View
223
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Sgwrs Winter 2012 Eng
Citation preview
News and views for residents of
Bro Myrddin Housing Association
sgwrsNEWS,
ADVICE,
PUZZLES,
INFO
Find out how to prepare, page 4
Big run for charityBro Myrddin’s team in the Cantref 5k, page 6
What you said and what we did, page 3
How your feedbackmakes a difference
Winter 2012/13 Issue 42
A WARM welcome
to your Winter 2012-
13 issue of sgwrs.
The festive season is
firmly in sight and
another year will soon
be at an end. Let’s trust 2013 brings
the long awaited recovery!
As usual, we hope you find the
information and advice that we’ve
packed into this issue of Sgwrs really
useful. However, if you have any
specific items you would like to see
covered in the next issue, please
email me at [email protected]
or call direct on 01267 239418.
In this issue, we focus on the
welfare reforms taking place next
year, starting with the under
occupation tax.
We know that many of you may be
worried about these reforms and what
they could mean for you and your
How to get in touch
Sgwrs is published by:
Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd
Designed and produced by:
Andrew Buchanan Communications
www.buchanan-communications.co.uk
Phone: 01267 232714
Text: 07797 801628
Email: [email protected]
Write to: Bro Myrddin
Housing Association,
Cillefwr Industrial Estate,
Johnstown, Carmarthen
SA31 3RB
Emergency numbers
Christmas and New Year office closure
l How to
prepare for
the benefit
changes
l Team
Bro Myrddin
runs 5k for
charity
l New
energy
efficient
homes
4
6
6l Your rent
statement
explained
l Festive
decorations
on a budget
7
8
Sgwrs can be provided in
large print, Braille, audio or
your preferred language on
request. Please call us on
01267 232714.
Cover image: © Og-vision | Dreamstime.com
In thisissue
IT’SALL FOR
YOU!Welcometo your crisp and
even winter Sgwrs!
If you have an emergency in your home when we
are closed, there are two numbers to ring:
n For out-of-hours emergencies (including gas
and oil fired heating system emergencies) call
Carmarthenshire County Council’s 24 hour
emergency Careline 01558 824283.
n For gAs emergencies, call Transco on 0800 111999.
family, so we have put together some
valuable information to help you
prepare for the changes.
If you would like to know more
about the changes, please contact
Bro Myrddin on 01267 232714 or
Community Housing Cymru on 0300
3031073. If you have access to the
internet, there are lots more details at
www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk
From all of us at Bro Myrddin, we
wish you a merry Christmas and a
happy, peaceful new year.
Aled ReesEditor
PS Don’t forget to like us!
Facebook:
Bro-Myrddin-Housing-Association
Got amaintenance
problem? Call
us FREE on
0800 316
9602
The office will be closed from 4:00pm on Friday, 21 December and will re-
open at 8:45am on Wednesday, 2 January 2013.
If you would like to receive Sgwrs by email, please call 01267 232714 or
email [email protected] You can also download Sgwrs at
www.bromyrddin.co.uk
2 Sgwrs Winter 2012/13
Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd is a charitable association registered under the
Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965 (23055R) and with Housing for Wales (L069).
Competitions: Prize draws and competitions are only open to Bro Myrddin residents.
Board members and staff may not enter competitions, unless otherwise stated.
Accuracy: We try to make sure that information in Sgwrs is correct, but readers should
seek independent advice before relying on any content. We cannot accept
responsibility for errors in articles. We reserve the right to edit material sent in. Sgwrs
may not be reproduced without prior permission.
Our Estate
Walkabouts schedule is
on our website, in
Sgwrs and sent out to
you in advance of our
visit. We now give out
meter keys in the form of
fridge magnets with our
contact details on them.
There are
now only two
options. One takes
you to our heating
and plumbing
contractor, the
other straight to a
staff member.
We have signed
up to ‘My Home’
contents insurance
which allows residents
to get affordable
insurance through the
National Housing
Federation.
These are now
included in Sgwrs.
RESIDENT FEEDBACK
Sgwrs Winter 2012/13 3
We’ve done just
These are some of the changeswe’ve made to our services asa direct result of what you’veasked us to do:
We now have
a rolling
programme of
estate visits.
I would like to see
staff visiting my area
regularly.
It would be useful
to know the estate visit
programme in
advance.I’m always losing
my meter key. It would be
good if we could stick it
to the fridge.
Can you tell us about
residents’ and community
group meetings for the
year?
We could
do with some
advice on home
insurance.
We are now
members of
‘Homeswapper’
(www.homeswapper.
co.uk), the largest
service for tenants
wanting to swap homes.
Files to browse are
available in reception.
It would
be good if you
could help with
moving home in
Carmarthen and
to other
areas.
You have so many
options on your phone
system that it takes ages
to get to speak to
someone.
A very happy 97th birthday to Mrs
Margaret Jones.
Mrs Jones has been with us for some 25 years and isour oldest resident. She told Sgwrs editor Aled Rees thatBro Myrddin had been wonderful to her over the years. “Iam very happy with my home and the service from boththe association and the contractors,” she said.If you, or a Bro Myrddin resident you know, is
celebrating a big birthday or anniversary, please let Aledknow so that we can include it in the newsletter.
Bank Holidays
1 January (New Year)
29 March (Good Friday)
1 April (Easter Monday)
6 May (May Day)
27 May
26 August
25 December (Christmas)
26 December
(Boxing Day)
staff Training
19 March
25 June
24 September
13 December
Over the past couple ofmonths the housing teamhave been trialling a newmethod of working toensure you get the bestpossible service, as well aseffective answers to yourquestions and queries.As a result there are
some new responsibilities:
Rent and rent arrearsAll rent arrears cases arenow managed by HousingOfficer Samantha Jonesand Income ManagementOfficer Eirlys Smith.
Anti-social behaviourAll anti-social behaviourcases are now managedby Housing Officer DylanGoddard, supported byHousing Officer JonathanStevenson.
For more information,please contact Head ofHousing, MarkRichards,on 01267232714.
Housingchanges
Datesof officeclosure in2013
Ways to pay your rent:l at our officel using Allpayl by phonel online
BENEFIT CHANGES
Will you beready for thehousing benefit
The UK Government is reducing the amount of housingbenefit some people can claim. We know that many ofyou will be worried about what this could mean for youand your family, so this information is to help you find out
what’s happening and what you can do to prepare.
4 Sgwrs Winter 2012/13
The UK Government is reducing theamount of housing benefit somepeople can claim.If you claim housing benefit to help
pay your rent you may be affected bychanges. This means you may soonreceive less housing benefit than youcurrently get.
Under occupancy charges
If you live in a council or housingassociation home and have one ormore ‘spare bedrooms,’ you may beaffected by these changes.
What?It’s called ‘under occupancy’ charge orbedroom tax and is a brand new charge.
When?This will affect tenants from April 2013.
Who? This could affect you:• if you are 16 to 61 years old• even if you only get a small amountof housing benefit – for example, ifyou are working
• even if you are sick or disabled.
Under the new rules, if you have morebedrooms than the UK Governmentsays you need, you will lose part ofyour housing benefit. The new rulesmean you will be allocated onebedroom for:• each adult couple• any other person aged 16 or over• two children of the same sex underthe age of 16
• two children under the age of 10regardless of their sex
• any other child• a carer (who does not normally livewith you) if you or your partner needovernight care.
It does not matter how the ‘spare’bedroom is used, the new rules willapply even if:
BENEFIT CHANGES
Sgwrs Winter 2012/13 5
• you and your partner need to sleepapart because of a medical condition
• the main residence of your children isanother address, but you have aspare room for when they stay withyou.
How much? If you have one ‘spare’ bedroom yourhousing benefit will be cut by 14 percent of your full weekly rent. If you havetwo or more spare bedrooms, you willlose 25 per cent.If your benefit is cut you will have to
pay your landlord the differencebetween your housing benefit and yourrent. You can pay your landlord in a
number of ways, including in housingoffices, over the phone and online. Tofind out more about how to make apayment, contact your landlord.
What should I do? If you are worried about not being ableto afford to pay your rent from April2013 you should ask for advice now. Ifyou don’t pay your rent you could loseyour home, so talk to your landlordabout different ways to pay.You can also:• Talk to your landlord abouttransferring to a smaller home
• Consider taking in a lodger• Get advice on budgeting and savingmoney on household bills
• Contact your council to ask aboutextra financial help. Councils have alimited amount of money available tomake discretionary paymentstowards housing costs. Your councilmay prioritise your claim if you have a
disability and your house has beenadapted
• Get in touch with your local citizensadvice bureau (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) or other local adviceagencies
• Make sure you are claiming all thebenefits you can – for example,money to help with the costs of adisability
• Try to find some paid work toincrease your income
Do you have adisability and needovernight care?If you are of working age, have adisability and need a ‘spare’ bedroomso that a carer can stay overnight, youshould contact your local council nowso that staff can help you keep more ofyour housing benefit.If you have any questions about the
information in this leaflet you can talk toyour:• landlord• local council• citizens advice bureau• local advice agency.
You can also find out more about helpavailable and what other tenants havedone at www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk You won’t be affected if:• you live in a one bedroom flat orbedsit, or if
• you or your partner are old enoughto receive pension credits. In April2013 the pension credit age will bearound 61 years and 6 months.
shauni and Lewis live in a three-bedroom house with their four year
old daughter Erin and eight month old son Dion.
They currently receive housing benefit. Under the new rules they will have
one spare bedroom as Erin and Dion will be expected to share a bedroom
until Erin reaches the age of ten.
Next April their housing benefit will be reduced by 14 per cent of their
rent. This means they will have to find this extra money each week to pay
their rent.
Shauni and Lewis are making plans to prepare for the changes. As well as
looking for work, the family have cleared their debts and are planning how
they will budget to cover the weekly payments.
The Carmarthenfoodbank, based atTowy Church, uses avoucher scheme to provide foodfor people in crisis.If a voucher holder assesses that
an individual (or family) seeking helpis in need of food, they give out avoucher, which can be redeemed atthe foodbank for a box containingthree days’ supply of nutritionallybalanced, non-perishable food.Menu planners are included in eachbox to help recipients preparehealthy meals.The food is donated by super-
markets, shoppers and members ofthe community and the service isrun by a team of trained volunteers. The foodbank is open on
Mondays and Tuesdays from 11amto 2pm and offers a place to sit andhave a drink and a chat. To find outmore, call the foodbank on 01267232101.If you feel it is a service you might
like to use, please contact AledRees on 01267 232714 or [email protected] can email the foodbank at
Here is an example of how the underoccupancy charge works in practice:
Where to findadvice on copingwith debtproblems:
National debt line:
0808 808 4000 or
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Consumer Credit Counselling
services (CCCs):
0800 138 1111
www.cccs.co.uk
Credit Unions:
To find the nearest, call 0161
832 3694 or visit
www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk
Citizens Advice:
To find your nearest bureau visit
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
£
6 Sgwrs Winter 2012/13
RARING TO GO: Aled, Amy (far left)and Rosie get set for the Tai Cantref5k run. Bro Myrddin raised £334 forthe Breast Cancer Unit at PrincePhilip Hospital, Llanelli.
Bro Myrddintakes on theCantref
Colleagues, family and friends beganto sponsor the runners as soon as thenews spread so there was no backingout!Aled, Amy and Rosie began training
by going for runs after work twice a
week. For people unused to runningthis proved quite a challenge and manya morning at the office was filled withgroans of pain and walking like ducks. Nonetheless, with a week to go and
five weeks’ training under their beltsthey were feeling confident, fitter andkeen to get the run completed. On 14thSeptember, accompanied bysupportive colleagues, the threemusketeers made their way toNewcastle Emlyn for the big race. Tai Cantref were very welcoming and
provided hot food for the supporters,children’s entertainment and a medalwith goody bags for all the runners.The race was not looking promising
when the group warm up appeared tobe a struggle for the Bro Myrddin team. Despite this shaky start Aled, Amy
and Rosie all managed to complete therace in around 35 minutes sporting redfaces, big smiles and an air of relief. A total of £334 was raised for the
Breast Cancer Care Unit at PrincePhilip Hospital, Llanelli, by Bro Myrddinstaff and friends of the participants. To say that the race was a struggle
would be an understatement, but staffat Bro Myrddin are keen to enter therace again next year, raise even moremoney and complete the course in aquicker time. Watch this space...
RUNNING FOR CHARITY
Bro Myrddin has
taken on three
brand new, energy
saving homes in
Cwmgwili.
The family homes have been built
and finished to a very high standard
by AP Sauro Construction. With
photovoltaic panels installed on the
roof, smart energy meters and high
levels of thermal insulation, they are
highly energy efficient and
affordable to run.
Solar photovoltaic is now, after
hydro and wind power, the third
most important renewable energy
source in terms of globally installed
capacity.
NEW
FUEL
SAVING
HOMES
By Rosie Green
In August, three Bro Myrddin staffmembers committed themselves totake part in the Tai Cantref 5kmcharity run.
Renewable energy is key feature
days out
Sgwrs Winter 2012/13 7
‘A first class day out...’
‘The demoswere very goodespecially thecooking one...’‘Good day out
with the kids...’
‘Very rewarding and
a good day out...’
‘Great day out meeting Bro Myrddin
staff and stall holders.
Great shows for the children.
Brilliant day out...’
The code which identifies your property
Your unique account number
The Bro MyrddinResidents Fun Day,26 July 2012.
WINTER8 DecemberCrafts from Carmarthenshire
Guildhall Square, Carmarthen.
www.craftsfromcarmarthenshire.
org.uk 01267 222326
8 & 9 DecemberChristmas Craft Fair
National Botanic Garden of
Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.
www.gardenofwales.org.uk
01558 667149
15 & 16 DecemberChristmas Food Fair
West Wales producers sell their
wares. National Botanic Garden
of Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.
www.gardenofwales.org.uk
01558 667149
22 Decembersanta’s grotto
St Catherine's Walk, Carmarthen
01267 243040
12 & 13 JanuaryAntiques Fair
National Botanic Garden of
Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.
www.gardenofwales.org.uk
01558 667149
19 & 20 JanuaryWoodcraft Weekend
National Botanic Garden of
Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.
www.gardenofwales.org.uk
01558 667149
9 & 12-16 FebruaryHeart Cart to Celebrate st
Dwynwen’s Day
National Wool Museum, Dre-
Fach Felindre, Newcastle Emlyn,
Llandysul SA44 5UP. Families/
free. www.museumwales.ac.uk
029 2057 3070
16 FebruaryMake and Mend:
Cards and Envelopes
National Wool Museum, Dre-
Fach Felindre, Newcastle Emlyn,
Llandysul SA44 5UP. Adults/£5/
booking essential.
www.museumwales.ac.uk
029 2057 3070
WHAT YOU SAIDABOUTTHE FUNDAY
YOUR RENT STATEMENT
Rent statements
Statement details arecorrect at this date
Please let us know ifyour name and/oraddress need updating
Your Housing Officer’s name
The Technical/MaintenanceOfficer for your area
This column shows arunning total of allcharges and paymentsmade to your account
Where anyadjustments to youraccount are made
Method of payment, eg Allpay
The amountyou paid
The amountof rent due
The date paymentsor charges were
made. Not exactlythe same as the
date on yourreceipt as
payments take awhile to reach us
Rent plusservicecharge
The amount ofservice charge(for cleaning,grass cutting, etc)
The amount ofrent charged
several. Make holes and hang them up with string or ribbon.2. Brighten up
Fill large tubular vases with red cranberries to add a beautiful splash ofChristmas red to any room. Or take clear glass wine bottles or otherhousehold bottles and fill them with cranberries. You can even go astep further and add flowers, twigs or greenery with water. 3. Nature in its element
Natural elements, like evergreen and fir branches, pineconesand holly, can make a festive display for a table ormantelpiece.
4. Make your own Christmas wreath
Go outside and cut almost any type of greenerythat you see, bend it into a circle and tie itwith anything you have, whether it’sfishing string, ribbon or string. Hang itwith a few ribbons or ornaments.You can also use these as a tabledisplay with a candle in themiddle.
CHRISTMAS CORNER
1. show your cards
Recycle last year's cards by attachingthe fronts to cardboard using SprayMount, double sided tape or rubbercement. Trim the cardboard to fit just asingle card, or cover a large piece with
Decorations on a
8 Sgwrs Winter 2012/13
Turkey pot pie
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 100g/3½oz smoked
bacon lardons
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 garlic clove,
crushed
• 2 carrots,
chopped
• 200g/7oz
roast turkey,
shredded
• 100g/3½oz
cooked prawns,
peeled
• 1 red chili,
chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 200ml/7fl oz red wine
• 100ml/3½oz chicken stock
• 1 free range egg, beaten for egg wash
• 250g/10oz short crust pastry
Method
1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a
medium heat. Fry the bacon lardons
until crisp. Remove the lardons using a
slotted spoon and set aside.
2. In same pan, fry the onions and
garlic for 5-6 minutes, or until golden-
brown and softened.
3. Add the remaining ingredients,
except the egg and pastry. Bring the
mixture to the boil and simmer for 25
minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas
5.
5. Divide the mixture between four
individual pie dishes. Cut the pastry into
four pieces, each big enough to cover
the pie dish. Brush the edge of each
dish with egg wash and cover with the
pastry. Trim any excess pastry and
brush the lid with the remaining egg
wash.
6. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the lid
is crisp and golden-brown.
Try this delicious recipe for leftover roast turkey. Serves 4.
Less than 30 mins preparation 30 mins to 1 hour cooking time
After 12 years with Bro Myrddin,
Christine Thornton of the
Maintenance Department has
decided to take early retirement to
spend more time with her family and
grandchildren.
Christine has been a valuable
member of the team and has
provided a first class service from
the very start. She will be missed by
members of staff, contractors and
residents alike.
We all wish Christine the very best
for the future and a wonderful
retirement.
Christine calls it a day