Homing in - Brighton & Hove City Council
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homing in www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing Winter 2019 Santa is visiting the Volk’s Railway at weekends up to Christmas. For details and a round-up of other local events this winter, see page 14. In this issue Fire safety update Universal Credit advice Apply for community art grants Win theatre tickets
Welcome
Welcome to the winter issue
of homing in.
We’ve got news from across the housing service,
including a fire safety update.
There’s information about our new in-house
repairs, maintenance and improvement service,
starting in April 2020, plus news of how residents
are making a difference in their communities.
As Christmas approaches, we’ve got ideas
for making the most of the festive season,
Jean with her award
and details of recycling and refuse collection
dates. There’s also a chance to win Theatre
Royal Brighton tickets. Congratulations to Jean
Wishing you all the best for 2020. Caring Jean Carter has won a prestigious
award for her voluntary work.
Stock
Jean, 82, has run a popular knitting club
at Evelyn Court seniors housing scheme in
condition survey Windlesham Close, Portslade for 11 years.
The Lifelines knitting club knits blankets and
We’re carrying out a stock condition survey to clothes for premature babies at the Royal
help us plan for work needed in the future, Sussex County Hospital, and raises funds
such as replacement kitchens, bathrooms, for charities including the British Legion and
windows and doors. Seafarers UK.
The survey started last month and will carry on Jean also helps with Evelyn Court’s craft
until February 2020. Our contractor, Michael Dyson group and volunteers at the Martlets Hospice.
Associates, is looking at a selection of council homes
She was presented with a Lord Levy
and communal areas in council-owned blocks.
Award for her outstanding contribution to
If we need to survey your volunteering by the Volunteering Matters
home, they will write to you charity. Jean said: “It really was quite a
to make an appointment. surprise to get the award, it was lovely.”
What’s involved? The knitting club meets on the second Monday
of each month at 2pm at Evelyn Court, and
The survey is a visual welcomes people from the local community.
inspection of the inside
For more details call 01273 293395.
and outside of your
home and should take
around 20 minutes.
Any safety-related repairs identified during the
Why we are doing it? survey will be forwarded to our repairs service.
The survey is being done If you have any questions about the
to collect information relating to survey, please call Housing Customer
the government’s Decent Homes Standard and the Services on 01273 293030 or email
condition of your home in general. housing.customerservices@brighton-hove.gov.uk
2 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing
Christmas is coming
Don’t forget to pay your rent!
Avoid the worry of starting 2020 in arrears by keeping up your rent
payments over the Christmas and New Year period.
Even though the festive season can be busy Other ways to pay
and expensive, don’t be tempted to put off
paying your rent. • Pay online with a debit card using our
secure server at ww2.brighton-hove.gov.uk
We provide a range of different ways to pay and Go to the ‘pay online’ section.
help is available if you are struggling.
• Call our 24-hour automated payment line on
01273 291908 to pay by debit or credit card.
Pay by standing order or direct debit
• Use a PayPoint card at PayPoint outlets.
Paying by standing order or direct debit is
quick and easy and means your rent will be
taken directly out of your bank or building
society account.
You can choose to pay by standing order,
which you set up yourself through your bank or
building society.
Make sure you are
You can set up a direct debit online at
covered
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/rent Remember to make sure you have
or we can arrange it over the phone. home contents insurance, as your
Call the Rent Accounting Team on 01273 293065 to belongings are not automatically
find out more about these and other payment methods, insured under the council’s insurance.
email rentaccounting@brighton-hove.gov.uk We advise all tenants and leaseholders
or visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/rent to take out contents insurance to
provide cover against fire, theft,
and water damage – to help you
Here to help avoid extra expense to replace your
possessions if they get damaged.
If you are struggling to pay You can arrange insurance through any
your rent, or worried about insurer. We recommend Crystal Insurance
which offers a good choice of cover, with
debt, call the Housing Income
weekly payments starting from as little
Management Team
as £1.
on 01273 293224.
For more information contact
Crystal Insurance on 0345 450 7286
or visit www.crystal-insurance.co.uk
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 3
New homes update
Tackling the city’s
housing shortage
Frederick Street,
Building more council North Laine Award winning homes in
homes is a top priority and Kensington Street
construction of 30 new flats
in Selsfield Drive, Brighton Award for
and 12 flats in Buckley Close,
Hangleton is well underway.
city centre homes
Newly built council homes in
115
Kensington Street have won
We’re also planning a range a top design award.
of other new developments
The development of 12 homes
through our New Homes for
won the Best Architectural
Neighbourhoods programme.
Design in this year’s South
Windlesham Close, Portslade Four flats are proposed for a East Construction Awards.
parking site in Frederick Street The award panel said the
Seventeen flats are being and a planning application will
proposed on the site of design recognised the unique
be considered in the new year. setting of the North Laine
Windlesham House. Thanks to everyone who came and is helping to regenerate
Thank you to everyone who took along to a public exhibition and Kensington Street.
part in the consultation in the gave feedback on the plans.
autumn. We’ve taken your views The homes were developed
into account and are finalising Victoria Road, Portslade in consultation with local
plans which will be considered by A planning application for 42 flats residents.
the Housing Committee early in on the site of the old housing
the new year. office and adjacent bowls club will
be considered next year. Victoria Road
Plans also include a
new bowling green in
nearby Victoria Recreation
Ground for Portslade
Bowls Club and a new
sports pavilion for the use
of the bowls club and local
football clubs.
Windlesham Close
A total of 185 new council homes have been built through the New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme since 2015.
4 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing
Fire safety update
Following recent government fire safety guidance on balconies
and external wall panels, we’ll be carrying out additional checks Grenfell inquiry report
to our buildings. The report of the first phase
The advice is to check materials used While you are welcome to of the public inquiry into the
in ‘Spandrel Panels’, which include keep bicycles on your balcony, Grenfell fire was published
window panels and infill panels please do not leave items such on the 30 October 2019. The
used as part of external walls. as furniture, white goods, report contains a number
decorating materials or toys on of recommendations on
If we find any panels made
your balcony. managing fire safety and we
of materials that need to be
will be investigating these
replaced, we will schedule this As well as being unsightly, storing
thoroughly.
work as part of the housing combustible materials on balconies
capital investment programme. can be a significant fire risk. We’ve been in constant
Use of balconies For the same reason, we do not contact with government
allow barbecues to be used on since the Grenfell fire and
We will also be checking for will continue to work closely
combustible materials used on a your balconies. Smoke and smells
can also disturb your neighbours. with the East Sussex Fire &
building’s balconies. Rescue Service to review all
If your home has a balcony, we’d As with anywhere else in your our fire safety practices in
like to remind you that a balcony home, if you smoke on your line with any new guidance.
shouldn’t be used as a storage area. balcony, always check that you’ve
fully extinguished your cigarette.
New homes from
hidden spaces
Christmas fire safety advice
We’re converting ‘hidden’ or Take care with candles and Fairy lights and heaters that you
empty spaces within council- don’t leave them burning bring out for only a few weeks
owned property into new homes. when you’re not watching. a year can be a fire risk. Check
Always double-check they are the wiring is intact, make sure
Tenants have moved into three new
completely out. plug sockets are not overloaded
flats in Swallow Court, Whitehawk,
If you’re using candles, make and don’t leave items on and
converted from a former office.
sure they are on a heat-proof unattended.
Work is underway to turn the old
surface, in a proper candle Keep communal areas and
Oxford Street housing office into ten
holder so they don’t fall over, common ways clear in blocks
new homes and an office in Manor
out of reach of children and of flats. Anything left in common
Hill, Whitehawk is being converted
pets, out of draughts, and away ways poses a potential fire and
into two flats, plus a new house will
from curtains, furniture, cards, smoke hazard and can block
be built alongside.
decorations or anything else escape routes. Just a reminder
A new flat at Woods House senior which could catch fire. that at Christmas, this also
housing scheme in Hove is nearing means that decorations and
completion (see page 11) and two wreaths cannot be hung on the
extra flats have been completed at outside of flat doors.
Elwyn Jones Court in Patcham.
For more fire safety advice, visit the
If you have a suggestion for a space fire service website www.esfrs.org
in your neighbourhood which might or call 0800 177 7069 to arrange
make a home, let us know. You can a home safety visit.
email P&Ienquiries@brighton-
hove.gov.uk
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 5
Strengthening our communities
Tenants and leaseholders from across the city got
together at Hove Town Hall in September for the
Citywide Conference.
The annual conference is make sure tenants can settle
organised by residents and into their new home and
chaired by Chris El-Shabba community smoothly.
from Whitehawk. There were opportunities to quiz
The theme was Strengthening housing managers and councillors
Residents Anne Willson and Ann Our Communities, and the in a question and answer session,
Packham with assistance dog conference was a chance to share and discuss issues such as tackling
Jewel at the conference ideas and hear about resident- anti-social behaviour and the
led projects which are bringing new repairs, maintenance and
Councillor Gill Williams, chair
people together. improvement service.
of housing, chats with resident
Eddie Cope and community In Craven Vale, for example, the Chris said: “We heard about
development worker Graham Allen community association is setting some fabulous projects that
up bee hives and planning to show the work and passion
produce honey, while in Mile Oak of our residents across the city
a community garden has been that are making a difference to
given a fresh new lease of life (see their communities”.
below and page 7). If you would like to suggest
The conference also heard about themes for next year’s conference
the role of ‘resident inspectors’ contact the Community
who check empty properties Engagement Team (see below).
before they are let, helping to
Here to help -
Community Engagement Team
The Citywide Conference is the council, Sussex Police, East
organised with support from the Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, and
Community Engagement Team. other local organisations.
The team, set up earlier this If you have ideas for improving
year, brings together Resident your road or estate, or are
Involvement Officers from interested in setting up a resident
Housing and staff from other group, get in touch with the team.
services, to provide a single point Email communityengagement@
of contact for all residents in brighton-hove.gov.uk or call
the city. 01273 294651.
Staff continue to work closely The team can also help you apply
with tenants and leaseholders for funding for improvements from Neighbours James Henson, Tony
to help improve services and the Estate Development Budget. Underwood and Sue Fines
neighbourhoods. They also have For more information, visit in the Wickhurst Rise garden in
strong links with services across www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/edb Mile Oak
6 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing
Leaseholders Chilling at
Action Group news an igloo!
If you own a flat in a council block, Adventurous Alison Gray
you’re automatically a member of (pictured) enjoyed a holiday
the Leaseholders Action Group. with a difference – helping
The committee holds open committee to build an igloo!
meetings, at various places around Alison is chair of the Tenant
Brighton & Hove, to which all leaseholders Disability Network and relies Alison hopes her experience
are invited, and are welcome to raise on a wheelchair, but she’s will encourage others who
concerns. The next ones will be: determined not to let her want to try something new.
Saturday 14 December, 10.30am disability hold her back. She said: “I think some people
at Westmount, Finsbury Road She took an organised coach trip thought I was mad when I said
Monday 6 January, 6.30pm to chilly Bavaria, where activities was going to build an igloo,
at Clarendon-Ellen included an igloo building but being disabled doesn’t
Saturday 15 February, 10.30am workshop and seeing husky mean you can’t go places or
at Tyson Place dogs in action. do the things you want to do.
Monday 2 March, 6.30pm It was a great experience!”
at Hampshire Lodge The Tenant Disability Network
Saturday 18 April 2020’s Annual is a group of residents who offer
Meeting will be at the Friends Meeting friendly support and advice to
House – book the date now! tenants with disabilities.
For more information, or to give us your To find out more email
ideas, contact the committee on tdnbhcc@gmail.com or call
01273 605225 or lag@clarend.com 01273 292365.
We’d be very glad to hear from you.
Home grown veg for Christmas
Families living in two blocks of flats in
Wickhurst Rise, Mile Oak, are hoping to have
home grown sprouts with their Christmas
lunch, straight from their communal garden.
Residents have transformed the garden over the last two
years, from a drab underused space, into a welcoming
area for relaxing and socialising.
They’ve planted fruit trees, vegetables and flowers, put
in raised beds and a new table and chairs. This summer
the garden produced enough to supply all 18 flats in the
blocks with fresh vegetables for 12 weeks.
James Henson (pictured), from the Wickhurst Rise project,
Residents applied for funding from the Estate
said: “It’s become a garden everyone can enjoy and it
Development Budget to help pay for the
brings people together. We now know the names of
improvements. To find out how to apply visit
every resident.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/edb or call the
“We’re growing sprouts for Christmas, and our intention Community Engagement Team on 01273 294651
is to produce food for all residents all year.”
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 7
New service
coming in April
Our new repairs, maintenance and
improvement service starts in just over
three months.
From 1 April 2020 the service will be run in-house, Residents helping with the changeover to the new service
after our current contract with Mears comes to an end.
works such as asbestos management, larger
Look out for a full round up of information about
repairs, drainage, glazing repairs, and scaffolding.
the new service in the next issue of Homing In.
•C ontracts for door entry systems, lifts and gas
In the meantime, here are some of the key points servicing will stay the same.
of what’s changing, and what’s staying the same:
• A list of approved contractors is being set up for
• The main change you’ll see is vans will be major works and we’re bringing in a process where
council-branded, instead of Mears, and staff companies can compete for contracts to ensure the
will carry council identity cards. council gets the best price and standard.
• Phone numbers are not changing – to report We’re working hard to make sure the changeover
a repair you will still call 0800 052 6140 goes smoothly and a resident group is helping us
(Freephone) or 01273 294409 from a mobile. with this.
• Urgent repairs will still be started within 24 hours
You can find out more about the service at
and routine repairs within 20 working days.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/repairs-contract
• Individual contracts are being set up for specialist or email FutureRepairs@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Universal Credit update
Confused about Universal Credit? We’re here to help...
Universal Credit (UC) was introduced in Brighton & Hove in 2017 for
anyone making a new claim for benefits.
If you are already on benefits, you It is really important to remember It’s worth checking with our Welfare
can carry on receiving them at the that not all changes of Rights team first, they can help with
moment – unless you have a change circumstance mean you have information and advice. You can
of circumstances that means you to claim UC. call them on 01273 291116 on
need to make a new claim. Monday mornings 10-1pm or email
Help is available welfarerights@brighton-hove.gov.uk
The sort of changes which might
mean you have to make a new Benefits are complicated and if For more information about the
claim include: you think you are not getting the support and advice available on
right amount, or you are unsure claiming Universal Credit, go to
• Where you are claiming income whether you need to make a new www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/
support as a lone parent and your claim, ask for help. We are seeing universal-credit
youngest child turns five people lose benefits they are If you are struggling to pay your rent
• Where you lose a job and need to entitled to because they are not or are worried about debt, call the
make a new claim for help with asking for help, so the earlier we Housing Income Management team
your rent and living costs can help the better. on 01273 293224.
8 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing
Celebrating a century of
council housing
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Addison Act, which led to
councils building social housing on a large scale.
In our autumn issue we featured residents’ memories of council homes over the
years. Here two readers recall the redevelopment of Whitehawk in the 1970s.
Changing for the better
Lynn Bennett Whitehawk memories
moved to
Whitehawk Caroline Siam has lived in council
just before housing for much of her life and
the rebuilding seen lots of changes.
work started The biggest was growing up in Findon
and saw the Road, Whitehawk, while the estate
estate take was being redesigned and rebuilt.
shape from
Caroline (pictured) said:
her home in
“Whitehawk Community Centre
Wiston Road.
was just being built when we She previously lived in
She said: moved there in 1970, and Moulsecoomb and remembers
“They gutted I saw the library opened by going out to play with other
the middle of Whitehawk and ours Princess Anne. children at the adventure
was one of the few streets left in playground and Stanmer Park.
“We saw a lot of the old
that area.
houses and bungalows knocked Caroline now lives in
“The building work went on for a down and people moved out, one of the council’s new
long time. Some of the kids thought and the old buildings were developments in Wellington
it was great fun seeing the diggers replaced with new cul-de-sacs Road, Brighton. She said:
and machinery, but some of us and new homes.” “I’ve got great neighbours
adults got a bit fed up with it when and I love it here.”
it was wet and muddy.”
Lynn added: “In the long run it
has changed for the better, a lot of Grants for community art projects
the old houses were pre-war with To mark the centenary, we’re inviting residents to get
outside bathrooms and toilets. They together and celebrate council housing.
were replaced with modern homes,
with smaller gardens, which meant Grants of up to £250 are available for resident-led art projects across
there was space to build more.” the city, which ideally bring people of all ages together.
Lynn now lives in Manor Way and Maybe you have an idea for brightening up a wall on your estate
is chair of Manor Farm Residents with a colourful mural, or would like to come up with an eye-
Association. She has been at the catching piece of art for a community room or communal garden.
heart of local community life for To apply and find out more contact communityengagement@
years and said: “I got involved so brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 294651.
that I could put my word in.”
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 9
Don’t get caught out –
be on the alert for scams
If someone makes you an offer that sounds too Don’t give out any personal
good to be true, it probably is. or bank details.
Scams can take place online, • you’ve been asked to If someone claims to be from
in person, over the phone, or transfer money quickly the council or from another
through the post, by people • you’ve been asked to pay authority always check their
trying to steal money or in an unusual way, for ID. If in any doubt about
information. example, by iTunes vouchers whether the ID is genuine,
They can be difficult to or through a transfer service shut the door and contact
recognise, but there are things like MoneyGram or Western the Citizens Advice consumer
you can look out for. It might Union helpline on 03454 040506.
be a scam if: • you’ve been asked to give The helpline can give you
• it seems too good to be true, away personal information advice about what might
for example, a holiday that’s like passwords or PINs be a scam and the steps you
significantly cheaper than should take if you’ve been
• you haven’t had written scammed.
you’d expect it to be confirmation of what’s been
• someone you don’t know agreed You can also call the
contacts you unexpectedly council switchboard on
If someone calls at your 01273 290000 to check the
• you suspect you’re not home trying to sell your identity of council staff.
dealing with a real company, something or asks for personal
for example, if there’s no information, the advice from There’s also information
postal address Trading Standards is to say on our website www.
‘no thanks’ and shut the door. brighton-hove.gov.uk/
tradingstandards
Stay safe Other useful numbers:
and warm If a grit bin on a housing estate needs
this winter
refilling contact the Estates Team, email
estatesserviceteam@brighton-hove.
If we have snow and ice this
gov.uk or call 01273 294769. Christmas Day
winter, please check on elderly If you have a problem with your lunch
or vulnerable neighbours to heating contact the Repairs
Helpdesk, email BHCC.repairs@ A Christmas Day lunch is being
make sure they are warm and
mearsgroup.co.uk or call held at Hove Methodist Church,
have everything they need.
0800 052 6140 or 01273 294409. in Portland Road, for people
If you’re worried about a relative who might otherwise spend the
If you are worried about heating bills
or neighbour, you can contact us by day alone.
contact Money Advice Plus, email
calling 01273 295555 Monday to
info@moneyadviceplus.org.uk If you would like to go, please
Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. If your
or call 01273 664000. contact the church office to book
call is an emergency after 5pm, it
a place on 01273 324600 or email
will be answered by our CareLink
office@hovemethodistchurch.
Plus alarm service.
co.uk. Volunteers may be able to
For more information visit arrange transport for you if you
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/snow live in postcode area BN3 or BN41.
10 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housingNew lease
of life for
public loo!
A former public toilet in
Sackville Road, Hove, has
been transformed into a
new communal lounge for
residents at Woods House
seniors housing scheme.
The new lounge has more space
for social activities, plus a kitchen Enjoying the new lounge and, left,
area, and is enabling residents to how the exterior used to look
set up their own breakfast
club so they can get together for
a cooked breakfast. Roy Crowhurst, chair of the Woods House tenants association, said:
“We’re delighted with the new community lounge, you would never
Woods House residents applied to know it used to be a toilet! Our old lounge is being converted into a
the National Lottery Community new flat, so it is a win-win all round.”
Fund for money to set up the club,
with the help of scheme manager He added: “We know a lot of people skip breakfast, that’s why we
Michael Logue. decided to set up a breakfast club. If it’s a success we hope to hold
afternoon teas as well.”
They received a £10,000 grant
which paid for a cooker and other The breakfast club will start in the new year and will also be open to
kitchen appliances, along with older people in the local community. For more information call Woods
a chef to run the club for a trial House on 01273 293405.
period of six months. After that, The old toilet block next to Woods House had been out of use for many
volunteers will take over. years and residents came up with the idea of turning it into a lounge.
Blooming lovely at Jasmine Court
Residents at Jasmine Court
are looking forward to a
splash of spring colour after
planting bulbs and shrubs in
their communal garden.
New paving is also being
provided in the garden, thanks
to a £1,000 donation from the
Paley Trust charity.
As well as improving the garden,
the money is being used for a
Peter Otto, chair of the Paley Trust (left) with Jasmine Court Christmas lunch and other social
residents, scheme manager Amanda Hunter, and seniors activities at the seniors housing
housing team manager Elisabeth Neighbour scheme in Patchdean, Brighton.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 11How we’ve July to September 2019
been doing
Tenancy management
Here are the highlights of We’ve helped 38 people to
our performance over the keep their tenancies which
last quarter… were at risk, and taken back
two properties due to housing
fraud.
Repairs and improvements Estates service
We completed routine repairs The team completed 82% of
in an average of 11 days and bulk waste removals within
kept 97% of appointments seven working days, down
made. from 85% last quarter.
Customer services and
complaints Moving home
The Housing Customer Service
BH
MOV
ERs We re-let 115 homes in an
team answered 91% of average of 20 days (excluding
calls and 64% of complaints properties requiring major
were responded to within 10 work), an improvement
working days. compared to 25 days during
the previous quarter.
Anti-social behaviour
“*!!*” 90% of people surveyed (9 out
Rent collection and
current arrears
of 10) were satisfied with the
“?!!” way their anti-social behaviour
complaint was dealt with.
We’ve collected 97.19% of
rent and this is down slightly
on the previous quarter.
Scoots you
Could a mobility scooter make The service is run locally by the Scooters need to be booked in
it easier for you to get out Possability People charity and advance and can be picked up
and about for shopping trips volunteers provide advice from the Shopmobility office
and other tasks? For example, and training on how to use in Churchill Square car park.
if you live in a flat without the scooters – you don’t need Volunteers can also sometimes
space to store a mobility a licence. deliver scooters to people
scooter of your own. One user said: “It’s been an at home.
The Shopmobility service rents absolute godsend, the scooter For details call 01273 323239,
out a range of electric mobility has coped with the hills, email shopmo@possability
scooters and wheelchairs from the long days and the people.org.uk or visit
10am to 4pm for £5 a day. shopping bags!” www.possabilitypeople.org.uk
12 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housingEnter our
Win Theatre Royal
free draw for a
chance to win
tickets to the hit musical,
Brighton tickets!
Everybody’s Talking
About Jamie, at
Theatre Royal Brighton.
The winner will receive two tickets
to see the show on the evening
of 6 April 2020.
Simply answer the following questions,
based on information in this issue:
• Where was the Citywide
Conference held?
• How many new flats are proposed
in Windlesham Close, Portslade?
• Which EastEnders actor is in
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie?
Send your answers by email to
homingin@brighton-hove.gov.uk
About the show
or by post to Homing In competition,
Everybody’s Talking About For more info
Performance & Improvement, Housing
Centre, Unit 1, Fairway Trading Estate, Jamie stars Layton Williams Everybody’s Talking About
Eastergate Road, Brighton BN2 4QL. and EastEnders’ Shane Richie, Jamie, Theatre Royal
Please include your name, address, who have both appeared in the Brighton, 6 to 11 April 2020.
postcode and phone number. London production of the show.
Call 0844 871 7650* or
The closing date for entries is It tells the story of 16-year-old visit www.atgtickets.com/
6 January 2020. Jamie New who lives on a brighton (booking fees)
council estate in Sheffield and *Booking fees apply.
The winner will be notified and their name doesn’t quite fit in. Supported Calls cost up to 7p per
published in the next issue of Homing In. by his mum and friends, Jamie minute, plus your phone
The competition is open to all households overcomes prejudice and bullies company’s access charge.
who receive Homing In by email or post. to step into the spotlight.
Congratulations!
Bag it and bin it Thanks to everyone
who entered our
autumn competition.
Please don’t flush Southern Water says thousands
The lucky winner
wet wipes down of tonnes of wet wipes end up
was Mel Parker from
the loo – they can in the sewers every year – along
Hove who won
block the toilet and it’s bad with a surprising range of other
Sea Life Centre tickets.
for the environment. things including false teeth, toys Mel said: “I’m thrilled
Repairs staff have been called and mobile phones. to bits, I’m looking
to deal with lots of blockages Even wipes described as forward to taking my
recently caused by wet wipes ‘flushable’ can cause blockages granddaughters.”
and other items that should not in the toilet, sewer or
go down the toilet. wastewater treatment works.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 13Dates for your diary
Gingerbread Biscuits
Area Panels
Try this seasonal recipe from Brighton & Hove Food Partnership The next round of Area Panels
will be held in 2020 as follows:
Central 12 February
2pm at Hampshire Lodge,
Hampshire Court, Brighton
East 10 February
7pm Venue to be confirmed
North 13 February
7pm at the Housing Centre,
Moulsecoomb
West 11 February
2pm at St Richard’s Community
Centre, Egmont Road, Hove
Ingredients ½ teaspoon salt The agenda and minutes of meetings
350g plain flour 125g butter are available at www.brighton-
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 175g soft light brown sugar hove.gov.uk/area-panel-meetings
2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 large egg For more information contact the
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 tablespoons golden syrup Community Engagement Team,
email communityengagement@
Makes around 20 biscuits (depending on size) brighton-hove.gov.uk
or call 01273 294651.
Method
1 Mix together the flour, bicarbonate, 6 R
oll the dough to approximately
ginger, cinnamon and salt. 0.5cm thick. Use a little flour to City events
dust if it is sticky and ensure the Santa Express 14, 15,
2 C
ut the butter into cubes and add under side is well floured as this 21, 22 December
to the flour mix. Rub the butter and will make it easier to transfer the 10.30am to 2.30pm
flour between your fingertips until cut biscuits. Volk’s Railway,
it resembles breadcrumbs. Brighton seafront.
7U
sing cutters, cut out the dough Booking recommended, visit
3 Stir in the sugar. and then transfer to the trays. Be www.volksrailway.org.uk or call
4 Lightly beat the egg and golden sure to leave a few centimetres 01273 292718 for more info.
syrup and add to the bowl. Briefly gap between the biscuits as they Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
knead the dough until smooth and will spread out a little as they bake. Until 19 January
then wrap in cling film. Chill in the 8 B
ake for 12-15 minutes or until Santa Dash
fridge for around 20 mins. lightly golden brown. Once baked 14 December Hove Lawns
5 While the dough is chilling, line 2-3 let them cool a little on the tray to Brighton’s Christmas Makers
trays with parchment paper and pre firm up and the transfer to a wire and Street Food Market
rack to finish cooling. 14 December Brighthelm Centre
heat the oven 180c/160c fan/Gas 4.
Burning the Clocks
21 December Parade through
Royal icing ombine all ingredients using an electric hand whisk.
C city centre to Madeira Drive
170g icing sugar On a medium to high speed whisk until it forms soft Floating Worlds: Japanese
peaks. This will take around 4 minutes. The consistency Woodcuts exhibition
1 egg white can be adjusted with a little water or by adding more Until 12 January
1 tsp lemon juice icing sugar. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
If you have an event you’d like
For more recipes, local food news and events, check out the us to promote, please email
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership website www.bhfood.org.uk homingin@brighton-hove.gov.uk
or sign up for their fortnightly e-newsletter. or call Housing Customer Services
on 01273 293030.
14 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housingChristmas & New Year
recycling & refuse collection dates
Your collection days are changing over Christmas, so please put your refuse and recycling out on…
Usual day Collected on…
Monday 23 December Monday 23 December
Tuesday 24 December Tuesday 24 December
Wednesday 25 December Friday 27 December
Thursday 26 December Saturday 28 December
Friday 27 December Monday 30 December
Monday 30 December Tuesday 31 December
Tuesday 31 December Thursday 2 January
Wednesday 1 January Friday 3 January
Thursday 2 January Saturday 4 January
Friday 3 January Monday 6 January
Monday 6 January Tuesday 7 January
Tuesday 7 January Wednesday 8 January
Wednesday 8 January Thursday 9 January
Thursday 9 January Friday 10 January
Friday 10 January Saturday 11 January
Collections return to your usual days from Monday 13 January
To check your collection days in 2020 and download your collection calendar, if you have
fortnightly recycling, visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/cityclean and put in your postcode.
Recycle this Christmas trees Wrapping paper
Christmas! Christmas tree and cardboard
Food and drink recycling sites Please only recycle wrapping
across the city paper - foil or paper covered
Plastic bottles can go straight in your will be open from in glitter can’t be recycled.
recycling box or bin, washed and Friday 27 December Flatten any cardboard boxes
squashed. Rinsed drink cans and food until Friday 10 January. and paper bags to make
tins can also go in your recycling, along Please remove all space in your recycling bins
with egg boxes, cardboard sleeves for decorations and the pot and boxes. You can also
food packaging and all tin biscuit boxes. before leaving your tree. take your recycling to a
Please keep all glass bottles and jars To find your nearest site visit community recycling point
in a separate recycling box so glass www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ or one of the city’s two
doesn’t contaminate the other materials. christmas-tree-recycling household recycling centres.
Visit our A-Z of recycling at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/recycling
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing homingin 15Useful contacts Online services
Visit the council housing website to check out
Housing Customer Services all housing online services at
housing.customerservices@brighton-hove.gov.uk www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housing
01273 293030 Pay online at ww2.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Repairs Helpdesk Go to the Housing Customer online system at
BHCC.repairs@mearsgroup.co.uk www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/housingcos
0800 052 6140 (local line 01273 294409) Information about money matters, tax, benefits
and more www.gov.uk
Housing Income Management Team
Follow us on twitter.com/BHHousing
housing.incomemanagement@brighton-hove.gov.uk
01273 293224 Like us on facebook.com/BHHousing
Housing Benefit
housing.benefits@brighton-hove.gov.uk
01273 292000 or 01273 290333 for people Housing Committee
with speech or hearing difficulties
Meeting
Community Engagement Team Wednesday 15 January 2020
For information about tenant and leaseholder groups
communityengagement@brighton-hove.gov.uk The meeting will be held at 4pm in the
01273 294651 Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road,
Hove, BN3 3BQ.
Access Point for adult social care All council meetings are open to the public, and
AccessPoint@brighton-hove.gov.uk you can submit public questions.
01273 295555
Agendas, minutes and webcasts of council
Moneyworks Brighton & Hove meetings are available at
www.advicebrighton-hove.org.uk www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-meetings
0800 9887037 or 01273 809288
Citizens Advice Bureau If you have any comments or suggestions
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/brightonhovecab for future articles, email
0845 120 3710 homingin@brighton-hove.gov.uk or write
to homingin, Communications Team,
The Portal Room 166, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road,
(advice and support for survivors of domestic or
Hove, BN3 3BQ or call 01273 293033. 6816 Brighton & Hove City Council Communications Team
sexual abuse or violence)
www.theportal.org.uk Freephone 0300 323 9985 homingin is produced by Brighton & Hove
City Council’s communications team and
Brighton & Hove Independent the Tenant Editorial Board.
Mediation Service
www.bhims.org.uk
01273 700812 Save paper and get
Noise Nuisance homingin online!
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/noise Email housing.customerservices@brighton-
01273 294266 or 01273 293541 for out of hours hove.gov.uk to stop receiving a paper copy
of homingin and we’ll email you when it is
Leaseholders Action Group available on our website.
lag@clarend.com
01273 605225
16 homingin www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-housingYou can also read
