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Te n a n t
Falkirk Council
CUSTOMER
APPROVED
Tenants Magazine
Autumn 2020
Edition No.17
Talk
Help to Glitter Team
spread
Find out more
about Scottish
Competitions
Page 11
get online sparkle across
Grangemouth
Social Security
Page 9
Gardening Tips
Page 12
Page 6 Page 4
Please note pictures were taken before Scottish Government and NHS guidance on social distancing
/falkirkcouncil @falkirkcouncil
Editorial
Welcome the 17th edition of
Tenant Talk. The panel have been
communicating via email - but we hope
to be seeing each other soon. In the
meantime we are going to attempt
meeting virtually for the next edition of
Tenant Talk, we will let you know how
this goes. Some of us, like our readers
do not have internet access so we are
exploring new ways of working. In this
Look out for this year’s
edition you will be able to find out more Landlord Report to
about the outcome of the Allocations
Policy Review, learn more about digital
Tenants
participation and our repairs and Whether you are a tenant or simply use the
maintenance service. We would like to Housing Service for some other reason, it is
congratulate the prize winners. During important that you know how we perform as
uncertain times, many of us have relied a landlord. The Landlord Report is written in
on neighbours to help, we would like consultation with our tenants & residents, is
to hear how your neighbour has helped designed to provide you with information on
you - why not nominate them for a our performance. The content of the report
good neighbour award. As always, we follows the themes of the Scottish Social
welcome feedback on stories, and are Housing Charter, and provides performance
open to suggestions for future articles. information on:
o
We hope you enjoy this edition.
v e t
• Our relationship with you, our customers.
i ll I h a
If you would like to contact the
g w
• The quality of the housing we provide you
How l o n
editorial panel, please email
with and how well we maintain our homes
inspector.tenant@falkirk.gov.uk or on
for rent.
01324 590858.
a i r
• How we manage your neighbourhood
n g r e p
and community.
wait f o r a h o u s i • How our customers can access housing
from us and any support they require.
• Whether the rent we charge, or other
service charges we make, represents value
for money.
• What other customers (for example
travelling people) think of the services
we provide.
Contents
When you report the repair, we will tell you what priority The 2020 Landlord Report will be due out by
your repair is and what the target completion date is. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information the end of the year - you can request a hard
priorities and completion times are as follows: copy of the report by emailing
As you can appreciate, we have reported it, then please let us inspector.tenant@falkirk.gov.uk or
Grangemouth a significant backlog of repairs, know. by calling 01324 590858.
Emergency Repair broken window). We will attend a
Glitter Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 reported before and during
These are repairs that involve a risk non-urgent repair within ten working Reporting repairs remains Previous years reports can be found at
COVID-19 restrictions and we are
Abilitynet to people and property (for example, days. unchanged and tenants should www.falkirk.gov.uk/housingperformance
working work through them on a
How they can help loss of power or a flood). We will continue to call us to report a
Routine Repair priority basis. Unfortunately, you
you get Online . . . . . . . . . . . page 7 attend an emergency repair within repair. This line is open 24/7 or use
three hours and will complete the
These are low priority repairs which may experience some delays in
the online reporting form, www. Keeping and Eye on
are not causing damage to the getting your repair undertaken and
Allocation repair within 24 hours if possible. falkirk.gov.uk/repairs.
property (for example, problems we appreciate your patience at this
Policy Changes . . . . . . . . . . page 8
Urgent Repair with wall or ceiling plaster). We will time. We would like to take this
Scottish Social attend a routine repair within 20 opportunity to thank you for your
These are repairs that are not If you have an issue with your
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9 working days. continued support during these
emergencies, but work needs to be home, and haven’t already
difficult times Indicator 16
carried out quickly to prevent further Non-Routine Repair
What’s Happening Percentage of tenants
damage (for example, blocked sink
at the Denny If a repair does not fall into any satisfied with the repairs and
or bath). We will attend an urgent
Community Flat . . . . . . . . page 10 of the above categories, it will be maintenance service
repair within three working days.
classed as a non-routine repair (for
Competitions . . . . . . . . . . page 11 Emergency Repairs: 01324 506070
Gardening Tips . . . . . . . . page 12
Non-Urgent Repair
These are repairs that do not need
example, a new front door needed).
We will agree a timescale for 93.7% 91.7%
urgent attention but if not treated as carrying out the repair with the Falkirk Council Scottish Average
Had a repair carried out and want to give us your opinion? 2018/19 2018/19
a routine repair, could cause damage contractor and the tenant.
Please fill out the short survey available at www.falkirk.gov.uk/repairs
to the property (for example, a
2 Tenant Talk Issue 16 Issue 16 Tenant Talk 3
Grangemouth Editorial Panel interviews CVS
The panel asked the CVS Falkirk:
Gli tt e r Te a m You do a great job.
How did CVS Falkirk engage with our local
communities during lockdown, and as
k l e
restrictions began to ease?
Leave the i r S p a r Thank you for keeping the town
clean and looking Beautiful
When lockdown began, the CVS Falkirk staff
team quickly adapted to working from home
and focussed all their efforts on supporting the
o u t h
community responses to the challenges of the
r a n g e m
COVID lockdown. Our strong relationships with our
Ar o u n d G local third sector allowed us to gather information
and build an accurate picture of the help that was
available throughout the Falkirk area, and make this
information accessible on our website. Using online
meetings, social media and phone calls we also got
to know many new local people who put themselves
forward to be part of these efforts. Technology was,
The panel are lost for words! and continues to be, a boon - it allowed to continue
to provide a safe space for our third sector, and other
This group have undertaken all sorts of partners, to meet and was an essential part of the
work around the Grangemouth area. With partnership working that made the help and support
1884 followers on Facebook, and an army available in Falkirk so successful.
of volunteers they have done so many litter
picks we have lost count - most recently
Bowhouse Road, right up to Rannoch Park,
Do you think the pandemic has changed how
the hedges in Bo’ness Road and both Amazing the amount of work that people view volunteering?
Lumley Street and Place. The group are Absolutely, volunteers have been the backbone of
keen to find use for the items they find, you do to try and keep this wee town
the services which allowed people to stay at home
they have revamped disregarded hub clean and it is so appreciated. when they needed to, and we wholly believe that an
caps into flowers which have been fitted
to fencing at the top of station road on the increased interest in, and recognition of, volunteering
left as you leave Grangemouth. It’s not is one of the positive impacts of this crisis. We have
just litter picking this group do, they also been overwhelmed with the kindness, compassion
weed the wheelbarrow flowerbeds at the and responsiveness shown throughout the Falkirk and
Municipal Buildings in Grangemouth, you District area. Through our CVS Falkirk website, social
may have also noticed they have made use media, existing volunteering connections, neighbours,
of disposed bikes, giving them a lick of paint and campaigns such as Ready Scotland/Scotland
planting up a basket and attaching it to Cares, people came forward in their thousands to
the bike. The group are always looking for volunteer their time.
new ideas and volunteers to help with their
Glitter Campaign, to find out more please
visit their Facebook page, search for Let’s What is the biggest challenge for volunteers
Get Grangemouth Clean. right now?
The group work closely with the Rose Keeping everyone safe and well, whilst our local third
Garden volunteers and would like to thank sector returns to adapted services and activities,
the Zetland Bike Library for donating the remains a challenge and a priority for our local
bikes the group has turned into planter with volunteers and voluntary organisations, and for CVS
a difference. Falkirk. We would love to hear from anyone who
The Litter Strategy Team has a community Making the difference and setting wants to volunteer or get involved in their community,
litter plan, for more information please visit: an example, onwards and upwards and we encourage everyone to visit our Volunteer
Falkirk Instagram page and our Volunteer Falkirk
www.falkirk.gov.uk/communitylitterplan guys and girls website to find out more.
Quotes from their Facebook page
4 Tenant Talk Issue 16 Issue 16 Tenant Talk 5
Real life story
i c e s ’ Abilitynet -
‘Housin g S e r v How they
volun t e e r s m e e t can Help you
office r s o n l i n e get Online
Abilitynet exists to change the lives of disabled and older people by
helping them use digital technology at work, at home or in education.
They are a registered charity, supported by Microsoft, and have been
the leading authority on accessibility and assistive technologies for the
last 20 years.
They have a vision of a world in which digital computer to fix your issues, taking away Abilitynet Contact Details
services are equally accessible to all. To much of the hassle for their clients. If you
www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home
help them achieve this vision, they offer prefer, they can talk to you over the phone.
0800 048 7642
free advice and information by calling their
Their volunteers help with a range of IT www.facebook.com/abilitynet
helpline, posting various factsheets on their
support including... www.twitter.com/abilitynet
Sharon told us: website www.abilitynet.org.uk or you can
use the free online tools on their website. • Setting up a new computer system
They have a UK wide network of over 300 • Installing software or hardware
Although I felt volunteers. Due to Covid-19 our free IT Can
• Troubleshooting problems
While restrictions are in place the Community Engagement Team has Help home visits from volunteers have been
nervous to start suspended, though this hasn’t stopped their • Changing the accessibility settings
had to think about different ways of engaging with our Tenant Groups amazing volunteers from helping clients
across the district. We feel it’s important to keep in touch with our with, because this using remote support technologies like
• Basic training on how to use systems
volunteers and include them in discussion as best as we can. TeamViewer. This software allows their • A friendly source of advice and information
is all new to me, volunteers to take temporary control of your
We ask our groups to provide feedback on Housing Services are keen to support
reports we submit. Sharon Mercado is a groups to go online and have allocated logging on was
member of several our tenant led groups; funding through the Make a Difference fund
we asked her if she would be willing to take to groups to purchase IT equipment and fairly straight
part in a virtual meeting to provide feedback install Wi-Fi. Individuals can be sponsored
on the annual return on the charter (ARC).
Sharon had been using Social Media during
in applying to the Connecting Scotland fund
for equipment. Connecting Scotland is a
forward.
the lockdown to keep in touch with her
family and friends, so this method wasn’t
Scottish Government programme set up in
response to Coronavirus. It provides iPads,
It was a bit
new to her. Sharon provided valuable
feedback during the session and is keen to
Chromebooks and support to develop digital
skills for people who digitally excluded
strange seeing
participate in more sessions. and on low incomes. You can find more
information by visiting https://connecting.
Officers onscreen
The Community Engagement Team wants
scot/ or by calling SCVO on 0131 474 8000.
to encourage more tenants to get involved in their homes. I
in shaping and developing Housing Services. If you would like to know more about
Given the current restrictions, we are looking the Make a Difference fund please call enjoyed the session
at a blend of face to face meetings (when we Dawna on 01324 590898 or at dawna.
are permitted to do so) and virtual meetings.
We do appreciate that not all tenants have
chisholm@falkirk.gov.uk, the application
form can be accessed at www.falkirk.gov.uk/
and the chat.
access to IT equipment and Wi-Fi. Housing makeadifference.
Services have already met online with
the Tamfourhill Tenants and Residents
Association, and we hope to be meeting with
other groups very soon.
6 Tenant Talk Issue 16
Tenants, your Allocation Scottish Social Security
opinions and
views really
Policy changes
Falkirk Council - Helping you
matter
From the 1st of October 2020
get all the benefits you need
TPAS (Tenant Participation
there will be changes to our There are new benefits available Social Security Scotland is introducing a We also have our own Debt Advice Team who
Advisory Service) Scotland Scottish Child Payment for low-income can give you help and advice on all types of debt
Allocations Policy from Social Security Scotland that
is the national tenant and families with children under six. Low-income including rent and mortgage arrears, council
could make a big difference to
landlord participation families with a child under six will be able to tax, personal loans, hire purchase agreements,
The Allocations Policy aims to make your household finances. Falkirk apply for £10 per child, per week - equivalent credit cards, store cards, payday loans and
advisory service for best use of the Council’s housing stock Councils Community Advice Service to £520 per year. There are no limits on the catalogues.
Scotland. They promote and to develop and maintain sustainable
and Debt Service are here to help. number of eligible children supported by the
good practice in tenant communities.
Scottish Child Payment. The Scottish Child
They can help you:
participation. As our Housing needs list continues to Social Security Scotland administers a Payment will open for applications in November • with personal budgeting support
show that demand outstrips supply, we number of benefits that have been devolved 2020, with first payments beginning from the
Tenant Voice Scotland will enable • deal with your debts
need to ensure that we are making the to Scotland. end of February 2021.
all tenants to have their voice heard best use of our properties and meeting the • review the money you have coming in and
and have their say on the things that Currently, Social Security Scotland Information on these benefits and how to apply
requirements of our applicants who are in going out
matter most. administers eight benefits: is on the www.mygov.scot/benefits/ website.
the most housing need. We need to ensure
Applications can also be made via a Freephone • understand what the people you owe
TPAS are Scotland’s leading tenant that our allocations policy provides the • Carer’s Allowance Supplement - an helpline on 0800 182 2222 money to, known as creditors, can and
engagement experts. They are the greatest opportunity for applicants to find extra payment for people in Scotland who
can’t do to recover it
professional, friendly, honest, face suitable rehousing as quickly as possible get Carer’s Allowance on a date. Social Security Scotland is working in close
of tenant & landlord participation. partnership with Falkirk Council to maximise the Advice is free, confidential and impartial.
Our Aim is to meet housing need fairly and • Best Start Grant - Pregnancy and Baby
They have created Tenant Voice to uptake of these benefits.
help secure accommodation for households Payment -Best Start Grant is a package of Debt Advice Team
give Tenants an opportunity to share in the greatest housing need. three payments that will give extra money Falkirk Council has a dedicated team who 01324 506735
what’s important in terms of housing, to families on certain benefits or tax credits offer support and advice in relation to benefits. debtadvice@falkirk.gov.uk
community and landlords. What is changing? during the early years of a child’s life. You This service is free, confidential, impartial and
Online referrals can be made at
can apply for the Pregnancy and Baby independent. They can answer most questions
This information will be used
as tenant consultation to shape
Local Lettings Initiative - High Flats
We will reduce the age restriction on bidding
Payment from 24 weeks pregnant up to the over the telephone. www.falkirk.gov.uk/welfarebenefitsreferral Inspector
day your baby is 6 months old. This goes www.falkirk.gov.uk/debtadvicereferral
legislation, influence policies and
consult on proposed changes on
for these properties to 50 years of age. up to 1 if you’ve taken overlooking after a
They can help you:
You can check that you are getting all the
Tenant
housing policy to make it safer, fairer Local Lettings Initiative - New Builds child, such as if you’ve adopted. You get • decide on which benefits you can claim
benefits you are entitled to by using our online
and tenant focused. £600 for your first child or £300 for any The Scrutiny Panel
All categories will be able to bid for new • claim the right benefits so you are getting benefits calculator:
subsequent child. meetings were put on hold
A summary of all the answers build properties, sequenced in the same way all the money you can https://falkirk.entitledto.co.uk/home/start
due to COVID-19, and the
collated in the surveys will be as other advertised properties. • Best Start Grant - Early Learning this is a free and independent service.
• sort out problems with your claim consequential government
shared with Tenants, on their Payment -You can apply for the Best Start Please also check Falkirk Councils webpage
Letting Quotas guidance. Readers can
website, through social media and Grant Early Learning Payment when your • appeal against a decision that you think is for up to date information about benefits at
45% of properties will now be advertised for expect a detailed update in
with their partner organisation such child is aged between 2 years old and 3 wrong www.falkirk.gov.uk/benefithelp
Home Seekers. the next edition of Tenant
as tenants’ groups, landlords, the years 6 months old. If you are eligible, you
The Community Advice Service can be accessed Talk.
Scottish Housing Regulator, Scottish Under Occupancy get £250 for each child.
by calling 01324 506070 or by email at
Government and the Tenant Regional If you are awarded priority for under- • Best Start Grant - School Age Payment - cas@falkirk.gov.uk
Networks. occupying your home, this will be changed the Best Start Grant School Age Payment
If you use a Minicom, please call:
TPAS are giving everyone who signs to match the rules for over-occupying your is a £250 payment made to eligible
01324 504304
up to join a voucher for £10! It must home. families around the time a child normally
be a voucher which can be bought
and used online - we want to keep
Offers for Home Seekers
starts Primary 1. Tenant’s &
you and our team safe. You can also
donate your £10.00 to a charity of
The number of offers for a Home Seeker will
reduce from two to one.
• Best Start Foods - a new payment for
low income families on certain benefits or Resident’s
your choice. Time Limiting Priority
tax credits that replaces UK Government’s
Healthy Start Vouchers in Scotland. You Forum
So now is the time to join the Voice. If you are a Home Mover or Home Starter can apply for Best Start Foods when you’re Housing Services are
The place for Tenants and Residents with a Band 1 or 2 priority, if you place pregnant, or any time up to your child still to agree the date of
in Scotland to speak out. no bids within three months, you will be turning 3 years old. the next Tenant’s and
reduced to a Band 4. Resident’s Forum - we hope
To register and claim your £10.00 • Funeral Support Payment - a payment
voucher simply add your details here. Time Limiting Priority available to people in Scotland, who are to host the first virtual
on certain benefits or tax credits, and need forum in the near future.
For further information email If you have a Band 3 or Band 4, and place no
support to meet the costs of a funeral. Once restrictions are lifted,
Elaine Scoular elaine.scoular@ bids within 12 months, your application will
we hope to have blended
tpasscotland.org.uk be cancelled. • Young Carer Grant - a new yearly meetings; this means a mix
Housed Applicants payment of £305.10 for young carers aged of folks attending in person
16 to 18 who live in Scotland. and online. Please keep an
Once you have been allocated a property,
you cannot apply for a move within 12 • Job Start Payment - a one off payment of eye out for the dates.
months, unless there has been a significant £250 available to young people in Scotland
change in your circumstances. who are on certain benefits and need help
8 Tenant Talk Issue 16 with the costs of starting a new job. If the Issue 16 Tenant Talk 9
person has a child, they could get £400.
What’s Happening at the
Com p e t i t i o n s
Denny Community Flat
The Denny Community Support Group
Adult: Crossword Children: Colouring
is under new management, supported
1 2 3 4
through a joint working agreement with
Falkirk Council. They have transformed
the former Community Flat into a fully 5
serviced Hub that can function as a space
for agencies and partners to deliver
6 7
services that meet the community’s
needs. The new way of working will see
local people being enabled and supported 8 9 10
to take forward ideas that benefits the
local community.
11
An example of recent partnership working
has been the support given from the local
Housing team in Denny, to take forward a 12 13 14
funding application to ‘Awards for All’ to
upgrade the kitchen to a training kitchen. The 15
Community Engagement Officer for Housing They are pleased to announce that our
Services linked the group up with the local Community Food Pantry will be opening very
housing team in Denny, who then gave us soon (mid October), and have had a good 16
the required permission. The application was response from the community in relation to
then successful, and they now have a high these plans.
17 18
spec training kitchen in place. they can provide quality meeting and
You can contact them at
training facilities with free internet, and
Working again in partnership with Falkirk
access to appropriate digital devices. Their • Denny Community Support Group, 26
Council, they delivered over 500 emergency
Community Resource Worker can also help Bridge Crescent, Denny, FK6 6PD Across Down
food parcels to people in need within the
individuals with accessing digital services • 01324 824623
Denny and District area. Moving forward,
and support with form filling if required. • staff@dcsg.scot 1. Father 1. Not up
3. Cause to go 2. Honey, sweetheart
More Homes for More People 5. Not west
6. _____ bitsy spider
3. Smells bad
4. Not night
We’re increasing our housing stock to help us meet demand. 8. Maker of foam toys 7. Amaze; make speechless
Every year we set out our plans for more Instead we have been asked to send them also using Scottish Government grant and 11. Large boat, like Noah’s 9. Slacken
Council homes in the Strategic Housing the SHIP by mid-December setting out what Housing Association rents. 12. Create unison 10. Male parent
Investment Plan (SHIP). These homes are our priorities are for more Council housing.
If you would like more information on the 15, Netting 13. Land around a house
paid for from Scottish Government grant and
We are currently working on the SHIP and SHIP, you can contact Housing Services.
by the Council. We do this every year, planning 16. At any time 14. Ace, King or 8
this will be considered by elected members
for the next five years. The SHIP is then Corporate and Housing Services
in the late autumn. 17. Closeby 15. Not a woman
considered by local elected members and sent The Forum
to the Scottish Government. Plans are currently being worked on for Callendar Business Park 18. Failure
11 council new build projects providing Callendar Road
The SHIP gives details of:
around 600 new Council homes. We are also Falkirk
• new build council homes looking at reconfiguration projects to provide FK1 1XR
additional housing. The Council buyback 01324 590797 (Option 2) Post to:
• ex-council homes we are purchasing under
project has been ongoing since 2013 and, strategic.housing@falkirk.gov.uk Tenant Talk Crossword, Community Engagement Team,
the buyback scheme
so far, we have bought back 581 properties. The Forum, Callendar Business Park, Falkirk, FK1 1XR.
After we have circulated the SHIP to
• Council properties that we are reconfiguring We are currently thinking about how we can
elected members this will be made available Closing date is 30th November 2020.
(i.e. former sheltered warden’s housing that buyback more of the homes we need quicker
on the website.
is not needed any more and is being turned to meet the current needs of tenants and
into more council housing). people on the Council waiting list.
Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This year the SHIP is very different, mainly The SHIP also sets out plans for new
Housing Association homes Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
winners
because of the COVID 19 pandemic. House
building and buying properties stopped
for about three months. Also, the Scottish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government can’t tell us exactly what Falkirk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congratulations to the winners from the last issue:
Council’s grant will be for the year ahead.
Adult competition Children’s competition
Daytime Tel No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs Marshall from Bo’ness Colin from Laurieston
Heather from Stenhousemuir Tracey from Bainsford
Employees of Falkirk Council are not eligible to enter. Alastair from Bonnybridge Sophia from Carronshore
The Editor’s decision is final.
10 Tenant Talk Issue 16
Gardening Tips
for November
• Clear up fallen leaves - especially from lawns and beds
• Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent water logging
• Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year
• Prune roses to prevent wind-rock
• Plant out winter bedding SCVO
Scottish Council for
• Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem Voluntary Organisations
• Insulate outdoor containers from frost - bubble wrap ARC
works well
Annual Return on the Charter
• Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees using grease
bands around the trunks SHR
Scottish Housing Regulator
• Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the
garden SHIP
Scottish Housing Investment
• Cut a few stems of holly with berries for making Programme
Christmas garlands
TPAS
Tenant Participation
Advisory Service
Have Your Say
Rent Increase
Consultation
2021-2024
The Hedgehog Society
would like to thank
all readers who have
provided information
,
on hedgehog siting s
and routes. https://say.falkirk.gov.uk
Contact Us
One Number: 01324 506070
One Email for Housing Services: housingservices@falkirk.gov.uk
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