are struggling with debt
and rent payments please
contact us on 01473 433370.
Page 8
WaterSure
www.ipswich.gov.uk
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capped bills help h
Anglian Water offers the WaterSure tariff for homes with a water meter where customers experience
particular hardship and need to use large amounts of water. For households with large families or
particular medical conditions this could be a big saving. The tariff limits the supply charge to £182, the
sewerage with surface water charge to £235 and the sewerage only to £200. WaterSure is for
households where someone living in the property:
receives one or more of the following: Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance,
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax
Credit, Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only), Pension Credit and
receives Child Benefit for three or more children under the age of 19, in full-time education and
living at the property or has one or more medical condition that uses significant volumes of water
and can be supported by a doctor's certificate.
To apply call Anglian Water on 03457 91 91 55 or search ‘WaterSure’ at www.anglianwater.co.uk
Be aware
Benefit advice and help to claim benefits is available free
throughout the country.
We are aware some companies are charging a fee of up to ten times their award, to help people with
their claim. If you feel you need help to complete benefit applications there are many agencies that will
do so for free, (the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK, Macmillan Trust and the Disabled Advice Bureau).
Tenancy Services have Tenant Support Officers to help vulnerable tenants.
If you feel you would benefit from some tenancy support please contact us on 01473 433370.
Summer one-pot cooking
This recipe saves on dishes and time too. Make use of the economical vegetables available at Ipswich
Market in the town centre and you can make an exotic medley for next to nothing.
Ingredients:
6-8 chicken thighs
Half bag new potatoes - cut small cross in top
2 lemons, quartered (or limes)
2 sweet peppers chopped into quarters
Large handful of cherry tomatoes
2 onions peeled and chopped into quarters
(You can use any vegetable that will cook within 20 minutes e.g. squash, carrots, sweet potatoes,
courgettes, aubergine)
Put everything (except the soft vegetables) into a roasting dish and splash with oil.
Put into hot oven for 15 minutes.
Add the soft vegetables (tomatoes and peppers) and cook for another 10 minutes.
Serve.
Technically this is a Roasted Mediterranean One Pot - but in my house it’s ‘Hot Cross Potatoes’
Page 9
Think before you
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Summer time is a busy
time for our Enforcement
Team
With warmer weather people open windows and share their music and television with their
neighbourhood. Combine that with barbecue season and you have the conditions for neighbourly
patience to wear thin. Social media can be the spark that lights that fuse. When someone vents their
frustration over the internet it broadcasts over a wide area. Suddenly a small disagreement blows out of
all proportion. This summer remember:
• be considerate of any noise you make, if your windows are open everyone can hear you
• if you plan a barbecue or party warn your neighbours of the start and finish time, unexpected
prolonged noise can test anyone’s patience
• if you use social media then ask yourself these questions:
Is this something you would say to someone’s face? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
And does it foster a good neighbourly relationship?
If you don’t use social media but your children do, we would like to remind you that as the tenant, you
are responsible for the behaviour and actions of anyone living in or visiting your property. If you require
any assistance or clarity, you can contact us on 01473 433325 or email us at [email protected]
Be sure it is secure
For those who have recently had newly installed
front doors, we have some advice.
Your new double glazed, secure-by-design, front
door has multi-point locking mechanisms and a
deadbolt lock. However, these only work if you
use them correctly.
It is possible to pull the door shut behind you
and lock yourself out. This does not mean the
door has been securely locked. The initial stage
of the lock has been engaged, stopping the
handle from opening the door from the outside.
However, until the handle has been pulled up
(second stage) and the key turned (third and final
stage), your door has not been locked.
Our Repairs Team have been able to gain access
in many instances with a simple home-made tool.
If they can do it - so can a burglar! According to
Crime Prevention sources, most break-ins are
done via a door so it is vitally important you use
your door system as it was intended.
Changes for south west team
Page 10
www.ipswich.gov.uk
If you live in south west Ipswich you may have had a
letter to tell you of the changes to your housing
officer.
Suzanne Cook
Our housing properties are divided between housing
officers in rounds. We have been reviewing how best to
balance different properties between staff. Some
rounds have slightly shifted boundaries, the biggest
difference is that the team is expanding from six to
seven housing officers.
Suzanne Cook is our newest housing officer. I am sure you will welcome her.
“I have worked alongside Eleanor Fisher on Round 15 on the north west
team for a few months and done many property inspections which has been
a good opportunity to meet some of the tenants and learn the Housing
Officer role. I’m now looking forward to moving to the south west team,
meeting tenants and dealing with new challenges”.
Neighbourhood
Team Manager for
the south west team
is Emma Cook
Page 11
Changing
rounds
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Round 6: Kelly Hayes
Brecon Close
Cardiff Avenue
Carmarthen Close
Conway Close
Flint Close
Glamorgan Road
Halifax Road
Maidenhall
Approach
Maidenhall Green
Montgomery Road
Pembroke Close
Prince of Wales Drive
Snowdon Road
Swansea Avenue
Tenby Road
Round 7: Tom Orr
Birkfield Drive
(320-438)
Cambridge Drive
Chesterton Close
Dunlin Road
Girton Way
Newnham Court
Plover Road
Sandpiper Road
Sheldrake Drive
(190-270 + (131-171)
Woodcock Road
Round 10: Duncan Smith
Bunting Road
Chantry Green
Curlew Road
Goldcrest Road
Greenfinch Avenue
Hawthorn Drive
(120-342)
Kestrel Road
Kingfisher Avenue
Lapwing Road
Linnet Road
London Road
Merlin Road
Partridge Road
Peewit Road
Pheasant Road
Redwing Close
Robin Drive
Sprites Lane
Stonechat Road
Stonecroft Gardens
Swallow Road
Teal Close
Whinchat Road
Woodpecker Road
Wren Avenue
Round 8: Kate Carr
Austin Street
Bell Close
Burrell Road
Downing Close
Emmanuel Close
Fitzwilliam Close
Kenyon Street
Round 11: Suzanne Cook
Magdalene Close
Selwyn Close
Station Street
Stoke Street
Vernon Street
Wherstead Road
Round 9: Sheila Lewis
Birkfield Close
Clover Close
Coltsfoot Road
Cornflower Close
Crocus Close
Harebell Road
Jasmine Close
Larkspur Road
Lavender Hill
Maple Close
Marigold Avenue
Pimpernel Road
Primrose Hill
Shamrock Avenue
Sorrel Close
Speedwell Road
Stone Lodge Lane
Thistle Close
Trefoil Close
Violet Close
Allenby Road
Aster Road
Bluebell Close
Campion Road
Copperfield Road
Cowslip Close
Daffodil Close
Dickens Road
Dombey Road
Hadleigh Road
Iris Close
Kelly Road
London Road
Lupin Road
Pickwick Road
Poppy Close
Ranelagh Road
Wallers Grove
Round 16: Andy Lay
Birkfield Drive
Bittern Close
Gannet Road
Grebe Close
Hawthorn Drive
(10-115 + 141)
Heron Road
Kittiwake Close
Mallard Way
Pelican Close
Pintail Close
Sheldrake Drive
(1-129 + 2-188)
Tern Road
Widgeon Close
Page 12
Dog microchipping - the law
www.ipswich.gov.uk
By law all dogs must now be microchipped. If you
have a dog or puppy over eight weeks old it
must have a microchip that is registered with one
of the authorised databases.
The law is intended to help tackle dog theft,
puppy farming, and animal cruelty and help
reunite stray dogs with their owners. Owners who
do not get their dog microchipped and registered
may face a fine of up to £500! If a dog is found
not to have a microchip, the owner will receive a
letter from the Council instructing them to chip
and register it. Failure to do so may result in fines.
The only exceptions are for pet dogs a vet
believes should not be chipped for health reasons.
Contact your vet for advice. The Blue Cross
charity in Wherstead can help with free or
donation chipping. Call 0300 777 1480 for details.
Dog owners must keep the details held on the
database up-to-date, including passing-on chip
detail when a dog is rehomed. It is also a legal
requirement for dogs to wear a tag with the
owner’s name and address on it when in public.
SHOPMOBILITY
offers FREE use of a
wheelchair
or battery
Limited mobility?
Call in and see us at IPSWICH
SHOPMOBILITY at the
Buttermarket shopping centre
powered scooter to
on the lower ground (LG)
get you around the
car park level*
town centre
Monday - Saturday 9.15am-4.15pm
All equipment to be returned by 4pm
*two hours free parking for Shopmobility users
www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopmobility
t: 01473 222225
Page 13
Yes you can!
www.ipswich.gov.uk
A new can recycling bank has been installed on Tower Ramparts near to the glass recycling
banks, so it’s easy to recycle when you get off the bus!
Recycling drinks cans is so easy - one recycled can
saves enough energy to power a TV for three
hours.
Aluminium is a valuable resource and is made
from bauxite which is a costly process to mine
deep from the earth.
So, please recycle your drinks cans at home or
when out and about.
Salvation Army clothing banks
Thank you for continuing to support the Salvation
Army by donating your unwanted clothes in their
clothing banks. Ipswich Borough Council is
working in partnership with the Salvation Army
and new banks have been installed around
Ipswich.
To find your local recycling bank for glass or
textiles go to: www.recyclenow.com/
recycling-locator, there is one close to you.
For more information on recycling in Ipswich
email: [email protected]
We can recycle more WEEE!
Coming soon to Ipswich ... more recycling banks
for small electrical items such as kettles,
hair-driers, shavers, irons, juicers, mixers, in fact
anything that has a plug or needs a battery and is
small enough to fit through the opening of the
bank!
We will be installing banks for you to place your
unwanted or broken small electrical items for
recycling in many locations across Ipswich.
Larger items can be collected direct from home by
the Ipswich Furniture Project so book a collection
today at [email protected] or 01473 404004.
Page 14
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Ipswich
@IpswichEnts #
JUNE
Saturday 25th
Sunday 26th
Sunday 26th
Wednesday 29th
JULY
Saturday 2nd
Sunday 3rd
Tuesday 5th
Wednesday 6th
Saturday 9th
Sunday 10th
Sunday 17th
Thursday 21st
Tuesday 26thTuesday 30th
August
Ipswich Symphony Orchestra
Craft & Vintage Market, St Peter’s Street
Lark in the Park, Gippeswyk Park
Pantaloons, Christchurch Park
Open Air Cinema, ITFC
Ipswich Music Day FREE
Carl Giles Guided Walk, TIC
Pantaloons, Holywells Park
Global Rhythms FREE
Indian Mela FREE
Ipswich Wheels
After Dark in the Museum
Saxon Summer events at Museum
Wednesday 27th Art Skills @ the Art School
Thursday 28th Christchurch Mansion Mayhem
AUGUST
Thursday 4thSaturday 6th
Saturday 6th &
Sunday 7th
Saturday 13th
Sunday 14th
Waterfront Celebration FREE
Crafted Classique cycling
SkyRide FREE
SEPTEMBER
Sunday 18th
21st
Ipswich Half-Marathon
Regent Anniversary Gala concert
Open Air Cinema, Holywells Park
www.ipswichentertains.co.uk
FREE
Mela
IPSWICH AND SUFFOLK INDIAN ASSOCIATION
INDIAN
SUMMER
CHRISTCHURCH PARK, IPSWICH
Sunday 10th July 12pm-6pm
Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association present a
rich and colorful celebration of Asian culture.
Highlights include a glittering mix of live
entertainment of stunning and vibrant performances
of Indian Bollywood dances, songs, music,
Bollywood dance workshops, Indian cooking
demonstrations, sari & turban demonstrations,
Mela’s Got Talent, a vibrant market and an Indian
food village.
Indulge in delicious Indian cuisine from across the
Indian subcontinent. Spend the day exploring and
enjoying this exciting expression of Asian culture at
this family-friendly festival.
isia.org.uk | 0844 8844 825
Summer
Ipswich & Suffolk
Indian Association
isia.org.uk 0844 8844 825
Page 15
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Free
www.ipswich.gov.uk
for young people
During the spring and summer term the Positive Futures project will be running free activities across
Ipswich. Young people aged 10-19 can simply turn up and join in; there is no charge to take part.
Football
Chantry Sports Centre
Tuesday
5-6pm
Football
Whitton Sports Centre
Wednesday
4-5pm
Boxing
YMCA
Wednesday
5-6pm
Girls Only
Chantry Sports Centre
Wednesday
6-7pm
The project is managed by national charity Catch22 and funded by the Suffolk Police and Crime
Commissioner. It also works in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.
For further information please contact [email protected]
ActivLives - getting moving across Ipswich
ActivBowls
Tuesday mornings at the CRESS Pavilion (next to
Maidenhall allotments), Halifax Road, IP2 8RE
This session is for beginners - all equipment is
provided, you don’t need to wear any special clothing.
Bring comfortable flat shoes and wear loose clothes
so you can bend and stretch a little.
£2.50 - the first session is free.
ActivBadminton
Tuesdays 2-3.30pm at Whitton Sports & Community
Centre
This is for beginners as well as anyone who can’t
remember when they last played. Rackets and shuttles are provided, wear non-marking indoor sports
shoes/trainers and loose, comfortable clothing.
£2.50 - the first session is free.
ActivWalking
Mondays 11.15-12.30pm
Walking for fitness sessions in beautiful Holywells Park (meet at café by Cliff Lane entrance). Wear
comfortable clothing and suitable shoes. Free session.
For more about ActivIpswich programmes, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email
[email protected]
Lark in the park
The Chantry fun day returns to Gippeswyk Park on Sunday 30 June from
11am- 4pm.
There will be lots for everyone to enjoy
at this year’s event:
• live music
• dance displays
• donkey ride
• bouncy castles
• stalls and refreshments
• children’s rides
• merry-go-round
Lark in the Park is always a great family day out thanks to all the Chantry Residents’
Association volunteers and Year 10 students from Chantry Academy.
Go along and check it out.
Morecambe Court gardeners muck in
Tenants at Morecambe Court have taken planting
in their own hands and everything’s coming up
roses.
Tenants were dissatisfied with the plain evergreen
bushes at the front of the Rushmere sheltered
housing scheme. They wanted a more floral and
welcoming first impression for visitors, so the
residents banded together to raise funds for new
plants.
The Community Caretakers removed the existing
plants and Ivan and John from the scheme set to
work planting dozens of roses and laying slate
shingle.
The results have pleased residents and their
efforts should come into full bloom over the
summer. A fellow tenant at the scheme
commented: “We’re very grateful for all the hard
work the boys have put in and it will look lovely
when the roses come out.”
Page 16
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Page 17
Growing communities at
Chantry Park
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Les Glass became an
Ipswich Borough
Council tenant
through difficult
circumstances.
Ipswich Winter
Nightshelter gave him
support to successfully
apply for housing and
he moved into his
Chantry home three
years ago.
Today, Les is a volunteer at Chantry Walled Garden. Open twice a week volunteers tend a variety of
plants for Ipswich Borough Council’s parks department and for sale to the public.
ActivGardens took over the running and restoration of the walled garden several years ago. Working
with many different groups and agencies they provide training to students and individuals, work
placements, and activities for school parties. The walled garden is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for
volunteers, like Les, to come together.
Depending on what is needed they will sow or pot-on plants, make repairs or improvements to the
grounds or prepare the long borders in and around the walled garden. The most important part is that
they are the community working together.
It isn’t just decorative plants that Les grows. ActivGardens are working with the Council’s Wildlife
Rangers to support and increase biodiversity in Ipswich. Things like white elm that is the sole food plant
for the White-Letter Hairstreak butterfly.
If you would like to get involved in making Chantry Park great again then you can contact
Activgardens; Susannah Robirosa, Brightspace, 160 Hadleigh Road, IP2 0HH. t: 01473 345350
Go for garden glory
Page 18
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Entries are open until 30 July for the
Best Kept Garden Competition.
Photo by Parrish Coleman
Are you a keen gardener or know
a tenant who is - why not enter them
for a chance to win a £30 prize and feature in
the next newsletter?
The winning tenant’s own
garden and communal garden
in each housing area of the town,
north west, south west and east,
can win £30 garden gift cards
which can be used at
Victoria Nurseries, Westerfield Road.
This is a chance to recognise
the green-fingered heroes
making a leafier, more colourful
neighbourhood for everybody.
Please contact Tenant Participation
to find out more on 01473 433313 or
email: [email protected]
Page 19
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Wildlife frien
www.ipswich.gov.uk
Photo by Parrish Coleman
A problem most wildlife has in modern towns is becoming isolated in small
pockets of good habitat - unable to move around many populations die
out. This is why connecting areas of good habitat is so important in a big
town like Ipswich and if you want to help, the best place to start is in your
own back garden.
Improving your garden for wildlife does not
require a lot of knowledge or hard work; some
key information can really make a difference.
Two of the most important things are food and
hiding places. Bird feeders and tables are good
but can attract rodents. Growing the right plants
is a good alternative. Here are a few top wildlife
plants:
Teasel: Teasel heads contain seeds that attract
birds, especially goldfinches. These hardy
biennials will grow almost anywhere and
self-seed easily.
Thistles: Wild and cultivated species (such as the
impressive Globe Thistle) provide a very good
nectar source for bees and butterflies.
Honeysuckle: Great nectar source for bees,
butterflies and hawkmoths (bee hawkmoth
caterpillars also eat the leaves), birds such as
bullfinches, thrushes and warblers love the
berries, while its dense growth provides nesting
opportunities
Knapweed: Similar to thistles, flowering from
June-September, its simple flower structure make
this a favourite nectar plant for many species of
bee and butterfly; it is hardy and easy to grow.
Sunflowers: Seeds of old flower heads provide a
food source especially loved by finches and tits.
If everyone does a bit the results will be huge!
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Update on housing performance - period ending April 2015-March 2016
RENTS
At the end of March £653,904 in rent payment was outstanding, which is
1.80% of the total due for the year. Target <2.0%
GAS SERVICING
At each month end all our properties should have an up-to-date gas safety
certificate, 0 services and we hit target 10 months out of 12.
ALLOCATIONS
It took 19.42 working days to process a housing application. Target <20
COMMUNITY CARETAKERS
98.9% pledge visits and 3,656 minor repairs in communal areas were
completed.
REPAIRS
18,885 repairs were raised of which 97.1% were completed on target.
Target >98.5%
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Of 76,045 calls made to Housing and Repairs 86% got through to an agent
before ending the call. Target >90%
TENANCY
We averaged 17.86 days between a tenancy ending and the next one starting.
Target <15 days
COMPLAINTS
21 complaints were received about Tenancy Services. 18 received a full
response within 20 working days deadline, 3 were delayed, 2 partially upheld,
19 were not upheld.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
There were 39 open anti-social behaviour cases at the end of March, 44 on
average over the year
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
You can contact Housing Services on
01473 433370
To report a repair or if you have a repair enquiry
01473 432100
(including out of hours emergency repairs)
To order a gas repair or gas service
0800 533 5630 or
01473 835145
Environmental Health (for noise problems)
WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED?
JOIN THE TENANT FACEBOOK GROUP
www.facebook.com/groups/IBCtenants/
01473 433015