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ISSUE 8 AUTUMN 2014GREENSQUARE RESIDENTS’ MAGAZINE
ISIS • Oxford city • O
xfordshire towns &
villages
Tackling antisocial behaviour
GreenSquare Academy free training
Rose Hill round-up
Annual & Communities Board reportsFACTS AND FIGURES FROM 2013-2014 INSIDE
ESTATE WARDENS
Coming to you!
recent case...
Over the past year and a half...
Putting a stop to...
A resident in Greater Leys was sent to prison for a short sentence, leaving her boyfriend at the property. In her absence, her boyfriend caused nuisance to neighbours, and drugs were found at the property. GreenSquare applied to the court for an injunction resulting in the boyfriend signing an undertaking to agree to not return. The resident has been released from prison and there have been no further incidents.
Anna Kelly, Senior Antisocial Behaviour Officer at
GreenSquare, explained: “We are committed to tackling antisocial
behaviour in neighbourhoods where we have homes. We always work very
closely with the local police to ensure that any problems
are dealt with.
“We will continue to take the action required to
preserve and maintain other residents’ right to a peaceful and safe living environment and will not tolerate
any behaviour that impacts on this.”
If you are experiencing ASB, contact us (details back cover). To call and report ASB out-of-hours >>>>>>>>
Look out for the symbol!
STAR survey
GreenSquare is committed to working with residents and partnership agencies to reduce and resolve antisocial behaviour (ASB)issues in your area.
You might have received a phone call at some point during your tenancy, asking if you would like to take part in our monthly survey of tenants and residents, known as the STAR survey. We speak to about 2,000 randomly-selected residents a year as part of this survey, to give people the chance to feedback on their homes, neighbourhoods and the services that we provide. We take the views of residents very seriously and make changes and
GreenSquare ISIS area2
andrew’s welcome
recent case...
Over the past year and a half...
Putting a stop to...
Strategic Asset Review
Estate Wardens – coming soon to Oxfordshire
Rose Hill round-up
8
What’s happening – planned maintenance programme4
Local focus 6-7 GreenSquare Academy 9News in brief 5,9 Money matters 14Scrutiny update 15Contact us 16
10
12
Freephone 0800 0756699 or text ‘ASB’ to 80800
Last contact survey satisfaction with ASB service
Group 65% Isis 60%
Our staff offer advice, support and – where necessary – arrange court action. They work very closely with the police, the local councils, and a variety of other support agencies in the area, who together are able to provide effective action when it’s needed.
ACROSS THE GROUP:
We have applied for and obtained 19 Injunctions and 3 court undertakings of the Injunctions; 6 were breached resulting in committal proceedings for prison.
2 people were sent to prison following repeated and / or serious breaches of their Injunctions.
9 people lost their homes for causing antisocial behaviour.
1 person terminated their tenancy rather than going to prison for breaching their Injunction.
Welcome to the autumn issue of G2.
If you haven’t sat down and read G2 for a while, I ask you to take a moment to have a look through this latest edition. We have listened to your feedback about what you would like to read about in the magazine and worked hard to include interesting and relevant articles; we have updates on planned maintenance, dealing with antisocial behaviour, and managing money.
Also included this time is our annual report for residents, reporting the headline facts and figures for the year 2013-2014, and including an update from the Communities Board for the area you live in.
I hope you will enjoy seeing entries from our summer drawing and colouring competition, reading more about our new Estate Wardens team, and hearing from residents who’ve completed GreenSquare Academy training.
Remember, we always want to hear your views, so if you have anything you would like to feed back to us please get in touch using the contact details on the back cover.
Andrew Smith, Operations Director
improvements as a result of the feedback we receive. In this issue of the magazine, we wanted to share with you some of the key results from the STAR survey and demonstrate how they link to the work we are doing in communities. Keep an eye out for the STAR logo throughout the magazine: this indicates where you can find a key survey result.
3CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 3
What to expectYou will be invited to a consultation event to discuss the planned maintenance process and future improvement work. A surveyor will then visit your property, at a time convenient for you, to inspect your property to assess what work needs to be carried out. They will need access to all the rooms in the property and to all external areas. The survey may take up to an hour to complete.
The surveyor will then discuss with you all the repair and improvement work that has been identified, and give you an estimated timescale when work will start at your home.
Will the contractor need access to my home every day while the works are going on?
The contractor will inform you when they intend to work in your property, and will arrange an appointment with you before the work starts. The contractor may not be in your property on consecutive days in order to let things dry out before they can carry on with the next job. They will let you know if this is going to happen.
Do I need to be in the property when the contractor is working in the property?
No, you can leave a key with the contractor so they can lock the property if they need to leave, to collect materials for example.
How long will the work take?
It is not always possible to put an exact time on this because it depends on how much work there is to complete. The surveyor will be able to give you an idea when they complete the survey.
What about the noise and mess?
We use dust sheets to protect your carpets and belongings, and we will clean up at the end of each working day and after we have finished the work. We will try to make as little noise as possible.
HERE TO HELP
new shower & tiles
what to expect...Around every five years we will visit your home and undertake the planned maintenance service. Our in-house team currently works hard to: carry out bathroom and kitchen improvements; install new fences, paths, doors, and windows; carry out roof repairs and upgrades to loft insulation; plastering repairs to the property both internal and external; and electrical improvements.
PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
new pathbathroom improvementkitchen improvement
Just Ask!
There are many different ways for you to report any issues or concerns you may have to GreenSquare – but we understand that sometimes it is easier for you to talk to someone face-to-face rather than on the phone or on social media.
For many residents, the only contact you have in person with GreenSquare is when our tradespeople are carrying out repairs or improvements in your home.
Please do feel free to make suggestions or raise any
GreenSquare ISIS area4
Every home gets condensation at some time. There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. When the air in your home gets colder and it cannot hold all the moisture, tiny drops of water appear. This is condensation.
If you reduce condensation in your home then you can reduce your chances of dampness and the problems that result from this, such as mould growth.
To avoid condensation you need to produce less moisture, ventilate to remove moisture and ensure that your home is properly insulated and draught proofed.
If you have any mould growth, treat it immediately. To kill and remove mould, wipe down or spray walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘approval number’, and ensure that you follow the instructions for its safe use.
Remember, the only lasting cure for severe mould is to get rid of the dampness caused by condensation.
For more information see our ’dealing with condensation’ leaflet online or visit our office to pick up a copy.
Satisfaction with repairs and maintenance Group 77% • Isis 78%
What is condensation? news
in brief
We’ve rebranded We have recently changed the names of our three commercial subsidiary companies, so that they are all part of one corporate identity and easily recognisable as part of the GreenSquare group. Our construction firm, Tidestone, is now GreenSquare Construction Ltd; our commercial housing company, Oakus, is GreenSquare Homes Ltd; and our gas, heating and plumbing contractor, GW Sparrow, is now known as GreenSquare Energy Ltd – you may have already seen some new GreenSquare Energy vans in your neighbourhood.
Leys FestivalGreenSquare teamed up with Catalyst Housing to run a stall at the Leys Festival recently where we had lots of activities on the go, including: guess the difference in price between a shopping basket of branded goods verses a shopping basket of ‘basics’ range goods; Jaffa Cake tasting; loom band making; herb potting; and a nail bar. We also had lots of information about GreenSquare and our services. Joshua Squashua Caricatures drew sketches of people (for a £1 donation towards next year’s festival) and had a constant queue of customers – including Winnie The Witch.
concerns you may have with members of the team when you see them – this doesn’t just have to be about maintenance matters and could relate, for example, to tenancy queries you may have. Although they may not be able to resolve the issue there and then for you, they will advise and involve relevant GreenSquare colleagues who will be able to help.
All GreenSquare staff are ready and willing to help – so please do raise any issues or concerns you may have.
TOP TIPSCover pans with a lid whilst cooking or boiling water.
Dry washing outdoors on a line or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open. Do not dry washing on radiators.
Make sure that tumble dryers are vented to the outside.
Close kitchen and bathroom doors when the rooms are in use, to prevent moisture reaching other rooms.
Keep kitchens and bathrooms well-ventilated by opening the windows wide.
Try to position wardrobes and furniture against internal walls.
Do not block permanent ventilators.
5CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 5
4 Residents from Hawlings Row, Oxford, were having issues with drivers using their designated car parking spaces. We put up new signs to help address this problem.
4 We received ongoing complaints from Laurel Close, Carterton about grounds maintenance issues. In response, we drew up an action plan with Mitie (gardening contractor), asset management, some residents and the neighbourhood team and have now resolved all the issues. One of the main improvements is that hedges/shrubs have been removed from in front of the flats so that contractors can access the inspection chambers and windows for repairs and painting.
4 Also in Laurel Close, Carterton, we consulted residents about Estate Improvement Fund options; it was decided that our handyman would put up bird feeders in different trees throughout the Close. GreenSquare will supply the bird feeders and initial supply of nuts, seeds and coconut husks, which residents will then replenish.
4 Residents in flats at Coopers Piece, Wallingford, asked that we
remove the letterboxes from the main entrance doors as mail had gone missing – this work was carried out and the post is now delivered to each front door.
4 We received a call from a resident in Tower Close, Abingdon, regarding a street light that had been causing disruption by coming on too early in the day and making a buzzing sound. We worked with the surveyor and solved both problems within three days.
4 Also in Tower Close, Abingdon there had been an issue with dumped furniture and rubbish in one of the gardens of the flats, which had been there for a long time hidden by a hedge. This had become really unsightly, so we have now cleared the area and the person responsible has been charged for this work.
4 We delivered recycling bins to the residents of the two blocks of flats on Woodford Way, Witney, which had been hidden in the under stairs electricity cupboard since the development had been completed. These had been blocking access to the meters in the cupboard making them difficult to read.
In this section we feed back on action we have taken in your area as a direct result of comments and requests from you.
caught on camera
Dorothy turns 100Dorothy Pearce (centre), a resident at Meadow Brook in Barton, celebrated her 100th birthday in the summer, with a party for fellow residents and her family, organised by GreenSquare’s Shimbo Chand (left) and Phil Jackson. The Town Crier was on hand to announce Dorothy’s arrival at the party and the Sheriff of Oxford made an appearance to wish Dorothy a very happy birthday. GreenSquare’s Operations Director Andrew Smith (right) presented Dorothy with flowers.
Caught on camera
Stocks Mews, Stocks Walk, Stocks Lane & Saffron Crescent Clean up day. It was lovely to see everyone helping their neighbours and thank you for the cups of tea and ice poles!
Community clean up daysButtercup Square, Tarragon Drive & Coriander Way Clean up day in Greater Leys. Every skip filled to bursting!
GreenSquare ISIS area6
Jerin, age 7WINNER
The results are in for the drawing and colouring competition! You chose the winner by ‘liking’ entries on Facebook. Jerin has won £25 worth of Argos vouchers. Congratulations!
Did you know? According to recent research by Wiltshire Money, householders without internet access pay an average of £440 more a year for goods and services…Do you have IT issues? Or would you like to find out how to make the most of your devices? Get in touch with Lew Fryer, Community Involvement Officer, to see if he can help! Contact details back cover.
SUMMERDRAWING & COLOURING COMPETITION
other entries...Patricia, age 12Ruby, age 8
David, age 6
7CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 7
factfile“Our roles go much further than simply ensuring that estates are kept clean and tidy,” says Adrian McHugh, from the Estate Wardens team.
“As well as the routine jobs that I carry out as part of my role, which include: litter picking; removing bulk waste items; reporting any damage, vandalism and fly tipping; carrying out fire assessments; and checking vehicles for tax, myself and the other Estate Wardens help to provide a consistent GreenSquare presence in the communities where we have homes.
“Over the course of a fortnight, I visit fifty different areas to ensure that everything is working as it should and each day is slightly different.
“We are, I hope, a friendly face for residents to recognise and approach with any questions, tenancy-related or otherwise, and we always follow up with any maintenance issues that are brought to our attention!”
Estate wardens have collected a variety of items during the year, including:
47 fridges / freezers22 washing machines 67 televisions450 bags litter (picked)28 vacuum cleaners 38 bicycles1 snake3 exercise bikes, a rowing machine, dumb bells and a running machine.
A full sized bath and shower tray, sinks, taps and sauna unit!
We are currently in the process of recruiting new staff members to join the Isis Estate Warden team, so you will soon start to notice them, dressed in GreenSquare uniforms, hard at work in your neighbourhood.
Mike Cox, Estate Warden Manager will head up the team. He explained: “The team will be covering Estate Warden duties across Oxfordshire, at all of our properties with communal areas, which need cleaning and maintaining.
“The Wardens will replace outside contractors, who have previously been employed to look after a large number of our schemes, to enable us to standardise our Estate Warden Service; establish a regular GreenSquare presence at all of our schemes; and provide better value for money to residents across the Group.”
We have recently established a new team of Estate Wardens in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, to replace the roles previously held by GreenSquare’s caretakers, and we will soon be establishing a similar team in Oxfordshire.
ESTATE WARDENS
Coming to you!
We are a friendly
face for residents to recognise and approach
GreenSquare ISIS area8
resident training
The GreenSquare Academy offers free training opportunities to residents and recently ran a successful Childcare Level 1 course for ten residents.The course was run by GreenSquare in partnership with the Workers’ Educational Association at Rose Hill Children’s Centre. All the participants were pleased to receive their certificates (pictured above).
We are also currently running a ‘Preparing to Help in a School’ course, which started in September and runs through until November.
UPCOMING COURSES
> Why vote?
Three 3-hour sessions (if it suits participants) due to take place from November to December. There will be a visit to Parliament organised in 2015 as part of the course.
> Childcare21 hour course taking place from January 2015.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact Richard Grant (contact details back cover) or email [email protected]
“I really enjoyed the course and learned how important it is to vote and what a difference that one vote can make to the outcome.”GreenSquare resident after attending the ‘Why vote’ course in Chippenham (pictured above).
news in brief
Individual Electoral RegistrationSome residents might find that they need to re-register or provide more information in order to stay on, or be added to, the electoral register. Applicants now need to provide their national insurance number and date of birth when registering. Registration can now be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
What is a Radar Key?The Radar key scheme is a national key scheme offering people with disabilities independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with Radar key locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country. If you think you would qualify, and you haven’t already got a Radar Key, please contact Richard Grant on 01865 782573 or [email protected]
You need to make sure that you’reon the updated register, or youmight not be able to vote in future.
For more information please go towww.gov.uk/yourvotematters
OCCIERflyerA5_Layout 1 20/06/2014 13:07 Page 1
9CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 9
Rose Hill halfway through regeneration project In December 2011, the area was given £430,000 (£370,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and £50,000 from GreenSquare) for a five-year period to help fund a volunteer training programme and support four sub-projects: Rose Hill Junior Youth Club; Rose Hill News; a cultural food programme; and a new health initiative.
Fran Gardner, GreenSquare’s Rose Hill Community Worker, said: “Two and a half years into our community programme, we are pleased to be able to say that the work we have done here so far, thanks to the Lottery funding, has already had a huge effect and completely changed the lives of many residents in Rose Hill. The estate now has a real sense of community spirit – people who used to cross the street so that they wouldn’t pass each other, now stop and talk to each other.
“For the next two years we are going to respond more and more to what people want and need in terms of volunteering and training, and continue to develop and support activities for residents in the area.”
Residents of Rose Hill marked reaching the half way point in their Lottery-funded community programme with a Summer Extravaganza event at The Oval.
Rose Hill round-up
...the Lottery funding, has already had a huge effect and completely changed the lives of many residents
GreenSquare ISIS area10
Proposals at the recent EIF event
The Lord Mayor who came to tea! The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mohammed Abbasi (pictured over the page), was the guest of honour at an event at the Junior Youth Club in Rose Hill, where he enjoyed a tea prepared by the children and presented them with certificates for their achievements at the club.
Fran Gardner, Rose Hill Community Worker, said: “Everyone was incredibly excited that the Lord Mayor came for tea! His presence helped to lend a sense of honour to the occasion and the children all felt very proud that he presented them with their certificates for their dedication and achievements at the club.”
Czech politician visits properties Rose Hill Petr Smrcek, a minister from the Czech Ministry of Regional Development, visited Oxford recently to find out more about how social housing works in the UK.
The minister said he was particularly interested in the UK’s very active housing associations, which he feels make some very good local policies and have a lot to teach him about dealing with social housing in the Czech Republic.
As part of his trip to Oxford, Mr Smrcek was joined by Oxford City Councillor Ed Turner and Ivan Prikryl from the Czech Association for Housing Development to visit
Rose Hill and view some of the properties on the estate.
CONGRATULATIONSto thE WInnIng BIDs!
Funding for residents’ projectsThe annual Estate Improvement Fund (EIF) event was held in May at The Barn, Blackbird Leys. The event was combined with the Isis Communities Board annual meeting and was attended by GreenSquare residents and staff and Isis Community Board members.
Thirteen projects from across the Isis area were presented and residents and board members voted on their favourites.
In the category ‘over £5,000’ William Morris Court’s bid to convert a spare room into a community room for residents to use received the most
votes. In the category ‘under £5,000’, the most popular submission was from the residents at Meadow Brook, who put in a bid for new garden furniture, a brick-built barbecue and garden supplies including hanging baskets.
11CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 11
Strategic asset reviewIn December 2013 we began a review of our property and land assets to make sure that we are making the most of the opportunities to invest in our existing homes and neighbourhoods, improving and replacing homes where necessary. A team of managers from across GreenSquare has just finished a far reaching review of all our properties and land holdings and we are now gathering together all the information to form a 30 year plan, which will be considered by the GreenSquare Board later this year.
Once approved, this plan will form the basis of a revised asset management strategy for the future and will help us to develop long-term regeneration proposals.
Satisfaction with quality of home Group 76% Isis 76%
...specifically designed to meet the needs of older residents, enabling people who need a little extra help to continue to live independently in their own home.
The 80 new homes at Fernleigh, in Witney, comprise one and two-bedroom apartments – 10 for shared ownership, 38 for sale, and 32 for rent – for people aged 55 and above, with support services available and tailored to suit individual needs.
The topping out ceremony celebrates the highest point of the build being reached and marks the transition to the next construction phase to make the building weather-tight before winter and begin interior construction work.
Howard Toplis, GreenSquare’s Chief Executive, was joined on site to mark the occasion by Hilary Gardner, Chair of the GreenSquare Board; and Derek Cash, GreenSquare Board Member, along with local councillors and a representative
from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Howard said: “We’re excited to reach the ‘topping out’ phase for this development, which has been specifically designed to meet the needs of older residents, enabling people who need a little extra help to continue to live independently in their own home.”
Meanwhile, in Milton-under-Wychwood, GreenSquare is building The Paddocks, an extra care development of 44 one and two-bedroom apartments – 11 for shared ownership and 33 for rent.
To find out if you’re eligible for one of these apartments and to register your interest, call 01865 773000 or email [email protected].
‘Topping out’ in WitneyGreenSquare held a topping out ceremony to mark a key stage in the building of one of two new extra care housing developments in West Oxfordshire.
GreenSquare ISIS area12
Whatever! (for people aged between 16-24 years old) and WhatNow! (for people aged 25 or over) are exciting schemes available to GreenSquare residents. They help to improve people’s employability, practical skills and confidence in the workplace.
&“Every morning when I woke up I thought... Yes! I am going to work!”
GreenSquare resident Ryan Chubb (pictured) recently took part in the Whatever! project. Nineteen-year-old Ryan spent 13 weeks working as a gardener at Wiltshire College’s Lackham Campus, where he also completed his PA1 and PA6 qualifications – two essential qualifications that he will need if he wants to pursue gardening as a career.
Ryan explained: “My work placement at Lackham Campus was great. Every morning when I woke up I thought ‘Yes! I am going to work!’. The placement was hard work but once I’d finished and looked back at everything I’d achieved – including two qualifications – it made me feel so good about myself to know that I’d done it!
“I owe a big thank you to the Whatever! project team. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Ryan is now being considered for an apprenticeship at Lackham College, who were impressed with his hard work.
The Whatever! and WhatNow! projects are open to all GreenSquare residents who are not currently in full time employment or education. If you’re interested in finding out more, please email [email protected] or contact us (details back cover).
GreenSquare residents could get help with home adaptations if they are needed because of a disability.
Help is available from a number of sources:
Disabled Facility Grants (DFGs)
from local authorities – these grants are means tested and generally are for any major adaptations needed to properties such as level access showers and stair lifts.
GreenSquare has its own
funds that help pay for adaptations. Adaptations of a smaller nature such as grab rails and handrails are funded on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Larger items will need to be supported by a referral from an occupational therapist or a doctor.
GreenSquare often has
properties to re-let, which have already been adapted. Whilst the adaptations may not exactly match what is needed for you, it may only take minor alterations to make the property suit your needs.
To find out if we can help you – or if you have a general enquiry about aids and adaptations – please contact us (details back cover).
3
2
1
Help with adaptationsA REMINDER
Greenview is a brand new web page for residentsOnce you’ve registered, you’ll find a link to the monthly Greenview survey, plus you’ll find quick polls and forum chats for you to take part in. And you can see the results of previous Greenview surveys. What’s more, you’ll get points for everything you do – and points means… prizes! AND you’ll be eligible to win up to £500 at the end of the year in a prize draw.
Go to greenview.greensquaregroup.com and register now.
Don’t miss out, register today and join the conversation!
13CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 13
The Bedroom Tax18 MONTHS ONSince the introduction of the Bedroom Tax in April 2013, if you live in a house that is larger that the government thinks you need, you might have had your Housing Benefit reduced.
Across GreenSquare we have seen a big reduction in the number of households affected by the bedroom tax, partly because some children have now reached the age where they qualify for another room, and also because some residents have reached pension age. We have also had a number of residents who have found paid work so are no longer entitled to Housing Benefit.
However, the Bedroom Tax continues to apply to many residents, and may still start to affect you, for example if someone moves out of your home. If you are struggling to make the top up payment to your rent, please get in touch with us (details back cover). There are still ways we can help, and you can help yourselves, to make sure you can stay in your home.
We can refer you to our partners providing benefits and debt advice, who can help you apply for a Discretionary Housing Benefit and assist you with other benefits and budgeting. We may also be able to show you how to reduce other costs such as fuel bills. If you do want to consider swapping your property for somewhere that is more suitable to your needs, we can help you register for HomeSwapper.
money matters
Make the most
of your money
From your weekly food shop to your next big electrical purchase, here are a few smart, simple ways to get the most from your money.SEE WHAT YOU’RE SPENDING
To start saving, it’s a good idea to look at where you’re spending the most. Doing a budget and keeping a spending diary is an excellent way to get started.
SHOP AROUND
It could be cheaper to go to a different store if you find you’re spending a lot on your groceries. You can save money on your food shopping with simple ideas like checking what you already have, making a list and meal planning.
WATCH OUT FOR ‘SPECIAL OFFERS’
Special offers can be a great way to save money, but they can sometimes catch you out. Make sure you work out whether a deal is really as good as it looks and if a ‘2-for-1’ or ‘3 for £1’ offer will actually save you money.
ALWAYS COMPARE PRICES
If you’re making a big purchase, it’s important to always compare prices. Check the prices in a few different shops on the high street and online to see where you can get the best possible deal.
CHECk THE REvIEWS
Take a few minutes to read customer and expert reviews on the products you’re interested in. You can use price comparison sites to compare the cost of anything from fridges and washing machines, to digital cameras and TVs.
Oxford CAB is the home of the Consumer Empowerment Partnership (CEP) for Oxfordshire. It is designed as a network of local advice-givers, consumer and community groups and campaigners throughout the region. It wants to inform, protect and empower consumers, both out in the shops and in their own homes, and provide advice and education. Find out more by visiting our website at www.caox.org.uk/consumer.
GreenSquare ISIS area14
By now many readers of G2 will be familiar with the role of the Resident Scrutiny Panel – often referred to as the RSP. It’s our job to keep a watchful eye on GreenSquare’s overall performance and services and, when necessary, to carry out in-depth inquiries. By asking questions and chasing explanations, we make sure that the organisation is always doing its best for customers.
Here’s a summary of some of the things we have done:
• We looked at the way residents’ complaints are handled, which led to a full-time service improvement officer being appointed, and we insisted that all complaints are recorded, not just the serious ones.
• We asked for more workers to be put onto the new bathroom programme to speed it up and requested that residents should know when a surveyor has visited their homes and what the surveyor recommended should be done. The RSP will continue to press for real options for residents regarding improvements and replacements in their homes.
• We continue to monitor what is happening with the way housing benefit is paid and the likely effect upon our residents when Universal Credit (all benefit payments rolled into one) is eventually applied nationally.
• At the present time, we are looking at the quality of service offered by the contact centre and how requests for repairs are recorded and acted on.
For full details about the many inquiries we’ve published since we started, visit GreenSquare’s website and search ‘Resident Scrutiny Panel’. If you would like to suggest a subject for us to look at, or if you would like to join the Panel, contact Fiona Hobbs (details back cover) or email [email protected]
keeping an eye on GreenSquare
with keith Fellows
Chair, GreenSquare’s Resident Scrutiny Panel
Back in the summer we consulted all residents to find out your views about bringing together – or ‘amalgamating’ – Oxbode, Oxford Citizens and Westlea housing associations and GreenSquare Group into a single organisation.
We sent leaflets to every household, conducted surveys with residents through Viewpoint and our Greenview Panel, and also sought comments from those of you attending our community involvement activities during the summer period.
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the proposal; there were 517 responses in total.
• 81% were positive: most who responded were already used to the GreenSquare name and branding in place; liked the idea of being in one Group; and agreed that it was a good idea to build more homes and make us stronger and future proof.
• 15% were negative: some had concerns about the Group becoming too big and reducing local significance.
• 4% were neutral: some didn’t see the proposals as affecting them or want to see the Group get any larger than it is.
During November, the GreenSquare Board is considering the proposals to amalgamate, taking into account the views of residents and other stakeholders, before submitting the business case to the Homes and Communities Agency (our regulator).
Combining
into one
If this change goes ahead, the only change for residents will be that the name of your landlord will change from Oxbode or Oxford Citizens or Westlea (as appropriate) to GreenSquare Group. This will not affect your tenancy in any other way.
Please see our website page at greensquaregroup.com/one for more information. We will also provide an update in the next edition of G2.
15CONTACT US SEE PAGE 16 15
If you would like to have any part of this explained or translated, or in a different format such as in larger print, or on audio tape, please contact us on 0800 980 9272 to discuss your needs.
Freephone 0800 980 9272 • Phone 01865 773000 Email [email protected] 244 Barns Road, Oxford OX4 3RW
greensquaregroup.com
Eerie eyeball pops
Spooky chocolate cake balls you can make with the kids for Halloween.
Ingredients• 100g / 4oz Madeira cake• 100g Oreo cookies• 100g bar milk chocolate,
melted• 200g bar white chocolate,
melted• few Smarties and icing
pens, to decorate
You will also need• 10 wooden skewers• ½ small pumpkin
or butternut squash, deseeded (stand pops in)
Method1 Break the Madeira cake and cookies into the bowl of a food processor, pour in the melted milk chocolate and whizz to combine.
2 Tip the mixture into a bowl, then use your hands to roll into about 10 walnut-sized balls. Chill for 2 hrs until really firm.
3 Push a skewer into each ball, then carefully spoon the white chocolate over the cake balls to completely cover. Stand the cake pops in the pumpkin, then press a Smartie onto the surface while wet. Chill again until the chocolate has set. Before serving, using the icing pens, add a pupil to each Smartie and wiggly red veins to the eyeballs.
HALLOWEEN RECIPE
Recipe from BBC Good Food – visit bbcgoodfood.com for more ideas.
Now that summer is over, your plants will be gradually folding up for a winter sleep. Due to extreme wet weather in the spring, and some humid days this summer, many plants seem to be growing differently from last year, with some flowering for a second time.
Summer bulbs (eg gladiolas and lilies) can be taken out if you have a shed or cool place to store. If not, they can stay in the ground and some do flower again.
Prune bushes and hedges.
Fruit trees (eg apples, damsons, plums and apricots) should be ripe for the picking. These can be cooked and frozen to enjoy throughout the winter.
Spring bulbs can be planted when the summer borders are over.
Flower beds need preparing – weed, water, and suitable bulb fibre needs to be added during October/November.
Enjoy getting out in your garden whenever you can, and see the difference a few minutes spent tidying up an area can make. Have fun!
garden corner
with Barbara Moody
