INTOUCH - HELP US GET YOUR HOMES READY - PAGE 4 INVESTING IN OUR HOMES AND CITY - PAGE 7 SPOTLIGHT ON...EFFORD - PAGE 14 - PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY HOMES
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InTouch Issue 38 Spring 2019 Help us get your homes ready - page 4 Investing in our homes and city - page 7 Spotlight on...Efford - page 14
Inside...
Welcome Find out what our Board
members have been up to - Page 12
Welcome to the Spring issue of In Touch, where ........................................
we start to look ahead to the (hopefully) good
Congratulations
weather we’ll soon be enjoying.
We’ve set up a Wildlife Garden Group to
encourage residents to make their green spaces
more attractive to visitors like hedgehogs and
bees. Read more about this on page 14.
We know many of our tenants like to make the
most of their communal spaces and we’ve got
some helpful information about this on page 23.
There’s big news about work we’ll be carrying
out across our estates over the coming months.
Check out our special four-page feature on this.
You can also read the latest on the Towers work
on page 20.
Golden ticket winners Robert and Elaine Blagdon
Housing Officer Kristina Browning is up for a top will enjoy spending their voucher - once they can
award for her work tackling anti-social behaviour decide what on!
– read what she’s been doing to help residents
on page 3. The couple, of Whitleigh, found the ticket inside the
last issue of In Touch.
It really is awards season – our North Prospect We selected one newsletter at random for it to go
regeneration scheme has scooped a safety inside and the resident who found it could
award and you can see who’s won our Winter exchange it for a £50 Love2Shop voucher.
Wonderland photo competition on page 22.
Elaine said: “If the voucher is for shops rather than
Meanwhile, tenants Robert and Elaine Blagdon restaurants, we will spend the voucher on a shop
(opposite) are the lucky winners of our Golden and then the money we’ve saved we’ll spend on
Ticket competition – congratulations to them. a nice meal out. Either that or my husband will
probably want to spend it in HMV – he likes music
Enjoy reading and email us on news@plymouth- and films!”
communityhomes.co.uk.
Robert added: “We always read through In Touch.
It contains useful tips and hints.”
Nick
Housing
Officer
nominated for a
national award
Kristina Browning, who looks after she’s done over the past few would apply for anti-social
our Whitleigh patch, is in the years in Whitleigh: behaviour injunctions against
running for a RESOLVE ASB them.
award. "When I took over as Housing
Officer for Whitleigh, there was a We then had to contact all those
The awards recognise the big problem with a group of youths affected and ask if they would give
outstanding contribution of causing anti-social behaviour. a witness statement and
tenants, housing officers, ASB and potentially attend court. We
Community Safety practitioners We started by doing a door worked alongside our solicitors
in resolving anti-social behaviour knocking exercise to speak to Tozers to put the case before
and making communities safer. residents. We were able to get a court.
lot of information to identify
Senior Housing Officer Paul perpetrators, encourage further Alongside this, we put in a Money
McGarry nominated Krissy for the reporting and assure residents Tree Fund application for CCTV
Practitioner of the Year category that we would do everything in our which we hoped would act as a
and she finds out this month if power to tackle the issue. deterrent and provide us with
she’s won. evidence if there were further
We were also able to identify the crimes.
Paul said: “This is great news for ring leaders. We held meetings
Krissy. This is the first time anyone with the council and police. We I do really appreciate Paul
from PCH has been firstly tried the supportive ap- nominating me. It was a joint effort
shortlisted. These are really proach with Acceptable Behaviour working alongside other agencies
competitive awards so for her to Contracts and referrals to support and I had a lot of support from the
make the shortlist is brilliant. We’ll however it became clear these rest of the Whitleigh team.
all be cheering her on!” were having no effect. We were Although it was a lot of hard work
left with no option but to look at at the time, it was worth it to see
Below, Krissy outlines the work legal action and it was decided we the difference it has made."
3
Can you help us get your homes ready?
We’re looking for more volunteers to take I’m interested, what does it involve?
part in our resident void inspector
scheme, which helps our Repair You’ll need to be flexible and available at
Supervisors with their inspections when a fairly short notice on days you’ve said suit
tenant leaves their home. you. You’ll look at everything from flats to
bungalows and houses. A simple lettings
Since launching in November, Wendy form (mainly tick boxes with comments)
Edgcumbe and Doreen Edwards needs to be completed after each visit.
(pictured) have been part of a small team
who have visited a number of homes Requirements:
across the city to check they’re up to
scratch before they’re re-let. • Available once or twice every couple of
weeks for an hour at a time (not including
They’ve been completing the inspections travel time).
alongside the repairs team and are now • Able to visit different properties (we can
fully trained. allocate properties with limited stairs and
provide transport).
Wendy, from Southway, said: “It’s been an • Able to fill out a basic form.
eye opener seeing how people leave the • Able to have a fair, considered approach
properties in different conditions and the in looking at a property.
time taken to get them ready for the next
tenant. How can it help me?
“We tend to do roughly two inspections a • Great for your CV – learn skills to
week.” increase your chances of finding work
• Help us make key decisions that affect
Fellow
mouth Sutton and resident
Devonport MP inspector Christine Field residents and learn more about PCH
said: “It’s been a wonderful thing to do • Meet new people, access training and
and has given us some perspective and a improve your confidence
good overall picture of the planning that is
involved with the voids process. Jill Palmer, Resident Involvement
Co-ordinator, said: “This has been a great
“Hopefully it leads to quality properties project between our voids team and some
that every resident would be pleased to highly-committed residents. Looking at
live in.” the feedback forms, it’s clear that on the
whole our residents and void inspectors
Repairs Manager Keith Gaydon said: “All agree with the assessment of the home.
the volunteers have been brilliant and “We now want to extend this to look at
shown real commitment to help improve areas such as gardens and the approach
our services. They’ve been able to offer to the property, asking residents how they
further insight and point out things that would feel if they went to view the
non-residents may not notice. property for the first time.”
“We want to make sure we go that To find out more, call 0808 230 6500.
extra mile and that homes meet our letting
standards. All their points and suggestions
have been really valuable.”
4
Rents and
service charges
By now you will have received letters from us
explaining what your new rent and service charge
levels will be for the coming year.
We write to tenants and leaseholders in February
and March each year and the new charges take
affect from April.
This is the fourth and final year of rents going down
by 1%. This affects all tenants apart from shared
owners.
In 2017/18, we had the 5th lowest housing
association rent for general needs social housing in
England and the lowest in Plymouth and the South
West.
According to our 2018 Star Survey results, 91.8 per
cent of residents are satisfied with value for money
from rent.
Of those who pay service charges, 81.6 per cent
said they were good value for money – an increase
of nearly 2 per cent since the last survey in 2016.
If you have any questions about your rents or
service charges, call us on 0800 028 0350.
Are your belongings insured?
We don’t automatically insure your
furniture, belongings or decorations agai
nst
fire, theft, vandalism, burst pipes and othe
r
household risks. You’ll need to take out
contents insurance.
We offer an affordable scheme with the
National Housing Federation called My
Home Contents Insurance.
Premiums are calculated on a weekly basi
s
and can be paid in a variety of ways. For
details ring 0808 230 6500.
Pictured: John Clark, Elaine Pellow and Gary Sawyer
5
Face of the fixers
What attracted you to the I walk into the office in the morn-
ing and I am always greeted with
organisation? smiles and happy people. I can
see how our team cares about
In previous roles I have worked on
their job roles and this is great to
behalf of PCH as a subcontractor.
see.
I could clearly see its values,
beliefs and how different it is to
other organisations. Everyone I What do you like least about
spoke to had positive things to it?
Neil - Plumbing/G say about PCH and its culture so
as Supervisor
when I saw a role advertised I Not being on my tools and being
decided to apply. out there completing the repairs
first hand.
What’s your name and what
do you do? How many visits / jobs do
you do a day, Are there any unusual /
My name is Neil Thompson and I approximately? funny instances you’ve ever
am the Plumbing / Gas had while at PCH?
Supervisor. Our team consists No two days are ever the same.
of 14 operatives, an apprentice One day I could be attending While talking to some customers
and office staff. As well as line inspections and the next day I in their kitchen, their friendly dog
managing the team, I attend site could be supervising a major leak/ got closer and closer. Before I
inspections and health and safety blockage. All I know is there’s knew it, let’s just say the dog took
inspections, organise work for our never a dull day and this is what a liking to my leg! The dog didn’t
contractors, manage severe leaks I like about my role. I spend half want to get off, even with all our
and blockages, engage with our my time in the office and the other efforts.
customers and do anything else half on site with operatives and
that makes our section successful. customers. What do you like doing when
you’re not working?
How long have you been What are the best parts of
working at PCH? your job? Spending quality time with family
and friends, watching live bands
I have worked for PCH for The variety. The whole team is at gigs or festivals and anything to
two-and-a-half years. great. I also get to meet residents. do with football.
MyPCH tablet winner
Estover resident David is the latest winner of a
Samsung Galaxy device.
He won after sign ups to our MyPCH portal reached
2,500. The portal allows tenants to pay their rent, report
a repair or get in contact with us to make a
comment or complaint.
On using MyPCH, David said: “It’s really simple to use
and once it is set up you can manage the account
easily online and everything is visible.”
For every 500 people that sign up, we’re giving away a
tablet to a winner picked at random. We’ve got just one
left – so sign up to MyPCH now for your chance to win.
Investing in our
homes and the city
Around 400 tenants and 30 leaseholders will benefit from a £7m
investment into projects that will improve buildings and breathe new
life into neighbourhoods.
Sue Shaw, Director of Homes, Neighbourhoods and
Regeneration, said: “We want to invest in our city to
make sure we create and encourage thriving
communities and maintain homes where people want
to live. That requires continued investment and that’s
the commitment we’ve made to people living in our
properties and Plymouth as a city.”How will we do this?
We’ll be carrying out works in Ipswich Close, Budshead Road,
Keat Street, Teats Hill and Artillery Place over the next 12 months.
Keat Street
. ..
..
• 147 people's homes ..
• Overhaul of soffits and fascias ..
• External wall installation
• Renewal of windows and doors
..
..
...
• Refurbishment of paths,
paving and forecourts
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
High Street ..
• 219 people's homes ..
• Fire upgrade works ..
• Over-coating all external .
areas with new coloured
render
.................................... .....
. ... ..
.. . . . .
..
NOTE:
...
Artillery Place - D
C
1) © This drawing is the property of Crayon Architects
and should not be copied, reproduced or used for the
.
purpose other than which it has been prepared.
.
2) Dimensions are not to be scaled from this drawing.
.
All dimensions to be checked on site
.. .
3) Any discrepancies found in the plans, dimension,
existing conditions or any apparent error to be pointed
..
out to the architect prior to commencement of work.
. . . . ..
Artilery Place. . . ...
• 28 people’s homes
• Chimney repairs
• Roof clean
• Window and door renewals Rev Amendments Date Drawn By
• Renew internal lighting in
communal areas
Office 12, 25 The Crescent, Plymouth, PL1 3AD
01752 242073 www.crayonarchitecture.co.uk
client
Plymouth Community Homes
job title
Block & Courtyard Feasibility
Teats Hill & Artillery Place, Plymouth PL4 0LX
drawing name
Artillery Option D:
Artillery Place - C
D
Main Facade Colour: GREY - R190 G194 B198
drawing status
Balcony Colour: GREEN - R141 G186 B183
Balcony Trim: DARK GREY - R82 G83 B87 Feasibility
Stairwell Panel Colour: GREY - R85 G86 B91 drawn by checked by date
AA DA Jan '19
- Add hanging baskets to entrance and glass sides to balconies. drawing number scale
1815_ F23 NTS@A3BUDSHEAD ROAD/ IPSWICH CLOSE
OPTION A1
Budshead Road and
Ipswich Close
• 126 people's homes
• Roofing repairs to fascias and
chimney
• External wall treatment and
decoration
.. . • Window and door renewals
. . . • Installation of fob access to
.. .
. . . laundry room
.. .
.
Option A1:
Teats Hill - BLOCK 3-G
.
Main Facade Colour: LIGHT GREY - R200 G200 B200
.
Stairwell Colour: MID GREY - R165 G165 B165
.
Trim/ balconies Colour: WHITE - R255 G255 B255
. . ..
. .
. . .. Torridge Way
. .
... • 129 people's homes
• Roof renewal
• External wall repairs
• Window and door repairs
.. .
• Communal area redecoration
. . .
..
• Drainage maintenance .
. . .
.. .
. . .
.. .
. .
Block 1 Option G:
.
Main Facade Colour: LIGHT GREY - R175 G177 B180
.
Door Surround: GREEN - R141 G186 B183
..
Capping Colour: DARK GREY - R82 G83 B87
.
- Add hanging baskets to entrance, pick out detail to top of door surround and inc.
.
contrasting coloured panels below windows. New rounded bay window detail.
. . Exeter Street
. . ..
.
• 67 people's homes
• Fire upgrade works
... .....
.......................
• Over-coating all external
areas with new coloured
render
....
.... Teats Hill - BLOCK 3 - G
....
....
.... Teats Hill Flats
.... • 129 people's homes
.... • Roof renewal
....
.... • External wall repairs
• Window and door repairs
Victoria Pennington of Teats Hill said: • Communal area redecoration
“It’s lovely and I can’t wait for the work to • Drainage maintenance
start. It has been a long time coming and • Upgrading external areas
the improvement it will make to the area with new bin stores, cycle
will be great for all the tenants.” shelters and access ramps
Block 1 Option G:
Main Facade Colour: LIGHT GREY - R175 G177 B180
Door Surround: GREEN - R141 G186 B183
Capping Colour: DARK GREY - R82 G83 B87
- Add hanging baskets to entrance, pick out detail to top of door surround and inc.
contrasting coloured panels below windows. New rounded bay window detail.PCH is investing in new roofs, external wall coverings, drainage, windows, doors and outside
spaces to transform the blocks. The improvements will improve their energy efficiency, quality and
overall look. Work varies slightly from block to block depending on survey results.
“Rather than drip feeding major maintenance projects over the course of 10 to 15 years for our
larger blocks, we’re completing the works all at once which saves money in the long-term.”
explains Sue. “The benefits of carrying out the works in this way are far greater, as they have a
real impact on our residents and the surrounding neighbourhoods, as well as increasing the value
of the properties.”
“We wrote to tenants and leaseholders telling them we were planning to carry out these works.
We then asked them about designs and colours they wanted for their blocks and asked builders to
quote for the works to make sure we get the most for our money.
“The timing of the works varies per block, but will be roughly 40 weeks for each and they should all
be completed in 2019.”
The investment per property averages between £18,000 to £22,000. Leaseholders owning their
property have already received estimates and will be billed for the cost of the works once
completed, which will be off-set by an increase to the value of their home.
Leaseholder Facts Tenant facts
• A leaseholder is someone who has • A PCH tenant is someone who rents
bought their property from the freeholder a property from PCH through a tenancy
(the owner of the land). agreement.
• As with private home ownership, • A PCH tenant is not responsible for
leaseholders of properties in these areas repairs, maintenance or improvements
are responsible for the repair, mainte- to the property as they do not own it. The
nance and improvements of their homes property remains our responsibility to
outlined within their lease. They are look after.
expected to pay their share of the costs
for these works. • A PCH tenant does have a
responsibility to keep the inside of a
• We follow strict rules when carrying out property in good condition which is
works that affect leaseholders, including included in the tenancy agreement.
asking them about the works before they
happen and getting quotes to find the • It is important to highlight that PCH
best deals possible. tenants are not being charged for the
works across the five sites in the same
• The timescale of repayments to us by way a leaseholder will be – these
leaseholders differs depending whether improvements are already covered by
they live at the property or sub-let. the rent a tenant pays.
• We strongly advise any leaseholder • Anyone wanting to become a PCH
concerned about the costs of major tenant needs to be registered on
works to contact us to discuss payment Devon Home Choice and must have
terms. been assessed as having a housing
need. For more information visit www.
• We also strongly advise anyone devonhomechoice.com
considering buying a leasehold property
to get professional legal advice to avoid
misunderstandings or future issues with
a lease.Devonport residents
in line for days out
Pembroke Estate Management Board (PEMB) is one of the
chosen Co-op good causes for 2019.
Every year the Co-op selects local causes to award the proceeds of
carrier bag sales and 1% of its own branded goods.
The EMB will use the funds towards family day trips and community events which will be available
to all Devonport residents.
Anyone who signs up as a Co-op member will automatically contribute towards the overall total
collected during this year.
Additionally, members can choose PEMB as their specific good cause which means they’ll receive
a greater share of the overall amount collected. It’s easy to do this, but PEMB will help if you need
it. Call them on 01752 607277.
To register for membership, visit coop.co.uk/membership or call 0800 023 4708. Membership
normally costs £1 but if you call into the Pembroke EMB estate office in Devonport, you can pick
up a free card.
Update – changes to repairs categories
We recently finished our Repairs Categories consultation. We’ve had a positive response, with
91 per cent of tenants in favour of the proposed changes.
These are due to start this April.
The changes mean that repairs categories will be reduced from four to three, removing the
urgent category. The new catergories are emergency, routine and planned. This will allow us to
attend a repair at a time which is convenient to you, without restricting appointment choice by
categorising repairs into too many timescales.
Many thanks to all residents who got involved with the survey online and offline – we appreciate
your time and input.
Resident involvement helps us make key decisions that will affect and improve services. Our
website will soon be updated with a new repairs leaflet.
For further information about getting involved, please contact the Communities Team on 0808
230 6500 or email communitiesteam@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk.
11Welcome to our
three new
apprentices!
Yasmin, Teegan and Hayley have
joined our Contact Centre – so if
you call in to speak to us, you may
be talking to one of them.
Yasmin spent a few years as a
Board members out and about
holiday rep after studying travel
and tourism before deciding she
Our newest Board members have The yearly event sees Board
wanted to be closer to home. She
been meeting residents and staff members from across the country
said: “I enjoy the one-on-one
in our city centre shop. meet colleagues and learn more
customer experience so I wanted
about what’s hot in social housing.
to complete my apprenticeship
Maddi Bridgeman spent the
with a company that is well known
morning with Housing Officer Subjects discussed included
for the positive things they do for
Laura Denton (both pictured) in Brexit, homelessness, fire safety,
the community.”
our Frankfort Gate premises. responding to the Social Housing
Green Paper, how to improve
Teegan has worked at the
Maddi said: “I really enjoyed my Board diversity, the relationship
Plymouth Devils speedway and in
morning, it was interesting and between landlords and residents
catering. She was looking to find
insightful. Laura explained that and tenant engagement.
a customer service role when she
no two days are the same and it's
saw the advert for an
clear to me that she enjoys Liz said: “It was an excellent
apprenticeship with us.
working at the shop.” conference, a good chance to
network. You really feel like you’re
She said: “I was really looking for
“It was good to hear about the immersing yourself in the sector.”
something that gave me education
range of queries the Officers
and experience at the same time
answer on a daily basis and their Lavinia added: “The conference
and this is the perfect position for
process of investigation to get thewas really interesting and I felt
me.”
whole picture before reaching a that I learnt so much. I was really
solution.” happy that I was able to attend. It
Hayley saw the opportunity online
was a great opportunity to meet
after deciding an apprenticeship
Liz Nicolls also spent time in the other Board members from
would suit her. She said: "I was
shop, as well as attending the several housing associations and
really impressed with the
National Housing Federation promote some positive things
opportunities and training that
Board member conference in about PCH such as MyPCH, the
PCH offer. I want to complete my
Manchester with fellow new Board Residents’ Awards and tenant
apprenticeship and gain a full time
member Lavinia Porfir, both engagement.”
position here.”
pictured together on page 2.
12
8 | Getting InvolvedResidents and staff joint work pays off with
recognition in tenant engagement
PCH achieved accredited landlord standard three years ago when Tpas came and looked at all
areas of the business and how we involve our residents to make sure that they have a very clear
voice in delivering our services.
Tpas were back to check that we had moved on from three years ago and we were described as
‘exemplary’ for our work with communities, including community projects and our work to engage
residents of Mount Wise Towers.
Staff were asked to lead a workshop on bringing communities together at a Tpas conference last
week and their Chief Executive Jenny Osbourne will be visiting Plymouth in May to tour some of our
projects and present us with our accreditation award.
Alice Potter, Communities Team Manager, said: “We’re so pleased that the engagement,
consultation and close working in the communities we carry out has been recognised by Tpas. They
identified several areas of best practice including our In Touch magazine, our community projects
and Neighbourhood plans.”
Emma-Jane Flynn, National Consultancy Manager for Tpas, said: “PCH are one of the most
resident focussed organisations Tpas have had the pleasure to award accreditation to with good
practice across Board membership and support and transparency. The good practice resulting from
work in communities affords this landlord beacon status and deserves a special mention.”
Residents channel their
competitive side at quiz
A messaging app helped build the tension at a
residents’ quiz.
Residents from our housing with support schemes
simultaneously took part in the quiz, with a
WhatsApp group set up to link everyone playing.
The overall winners were Helen Fox House with
36 marks out of 45.
Pauline Rooks, Housing with Support Officer, said:
“A Whatsapp group was used to send the scores
through simultaneously and this helped the
atmosphere of competition and excitement!
“It was a very successful event with support from
the Tenancy Management, Communities, Fire and
Repairs teams.”
The members of each scheme’s winning team
received £10 Love to Shop vouchers and the
overall winning team won a trophy and £100 to
spend on something for their scheme.
There are plans for the quiz to be a regular annual
event.
13Spotlight on... Efford
We’ve been busy in Efford in recent months. The have. For the people of Efford, Deer Park and Little
refurbishment of the flats and shops in Torridge Way America, it’s only a five minute walk away and ideal
has been completed. for leisurely country walks or summer picnics.
Our Communities team is now working in the “With the Devon Wildlife Trust, we plan to put on
neighbourhood on a number of projects and we’ve more events at the marsh so that people can get to
appointed a dedicated worker for this. know and enjoy this wonderful wildlife sanctuary.”
One of the big projects we’ll be involved in is working We also held a big community event at the end of
with residents to use green spaces more. last month with lots of local partners and want to
hold more in the summer.
We’ve linked up with the Devon Wildlife Trust and
kicked things off with a nature day in Efford Marsh We’ll be letting people know what’s going on in the
during the February half-term. area through a twice-yearly Efford newsletter, which
will be delivered to all local residents.
Ryan Huws, of our Communities Team, said: “We’re
lucky to live in a city with lots of green spaces and If you’d like to get involved with the newsletter,
Efford Marsh is one of the best wildlife spots we please call Ryan on 0808 230 6500.
31% 4%
of residents are aged 60+ years Life expectancy for residents in of residents are between 16-25
Efford is 79.6 years – the City
average is 80.5 years.
14Is your garden a haven for wildlife?
We’ve teamed up with the Devon Wildlife Trust
If you’ve got a garden, here are some top
(DWT) to create a Wildlife Garden Group for
tips from the DWT for how to make it
residents.
attractive to wildlife this spring:
We want to encourage wildlife and the
newly-formed group has picked five PCH 1. Put some water down at different heights – a shal-
gardens that they’ll ‘make-over’ to be more low dish full of pebbles will help bees have a drink and
wildlife friendly. a bird bath will be great for birds to drink and bathe.
Many of our common garden visitors, including 2. Allow a patch of grass to grow longer. This doesn’t
hedgehogs, are increasingly under threat; but need to look messy – by mowing around a neat square
however big or small your garden you could of longer grass your meadow will be a real feature and
create your own haven for wildlife. will create brilliant spaces for grasshoppers, beetles
and moths.
Housing Officer Dean Rogers said: “Wildlife
gardens have so many additional benefits such
3. Grow bee-friendly plants like herbs such as thyme
as reducing our carbon footprint, saving money,
being easier to maintain and being good for your and marjoram – good for cooking too!
health.
4. Ditch the slug pellets and avoid pesticides as these
“It doesn’t need to be hard work and just simple can harm wildlife.
changes can make a lot of difference.
5. Hedgehogs are waking up from hibernation around
“Wildlife gardens don’t have to look untidy and March and April so now is the time to add some
overgrown. They still need to have a defined hedgehog-friendly features like a pile of dead wood in a
structure and look as if they have a purpose.” sheltered corner to encourage insects, which
hedgehogs will feed on. Natural logs are best.
To get involved with the group, call 0808 230
6500 and ask for Helen Cross.
15New homes in the city are ready
This summer will see the You can see the latest We’ve also finished Brentor
completion of Southern Gate, time-lapse footage of Phase View, our 95-home
Phase 3 of the North 5 work on our website at development at the former
Prospect regeneration. www.plymouthcommunity- Southway Primary site.
homes.co.uk.
Our partners Kier have built Work continues at Aberdeen
159 new homes – 81 for rent, The final phase of North Avenue, Manadon, where
31 for shared ownership sale Prospect, Phase 4, now has we’ve got 20 homes available
through SO Living and 47 for more homes for rent and at The Quarters development
open market sale. more parking spaces after – 12 for affordable rent and
we reduced the number of eight for shared ownership
But the work carries on for homes for sale on the site. sale.
Kier, who we’re working with
to deliver 143 homes in We hope to get planning
nearby Phase 5. permission soon.
That phase consists of 46 We still have to buy some
properties for rent, 31 for homes back too. There are
shared ownership and 66 for now just a small number
open market sale, with the where we hope we can reach
first homes due to be handed an agreement with the owner
over in around 12 months. before the end of the year.
Where else are we building homes?
We completed our first Horrabridge and Whitchurch. city boundary.
development outside of
Plymouth recently. We’ll be entering into lots of “We’ll continue to speak to
agreements like these in the residents about design – at
The 11 one, two and future. We’ve got a similar annual events like the design
three-bed homes for rent are arrangement with Persimmon conference every October
located at Briar Tor, in Homes at their Trevethan and through customer sur-
Yelverton. Meadows development in veys – as these influence
Liskeard, where we’ve got 39 future projects.
Plymouth-based Classic homes.
Builders own the “We’ll also keep working
development, where they’ve There are also developments with our partners to
built 32 homes, 21 of which being planned in Tavistock, deliver training placements
are for open market sale. Saltash and Brixton. for local people – previous
skills academies we’ve run
We’ll let out our 11 as part of We need to deliver more have been successful, with
a legal agreement which sets than 600 homes in Plymouth many participants going on to
out who can rent them. and surrounding areas in the gain full-time apprenticeships
coming years and this goes or jobs.”
We’ve advertised the prop- some way towards achieving
erties through Devon Home that.
Choice and we’ll continue to
do so when vacancies arise. Andrew Lawrie, PCH Head
of Development, said: “Our
They’re offered at an Board approved plans for us
affordable rent to people from to develop within a 30-minute
Yelverton and the travel time from Plymouth
surrounding parishes of which means we can set our
Meavy, Walkhampton, sights a little further than the
16Award win shows North Prospect is safe
as houses – as Phase 4 funding
confirmed
We’ve won a top award for our work to ‘design out’ crime
in North Prospect.
The announcement comes as we receive confirmation
that we’ve been given government cash for half of the
funding of Phase 4, our final phase of the scheme.
The double win shows our mission to rejuvenate one of
the most-deprived areas of Plymouth has been a
success.
We beat off stiff competition nationally to scoop the Best
Large Homes development category at the National
Secured by Design (SBD) awards.
We worked with crime prevention initiative SBD to
‘design out’ crime when we began regenerating North
Prospect in 2010.
The results have led to residents feeling much safer in
their homes and communities.
Gina Reynolds, pictured, has recently moved to Phase 3
after 25 years of living in Phase 4. She said: “When I first
viewed this home, I thought it was just right for me. It’s
very open around here – light and airy and not dark and
there are no alleyways. It’s really homely. I feel happy
and safe here.”
Nick Jackson, PCH Director of Business Services and
Development, said: “This is fantastic news and shows
that the hard work we’ve done to regenerate the
neighbourhood has had long-lasting impacts.
“We know residents have warmer, more modern homes
to live in but feeling safe and secure in your surroundings
is also important.
“The funding from Homes England for Phase 4 is
further good news. It proves that our hard work to
enhance North Prospect and the lives of people on the
estate is worthy of investment.
“We’re in talks with other key partners and we look
forward to making announcements soon about further
funding.”
Plymouth City Council has also agreed a £1m
contribution and we are hopeful of a grant from the
government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to complete
this final phase.
17Beacon Awards
PCH staff who supported The Beacon Customer Service Year Award (Leigh Bartram and
tenants with mental health Award Winner (Darryl Tapper) Mae Hughes)
problems and worked tirelessly for
charity were just some of our The Beacon Top Colleague Award CEO's Team Award Winner (The
employees recognised at this (Nicky Blackwell and Mike Algar) Contact Centre)
year’s Beacon Awards.
The Beacon Outstanding Thank you to all residents who
The annual awards celebrate staff Contribution Winner (Martin nominated someone.
who go above and beyond the call Thompson) Nominations are now open for
of duty to help residents across next year’s awards so if you
the city. The Beacon People's Choice come across a staff member you
Award Winner (James Hancock) think deserves recognition, fill
They are nominated by fellow staff in an online nomination form on
and residents throughout the year The Beacon Star behind the our website here: https://www.
and we honour them at a Scenes Award Winner (Neil plymouthcommunityhomes.
ceremony in February. Riches) co.uk/media/1674/nomina-
tion-form-external.pdf
The winners are: The Chair's Choice Award Winner
(The Re-use Centre) You can also pick up a form at our
The Beacon Management Award Plumer House headquarters or
Winner (Fran Sandercock) The Beacon Apprentice of the our city centre shop.
Let us know about the amazing achievements
of your friends and neighbours!
We’re looking for nominations for this year’s Residents’ Awards, which
recognise the fantastic work and good deeds of our residents.
Last year’s winners included Sarah and Dean Harrison, who won a Good
Neighbour Award for going ‘above and beyond’.
The couple were nominated by their neighbours Denise and Chris
Andrews, who said: “We as a family face many struggles with our
disabled son. He doesn’t like to leave the house a lot.”
The Harrisons would take Denise and Chris’s two kids on holidays and
day trips. You can nominate residents NOW by emailing our Communities
Team: communitiesteam@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk.Help us free up homes
for those in need
We’re in the process of taking He had been
tenancy action which could free renting a house in
up a much-needed home after a Whitleigh and claiming
resident was found guilty of fraud. Council Tax support while
living in another property in
Our resident was claiming benefits the city. He has now Fran Sandercock, Senior Housing
on the basis that she was living in given up the PCH house. Officer, said: “We want to make
her PCH home but we discovered sure the right people are in the
she had not been there for two We’re working closely with the right homes. Social housing is at
years. Instead, she was living in Devon Audit Partnership (DAP), a premium and many families in
another part of the country. and are members of the Devon need are waiting for
Fraud Forum. The DAP has more accommodation.
Housing officer Kristina Browning investigative powers than us as a
said: “It became apparent housing association. “We’re working hard to prevent
following a joint visit with the tenancy fraud and you can help by
incomes team; the neighbours Should someone be found guilty reporting anything suspicious.”
informed us that the resident was of fraud through the Crown
not living at the address.” Courts, we can take tenancy If you notice anything unusual
action – which can result in them about a neighbouring property call
In another case brought by losing their home. us on 0808 230 6500. We’ll deal
Plymouth City Council, a tenant with it in confidence.
was ordered by the courts to carry We take tenancy fraud seriously
out 160 hours of community and our staff have recently
service after admitting to received refresher training on how
subletting his home. to identify fraud.
What are the different types of tenancy fraud?
• Obtaining housing by deception – where a person gets a council or housing association home by
giving false information in their application
• Unlawful subletting – where a tenant lets out their council or housing association home without the
knowledge or permission of their landlord
• Abandonment – where a tenant leaves their socially-rented property, has no intention of returning
and does not tell the landlord
• Wrongly claimed succession – where a tenant dies or moves out and someone who is not entitled
to tries to take over or succeed the tenancy
• Right to Buy/Acquire – where a tenant has applied for or completed the purchase of a
socially-rented home under the Right to Buy/Right to Acquire scheme when they’re not entitled, or
misrepresented their circumstances to gain a discount
Development | 17Cladding removal begins as PCH delivers on promise to residents Residents at the Mount Wise Towers saw the first panel of cladding covering the blocks removed in February and continue to see the Towers transform. The rain screen cladding covering all three of the Devonport Towers failed tests ordered by the Government after the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. We’ve been working extensively with contractors Mi-Space and Bailey Partnership to ensure we had a solution that not only removed the existing cladding but replaced it with a solution that met the new regulations, ensured the safety of our residents and improved the energy efficiency of the build- ings. The scaffolding took over 12 weeks to erect and a protective wrap was put around the Towers before the cladding could begin to be removed. Now the rain-screen cladding covering all three blocks will be taken off and replaced with External Wall Insulation (EWI) which carries the highest possible fire safety rating. 20
John Clark, our Chief Executive, explains: “The alongside PCH, Cllr Mark Coker and local residents
safety of our residents has always been our top to upgrade fire safety measures in the Mount Wise
priority so this is a real milestone. When we Tower Blocks.
committed to removing the cladding from the
Towers we knew this would be a massive project “It took a year of campaigning but we now have the
and I would like to thank our residents, staff and money from the Government to take down the
partners across the city who have worked together cladding and replace it with safe cladding.
to make this happen.
“PCH have worked hard to keep residents informed.
“We always believed that the Government would I join local councillors, residents and PCH in saying
do the right thing and fund this work and with the we won't stop working until this combustible
support and backing of Plymouth City Council, our cladding has been fully removed from the Mount
MPs and local Councillors, this has been achieved. Wise Tower blocks."
The full cost of works is being paid by the Ministry
of Housing, Communities and Local Government As part of the large programme of work happening
(MHCLG) and this enables us to invest the £12m at the Towers we’re replacing residents’ windows
set aside in our Business Plan for these works to with new A-rated double glazed windows which
be invested in improving existing and building new will add to the increased energy efficiency of the
homes within the city. building provided by the new EWI covering and help
keep them warm and save energy.
“The full replacement of the cladding will take 66
weeks and we’re all keen to see the fresh new look Whilst work to prepare for the removal of the
(chosen by residents) of the three Towers, that cladding was taking place, PCH ensured residents
dominate our city’s skyline in the spring of 2020.” were kept safe by fitting sprinklers to all communal
areas and individual flats in the Towers and
MP Luke Pollard said: “We must do all we can to employing 24-hour fire wardens to carry out regular
ensure there will never be another Grenfell Tower checks of the building and outside areas.
again. That is why I've been so proud to be workingPhoto winners Courtney Green win themselves a
£30 Love2Shop voucher each.
Our winter wonderland pho-
tography competition was such Ellie said: “I’m so pleased to have
a success that two winners were been chosen as one of the win-
chosen. ners. I love photography and it’s
a really big hobby of mine. I was
We invited tenants to submit pho- involved with the PCH Kids with
tos of their favourite winter scenes Cameras project a few years ago
to be in with the chance to win a and I’ve enjoyed taking pictures
£50 Love2Shop voucher. and portraits since then.”
a calendar at the end of the year.
Our residents’ photography club Jo Steel, Resident Involvement
judged the competition, naming Coordinator, said: “The photogra- “We’re looking to run this over the
Richard Edmonson and Sandra phy club was so impressed with spring months which will focus on
Kozlowska as joint winners. the pictures they received that a nature theme.”
they’ve decided to run another
A separate category for the under competition – perhaps turning The image pictured was taken by
18s saw Ellie West-Thomas and some of the pictures into a Courtney Green.
Do you get bored waiting
for your washing to finish?
Then pick up a book and get stuck in as part of our Laundry Libraries
project. We’ve setting up mini ‘libraries’ in our laundries across the city.
Our Re-use Centre has supplied small bookcases which will be equipped
with good condition, second hand books for you to read.
You can take them away with you and, if you have one, leave a book so that others can enjoy it.
The idea came from Housing Officer Nicky Blackwell, who originally heard about it on a podcast.
She said: “The idea is to try and make these communal laundry spaces more
welcoming and community friendly and promote reading.
“We’re aiming to get a range of different books in the libraries, including
books for kids, so there should be something for everyone.”
Resident Susan Hurst said: “I’m not a big reader but I
might start. I’d read true life stories. My husband likes
reading but he doesn’t like coming down here
when all the women are doing their washing!
This might encourage him.
“You have to wait an hour for your washing so it
could give people something to do.”
The Laundry Libraries launched in West Park on
World Book Day last month and will be rolled out
across the city over the coming weeks.
22Enjoying warmer weather
Enjoying warmer weather
What you can do in communal gardens
and some great places to get out and about
After the hottest February on record and
the hope of more sunny days to come, your
thoughts may be turning to summers in the
garden.
We know it’s tempting to get the paddling
pools, trampolines and play equipment out
when the temperatures rise, but we ask
Free activities
tenants in our blocks to keep communal
spaces clear. • Mount Wise, which features three outdoor
pools, opens next month for the summer and is
This is so everyone living in our blocks gets completely free.
to enjoy a communal outdoor area that is
clean, tidy, safe and free from clutter and • The revamped playground at Central Park
obstacles – it also helps to avoid complaints opened last year and includes brand new play
and disputes between neighbours. equipment for kids of all ages.
But there are plenty of things you can do in • For those who fancy some sea air, there’s West
your communal outdoor spaces – smaller Hoe Park and all the surrounding green space it
play equipment that can be packed away at offers – not forgetting those lovely views over the
the end of the day is great in the summer, sound.
as well as picnic sets and foldaway garden
furniture. • Fancy a walk in the woods? Saltram and
Plymbridge Woods are two of the best places to
To help keep children cool, instead of a escape to for spring walks and Saltram has
paddling pool, why not try building a den or plenty of Easter activities for kids later this
putting up a tent? Or perhaps even water month.
squirters instead? As long as communal
areas are cleared at the end of the day and • The Cremyl Ferry provides a cheap way to
people are considerate to their neighbours, cross the Tamar and take in everything that
everyone is happy. Mount Edgecumbe has to offer.
If staying in the garden isn’t for you, there
are lots of great things you can do in your
neighbourhood and beyond instead, which
are either free or reasonably priced, and
we’re going to be sharing some of them with Ideas for communal areas
you in the June issue of In Touch.
We’ll be teaming up with leisure attractions • Smaller play equipment – swingball
in and around Plymouth to offer you some • Tents or dens for cooler activities
great deals. • Water squirters
• Foldaway furniture
• Picnic sets and blankets
Look out for our offers pull-out
in the June issue of In Touch!
23Sign up to My PCH today!
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repair and update your details
online from the comfort of your
PCH home
mypch.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
Get in touch
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