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City of Lincoln
Council – Resident
Involvement
CITY OF LINCOLN COUNCIL
FOR TENANTS AND LEASEHOLDERS
February 2020 Edition03 Rough Sleeper Team Obtaining copies in
Contents 04
06
New Year, New You!
Resident Involvement
alternative formats
If you have difficulty in understanding anything in this
document, please go to City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln or
07 Paying your rent
any other council office, and an interpretation service will be
08 What would you do if you provided.
discovered a fire in your home Polish Slovak
Rada Miasta Lincoln (z ang. City of Lincoln Mestský úrad mesta Lincoln so zanietením
09 Improving your home Council) jest w pełni zaangażowana w podporuje rovnocennosť a rozmanitosť. Pokiaľ
promowanie równości i różnorodności. W niečomu v tomto dokumentu nerozumiete,
razie jakichkolwiek trudności ze zrozumieniem dostavte sa, prosím, do mestského úradu
10 Helping clean up your niniejszego dokumentu, prosimy udać się do City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln alebo do
community ratusza - City Hall, Beaumont Fee w Lincoln lub inej kancelárie tohto úradu, kde pre Vás
do innego urzędu rady miasta, gdzie będziemy prostredníctvom Big Word Services môžeme
12 Organising gardening fun mogli zorganizować dla Państwa tłumacza z Big zaistiť tlmočníka.
Word Services.
on the Ermine Romanian
Lithuanian Consiliul orașului Lincoln este pasionat de
14 Contents Insurance: Linkolno miesto savivaldybė skiria daug
dėmesio lygybės ir įvairovės skatinimui. Jei šio
promovarea egalității și diversității. Dacă
întâmpinați dificultăți în înțelegerea acestui
Are you covered? dokumento nesuprantate, eikite į Miesto rotušę document, vă rugăm să vă prezentați la City
- City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, arba į bet kokį Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln sau la oricare altă
15 DIY with Julian kitą savivaldybės skyrių, kur Big Word vertimų reprezentanță a consiliului, unde putem să vă
agentūra mums padės susisiekti su vertėju. punem la dispoziție un interpret prin intermediul
Big Word Services.
16 The Abbey Neighbourhood
Forum tackles speeding
This publication can also be
made available in large print, or
De Wint Court Extra Care Facility electronically. Please telephone:
Demolition has begun on the old De Wint Court
01522 873398
site to make way for a brand-new extra care facility,
which will be opening in 2021 and supports RESIDENT
independent living. INVOLVEMENT
CHECK:
Located in Boultham Moor, the all-new De Wint Court
will have 70 one and two bedroom apartments, an If you would like to see articles
on-site restaurant, wellbeing suite and even a hair on a certain area, or have any
salon for residents! suggestions, don’t hesitate to
contact us on 01522 873398.
If you would like more information or would like to
register your interest, call Housing Solutions on
01522 873777. Editions of Home! are created in
partnership with our editorial
panel, made up of tenants and
our production team.
2Rough Sleeper Team
As part of the government’s pledge to We have prevented 28 people from sleeping
resolve rough sleeping The Rough Sleeper rough and there has been 354 enquires for
Project Team was formed in October 2018, advice and assistance from those either
following funding that was awarded to City of sleeping rough or at genuine risk of doing so.
Lincoln Council by the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government. What’s next? We continue to enhance
and improve working relationships with
The team consists of Caroline Hannah existing and new partners, as we continue
(Project Coordinator), Kerry Curtis, to work together to reduce, prevent and
Callum Smith, Andy Hicks (Rough Sleeper relieve rough sleeping. An example of this is
Allocations Officers) & Tracey McWhirter working with Shelter to prevent individuals
(Mental Health Nurse), working to assist released from prison sleeping rough.
and support people who are street homeless The project is funded until March 2020,
into housing. They work in partnership to and we are hopeful for future funding.
prevent rough sleeping on release from prison
and discharge from hospital, and to help
those who are street homeless. Our partners “You helped me turn my life
include Addaction, Lincoln Partnership
Foundation Trust, Framework, Lincolnshire around, you’ve helped me find
Police, P3, YMCA, Shelter and Probation.
somewhere to live and now not
The project continues to grow, so we have only do I have a home, but a new
implemented the “Somewhere Safe to Stay” hub,
crash pads and an extension of the operating job. I didn’t think I’d ever come
hours of the Nomad Night Shelter. Partnerships back from what had happened
with other organisations and agencies
continue to flourish as we work together to me.”
to tackle rough sleeping within the city.
There has been lots of work undertaken in the
last year, we have had some great successes, “You gave me a chance when no
but we know that there is still more work to do.
one else would, I can’t thank you
It is fair to say that the majority of enough for what you have done
people we work with do not have access
to the same housing options that most for me.”
people would. Many have complex needs,
require additional support to access
services and housing provision, and
mainstream housing is often not suitable. eone
f y o u see som each
i tr
you do eet ou
At the one year anniversary of
h a t s hould P 3 r u n a str leeping
W
g roug
h? ne s ail
someo
the project, we have housed 73
individuals, 81 have accessed the sleepin so if you see 1 0 2 8 0 or em
team 808 28 rity.org.
Somewhere Safe to Stay hub, and
e a s e ring 0 3cha
we have supported 146 people rough
p l
o u t r e ach@p
with their mental health needs. street
3New Year,
It’s that time of the year again, Christmas is over, the last New Year’s party has
come to an end and the January slump has occurred.
It’s now February and we know what you’re thinking… ‘Those New Year’s resolutions haven’t gone to
plan’ well this is where we step in. There’s still time to achieve them and this is how;
To give you a bit of motivation these are our team’s resolutions:
Chris: To learn more Italian.
Rachel: I want to start writing my own book.
Emma: I want to start eating healthier in 2020.
Start a new hobby
New hobbies are great as they enable you to spend time on building new skills and positively challenging
you. They can offer the opportunity of having new experiences and a way of meeting new people.
Why not give the following hobbies a go:
• Activitea: Art-Ninjas – make all kinds of art through
upcycling and reusing household objects through monthly
sessions. You can find out more, by calling Mia on 01522
877182 or 07802 478515 or by emailing
teamactivitea@gmail.com.
• Art lessons: You can learn how to be skilled in watercolours,
pastels and oils by an expert in Birchwood during weekly
sessions on a Tuesday. Discover more, by calling Michael on
07758 025755.
• Gardening: Green Synergy – you can learn about gardening
and help out with their community gardening project at the
Hillside Community Garden. For more information, please
call 01522 533077 or email info@greensynergy.org.uk.
• Craft skills: Tower Action Group– run craft groups where
you can create your own crafts in a relaxed space. For
further details, please contact 01522 873398.
• Wildlife conservation: City of Lincoln Council – you can help
support the improvement of your green spaces including
Hartsholme Park, The Arboretum, Birchwood Nature Park
and Lincoln’s Common land. You can call 01522 881188 to
find out more.
4New You!
Getting active
With the use of modern technology making our lives easier, we also tend to spend our days less active.
However, being active boosts your health greatly by lowering your risk of major illnesses and increasing your
well-being.
In Lincoln, these are some of the ways you can get active:
• Activitea: Ninja-Fit – where you are coached to meet your fitness goals for free
• Ninja-Swim – in which you can learn how to swim for a fee
• Ninja-Beat – where you can learn to dance for a small fee.
You can find out more by calling Ken on 07810 720829 or 01522 877182 or emailing
teamactivitea@gmail.com. Additionally, this is complemented by eating a healthier well-balanced diet which
helps you by providing the energy and nutrients you need for the day. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for
our monthly recipe which is low cost and healthy.
Start volunteering and get involved with your community
Volunteering is a way to help worthwhile causes and can make a huge difference in your
community. It is also beneficial for you as you can: learn new skills which
enhance your CV, increase your confidence, and gives you
the chance to meet new people.
Voluntary Centre Services (VCS) Lincoln
They tailor finding the right volunteering opportunity
through informal appointments and help to get you started
in a role that you will find enjoyable and interesting.
They also support you when finding out about your local
neighbourhood board giving you information, organising
events, raising issues affecting your area and solutions.
More detailed information can be found by accessing the
voluntary centre services website at
www.voluntarycentreservices.org.uk or by
calling 01522 551683.
Improving your council
If you are interested in improving your council by making
decisions and getting your voice heard.
You can find out more by turning to page six.
5RESIDENT
INVOLVEMENT
Do you want your voice heard and to improve your housing services for you and all tenants?
The Lincoln Tenants’ Panel members and the Resident Involvement Team invites all tenants and
leaseholders of City of Lincoln to the:
Lincoln Tenants’ Panel Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at City Hall, Beaumont Fee on
Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 10.30am
At the meeting, the following will take place: We also have vacancies in the following seats:
• Elections will take place and individuals will be confirmed • Newport
onto the panel • Ermine West
• Any changes to the constitution will be made • Hartsholme
• Approving the work programme that represents your • St Giles
concerns and enables tenants to be at the heart of the • Tower
decision making • Moorland/Boultham.
• A governance report will be presented by the chair person.
What’s in it for me?:
The following occupied LTP seats are currently • Ensure that you receive a housing service that is approved
up for re-election: by you
• Bracebridge/Manse • Helping to influence council decisions by reviewing
• St Giles council’s service delivery and performance
• City Centre • Receiving training to help learn new skills that are useful
• Birchwood 1. for your CV
• Meeting new people and making friends.
The closing date for applications into these seats
is 5 March 2019.
If you are passionate about getting involved and shaping your council, we still have vacancies for the following groups:
Mystery Residents’ Lincoln Tenants’ Leaseholder Tenant Home!
shopping groups Panel forum authors Editorial Panel
If you are interested in attending the AGM or standing for a vacant seat,
please contact us by calling 01522 873398 or emailing LTP@lincoln.gov.uk.
6Paying your rent
Paying your rent is an essential expense that should be If you are struggling to make ends meet we have a
top of your list. We all struggle with our money and pay- specialist Welfare Advice team who is always happy to:
ments at times, trying to find enough to stretch in every • Advise on your benefit entitlement and help you to claim
direction so it’s easy to find yourself going off course. • Help you with benefit problems or issues
• Provide money management/budget guidance
One way to guarantee that you don’t fall into rent arrears • Provide debt advice and support.
is to pay by Direct Debit. You can choose from five direct
debit dates each month (2nd, 8th, 15th, 22nd or 28th) and You can contact them at
it’s easy to set up. Visit our website or call the customer welfare@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873382.
services team on 01522 873333.
If you do find yourself behind on your rent, please make
sure to tell us as soon as possible. This prevents your
home being at risk and helps us to sort out any issues
before they get too serious.
7What to do if you discover
a fire in your home
We have put together some top tips about what to do if Important information – Fire Risk From Whirlpool
you discover a fire in your home: Tumble Dryers!
Do you have a Whirlpool Tumble Dryer? If your product
• Do not tackle fires yourself unless you are trained
has a green ‘’dot’’ sticker in the door area or on the back
and it is safe to do so
plate, no action is required. However, if it doesn’t you need
• Keep calm and act quickly by alerting everyone else
to check if your dryer is affected by calling 0800 1510905
and leaving the area – do not waste time rescuing
or visiting https://safety.hotpoint.eu/dryercheck. If you
valuables
have an affected appliance unplug it and do not use it
• If you have to move through smoke keep as close to the
until it has been replaced or modified. Whirlpool will offer
floor as you can, where the air is fresher
the choice to have it replaced free of charge, fixed by an
• Dial 999 for the Fire Service as soon as possible once
engineer or refunded, depending on the age of your tumble
you are safe
dryer. For information, please visit the Whirpool website
• Do not go back into the building until you have been
at: https://dryerrecall.whirlpool.co.uk/.
told it is safe.
Home safety check for peace of mind
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue offer a home safety visit or
self-assessment pack which provides fire safety advice and
the last 12
pliances bought in
guidance. You can find more information by calling 01522
Register your ap home by going to
555777 or visiting www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincoln- years for a safer d update
shire-fire-and-rescue/ to request a home safety check. ppliance.org.uk an
www.registermya nces move.
u and your applia
your details if yo sociation of
ovided by the As
The website is pr case of recall.
act quickly in the
Manufacturers to
8Improving your home
You may be aware that the property investment team are conducting stock condition surveys,
which are ‘home improvement surveys’ where the team re-assess the remaining life of the key
components of your home.
The property investment team look to survey each home at least every five
years, usually between October and May, to help plan in future improvements.
These may be undertaken by one of our surveyors or by our surveying
partner, Savills.
The survey will usually take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete and
will include the surveyor taking photographs to help our team with
with our assessments.
The key components inspected include:
• Kitchen • Chimney
• Bathroom • Fencing
• External doors • Paths and paving
• Roof and rainwater pipes • Electrics
• Windows • Loft insulation.
Once the survey is completed, the responsible Project Officer will
review the information collected and decide when your property
should be prioritised for future improvement work for each
component. Please note that your home is unlikely to be included
into any improvement programme until we have completed a home
improvement survey.
You may well be happy with the condition of your home or do
not wish to be included in a programme at this time. We are fully
respectful of this but nevertheless would want to continue with
our inspection of your home to ensure the information we hold for
your property is up to date and accurate. If you do not want to be
considered for any particular improvement work then tell your
surveyor and they will feedback this information to the property
investment team.
Please be aware that the surveyor will not be able to tell you
whether your home will be placed onto a programme, they are only making their
recommendations to the Project Officer who is responsible for prioritising their programmes of work
across all our properties. If your home is placed onto a programme then you will receive a letter
to confirm this. If you do not hear from the property investment team then your home has been
prioritised into a future programme and you will be contacted at that time.
These surveys are important for your home, if we are unable to carry out a stock condition survey it
cannot be considered for improvement work. Please note that this will not affect your day to day repairs.
9Helping clean up your
community
An article produced by one of our volunteers, Oliver Taylor
Have you ever had concerns about littering and She informed me that what motivated the group was
how it affects your community? Well now is your helping to make the environment safer and improving the
chance to help, you can make a difference both in area. Fortunately enough, I was then invited to join them
your home and in the community, having a posi- on a litter pick and see the amazing work that they do.
tive impact and saving you money along the way.
Much of our plastic waste either enters our water- So what can you do…
ways or grassed areas and is spoiling our spaces vis- • Make sure rubbish is disposed of correctly, Ryan
ually but also impacting on wildlife and nature. suggests "if you hold it in your hands when it's
full then you can hold it in your hands when
I spoke to Ryan Lovett who runs C.L.E.A.N (Clean it's empty" so find a bin or take it home.
Lincoln Everywhere And Now) to find out more • Print as little as necessary.
about the work they do and their thoughts on the • Use re-usable bags and save on those 5p’s per each bag.
subject. They encourage people to take part in litter • Donate old items that you no longer wish to keep
picking events by lending equipment. Ryan Lovett to charity.
set up the company to ensure litter picking is acces- • Get active in your community by getting in touch
sible for everyone in Lincoln, so untidy areas can be with C.L.E.A.N or the neighbourhood boards
reduced in a bid to overcome the worldwide issue. to help the clean-up in your area.
Recently, they went on a litter pick with a group to litter
pick along Tritton Road from McDonald’s to Sainsbury’s,
it was only 500m and took just over forty-five minutes.
However the group collected over ten bags of rubbish. By
doing these litter picks, it is hoped that the volunteers
can then encourage family and friends to ensure waste
is disposed correctly and take part in future events.
After speaking to Ryan, I wanted to find out more about the
groups that carry out the clean ups. Through researching
online, I very quickly stumbled across Lincoln RiverCare
whom have been carrying out litter picks along the Sincil
Bank Drain for five years, I then spoke to Barbara Gooding.
Photography by
Nick Rawsthorne
10Find new uses for old items by using Pinterest and
WikiHow, see below for our Piggy Bottle Bank:
You will need:
• A plastic bottle for the main body
• Four egg carton cups for the feet
• One small piece of paper, card or
felt for the ears and tail
• Glue or sticky tape and scissors
1. Firstly, create four legs by cutting up individual
egg cups and sticking them onto the plastic bottle.
Alternatively, you could use wine bottle corks.
2. Secondly, cut two triangular shapes from paper or
foam for the pig’s ears and glue them in place.
3. Cut a circular spiral shape from paper or card
and glue the tail to the bottom of the tail.
4. Paint two small white circles for the pig’s eyes
and let the paint dry. Add a dot of black paint
or black marker to make the eye’s pupils.
5. Now paint two small white circles on the
bottle lid to make the pig’s snout and let dry.
6. Finally using a two pence coin for measurement,
cut a hole at the top of the bottle large enough to
fit all that spare change and start saving as much
as you can before you have to break the bank!
Key health and safety tips:
1. Always supervise children whilst
they are using scissors
2. Make sure this activity is done
whilst sitting down
11Organising gardening
Towards the end of last year, residents at
Belvedere House on the Ermine got together
to organise a garden tidy up day.
The event was organised by the Ermine Action
Group and Mandy Harley, a local resident
and the chairperson of the board told us:
“Some of the gardens at Belvedere House were looking a
little worse for wear after a summer that brought good
growing conditions.
Along with other residents, we decided to organise the
event to help encourage and support residents to tidy up
their garden.
The Ermine Action Group and the council
provided funding through its community
investment scheme.
We spent the day gardening and clearing rubbish, it was
a big success and everyone who attended enjoyed it.
We were successful in clearing rubbish, planting
daffodil bulbs for spring, cutting several lawns and the
hedges back so you can now walk down the path”.
The group plans to hold another garden day
in the spring and longer term plans include
entering the gardens into a competition.
If you’re a resident at Belvedere House or the Ermine
and want to get involved with future events or if you
would like to hire the garden tools (hedge trimmers,
gloves, trowels and garden kneeler) then please contact
us on 01522 873398 or email LTP@lincoln.gov.uk.
12fun on the Ermine
Please remember to look after your garden. It won’t be many more weeks before the first cut
of the year will be due and now is a good time to start preparing. Here are some top tips on
how to look after your garden:
• Keep on top of hedge and grass cutting. The longer you leave it the harder it will be to cut it.
• Push lawn mowers can be cheaper to buy then electrical ones.
• Leave a patch of grass longer. This means less work for you and is great for wildlife.
• Pot up a few flowering bulbs or sow some wildflower seeds in pots.
They are cheap and will bring colour to your garden.
13CONTENTS INSURANCE:
ARE YOU COVERED?
Did you know that you are not automatically covered by City of Lincoln Council for damage to
your belongings, furniture and decoration against things such as fires, flooding, theft, burst
pipes and vandalism?
However, help is at hand as all tenants and leaseholders are able to apply for cover through
Simple, a special household contents insurance scheme with Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance
PLC, which is a low cost, easy payment, for peace of mind scheme.
There are two types of cover: Simple and Simple+, which covers accidental damage. You can also
add additional cover such as personal belongings for when you’re away from home, wheelchairs
and pedal cycles.
SIMPLE: SIMPLE+:
Cover prices start from as little as Cover prices start from as little as
£17.83 a year £37.87 a year
You can apply by email or post following the web site below:
www.lincoln.gov.uk/contentsinsurance
Or you can call 03456718172 to
apply over the phone.
If neither of these are possible,
please seek help from City Hall.
14DIY with Julian
Making improvements to your home? Follow our step-by-step guide provided by Julian in
replacing a toilet seat. Julian has been repairing council homes for over 25 years, so has
plenty of experience!
It’s easy to install a toilet seat and it doesn’t take very long. There are plenty of different sizes,
colours and shapes to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that matches the shape of your toilet
bowl and is right for the style of your bathroom.
Materials needed:
• New toilet seat
• Cloth
• Rubber gloves
• Measuring tape
• Disinfectant spray.
Step 1. Check the size of the old toilet seat
(making sure you are wearing rubber gloves)
Toilet seats come in a variety of sizes -
check the measurements of the seat’s fastening
bolts to make sure you buy a seat that will fit
properly on your toilet bowl.
Step 2. Remove the old toilet seat
There are two wing nuts holding the old seat
on to the toilet bowl. Undo the nuts and lift the whole
toilet seat assembly off the bowl.
Step 3. Install the new toilet seat
Slide the plastic bolts into the slots on the back of the
new seat. Insert the bolts into the holes at the back of
the toilet bowl and screw the wing nuts into place.
Once these have been firmly tightened, the seat is
installed and ready for use.
15The Abbey Neighbourhood Forum
tackles speeding
For many years residents a portable temporary sign that coordinated with Lincolnshire
surrounding the Monks Road warns drivers of their speed and Road Safety team and the
area have been concerned encourages a speed decrease. suppliers of the sign and installed
about speeding. This issue was the sign on Monks Road.
then made aware to the Abbey Steven Bearder and Marie Rothwell,
Neighbourhood Forum. local residents, who led this campaign Chris Morton (Resident
commented that “we were frustrated Involvement Manager) observed
They then cleverly came up that “it was firstly great to see so
from seeing many road accidents in
with the solution of installing many involved and passionate
our area and we hope that this helps
a Speed Indication Display residents in the project who
(SID) to Monks Road, which is lead to a decrease in speeding.” want to make a difference to
the area. We hope this helps to
As part of this solution, the reinforce the serious message of
Resident Involvement Team at road safety to the community.”
the City of Lincoln Council helped
the group apply to the scheme,
u
estion of where yo
If you have a sugg ee d
next install a Sp
believe we should se
your area, plea
Indication Sign in .
ng 01522 873398
contact us by calliYou can also read
