Turning the tables! Barnet's first furniture reuse scheme unveiled
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Turning the tables!
Barnet’s first furniture
reuse scheme unveiled
Page 3
Beat the cheats
Help us stamp out
housing fraud
Page 4
Could you be a
foster carer?
How you can turn a
child’s life around
Page 11
Generation gains!
When school kids and
pensioners meet
Page 9
Issue 30:
March 2011
2 Welcome
A word from our chair What’s inside
We are very pleased to announce (PAG). This is a group of residents Furniture recycling 3
in this edition the launch of who have been looking at many
Barnet’s first furniture reuse aspects of our services and making News in brief 4-5
scheme. You can find more suggestions for improvements.
about this on page 3. More details are on page 7.
Leaseholders 6
We know many individuals and The group is there to work on behalf
families struggle to get decent of you all. If there is any Barnet Resident scrutiny 7
furniture at a good price, particularly Homes service you would like them
at the current time. We hope that to look at, please do get in touch Regeneration 8
you will donate any unwanted items with them.
of furniture – as well as white goods Gardening project 9
and electrical items. It’s important Vi Britchfield,
for the environment that items are Chair of
reused rather than sent to landfill or, Barnet Homes
At your call 10
worse, just dumped in the street.
Living 11
Elsewhere, we look at the work of
our Performance Advisory Group Noticeboard 12
How to contact us Our offices Housing Benefit surgeries
Freephone 0800 3895225 Barnet House Barnet House
(Translators available) 1255 High Road, Whetstone Tuesday and Friday 9am-4.30pm
Also our 24 hour emergency number London N20 0EJ
Burnt Oak Library and
Text us 07903 324192 Grahame Park Office Customer Service Centre
Minicom 020 8359 5212 17 The Concourse Watling Ave, HA8 0UB
Typetalk available Grahame Park Estate Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
London NW9 5XA
Email talk2us@barnethomes.org Hendon Job Centre Plus
Report a repair online at 10 Finchley Lane, NW4 1DP
www.barnethomes.org
Local housing surgery Monday 9am-4.30pm
Valley Centre,
Gas repairs Grahame Park Housing Office
38 Homefield,
08000 352 360 Thursday 9am-4.30pm
Dollis Valley EN5 2UJ
To pay your rent or service charges Every Wednesday 2-3.30pm South Friern Library
0845 356 3456 24 hours or Colney Hatch Lane, N11 1EY
www.barnet.gov.uk/ Thursday 10am-4.30pm
onlinepayments
Local numbers If you have any comments or questions about athome, write to:
The Editor, Barnet Homes, 9th floor Barnet House, 1255 High Road,
Grahame Park 020 8359 2923
Whetstone, London N20 0EJ
West Hendon/
Or email athome@barnethomes.org
Dollis Valley/
Stonegrove & Spur Road Printed on recycled paper.
020 8359 5405/5415
Visit the new centre at 4 Queens Parade, Furniture recycling 3
Friern Barnet. Or call 0800 3895225
to make a donation.
Sofa so good!
Barnet has its first ever furniture reuse scheme. Why not
use it to donate unwanted items – or pick up good quality
furniture at knockdown prices?
What can I buy
at the centre?
The centre will be an Aladdin’s
cave of good quality furniture
at low prices, including sofas,
Centre manager Beth Swallow (right) with staff members Layla Ela ouad (left) and Lauren Harmer (centre)
tables, chairs, beds and
wardrobes, as well as soft
A warehouse with a difference It’s a chance to develop new skills, furnishings like curtains. The
has opened its doors at 4 Queens which could help you find long-term charity hopes eventually to stock
Parade, Friern Barnet. employment. bric-a-brac items like crockery
and dinner sets.
The new Barnet Furniture Centre The centre’s new manager Beth
aims to supply residents with good Swallow said: “We know that many
quality furniture at prices to suit all people find it hard to get hold of How can I find
budgets. Why not pop in and see
what’s on offer?
decent furniture at affordable prices,
and we hope they will come to our
out more?
warehouse to see what’s on offer. We will be giving more details
If you no longer want or need pieces about the centre on our website
of furniture, you can donate them “The centre will also help people at www.barnethomes.org,
to the centre knowing they will be to get rid of unwanted items in or look for more information in
reused or recycled. A team of staff a responsible way, rather than upcoming editions of athome.
and volunteers will then prepare the flytipping or sending items to landfill, If you want to donate any items,
furniture items for sale. so it’s great for the environment. or are interested in volunteering
at the centre, please call
Meanwhile, the centre has linked “I’m very grateful for the support 0800 3895225.
up with other recycling centres to we’ve received to make this
enable you to donate white goods, possible, and can’t wait to see
like cookers and fridges, as well as the project develop over the
electrical equipment. coming months.”
Besides the other benefits, the The centre has been made possible
centre will also create three full-time by funding from the London Waste
jobs and more than 20 volunteer and Recycling Board, as part of a
placements – including opportunities £8million package of recycling and
for people with special needs. reuse improvements across London.
4 News in brief Please help us keep blocks fire safe
by keeping communal corridors free of
obstructions, like bikes and prams.
Help us
Get your skates on! stamp out
fraud
Young skateboarders living
around High Barnet will be Two new dedicated fraud
able to show off their aerials, officers are on the lookout for
slides and grinds following tenants who try to abuse the
the launch of a new mobile council housing system.
skate park.
The new staff members will be
The park’s aim is to discourage taking action if tenants are found
antisocial behaviour among young not to live in their council property
people living around Chesterfield or if tenants are illegally sub-
Road. Organisers plan to set up letting their home.
the park every Saturday afternoon,
with a registration system for its The new campaign has been
users, and eventually hope to launched together with Barnet
rotate it around different locations Council to try to ensure that
in the borough. council homes are occupied by
genuine tenants and to tackle
The skate park has been introduced any housing benefit fraud.
Skater Klaus Laivenieks at the launch
by Barnet Community Projects –
a group of residents belonging to For more information about the Any resident who suspects
local churches – with support from skate park contact Steve Neale housing fraud should call
other local organisations, including on 07929 754522 or email 020 8359 7254 or email
Barnet Homes. acheve@sky.com talk2us@barnethomes.org
All reports will be dealt with
in the strictest confidence.
Looking to move home?
Are you a tenant looking to move waiting list, and some applicants may
home? Please be aware that the not be placed in any of the bands.
way Barnet Council allocates
council and housing association Successful applicants will be
homes will change from the offered a home that meets their
beginning of April. assessed needs from a pool of Please keep corridors free of obstructions
available properties.
Keep fire safe!
The current housing register and
points system is being replaced with The new allocations policy will
a new banding system, designed apply to all existing council
to be much simpler and to give tenants wishing to move home, Please remember to keep
more focus to those in the greatest apart from those who are swapping communal corridors clear of
housing need. homes through mutual exchange. items like prams and bikes.
The four new bands include You can find a copy of the These can cause obstructions
recognition of the community new allocations policy on to you, your family and other
contribution made by those who are Barnet Council’s website at residents if fire breaks out in your
working, volunteering or undertaking www.barnet.gov.uk, or ask for flat or block. Fires can kill and
training. There will no longer be a a copy from your housing officer. every second counts.
The building is so warm I don’t need to News in
News in brief
brief 5
have the heating on all the time and during
the cold spell I was nice and warm.
Clubbing On the boil
together Sheltered housing residents
in North Finchley are enjoying
Children and young people on better heating at lower costs
two estates will be able to enjoy thanks to a new communal
a wide range of activities each boiler system.
week after Barnet Homes set
up new youth clubs. The new boilers at Wimbush
House can reduce heating
The clubs at the Fosters Estate in bills by more than a third
Hendon and North Road Estate Lucy and Scott Jordan with youth workers at the through greater efficiency and
in Burnt Oak are being introduced Fosters youth club launch sensors to maintain desired
following suggestions by young temperatures. Similar boilers are
people. Both are being run by To find out more, call being introduced at a number of
Barnet Playrangers as an initial Barnet Playrangers on sheltered housing schemes in
six week trial and could become 07507 771746 or email the borough.
permanent fixtures if successful. barnetplayrangers@yahoo.co.uk
Tenant June Bayliss is among the
residents to feel the benefit. She
said: “The building is so warm I
Pupils dig their street! don’t need to have my heating
on all the time and during the
cold spell I was nice and warm.”
School children from Burnt Oak their school which previously only
have created a colourful garden attracted litter and fly tipping.
in what was an unloved corner
of their street. Barnet Homes staff came up
with the idea for the garden and
The children from The Annunciation donated the plants. Members of
Infant School in Thirlby Road the gardening team supervised
spent one lunchtime planting a the planting by children and their
Are you looking to find work?
small garden in an area outside teachers during the break time.
Would you benefit from having
someone to talk to who can
offer support?
Six Barnet Homes residents are
currently working with Barnet
Homes and Jobcentre Plus to set
up new job clubs in the borough.
It’s a chance for jobseekers to
meet, exchange skills, share
experiences, find opportunities,
make contacts, and receive
support in returning to work.
For more information, contact
your Jobcentre Plus advisor
or call Jacqui Jones on
020 8359 4777.
Annunciation Infant School children get green fingered
6 Leaseholders Sign up to our online service charge
facility – Service Charges Direct –
at housing.direct@barnethomes.org
Insurance
– are you
Satisfaction
covered?
Did you buy your property
on the up
through Right to Buy before
1 October 1988? Or did you
Leasehold satisfaction with our services has risen
buy your home on the open substantially following a dedicated campaign to
market before 19 May 1997? make improvements in a wide range of areas.
If so, your commons parts Results of a recent survey of These are some of
insurance policy may not leaseholders show it has increased the findings from
provide the cover you might overall by nine per cent from 31 per the survey:
expect. You will be liable for any cent in 2008 to 40 per cent now, • Understanding service
loss that is not covered. but clearly there is still a need to charge information –
improve services further. then: 53% now:
We recommend all leaseholders 59.7%
get Level Three cover, which It follows a campaign to improve • Consultation on major
includes cover against customer service, the quality of our works – then: 27.8%
subsidence, ground heave or information and the value for money now: 43.2%
landslip. The cost is £55 a year, we offer you in terms of service and • Information about
which will be included in your repairs and maintenance. major works –
annual service charges. then: 34.7%
Barnet Homes Chief Executive, now: 50.7%
To check which insurance Tracey Lees, said: “I’m pleased the • Satisfaction with
policy you currently have, or work we have done so far is having a the quality of major
to upgrade your cover, please positive effect for leaseholders. works – then: 34%
contact us on 0800 3895225. now: 19.1%
“We know we need to carry on • Payment options for
improving, and our staff will be major works – then:
Stay taking action to change those
areas leaseholders are less
22.3% now: 37.5%
• Finding staff helpful
CO safe
satisfied with, such as the quality – then: 49.7%
of major works.” now: 59%
More than 50 people each
year die in the UK from carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning. Online time
Many more fall seriously ill.
More than 100 The facility gives you one handy
Make sure you and your family leaseholders have place to see your service charge
are protected by taking advantage signed up to our breakdown and communal repairs
of our CO detector discount. online service requested where you live.
charge system –
Pick up a detector at any Service Charges To register, email housing.direct
leasehold surgery or our offices Direct. @barnethomes.org
for £12.30, or call us on or visit our website at
0800 3895225 to have one www.barnethomes.org
posted to you for £13.60.
Our role has been evolving steadily Resident scrutiny 7
and constructively. We are eager to
continue to do more.
Challenge
Some of the PAG
members: (clockwise
from front left) Jan
Andersson, Angela
Shine, Angela Purcell
everything!
and Gary Kinnane
If you think the group can
improve a Barnet Homes service,
Just over a year ago a group of residents was formed get in touch with them via pag@
barnethomes.org or come to meet
to scrutinise the work of Barnet Homes. them at one of our Hub meetings.
Please note, they cannot deal with
PAG chair, Gary Kinnane from individual matters or problems.
Childs Hill, said: “We’re different
from any previous group, being
very much resident-led but with Love where
support from Barnet Homes. you live
“We’ve had access to the Board One of the key areas
and senior managers from day one for PAG has been
and our role has been evolving to encourage more
constructively ever since. We’re residents to join Barnet Homes
eager to continue to do more.” staff on regular neighbourhood
Gary Kinnane inspections.
Among the tasks for the group
The eight founding members of has been to agree a final list of 20 Their intervention has led to new
the Performance Advisory Group new service standards for Barnet publicity for the inspections, where
had very different backgrounds, Homes – and how these standards staff check buildings, communal
but one common interest – will be monitored in future. areas and the general environment,
to challenge areas of Barnet and we hope more residents will
Homes’ work and recommend Members of the group have now attend.
improvements. also challenged the way in which
empty homes are relet and how Thanks to calls from the PAG, you
It was a chance to make a real estate inspections are managed, can also find dates for every estate
difference, since their findings and from this year they will inspection and the outcomes from
would be reported directly to be writing our Annual Report each inspection on our website at
Barnet Homes’ Board of directors. to residents. www.barnethomes.org
PAG said, PAG did!
PAG said: Our performance PAG said: Residents should PAG said: Residents feel under
information was presented in a be involved in procuring pressure to say they are satisfied
confusing way for residents new contractors for all of with a repair if they are asked by
our maintenance services Barnet Homes staff over the phone
PAG did: They helped create
a new layout for our key PAG did: Members of the PAG PAG did: They have overseen
performance information, which is took part in judging and scoring the introduction of a new online
regularly updated at initial bids from firms competing repairs satisfaction form at
www.barnethomes.org for the new contracts www.barnethomes.org
8 Regeneration Live on Grahame Park and want to know more
about what’s happening locally? Visit our Facebook page
at www.facebook.com/GrahameParkTV
All change at
Grahame Park!
The first residents have moved
into their new homes as the
The new open space will be officially
opened to the public shortly. Bid to improve
regeneration of Grahame Park
continues to take shape. April is expected to see the 1,500 homes
demolition of Bleriot, Blackburn,
Twenty five households are moving Boarhound and Bodmin as part We have submitted a bid for
into the new modern properties as of Phase 1b of the scheme, with almost £20million additional
part of phase 1a of the £700million further blocks due to be demolished funding to carry out decent
regeneration scheme. over the summer. homes improvements to
more than 1,500 homes on
All 319 new homes in the phase – a Construction of the first phase 1b regeneration estates.
mixture of affordable rented homes, homes should start this winter,
shared ownership properties and with more than 400 homes, a new At the time of going to press, we
homes for market sale – are due library, community centre and shops were waiting to hear back from
to be completed by early next year. due to be completed by 2017. the Homes and Communities
Agency on the bid.
If successful, we will use the
One thousand friends and counting… money to make improvements
to homes that are due to be
More than 1,400 people have demolished much later than
signed up as friends of our originally expected as a result
Grahame Park Facebook page. of delays to the regeneration
schemes caused by the
Why not join them at www. economic downturn.
facebook.com/GrahameParkTV to
learn more about what’s happening in Barnet Homes Chief Executive,
your area and join in the discussion? Tracey Lees, said “There’s clearly
less money in the pot, so we
If you’re a young person living in don’t know if this bid will be
West Hendon, you can also catch successful. But we want to grab
up on what’s going on through every possible opening to give
our West Hendon Youth Club tenants decent quality homes
page. Visit www.facebook.com/ until they move into new
westhendonyouth properties through the various
regeneration schemes.”Do you have a project that young people or volunteers Gardening project 9
could help with? Get in touch with our Resident Involvement
Team by contacting Liz Bird on 020 8359 4842
or email liz.bird@barnethomes.org
Bridging the Maura
Higgins:
“It’s wonderful.
generation gap
We have such
a big garden
and there’s so
much to do.”
Sheltered housing residents in North Finchley are benefiting from
an improved garden – and from getting to know young people from
the local area. athome finds out more.
Chris
If you go down to Christchurch Since late January the 13 and Mertens:
Close on a Thursday afternoon and 14-year-olds have been spending “I think it’s
pop into the communal lounge, you time raking up leaves and cutting lovely the
might see quite an unusual sight. back overgrown plants. children are
helping us.”
Older residents at the sheltered Christchurch Close resident Maura
scheme will be happily chatting to Higgins feels the scheme is reaping
teenagers from the local area, rewards. “All the residents think it’s
learning more about each other fantastic to have young people here
and finding out about each willing to help,” she says.
other’s interests. Do you have a project that
But for some of the teenagers, young people or volunteers
It’s all part of a collaboration the real highlight is the chance to could help with? Is your
between Barnet Homes and the break down divisions between the garden overgrown or do you
Wren Academy. Pupils at the school older and younger generations. have a local playground that
in Hilton Avenue needed to could do with a lick of paint?
complete a community project as Pupil Victoria-Marie Huber-Gurry
part of their Duke of Edinburgh said: “I’ve found it interesting and Get in touch with our
Bronze Award and happened to something new – I could learn Resident Involvement Team
hear about Christchurch Close. The from the project and make a by contacting Liz Bird on
garden at the sheltered housing difference. I really like talking to 020 8359 4842 or email
scheme fitted the bill perfectly. the older generation.” liz.bird@barnethomes.org
Wren Academy pupils get to grips with the Christchurch Avenue garden10 At your call Don’t turn a blind eye to flytipping. Help us
take action against those responsible by calling
us in confidence on 0800 3895225.
Flytipping menace Dog nuisance
I’m very concerned about
Rubbish has been dumped on our estate by a visiting the dogs living next door
white van. I’ve been keeping an eye out in case this to me and I’m afraid to let
my children play outside on
happens again. Can Barnet Homes take any action – their own. The dogs are very
and what should I do? aggressive and their owner
doesn’t seem to control
Thanks for being vigilant. With the getting dumped rubbish removed them properly.
help of residents like you keeping cost us and you £285,000 last year.
a close eye on what’s happening If you are worried about
locally, we can stop members of the To be successful with any legal dangerous dogs where you live,
public dumping rubbish on estates. action, we need residents who see then the first thing to do is report
flytipping happening to note the them to your housing officer.
Barnet Homes will take legal action vehicle and its registration number
against unscrupulous people who and phone us in confidence on If necessary, we can arrange for
fly tip. Not only is this unsightly, 0800 3895225. a dog trainer to work with the
owner, or contact a group called
BARK, which includes the police
On the fence and the RSPCA.
I’ve been told that Barnet Homes we have to concentrate our They tackle dog owners who
does not mend garden fences – limited repairs budget on the mistreat their pets or allow
is this correct? most important repairs, and we them to be aggressive in
do expect tenants to carry out public, and if a criminal offence
Yes, unless your fence or gate some minor repairs themselves. is being committed they will
bound a public walkway or highway. Find out more at take court action to deal
The economic climate means www.barnethomes.org with it.
OVERLOADING YOUR
PLUGS COULD COST YOU
MORE THAN ELECTRICITY
If you don’t use electrical equipment safely, you’re
putting your family and home at risk. Find out how
a few simple checks and precautions could protect
you from fire. Go to www.london-fire.gov.uk.Fostering gives vulnerable children a sense of security. Living 11
Find out how you can foster by phoning 020 8359 6274
or visit www.barnet.gov.uk/fostering
Could you be a
foster carer?
More than 220 Barnet children currently live in foster
care. More people are needed to give often vulnerable
children a secure home.
Fostering means you provide care If you are interested in becoming a
in your home for children or young foster carer, Barnet Council’s team
people who cannot live with their will support you every step of the
own families. The length of time they way. You will be given an accurate
need to be fostered can range from idea of what you can you expect
a few days to several months, or in and will be introduced to a wide
some cases for several years. Most range of people you can count on
children will eventually return to for help and advice.
their families. What financial support
Finally as a Barnet foster carer, you will I receive?
Fostering can make a real difference will receive generous allowances Barnet foster carers are
to children’s lives. There’s a real and fees for all your hard work. classed as self-employed.
sense of achievement in knowing
you’ve been there for a child who What experience do I need? You would receive a weekly
needs your help, as Barnet foster We do not ask for any special maintenance allowance of
carer Karen Landsman explains. qualifications or experience but either £181 a week for a child
we do ask our foster carers to: under 12, or £239 for a child
“I am reminded daily over 12. This covers the costs
• Live in or near Barnet, so foster of caring for a child.
why I do this job,”
children can stay within their own
says Karen. “When the kids communities and maintain links You would also receive a skill-
give me a hug and tell me with their families, friends and based fee as a reward for the
spontaneously that they school. care you provided. This ranges
like living here; when I • Have a spare room for the child – from £179 to £286 a week.
although a child under 18 months
use my skills to develop a may be able to sleep in your You will also receive extensive
child’s self-esteem, giving bedroom. tax allowances and income
them the confidence to • Have a real commitment to from fostering will not affect
say what’s wrong; when looking after a child for as long as eligibility for any means-tested
they need to stay with you – even benefits.
I have one of those ‘nice if it is for several years.
moments’ like realising • Have some experience of caring How do I find out more?
the house is filled with for children, perhaps in your own If you would like to find out
laughter, singing and home or as a professional. more about fostering you can:
• Be at home for younger Call: 020 8359 6274
relaxed children;
children or when older children Email: fostering@barnet.gov.uk
and when I see children get back from school – whether Visit: www.barnet.gov.uk/
move on positively.” you work or not. fostering12 Noticeboard
Board size – Benefits
have your say change
Our Board has proposed to There would be three council Do you claim housing
reduce in size from 12 to nominees and three independent benefit and live with someone
nine directors. Now we want directors. other than your partner who
to hear what you think. is over 18?
All views on the proposals will be
The proposal is aimed at making presented to the March meeting If so, due to government
the Board more efficient and ensure of the Board, where a final decision reforms, from April you could
more effective decision making. will be taken. see increased ‘non-dependant’
deductions from your housing
The proportion of resident Board To have your say, email corinna. benefit. These deductions are
Members would remain at one third, demetriou@barnethomes.org designed to cover the non-
with one leaseholder representative Alternatively write to dependant’s contribution to the
and two tenant representatives. Tenant Corinna Demetriou, household expenses.
representatives would no longer be PA to the Chief Executive,
elected by geographical area, but Barnet Homes, 9th Floor, Currently more than 700 Barnet
would be expected to represent all Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Homes tenants live with non-
tenants across the borough. London N20 0EJ. dependants, normally adult
children or older relatives. They
will see a reduction in housing
Hub-ba bubba! benefit from £2 to lower earners
to almost £13 for higher earners.
More than 350 Barnet Homes All affected households will
tenants and leaseholders receive a letter explaining the
have now attended one of our changes. For more information
resident Hub meetings. Why visit www.barnet.gov.uk/
not come along and join them?
Rent – £250 The meetings – held every three
advice-benefits
prizes up for months – are a chance to discuss
grabs!
the housing-related issues that
matter to you, from spending Come to
the Board
priorities to grounds maintenance.
We will be awarding four prizes
of £250 to tenants at the end of We try to make the meetings
March. But first you’ve got to be informative but entertaining – since Our Board meetings are
in it to win it! we launched the Hub three years open to members of the
ago more than 85 per cent of public. Dates of meetings
The prize draw will be for all tenants attendees have told us they were are published on our website
who have no rent arrears from 22 to satisfied with the meetings’ content. at www.barnethomes.org
31 March 2011, so make sure you
have a clear rent account. The next meeting is due to take Alternatively, phone Corinna
place on Thursday 26 May, from Demetriou on 020 8359 4804
Last year tenant Rita Okang 7.15pm, venue to be confirmed. or email corinna.demetriou@
(pictured with Rental Income Look out for more information barnethomes.org
Manager Anne-Marie Isaacs) was on our website at
among the four lucky winners. www.barnethomes.orgYou can also read
