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Homes for Change
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www.homesforchange.co.ukOCT 13 ISSUE 234
2 the big yeller
BOILERS, MINOR HEATING,PLUMBING OR ELECTRICAL
Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 8am–5pm,
emergency only 07912 206490
BOOKKEEPERPhil Boast
COMMITTEEJamie RedheadLee Fullwood Dave Redhead
Lianne Heys Mark Hodgkinson
Rob Harrison Saffron Gardenchild
Shelagh [email protected]
LIFT BREAKDOWN0800 181 363
EMERGENCYLee, flat 103, 07990 956629
Nicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627
FINANCERob Harrison
GARDENINGJohn Pugh
GM CHAIRPERSONKeith Underhill
IMPROVEMENTS Shelagh, Flat 222
KEYS AND FOBSNicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627
MAINTENANCETony PaceFlat G04
07983 272 [email protected]
MEMBERSHIPKatherine Bird
NETWORKING Chris Middleton
PUBLICITY & INFORMATIONSaffron Gardenchild
RENTSSue Corcoran at Mosscare
0161 226 4211
REPAIRS OFFICERSSimon Birch 213
Fiona Forster 302Hannah Berry 309
Tony Pace G04
SECRETARYLianne Heys
SECURITYHEALTH & SAFETY
Lee, Flat 103; 07990 956629; [email protected]
TREASURER & DEPUTY GM CHAIRPERSON:
Jamie Redhead07717 305 846
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OssieMorse
In Focus: Ossie Morse
The Big Yeller talks to Ossie Morse. Ossie has lived in Homes for Change for 2 years and likes the village atmosphere of the Homes for Change community.
How long have you lived in Hulme? What links did you have to Hulme?Well I’ve lived in Hulme during the ‘80s, between ‘85 and ’87 in Scarth Walk which was just on the other side of this block ... I could see over into Birley playing fields and Salter Square. Otterburn Close was over this side. It’s a good time and then when they were ready to knock down these flats they actually move us out and I went to Sale... for about 3 ½ years (Hulme was being regenerated, many flats were demolished and a suitable flat was not available for Ossie at that time) and then because of my work ... I moved back to
this area which was in Moss Side but then I had problem with the present landlord, y’know too many rodents was running about then, I just decided to pack that in and move on. I was working with Jane at Manchester Adult Ed(ucation) and she mentioned Homes for Change and I said “well, maybe now is the time I must get one of these (a flat)” (Ossie had been eli-gible for a new flat in Hulme as part of the regeneration process but by the time the flats were completed he had already set-tled in Sale). So I came and put my name down, attend the meetings, y’know at the time I had problem with my son and his mum, so we decided to share him and that’s how I actually got the flat (a 2 bed flat). He’s still with me now at present. So I came to obtain this flat by being a good soldier, attending the meetings, listening.
What’s the best thing about living in Hulme?Well Hulme, when I came to this country Hulme was actually a quiet area where most of the elderly people lived, there was a lot of terraced houses (before Hulme was demolished and regenerated at the end of the 1960’s) ... at the time I was living in Old Trafford actually, just at the top ... and
In Focus
4 the big yeller
I used to walk through Hulme to go to Pic-cadilly and I used to admire the doors ... varnished doors and the elderlies (elderly people) would come out and they would tidy up their little bit, polish the steps and everything and it was a nice little quiet area really. So I thought maybe that qui-etness would have still remained despite everything that goes on in any little local area, which it is because it’s quiet in this block as I expected. You can’t get any-where without a little noise, a spanner have to drop, but it’s quiet.What’s the worst thing about living in Hulme?Well I’ve never thought of the worst, that’s what I mean, I look for the better part of it.Why did you get involved with HFC?Well actually simply because .. it was the only opportunity at the time, I think, of
moving back into Hulme. The only, be-cause I went to Places for People, which is in Hulme, and they just simply didn’t have any accommodation and they didn’t have the sort of system that Homes for Change have. So I thought well here’s a little bit more opportunity, if it take 5 years I’ll wait for Homes for Change.
Do you think HFC is important? If yes, then why?Yeah I’d say yes and I think it does help a lot of people being in the area to move back in and even new people. Y’know it’s not partial, they follow their rules that they have, certain things that are laid down like attending the meeting, listen-ing, showing your interest, you do need the flat, then .. it does help people.
What work do you do within HFC? What have you done in the past?No work at all at the moment apart from attending the meeting and hearing how the actual running of the building is going. Y’know if I was living in a council house I wouldn’t know what was happening, the only letter you get is your rent is going up next week. In the meeting it’s spoken of before it happen, even though you can’t stop it, but at least you hear that the rent is going up ... When I started I used to go to the (Publicity and Information) meet-ings with Niki (Quinn), that does the print-ing of .. the Big Yeller and at one point I took some pictures of around the building .. I was giving her a helping hand with taking a few snaps of the places. (Also) the 15th celebration (a party 2 years ago cel-
ebrating the 15th anniversary of the open-ing of Phase 1 of the building) ... I did some jerk chicken at the bottom (as part of the food provision for the party). That was my contribution then for Homes for Change.
What’s the best thing about HFC?Well I think most of the tenants really, the best thing for them all, not just for my-self, is the freedom of living in the block. Y’know if you have a complaint you can lodge it, maybe sometime it doesn’t move as fast because Homes for Change try not to involve in too much court business and harsh things. It needs to get things paci-fied by the tenant(s) within it. I think it (Homes for Change) provide a good come togetherness for all the tenants to solve their own problems before it actually go
“Well Hulme, when I came to this country Hulme was actually a quiet area where most of the el-derly people lived, there was a lot of terraced houses
(before Hulme was demolished and regenerated
at the end of the 1960’s) ”
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outside (to other agencies).
What’s the worst thing about HFC?Again I’ve never (laughs), y’know things, bad things can happen but sometime you don’t let that trouble you, you walk on, y’know what I mean, someone will resolve that but you look on. Nothing I can say re-ally for myself.
What are your other interests?Well as a favourite hobby of mine, the gardening. I love to see most of the ten-ants make an effort and put a little green-ery along their front door ... you have a wonderful whiff of some beautiful flowers. Since I move in most of my time has been spent putting my flat together. It give me the opportunity to arrange my accommo-dation a little bit easier to suit.
Which person do you most admire and why?Margaret Thatcher. You know I think is the boldest female MP this country have ever had. Whether she do wrong or right that’s none of my business, she’s a politician, I’m a poor man but she’s gone out there as a prime minister and did her work as a prime minister and changes took place and a lot of things did happen in her pow-er that didn’t happen with many a male prime minister ... as long as David Cam-eron is there he’s not done, none of them has done, what Mrs Thatcher (did), y’know this is like after Harold Wilson, Macmil-lan, Callaghan, then comes Thatcher, after Thatcher it’s like a seesaw. I will not take it away from her as a woman. It’s very bold that she did her job as she did and spoke boldly. (pause) Oh don’t put that in they might knock me flat and hang me! Say all these good things about (laughs) ... but as a person, just like an actor, you might be watching a film, he’s a very good actor
1) Do not put plas-tic bags in the
green recycling bins.
Only special biodegradable bags are allowed.
Green waste with plastic in it is thrown away and collections
could stop.
2) Please dont dump large pieces
of cardboard in a pile under flat 223
(by the bins). This is a fire hazard. Put them in the large white bags. Cardboard
will only be collected if it is in the bags. If the bags are full,
put it in the general waste bins.
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(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODWhat’s on in Hulme
This month’s featured venue: Zion Community Resource Centre.339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY. Telephone 0161 226 5412. Infor-mation is also available on their website: http://www.zioncentre.co.uk Good Mood Food Caf½, Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm. Low cost healthy food. Internet Cafe, Monday to Friday, times vary, free. Contact venue for further information.Urban Gym: Monday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm (open until 7.30pm Tuesday and Thursday) and Saturday 10am-2pm, free.MondayManchester Mind Drop-in (benefits, housing & debt), 11am-2pm, free. Crystal Healing / Reiki, 9.30am-1.30pm, £10 waged/£5 unwaged.Massage (neck, back and shoulders)/Indian head massage/reflexology, 1.30-5.30pm, £10 waged/£5 unwaged.TuesdayYoga, 6.30-7.30pm, £4.50. Floristry course – level 1, call venue for de-tails, free for those in receipt of benefits. E-Therapy: Computerized course designed to aid people affected by depression and/or anxiety, 3-8pm, free. Contact 0161 226 3871 for further details. Smart Recovery Life Line (C.R.I), 10am-12pm, free.SHARE: Self Harm support group, 6-8pm, free. WednesdayASHA Drop-in (Asylum Support Housing Ad-vice), 9am-5pm, free. Reiki healing/Hypnotherapy, 10.15am-2pm, £5.Bingo, 2-4pm, £2.Anxiety Group drop in, 1-3pm, free. Depression Group drop in, 3-5pm, free. Keogh Solicitors Clinic, drop in service im-
migration and asylum issues, 10am-1pm, free.Solicitors Surgery (first Wednesday of the month), 1.30-4pm, free.ThursdayManchester Mind Drop-in (benefits, hous-ing & debt), 1.30pm-4.30pm, free. ASHA Drop-in (Asylum Support Housing Advice), 9am-5pm, free.E-Therapy: Computerized course designed to aid people affected by depression and/or anxiety, 3-8pm, free. Contact 0161 226 3871 for further details.Ananda Marga Yoga, 3.30-5pm, dona-tions. Yoga, 5.30-7pm, £5/£3 concessions. Narcotics Anonymous, 1-2.45pm, free. 1-1.30pm: meditation. 1.45-2.45pm: meet-ing.Crafty Chatters, 1.30-3.30pm, donations.Fathers Against Violence, 6-8pm, free.Homeopath (last Thursday of the month), 2.30-6pm, waged £10/unwaged £5.
FridayYoga, 12-1.30pm, £5. Art group, 1.30-3.30pm, donation. Qigong, meditative exercise to help the mind, body and spirit. 4.30-5.30pm, £3. Women only. Herbalist, 2-5pm, free consultation, £7.50 for herbal medicines.Indian head massage/reflexology, 11am-2pm, £10 waged/£5 unwaged.Toddle Time, 9.30-11.30am, 50p per child. Activities providing fun and games for parents and toddlers. 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY. Telephone 0161 226 5412. Information is also avail-able on their website: http://www.zion-centre.co.uk
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(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)HFC TENANT REPAIR REQUEST DO NOT RELY ON TELEPHONE CALLS, CONVERSATIONS OR EMAILS TO REPORT REPAIRS. OUR BRAINS ARE ADDLED AND WE HAVE POOR MEMORIES. YOU MUST ALWAYS COMPLETE THIS FORM AND HAND IT TO A REPAIRS OFFICER A.S.A.P.
NAME of person reporting repair:............................................................................................................ ...... FLAT No .....
NAME/S OF TENANT if different:: ...........................................................................................................
ACCESS DETAILS: (Please give morning or afternoon dates when we can gain access) DATE(S):.........................................................................................................................................................................................................(AM 8-12 or PM 1-5)CONTACT NAME (for keys):............................................................... flat No if different: ...................................................................
HOME TEL:.............................................................................................. MOBILE:........................................................................................
REPAIR OR PROBLEM DETAILS: (please be as specific as possible )
Who did you report repair to NAME:............................................... DATE:.........................................................................................
ARE YOU REPORTING AN EMERGENCY REPAIR? YES NOAN EMERGENCY REPAIR IS ANYTHING THAT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY, AFFECT YOUR HEALTH OR DAMAGE PROPERTY. ALWAYS WARN NEIGHBOURS.
GAS LEAKS turn off supply - ring Transco 0800 111 999 ventilate property & do not smoke!
WATER PIPE BURSTS turn off at stop cock.
ELECTRICAL WIRING etc – switch off at mains fuse box do not touch electrical switches. Contact ANY repairs officer immediately - Stay in or near property if safe to do so to ensure access.
For all BOILERS, basic plumbing, minor electrical you can call Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 Emergency only 07912 206490
Bulky rubbish e.g. furniture, electrical items call 0161 954 9000 to arrange for it to be collected.
REPAIRS OFFICERS FLAT NO. Simon Birch 213 Fiona Forster 302 Hannah Berry 309 Tony Pace G04
Emergency07990 956629 (Lee)07445 291 627 (Nicola)
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POST INSPECTION Repair inspected by …………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................………………
Approved YES NO Comments ……………………………………………………………………………………………..................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
TENANT SATISFACTION Tenant ……………………………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................……………… Satisfied YES NO Comments ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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the big yeller 9
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 1st October 2013
3. Bailiffs notice
A tenant has been receiving threatening letters re over-due council tax for previous tenant. Katherine has of-fered to write a letter to the bailiffs confirming current tenancy
4. Tenancy updates
4:1 Katherine to contact tenant of flat 101 for official end of tenancy date4:2 Shelagh to seek trace via Mosscare for absent ten-ant
5. Finance group
5:1 No budget set as yet. Finance group to use op-erating budget from last financial year as a guide. Budget to be formerly set by November meeting5:2 Items on finance meet-ing agenda: budget, rent increases, business plan, water rates, invoicing W4C re Greencare and bin store rental
6. September commit-tee minutes
6:1 Rob liaised with police who were satisfied with our complaints procedure (1)6:2 Minutes approved by GM re intercom proposal (2)6:3 The committee ap-proved with one abstention (Lee Fullwood) to the con-stitutional amendment to tenancy agreement (5:1)6:4 Rob to circulate expect-ed behaviour list (6:1)
7. Fire hazard: card-board beneath flat 223
7:1 Request made for card-board to be collected from cupboard7:2 Lianne to post on Yell that we can use the large bags for domestic card-board so long as it is folded7:3 Rob to liaise with H4C re cardboard recycling7:4 Shelagh suggested seeking a cardboard recy-cling volunteer
Committee members pre-sent: Katherine Bird, Lee Fullwood, Saffron Garden-child, Rob Harrison (chair), Lianne Heys (minutes), Mark Hodgson, Shelagh Murphy. Others present: Surrinder Swali (Mosscare), Keith Un-derhill (GM). 1. Mosscare Report
1:1 Discussed 15 high-est rent accounts as at 01/10/20131:2 Discussed letters to ten-ants actioned in September1:3 Committee requested copies of recent arrears let-ters to be sent via email1:4 Committee requested rent statements to be is-sued in the next 7 days
2. Membership
Proposal for amendment to current policy to be an item at following GM: In situations where a mu-tual internal exchange is requested due to the effects of bedroom tax, arrears, providing they are under control, will no longer act as a barrier.
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GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 17TH September 2013 Yard Theatre 18:38 bst
GENERAL MEET-ING AGENDA
15TH October 2013 Yard Theatre
18:30
Chair: Keith UnderhillMinutes: Katherine Bird / Keith Underhill 1) Members present: (14 Committee members pre-sent 3/9)Ben Mellor, Eddie Koehler, Fiona Forster, Hannah Berry, Jamie Redhead, Jane Lennard, Janice Bell, John Pugh, Jonny Tasker, Kath-erine Bird, Keith Underhill, Leonie Higgins, Nicola Hal-lett, Saffron Gardenchild,Non Members present: (9)Andrea Bushell, Fintan Dunne, Jason Morris, Nur Y Sufi, Rob O’Neill-Jones, Shoshanah Cohen, Steven Perry, Susanne Hofmann, Tamas Nadvdvari, 2) New people.Tommy Sevle, Andrea Bush-ell, Tamas Nadvdvari, Nur Y Sufi and Susanne Hofmann
introduced Themselves
Minutes Of Last GM:3.1) Any corrections? - none3.2) Matters arising? - noneMinutes were PASSED as a true and correct record with 2 abstentions 4) Committee report.Questions: none 5) Committee report Ratifi-cationThe committee report was approved with non against and 3 abstentions. 6) Annual Election of Gen-eral Meeting Chairperson Keith Underhill was elect-ed unanimously 7) Next GM: Tuesday 15th October, 2013 @ HFC Yard TheatreNext committee Meeting: Tuesday 1st October 2013 @
Meeting Room 18:30 BSTDead line for GM agenda: Tuesday 1st October 2013 17:00 BST 8) AOBNone Closed SessionNoneThe meeting finished at 18:46 BST
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Prospective Member’s Surgery is from 6.00pm to 6.30pm and is for prospective members to get any support and advice about becoming a member of the co-op. 1. Members and non-members present2. Introduction of new people3. Minutes of Last GM3.1. Any corrections3.2. Matters arising4. Committee report5. Ratification of committee report6. Amendment to Tenancy Agreement (The committee recommends voting for this motion)In section 3.1 In the sentence: “The rent shall be paid by the tenant on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis (as arranged with the rents group) and shall be paid two weeks in advance and two weeks in arrears, the first payment to be made on or before the Commencement Date” Delete the words “ (as arranged with the rents group) and shall be paid two weeks in advance and two weeks in arrears” and replace with the words “and shall be paid in advance” This amendment not to be effective until October 2014
7. Proposal to amend the allocations policy (The committee recommends voting for this motion)In situations where a mutual internal exchange is requested due to the effects of bedroom tax, arrears, providing they are under control, will no longer act as a bar-rier.8. Date, time and venue of next meeting9. Any other business (to be given to the chair before meeting starts)
Closed session10.Election to membership10.1 Shoshanah Cohen11. Other closed session business
COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEMBER’S ROOM @ 6:30PM
GENERAL MEETINGS the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM
NEXT GENERAL MEETING the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM
ADD ITEMS TO GM AGENDAuntil 5pm on
ARTICLES for The BIG YELLER
Homes for ChangeUnit 25
41 Old Birley StreetHulme
ManchesterM15 5RE
m: 0161 232 9801e: [email protected] w: www.homesforchange.co.uk
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