Rent increase news - Pheobe says P26 - Fife Council
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Pheobe
Issue 54 - Spring 2021
says P26
DOWN YOUR
Tenants’ Magazine
www.fifedirect.org.uk/housing
#DYSFife www.fifedirect.org.uk/housing
Rent increase news
p6
Useful Numbers Contents
Foreword Head of Housing & Crossword 3
Homeless (24 hr) 08000 28 62 31
Levenmouth Cosy Kids 4
Housing Repairs 03451 55 00 11
Annual Rent Update 6
After hours and weekend 03451 55 00 99
Convenor’s Corner 7
Housing Information and advice 03451 55 00 33 Highlands & Islands Have Their Say! 8
Rent and Arrears 03451 55 00 44 Walter Hay Court ‘Zoom’ Ahead! 9
Automated Payments 03451 55 00 55 2014 Act Important Updates 10
Council Tax & Housing Benefits 03451 55 11 55 New Houses for Dunfermline 12
Auchmuty Tra- Community efforts 13
Recycling & Waste 03451 55 00 22
Team Win for Housing 14
Births, Deaths & Marriages 03451 55 00 77
Getting to Know Alan! 15
Ask the Cooncil- Fife College Event 16
Building Services Lend a Hand at Xmas 17
Alternative Formats How to Guides - Allocations 18
Information about Fife Council can Levenmouth Anti Social Update 20
be made available in large print, Covid Testing 21
braille and audio CD on request by New Care Villages on the Way 22
calling Energy Wise Tenants 23
Steelworks Brae Santa 24
Alternative Formats line: TP Page- Zoom meetings 25
03451 55 55 00 DYS Kids- Phoebe Says! 26
British Sign Language Mrs Doyle’s Kitchen 27
please text (SMS) 07781 480 185 FACTS 28
BT Text Direct:
18001 01592 55 11 91
Language lines
Get in touch
Arabic
03451 55 55 77 Editor: Colin Whyte
Bengali If you need to get in touch about this issue, you can
contact us in the following ways:
03451 55 55 99
Cantonese
03451 55 55 88
✉
New City House, 1 Edgar Street, Dunfermline
KY12 7EP
Polish Polskoj˛ezyczna linia telefoniczna:
03451 55 55 44
☎
01383 602220
@
tenantparticipation@fife.gov.uk
Urdu www.fifedirect.org.uk/tp
03451 55 55 66
@fifecounciltp
Your opportunity to participate 2
Head of Housing Service - Update
Welcome!
“I think that we are now looking forward to life We will also be seeking
returning to relative normality following the to enhance our housing
roll-out of the Covid vaccine and the lifting of management and
lockdown restrictions during April-June 2021. support services to
A lot has happened in this last year which has vulnerable households
severely changed the way we live our lives. in Fife in response to the
For me, I am acutely aware that tenants have not impact of the pandemic
had the same level of service from Housing as on those most vulnerable
they would normally expect - thank you for your to food and fuel poverty.
patience. We have been required to follow Scottish Different and better ways
Government guidance and restrict much of our of working with our sister
services to business-critical services. However, as services in the council
we move forward, council staff will work hard to get and with the voluntary
though the backlogs of repairs and seek to keep sector has been one of
turning over empty properties to reduce the current the best features of our
number of voids in Fife. We will step-up our efforts response to the pandemic. We must keep that joint
to start improving our houses and flats with new effort going. If you need help, ask for that help and
kitchens and bathrooms as well as continuing to we will do our best to offer assistance.”
replace redundant gas boilers. John Mills, Head of Housing Service
Easter crossword
EASTER CROSSWORD
CLUES 1 2 3 4
ACROSS:
A
1. Easter falls in 1 of 2 months of the year - April or which other? (5) 5 6 7
R
4. Beatrix Potter created a famous rabbit called what? (5)
5. Which country has the tradition of eating hot cross buns at Easter?
8 9
(5,7)
8. Buona Pasqua is "Happy Easter" in which language? (7)
10. Easter eggs are the symbols of what? (7) 10 11
12. What meat is traditionally eaten for Easter dinner? (4)
15. Easter Eggs were traditionally what colour? (3) 12 13
16. What name is given to the Sunday before Easter? (4, 6) 14 15
18. Easter Eggs are given on what day? (6,6)
16 17
DOWN:
2. What is an Easter bonnet? (3)
3. Easter Island is in which South American country? (5) 18
4. Which food is often served on Shrove Tuesday? (8)
5. Which country is often credited with starting the Easter Bunny tradition? (7)
6. What is traditionally rolled down a hill at Easter? (4)
7. Where was the Cadbury chocolate company started? (10)
9. What month does Easter fall this year? (5)
11. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday is what week? (4,4)
13. At the Last Supper, which food did Jesus liken to his body? (5)
14. What is the name of the 2011 animated movie about a young rabbit who does not want to become the Easter Bunny? (3)
17. Easter Sunday is preceded by a 40 day period known as what? (4)
3 Your opportunity to participate
Levenmouth
300 More Cosy Kids!
2020 was a difficult year for all, but it was especially Due to restrictions becoming tighter and the new
challenging for those in financial difficulty with strain of COVID-19, Cosy Kids on Tour was not able to
young children. As the weather got colder and continue after the Christmas break.
more and more organisations were told to close, Local organisations have said that they are still very
The Levenmouth Children’s Clothing Bank were much focusing on the wellbeing of the families who
forced to take action. are struggling during the pandemic and they are now
Following on from their winter initiative “Cosy Kids”, aware of how the Levenmouth Children’s Clothing
previously featured in the magazine, they recognised Bank are operating during this time and have the
that a lot of organisations who were regularly referring relevant forms to apply for help for the families.
families for the service, were not carrying out face Due to this, The Levenmouth Children’s Clothing Bank
to face contact. This meant that they were unable to have reverted back to a referral system. No self-referrals
directly identify families who needed help. can be accepted. See next page for details.
Cosy Kids on Tour was then launched as a partnership This is available to all Levenmouth families.
with Fife Council to tackle this problem. This was run
as a drop in service twice a week at the Savoy Centre
in Methil and The Centre in Leven. This provided an
opportunity for families to come along without any
referral and collect coats, shoes, hat, scarves and gloves
for their children.
Stock was taken from the Levenmouth Children’s
Clothing Bank’s premises in Leven and set up inside
the Council premises for the initiative. All COVID-19
guidelines were followed, masks and social distancing
were required and everyone attending were asked to
complete a track and trace form.
Cosy Kids on Tour ran for 6 weeks, from the 9th
of November through to the 22nd of December.
Throughout this time, a total of 296 children received
warm clothing through the service.
This is in addition to the 2799 children who have
received warm coats and other items throughout the
4 years the Levenmouth Children’s Clothing Bank have
been running.
4 4
Your opportunity to participate
2021/22 Rent increase
Rent increase from April 2021
Council decision
In February 2021 Fife Council considered your responses to the rent consultation and agreed with the majority of tenants
voting to increase rents and service charges by 1.5% from 5th April 2021.
This rent increase allows us to maintain our current level of service and continue our ambitious home energy, home
improvement and new house building programmes – you told us these are you top 3 priorities for investment. The Council
depends on rent income to fund housing services and we will always strike a balance between rent affordability and
delivering your priorities for better housing.
Covid-19 has had a serious impact on household finances and this increase means we can continue to support tenants who
have become unemployed or furloughed through our ‘Universal Credit Rent Support’ and ‘Covid-19 Rent Support’ funds.
Contact your local office if you need more information.
2021/22 Annual Rent Survey Responses Responses
1,218
No
37.60%
Yes 458
62.40% No Yes
37.60% 62.40%
760
Other
1,218 tenants responded to our Rent Increase Survey within our
150
December 2020 newsletter – thank you to all who took the time to
vote.
Neighbourhood
New Council improvements
Tenant top 3 housing priorities homes
661
496
1. Home Improvements Disability
adaptations
2. New Council Houses 404
3. Home Energy Efficiency Home
improvements Sheltered
Tenant Participation 744 housing
Home 317
Fife Council have been Gold Accredited by the Tenant
energy
Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) for excellence in tenant
efficiency
participation.
639
If you would like to take part in Tenant Participation events or
surveys please contact the Tenant Participation Team:
Tel: 01383 602220
Post: New City House, 1 Edgar Street,
Dunfermline KY12 7EP
Your opportunity to participate 6
Convenor’s Corner
We can help you with your rent
Well. Here we are in the Spring again ! None of us
knew that this pandemic would have such a long
and far-reaching effect on us.
However, this time – the Winter lockdown, I believe
has been very difficult, not seeing friends and family
since Christmas, and in the house on cold, dark
evenings.
As always, in the early Spring, with your support,
I presented the Housing Revenue Account (Your
Tenant’s Account) Budget to the Council. I outlined
that it was a very healthy budget – and that the
Housing Revenue Account is robust and going to
deliver for us in this coming year.
With your input in our Rent survey, and with your
representatives on the Tenant Forums, I proposed that
we would need to increase rents by 1.5% to sustain
the services you need and rely on, from Housing.
This was not an easy decision; however, it was half the
usual increase – and the council has set aside funding
to help you if you are struggling.
I am in no doubt that good quality, warm, safe
Housing is essential to how people feel – and it is
fundamental to addressing poverty and inequality.
Your housing is of paramount importance..
Of course, I recognise that for some of you, the effects
of Covid-19 are not yet past and there will continue to
be difficulties in the coming year. “It took the pressure off as I was having to wait for
money to come through. I didn’t have to worry
Last year, Housing Services was able to support over about losing my home and being out in the street.”
5,000 households through our rent support schemes
- and I have made a commitment to provide a further Another tenant in Buckhaven added: “I’m grateful
£2 million to help with rent this year. for the help given when affected by the furlough
scheme, this has helped manage rental payments
This will support tenants on Universal Credit; or during this stressful time.”
working households, who have had their employment
disrupted by Furlough or uncertainty in these times. If you need help, housing officers are on hand just
call 03451 55 00 44 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
The Council can help you if you’re struggling to keep They can talk you through the various options
up you rent payments. And I’m urging you to ask for available including how you could get financial
help before problems get out of hand. I would like to support to pay your rent.
assure you, our tenants that we’re here to help.
And if you are just going onto Universal Credit, you
I have heard examples of tenants who have received can request a rent payment directly to Fife Council.
help. This means your rent will come off your money before
One tenant living in Kelty got in touch to ask for help it is paid to you, taking the worry out of missing rent
and here’s what they said about their experience: payments.
7 Your opportunity to participate
Kirkcaldy
Highlands & Islands Play Park
The Highlands & Islands (Orkney & Shetland Place, The HMO held a consultation event where both kids and
Kirkcaldy) have a very active TRA with a good adults were asked what equipment they’d love to see
attendance monthly. They arranged a walkabout in the playpark. It was important that we got as many
with the tenants & residents, relevant council people as possible were involved as it was essential all
services and local Councillors, this highlighted improvements were planned by the residents of the
there were some problem areas. The Housing Highlands & Islands area and their kids.
Management Officer (HMO) had the idea to give the The consultation event was well attended and a big
TRA members disposable cameras and asked them success, with a BBQ, face painter, activities for the kids and
to take pictures of areas that they wished would be a housing drop-in session, where residents could pop
improved. by and get help with repairs, benefits or even filling in
forms. The day was excellent, and the kids decided what
equipment they wanted to see in their new park.
The HMO had all the pictures printed, and noticed that
there were three areas that had been highlighted; the The pictures and ideas were then sent to the Park, Streets
playpark and walkway, the empty flowerbeds, and the & Open Spaces Service who drew up plans and costing.
overflowing recycling bins. With the TRA, we discussed We secured finances from the Kirkcaldy budgets and
a way forward for each of these, firstly, an easy fix was to the plans were then taken back to the TRA for them to
remove the recycling bins. This was cost effective and approve.
made the area more attractive. The TRA then decided
that the playpark would take precedence as they wished Work was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic but now
to concentrate on making improvements to benefit the the residents have a beautiful scottish themed walkway
kids. and a new extended playpark.
Your opportunity to participate 8
South West Fife
Walter Hay Court ‘Zoom’ ahead!
Walter Hay Court in Rosyth, has been able to hold intends to meet monthly going forward in this way,
its regular Tenant’s and Resident’s Association until such times as we can all meet in person again.
(TRA) meetings again, after not being able to If you would like more information about getting
since March 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic involved in a TRA for your area, or want to find out
and subsequent restrictions. more about holding virtual meetings for your TRA,
Realising that there was still plenty of good work, that please see page 25. Alternatively, contact: 01383
could be achieved by the TRA, even in the current 602220 or tenantparticipation@fife.gov.uk or contact
climate, a decision was made to try and hold the the Tenant Participation Officer directly for your own
TRA meetings via Zoom. A letter was sent out to area
all residents, by the TRA, to identify the numbers of Cowdenbeath Area – Rab Clark rab.clark@fife.gov.uk
tenant’s interested in attending virtual meetings via – 07525 392637
Zoom and to see if anyone would need assistance
with this. Dunfermline Area - Rab Clark rab.clark@fife.gov.uk –
07525 392637
A couple of residents said they would be interested
but didn’t have a device to do so. Through the Glenrothes Area – Colin Whyte – colin.whyte@fife.
Connecting Scotland programme, Housing gov.uk – 07525 392728
Management Officer, Lewis Henderson, nominated Kirkcaldy Area – Jillian McMahon – jillian.mcmahon@
these residents, to receive tablets. Fortunately, both fife.gov.uk – 07872 420510
nominations were successful and they each received a
tablet, which could be used to access the internet and Levenmouth Area - Jillian McMahon – jillian.
the Zoom TRA meetings. mcmahon@fife.gov.uk – 07872 420510
Digital Skills assistance was provided to residents, by North East Fife Area - Colin Whyte – colin.whyte@fife.
Fife Council’s Tenant Participation team, in order to gov.uk – 07525 392728
help them download and use Zoom for attending the South West Fife Area - Rab Clark rab.clark@fife.gov.
meetings. The TRA has now met twice in 2021 and uk – 07525 392637
9 Your opportunity to participate
Tenant information Who lives in a house like this! It is important that Fife Council Housing Services The quickest and easiest way to update your (as your landlord) knows who lives in your house. information is to visit fife.gov.uk and select Housing/ Having this information makes it easier to change the Council Housing/Tenancy Advice. Then complete the tenant details of a house if something changes in your ‘Request contact from your Housing Officer’ form household. Alternatively you can call 03451 55 00 33 or collect To change a tenancy over to someone else in your an ‘Addition to Household’ form from your nearest household or to apply for joint tenancy, they need Local Office. Your Housing Management Officer can to prove that they have lived with you for at least 12 assist you to complete, if required. (covid restrictions months. You do not need to provide proof for this if permitting). you have already told us when the person moved in. This information is required to meet the Housing Please don’t assume that we know. Even if you have (Scotland) Act 2014, which came into force in already informed other Fife Council Services for November 2019. example Council Tax or Benefit Services. Your opportunity to participate 10
Dunfermline Dunfermline Area welcomes more new build properties The Dunfermline Area Team are delighted to be All properties are also fitted with; adding to their housing stock. The first phase of 12 • A domestic fire suppression (sprinkler) system new build properties are being handed over from the developer, Miller Homes from January 2021. • Higher levels of insulation The overall development, consists of 60 new • High specification double glazing properties, varying from 1-bedroom to 5-bedroom • Photovoltaic Solar Panels, which generate free homes. This will be handed over to Fife Council, electricity from the energy of the sun, which will in phases, throughout 2021. The addition of the help to reduce our tenants’ electricity bills! new build properties, is a great contribution to the Dunfermline Area Plan, for meeting the demand for larger family homes but also contributing to Housing’s Our new tenants at Lapwing Drive and Dunnoch overall target for developing new build properties. Road are delighted with their new homes and have all Throughout the development, Energy Efficiency and settled in well. They are delighted with the increased Safety has been a priority, which is very important to Energy Efficiency measures, which they look forward to us, as the landlord but also to our new tenants. benefiting from, with lower fuel costs. Your opportunity to participate 12
Glenrothes
Auchmuty TRA
Community Efforts
The Covid pandemic has highlighted the extent of Learning & Development(CLD) and Fife Voluntary
poverty, both absolute and relative that there is in Action Helping Hands to provide vulnerable people
Auchmuty and surrounding areas of Glenrothes. and senior citizens patient transport in our minibus
During lockdown, the gardening work our volunteers to hospital. We have tidied gardens, installed a ramp,
have undertaken has enabled our senior citizens built furniture, delivered food parcels, and completed
to sit out in their gardens. Our volunteers installed home removals. Working with CLD we have distributed
keysafes which enabled vulnerable people to be Glenactive & Summer Play Activity Packs for children
released from hospital with care packages secured. and families in Auchmuty area.
ADTRA would like to thank two boys who volunteered Working in partnership with Auchmuty High School,
throughout the year and have been invaluable in all Lomond Centre and CLD, we donated use of our
the community work we have done. minibus for very vulnerable young people to enjoy
The purchase of the minibus in February 2020 has outings to local parks and beaches during the summer
allowed us to distribute Home and Baby Starter packs holidays.
to vulnerable people; provide support to Auchmuty We have learned that we can support better outcomes
Holiday Activity Club, Lomond Centre Youth Hub for our Auchmuty community and Glenrothes wider
and Glenrothes 16+ No-One Left Behind Activity community through partnership working and sharing
Agreement programme. resources.
We have worked in partnership with Community www.adtra.org.uk
Fife Voluntary Action
Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) is asking Fifers to stories with us by visiting www.fva.org/stories or
share the story of their experiences of living scan the QR code below* with a smartphone to
through the COVID-19 pandemic to help access our webpage directly.
inform how public services in Fife are designed This is a Fife Partnership project, led by us at FVA.
and delivered going forward.
https://www.fva.org/downloads/qrcode.png -
We are using a tool called SenseMaker to capture QR code*
and analyse these stories. Fifers can share their
13 Your opportunity to participateHousing win
Team win for Housing
Even during the pandemic, Ms Saurin has worked
to review the council’s empty homes strategy and
submitted a proposal to change the terms of the
council’s empty homes loan fund making the scheme
more attractive to owners in Fife.
John Mills, head of Fife Council’s housing service, said:
“Joanne’s colleagues in Housing Services are delighted
that she has been recognised nationally for her
achievement in returning empty homes into housing
use in Fife.
“This is a role that Joanne clearly enjoys. She has put a
lot of energy into new ways to tackle the empty home
problem and to connect with owners who often need
Fife Council’s Housing Services, Building Services advice and encouragement on what to do next. I
and Business Support teams were celebrating congratulate Joanne on her success both now and in
after being crowned ‘Housing Team of the Year’ at the future.”
a special ‘virtual’ awards ceremony at this year’s
CIH Scotland Housing Awards. If you are aware of a privately owned, long term empty
home that you have concerns about, or want advice
The awards recognise and celebrate the creativity, on empty homes then you can get in touch with
passion and innovation of housing organisations Joanne by emailing emptyhomes@fife.gov.uk.
and individuals across the sector in Scotland and this
year’s awards received over 75 entries across eleven
categories.
Throughout the period of COVID restrictions staff from
across services pulled together to prioritise work on
empty properties, extend temporary accommodation
and ensure house moves were able to take place,
making the best use of all available properties.
Congratulating the services on their success,
Councillor Judy Hamilton said: “I’m delighted that
services across the council have been recognised
for their commitment to providing homelessness
services during these adverse and challenging times.
Fife’s approach to housing allocations saw staff from
Housing, Building Services and Support Services
come together with a single focus of preventing a
homelessness crisis.
Well done to everyone for their hard work and
commitment to make this happen.”
Joanne Saurin, a housing professional with Fife
Council, has won the ‘outstanding individual’ award at
the Scottish Empty Homes Conference .
The judges recognised Joanne for her “amazing work”
with Fife Council which has included bringing 395
properties back in to use since taking up her post in
2014.
Your opportunity to participate 14Safer communities
Getting to know Allan
Tell us a bit about you… private landowners. Anyone caught can receive a £200
My name is Allan and I have been a Safer fine.
Communities Officer (SCO) (within Fife Council’s Safer
If you could provide advice to the public about
Communities Team) since 2016. Prior to this I worked
one thing, what would it be?
as a Community Warden for 13 years. Before joining
Fife Council, I spent 24 years in the Royal Navy and the If I could provide advice to members of the public, I
experience helped to take on this role. would ask parents to try and educate their youngsters,
that when outside, to place their litter in the bins
What is the best part about being an SCO? provided or take it home.
The best part of my job is helping people from I would also emphasise that it is not the sole job of the
all walks of life, in different communities, and age teacher to educate them on this subject but would be
groups. During the ongoing pandemic, myself and my easier coming from their parent or guardian.
colleague have been involved in providing all kinds
of support and assistance. We have worked across the Have you had a ‘not all heroes wear capes
whole of Fife delivering prescriptions to vulnerable moment’?
residents, visiting Sheltered Homes/Homeless Hostels I have had a few moments that I can mention. The
and offer a helping hand wherever it was required. most recent was during the floods and torrential rain
that we experienced before the snow fall in February.
What has shocked you recently when you have
I assisted some of the residents in Kinglassie to help
been out and about in Fife?
prepare them for an evacuation to the local Miners
Part of my remit is investigating and reporting fly- Institute should it have been required. The burn was
tipping, illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles and dangerously high and was almost running into the
anti-social behaviour. Street, where many elderly residents lived. I gave
Currently, there is a huge problem with fly-tipping some reassurance and handed out face coverings and
around Fife. We are coming across lots of incidents gloves to several residents. Luckily, the rain became
of inconsiderate people fly-tipping their items lighter, and the burn receded overnight. I offered my
in our beautiful countryside. We investigate the contact number to the Chairperson and president
dumped waste and then arrange to have it cleared of the club and told him to contact me for any
up (sometimes dangerous items are left) which can immediate assistance that was required overnight.
result in a hefty bill for Fife Council and the taxpayer or We also came across an incident at a recycling point in
Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy where a lady was disposing
of her waste from her vehicle and accidentally
dropped her car keys into the waste container. Luckily,
my colleague had his torch handy, and we managed
to retrieve her keys using our litter pickers. The lady
was overjoyed and could not thank us enough.
Another moment where I offered assistance was on
a summer’s day last July, when I witnessed a road
traffic collision near Silverburn Park involving multiple
vehicles. I rushed to help and managed to escort
2-elderly people from one of the vehicles which had
spun around and was sitting in the middle of a busy
road. There was lots of petrol on the road underneath
the car and there was a good chance of a fire starting.
I stood in the middle of the road wearing hi viz,
and diverted traffic around the incident until the
emergency services arrived.
15
15 Your
Youropportunity
opportunitytotoparticipate
participateHave your say
Fife College “Ask the
Cooncil” 2021
A Virtual Campus
Fife Council housing teams from Tenant
Participation, Private Landlords and Area
Housing recently joined with Fife College
Students Association(FCSA) to stage the third
annual ‘Ask the Cooncil’ event.
This years event featured a virtual stage, instead of
our usual visit to Fife Colleges campus’. The virtual
event was hosted by Student President Jade Burnett.
Members of the panel answered a variety of
questions on topics including housing applications,
anti-social behaviour, debt, welfare advice and
housing law and conditions.
Jade ensured all answers were passed to students
directly and students were given time to respond to
live questions.
“The Fife College Students’ Association (FCSA) is committed to helping our
students to create their future, and we refuse to let the pandemic stop the
events we host throughout the year such as our annual ‘Ask the Council’
event.
The Fife Council Tenant Participation Team are equally committed to
making sure our students know their rights, and always deliver amazing
advice and information.
This year we had to get digitally creative to deliver the event, and the team
managed to answer loads of questions from our students during our live
streamed event.”
Jade Burnett, FCSA Student President.
Your opportunity to participate 16Partnership working
Tillicoultry residents
unwelcome Christmas present!
A major power fault left hundreds of homes and boiler repairs to ensure power and heating was
in Tillicoultry without power on Thursday 24 reinstated.
December last year. Firefighters attended a small A call for assistance was made and Fife Council were
electrical fire at a Church Grove property just before happy to lend a hand. Building Services gas and
5am. electrical engineers were deployed quickly to assist
This resulted in a power surge that cut electricity to Clackmannanshire Council reinstate services and safety
more than 200 homes, blowing fuses and causing systems to the affected properties.
damage to countless electrical appliances. Scottish On completion of works Clackmannanshire Council’s
Power confirmed that a power surge had occurred electrical manager contacted Fife Council to convey his
on their low voltage aluminium cables and set about gratitude for the assistance rendered.
restoring power to all properties.
John Rodigan, Senior Manager, Environment & Building
Local residents said that it was a terrifying experience Services, said he was happy to be able to provide
as light bulbs started to explode and then all the power support and assistance to Clackmannanshire Council.
went off. It is also understood that electrical equipment The close working between staff from both Authorities
and boilers were damaged in many of the affected helped to restore services as quickly as possible for the
homes with engineers working through the festive residents of Tillicoultry.
period to resolve issues.
John Mills, Head of Housing agreed that this was an
The challenge for Clackmannanshire Council was they excellent example of partnership working at a national
had to carry out safety checks and repairs as quickly level.
as possible to ensure tenants properties were safe
to occupy. This work would include electrical testing
17 Your opportunity to participateTenant information
Allocations Focus
How to apply for Housing
This might be your first Down Your Street How can I apply for housing?
magazine in your new home and if it is, we hope If you want to apply to the Fife Housing Register you
you’re settling in well and feel at home. For many, need to complete an application form.
you may have been housed a number of years ago.
Many applications are now completed on-line . At the
To be where you are today, at one point in the past, end of the application you will be advised what proofs
you will have applied for housing. you need.
Since moving in things may have changed - you Before you start to complete an application for
might be thinking about moving again as your housing have available;
home is too small, or too big, or you may have family
members thinking about applying on their own. This - Your 3 year address history and landlord details.
article will give you some useful information and tips This is needed for any joint applicant too.
to prepare if you or others need to move again. - If you plan to join households with someone who
In Fife we have a Common Housing Register, this is lives elsewhere, they need to complete a separate
called the Fife Housing Register (FHR). Fife Council and application as well. This ensures all of your
many of the Housing Associations in Fife have agreed housing circumstances are taken into account
to use one application form and a single Common when your assessment is completed
Assessment of Need, this means all those who apply -H
ave to hand the names and dates of birth of
are assessed the same way by all FHR Landlords. It is everyone that is moving with you, and if you are
a needs-based assessment, with those in the greatest living with others that are not moving with you,
need having this reflected through their points award. we need their details too
The FHR Partnership have a website and we continue
If you need to move in an emergency call 03451 55 00
to develop this to include information that is useful if
33 in office hours.
you want or need to move.
Out with office hours call 0800 028 6231. If you need
emergency assistance with your housing situation,
I’m thinking about moving, what should I do
you will be supported through the process.
first?
• Visit the Fife Housing Register Website: Is my application always LIVE?
www.fifehousingregister.org.uk
If your application is incomplete when you first apply
•C
omplete a Housing Option Plan to get advice and it’s unlikely we’ll be able to carry out the assessment,
information tailored to your personal situation so it’s essential you complete the application in full.
• Take time to consider and explore the range of Your application will be delayed if it’s incomplete.
housing options available to you Your assessment is based on your current
• Think about a mutual exchange, it gives you control circumstances, if you change address you need
in deciding where you stay – HomeSwap will be to update your application so it reflects your new
useful in finding an exchange housing situation. If we’re aware that you’ve moved
and your application is inaccurate, we can’t
•U
se our FHR website to find out actively consider you for housing.
useful information on Housing
options, advice, stock locations There are If you don’t tell us about any changes when
and numbers currently they happen, this may also affect and delay any
over 15,000 likelihood of being housed.
applicants on Applicants may also temporarily be suspended
the Fife Housing from the housing list. There are several reasons
Register. a suspension may be applied, including
tenancy related debt or anti-social behaviour.
Your opportunity to partici- 18Tenant information
Between all FHR
How do I update my How are points calculated?
application? partners there
are about 39,000 Points are awarded for a number of reasons
Once you have submitted your based on your current circumstances. This
application you may need to properties in Fife. includes if your property is too small or too large,
change some details; if your home is missing essential facilities, you
• a new phone number or email have medical needs, or on-going neighbour
address. It is important to keep harassment. These are just some examples and
these up to date so that we can get in touch with you. they all fall under four main categories:
• If you have moved you need to let us know, as we • Urgent Housing
need you to complete a new application form to • Poor Housing
ensure any letters are sent to the right address and • Social and Medical Needs
that your application is assessed correctly.
• Lack of Security
• If you want to add a new joint applicant or household
member we will ask you complete an application form You could have points under different categories,
for them too. but you are placed in the category which holds your
highest level of need.
• Any other change can have an impact on points so
we would reassess your application with any new For some points to be added proofs are needed,
information these will be requested during the completion and
assessment of your application. Proofs may also affect
You can update your application by your bedroom entitlement. If you do apply for housing,
• Submitting an update on-line it’s essential you supply any information we ask for.
• Calling 03451 55 00 33 All fully assessed
• Emailing FHR.team@Fife.gov.uk applications are sent
a points letter. Application journey
• Visiting one of the FHR partner offices
In the next DYS we Complete Online
• Writing to FHR Team, Housing Service, Fife Council, will explain how we Housing Options
New City House, 1 Edgar Street, Dunfermline, KY12 use this information Plan
7EP to assess and point
applications.
FHR Application
completed
Application assessed
– proof may be
requested
Live on the FHR
Register -Points
letter sent out
Something changes?
You need to tell us
& we’ll reassess your
situation.
Waiting – we will
explain this in the
next edition.
19 Your opportunity to participateLevenmouth
Improving Levenmouth Together
Partnership Approach To Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is not always a crime but
incidents of violence, suspected drug dealing, and
hate crime should always be reported to the Police.
During April 2019, a partnership initiative was launched
to tackle a range of antisocial behaviour in Levenmouth.
This led to a number of positive results in terms of
enforcement and crime prevention.
The initiative was launched again between April and
October 2020. Despite the challenges with the COVID-19
pandemic, the dedicated Police Officers achieved
outstanding results and ensured a further reduction in
anti-social calls and an increase in arrests and vehicle
seizures. There were 38 vehicles seized, 306 people
charged with antisocial behaviour and road traffic Levenmouth Community Inspector, Paul Gillespie,
offences and 20 antisocial behaviour warnings issued. said:
The number of calls made to Police regarding motorbikes “The Improving Levenmouth Together programme
being used in antisocial behaviour, in 2018, there were is an innovative approach to countering antisocial
891 calls in the Levenmouth area. behaviour in Levenmouth.
Following implementation of the initiative, this reduced The tireless work of Police Scotland officers and the
to 354 calls in 2019 and 217 calls in 2020. thriving relationships with our local partners, has
ensured the success of the project.
In 2018, there were 157 calls made to Police/Fire Service
regarding deliberate fire setting in Levenmouth. In 2020, I am excited to work with our partners towards creating
this had reduced to 89 calls. opportunities for young people in Levenmouth, and
help prevent them from becoming involved in any form
Fife Council Levenmouth Local Area Committee have
of criminality.
once again committed to supporting the initiative
between April and October 2021. Two dedicated The reduction in reports of antisocial behaviour
Police Officers, funded by Fife Council and Police in Levenmouth, compared to April 2019 has been
Scotland, will work solely on preventing and dealing outstanding and indicative of the hard work of
with anti-social behaviour in Levenmouth. everyone involved.
In addition, Police Scotland will be working closely A dedicated team, under the management of
with their partners to plan and implement a number Community Sergeant Craig Fyall, continue to develop
of prevention and diversionary projects in the area, to intelligence on local concerns and our thanks go to all
provide young people in Levenmouth with further residents and partners who continue to assist us with
opportunities to thrive. this.”
The partnership approach to this initiative highlights the
collective dedication to help improve matters for those
living and visiting the area.”
If you have any information on antisocial behaviour,
please call 101. Alternatively, call Crime Stoppers on 0800
555 111. Callers remain anonymous and calls are treated
in the strictest confidence.
Follow @Levenmouthpol on Twitter for ongoing
updates.
Your opportunity to participate 20Covid testing
Have you been tested?
Fife COVID-19 Community Testing sites for people without symptoms
Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no
symptoms but could be passing the virus on to
loved ones, friends and the wider community
without knowing it.
NHS Fife and Fife Council are rolling out Community
Testing sites across Fife, providing quick and easy testing
for people without symptoms.
By getting tested at one of our Community Testing sites
you can find out if you have the virus. If you’re positive
you can take immediate action to stop the spread of the
virus by self-isolating. At our testing sites practical help is
available to help you self-isolate.
Pop-up testing sites will open across Fife based on
the most up-to-date data, such as evidence of higher
community transmission. We’ll also use additional
mobile testing units to allow us to respond to outbreaks
and give communities easy access to testing. By
targeting specific areas, we can make the most impact
and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• Community Testing sites will only be open for a limited • Bring your mobile phone with you to help register and
time. You can drop-in to your local site during opening receive your results. If you don’t have a mobile phone,
hours, there is no need to book an appointment. we’ll make alternative arrangements, so you can get
your results easily.
• Our sites are safe and secure and follow the strictest
hygiene and cleaning guidelines. Staff will support and • Testing is quick and easy with results normally available
guide you throughout your visit. within a couple of hours.
• When you attend a site please ensure that you are For further information and to find your nearest
wearing a face covering and continue to follow physical Community Testing site go to www.nhsfife.org/
distancing guidance. communitytesting
21 Your opportunity to participateTenant information
New Care Villages Coming Soon....
across Fife
Over the last few years a number of Care Villages Approval has just been given through Committee for
have been developed across Fife combining New Care Villages at Cupar and Anstruther – each will
Residential Care Homes and Extra Care Housing. contain a 24 bed care home and 12 extra care flats.
These facilities at Kirkcaldy, Lumphinnans and Cupar is scheduled to be complete by December
Glenrothes have proved to be extremely popular 2023 and the Anstruther development is due to
with tenants and residents. be complete by September 24. These are exciting
There is a new development currently being built developments which will give brilliant opportunities
in Methil at the old Kirkland High School site that to deliver joined up services to Older People in these
includes a residential care home, early years nursery areas.
and new extra care housing bungalows. This should be We will share plans with the local communities as
complete in Spring 2022. these develop further.
Do you have home Looking to move
contents insurance? home within Fife?
Fife Council are responsible for the Buildings Insurance
of Fife Council properties but we do not insure your
furniture, belongings or decorations against theft, fire,
flooding and other household risks.
Have you thought about a Mutual Exchange? Register
Tenants are strongly advised to take out adequate now on Home Swap - the Council’s online mutual
insurance and ensure the value of insurance cover is exchange match up service. It allows you
maintained at a realistic level. to register your own property details
Fife Council offers tenants the opportunity to insure and search for other tenants in
their home contents with a low-cost insurance scheme. Fife who are looking to
Contact your Housing Officer for further information exchange.
or call the Housing
Advice Line on
03451 55 00 33
(Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm).
Home Swap is available on Fife Direct.
For more information or to register your
property, visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/homeswap
Your opportunity to participate 22Tenant information
How to switch energy supplier
and shop for a better deal
How do I switch? Help switching
Switching supplier or You can use comparison
energy tariff canmake a websites or phone different
big difference to your gas energy suppliers tosee if you
andelectricity bills. can save by switching.
What puts many of us off There is also free and
switching, ishow to find the impartial adviceon
best deal. There are a lotof switching your energy
different things to look out supplie. Speak to a Cosy
for, not justprice, and this Kingdom energyadvisor
can be daunting. on 01592 807930, text
You may want to consider COSY and your name t
a number offactors o 88440, or visit:www.
when comparing cosykingdom.org.uk.
suppliers andtariffs – You can also get information
from cheaper prices and on how to switch at our
customersatisfaction scores, pages
to green energy tariffs or www.fife.gov.uk/heating-
fixed deals with no exit fee. advice.
It’s important to make sure
that your gas boiler, gas fire
and gas cooker are working
safely and correctly.
Gas Safe Register is the only official list
of gas engineers who are legally allowed to
Gas
do work on your gas boiler, gas cooker and
gas fire. By law, all gas engineers must be on
the Gas Safe Register. This list is there to help
protect you from unsafe gas work.
Safety
As your landlord, Fife Council will
annually service your gas boiler and gas fire.
If you have a gas cooker you will need to get
Reminder
it serviced and safety checked every year.
Annual servicing not only helps keep your
heating and hot water working properly, it
helps keep you safe.
All Gas Safe registered engineers
carry a Gas Safe Register ID card.
Always check the card and make
sure the engineer is qualified for the
work you need. To check an engineer
go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or
call free on 0800 408 5500.
23 Your opportunity to participateLevenmouth Sleighbells at Steelworks Residents of Steelworks Brae in Methil decided The Santa sleigh was gifted by P Faudler in Leven and the community needed some Christmas cheer. Santa made an appearance along with his helpers on Claire Smith and her mum Lesley Hillhouse were Christmas eve to give out nearly 200 bags of sweets. concerned that due to the Covid-19 restrictions “The kids and the big kids loved it, was great to see children had missed out on so much throughout them smiling so much. I’d like to thank PFaulder, the year and wanted to bring a bit of magic for our local councillor and the community for pulling them at Christmas. together and making the idea happen.” Claire Smith Claire started by writing on the Steelworks Brae “It was a great night, all the kids had a great time Facebook page suggesting her idea of a Santa’s Sleigh and loved seeing Santa. It was brilliant the way going around the streets. She asked the residents if everyone came together with donations to help giving out sweets to the kids on Christmas Eve would make the night possible” be possible. The Steelworks Brae Tenants & Residents Association donated money to buy selection boxes Debbie, TRA Chairperson and the rest of the community really came together to donate sweets, the response was huge! Jayson, who is a local DJ, made leaflets and a video to make sure all the kids knew Santa would be visiting. Your opportunity to participate 24
Have your say
Tenant Participation
News Bulletin
Zooming into TRA Meetings
The pandemic has meant that ma
ny of our TRA’s have now went
12 months without a meeting. Som
e have taken the decision to
join Zoom so meetings can be hel
d virtually, this has been hugely
beneficial. Tenant Participation Offi
cers, Local Councillors, Housing
Management Officers, FFOTRA and
many other services have
embraced this new way of workin
g and attend online meetings.
We’d love for existing TRA’s to contac
t their Tenant Participation Officer
if they’d like to start holding virtual me
etings. We can facilitate the
meeting, provide telephone training,
including a written guide, as well as
send invites to residents.
For anyone who would like to start a
new TRA we would be more than
happy to discuss this so please send
an email to tenantparticipation@
fife.gov.uk.
Central Burntisland TRA have been me
eting online since the beginning
of the pandemic.
“It works well for us and we don’t eve
n need to leave the comfort of
our own home. We’ve still managed
to achieve goals this year including
the Christmas window decorations in
the town and we have plans for a
safe egg hunt for Easter. It’s also meant
we’ve all kept in touch.” Central
Burntisland TRA.
25 Your opportunity to participateRecipes
Sausage lovers –
Spaghetti
Bolognese Mrs D
Ingredients Kitche o yle’s
4-6 quality sausages
n
amazin atures fe
1 tbsp olive oil recipe gly tasty
1 small onion – finely whole s for the
fa
chopped
out thi mily. Check
1 tsp chilli flakes
d e s seaso
(according to taste) l i c i o us and ns
400g tin chopped ideas… easy
tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato puree
150 ml red wine or water
½ tsp dried oregano
275g spaghetti
To Serve- grated parmesan & basil leaves.
Method
Cut the sausages into small slices, place in large non stick
frying pan.
sse
Mind those hips Mou Add the oil and onion and cook over a medium heat for 10
minutes. Add the chilli flakes and cook for one more minute.
Stirring well.
Ingredients
Jelly (any flavour you like!) Then add the tomatoes, tomato puree, red wine or water and
One sachet of Sugar Free oregano. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes,
stirring regular.
250 Mls Quark
Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add
250 Mls Fromage Frais the pasta to the water and cook for 7-9 minutes. until tender
stirring occasionally.
Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and return to the
saucepan. Tip the sausages into the same pan and mix well
Method
ly with 60 mls of hot water together.
Make up the sugar free jel Serve with parmesan and basil to finish.
Stir well until dissolved 0mls
s Quark along with the 25
In another bowl put 250 ml
of fromage frais ip
and fromage frais and wh
Add dissolved jelly to quark
until smooth
d chill for two hours.
Fill four dessert glasses an
27
www.fifedirect.org.uk/housingRemember FACTS
for a safer Scotland
F Face coverings
A
Face
coverings
Avoid crowded places
C
Face Avoid
coverings crowded
Clean your hands regularly places
T
Face Avoid Clean
coverings crowded your hands
Two metre distance
places regularly
S
Face Avoid Clean Two metre distance,
verings
Self isolate
crowded
places
andyour
book
hands
regularly
a or one metre
where advised
test if you have symptoms
Avoid Clean Two metre distance, Self isolate and
owded your hands or one metre
nhsinform.scot/coronavirus book a test if you
laces regularly where advised
#WeAreScotland have symptoms
www.fifedirect.org.uk/housingYou can also read
