93965 cornerstone tenants newsletter july 2019 a4 12pp · asbestos in your home as part of...

July 2019

Tenant Newsletter

Welcome LetterWelcome everyone once again from the Performance Panel.

The Performance Panel have just completed some very tough reviews over the last few months; a car parking management policy together with a downsizing policy to name but two (see ‘latest news’ for more).

Over the coming months we will be talking about social media and an exciting review is coming up about communal gardens. Cornerstone, along with the Performance Panel, will be discussing a number of issues which include how best to consult with tenants over the communal areas.

I would also like to thank Performance Panel member Bob Marles for putting himself forward and being elected as the Vice Chair, which is a great relief to me, and I look forward to working with him.

We have also welcomed two new panel members this month and we are very excited about what they can bring to the table. I am sure the tenants will benefi t from their experience.

Enjoy reading your newsletter.

Best wishes,

Janet GaleChairTenant Performance Panel.

2 Cornerstone Tenant Newsletter

www.cornerstonehousing.net

Latest NewsAnnual Tenant Survey

It’s that time of year again! We want your views on how we are doing with delivering services to you. If you have not had your survey yet, please get in touch.

If you have had a survey and have returned it to us, thank you, your views are important to us. They are used by Cornerstone and the Performance Panel to shape and improve our services.

P.S – there is a prize drawer with a gift voucher worth £100 on off er if you complete it!

‘Out my window’ photography project

You may remember in the last issue of your newsletter we published an article for an ‘out of my window’ project. Now that the sun has made an appearance we would love to see any summer related photographs you have taken from your windows.

The photos could be of wildlife or nature in your garden or a communal garden, urban environments, or something else unique to where you live.

You don’t have to be a photography expert or have a fancy camera it can just be a snap taken on your mobile phone. Please remember to be respectful of your neighbours, however, and don’t take any photos which could cause a nuisance or distress to others. If you have any questions about this project or need some help please get in touch. We have a tenant who is a photographer and is happy to off er advice on all aspects of the project.

Please submit your photos with your name and address to [email protected] or you can email a link to a drop box or other fi le sharing application. Alternatively, you can send your photos to our postal address but please don’t forget to include your contact details. Your photos may be published in a future newsletter or on our website as part of this project.

Photo by Clive Temperton

Photo by Steve Rowe

£100gift voucher to be won!

3Cornerstone Tenant Newsletter


Downsizing policy

The Performance Panel have been instrumental in forming a downsizing policy.

The aim of this policy is to make best use of our housing stock by reducing under-occupation and freeing up homes for applicants in housing need. The policy sets out how we will encourage and support tenants to downsize to a home that is more suited to their needs.

Tenants are eligible under this policy if they are living in a Cornerstone property with three or more bedrooms (with no minimum age restrictions) and they are willing to move to a home that is smaller than their current home and suitable for their needs.

We will provide practical and fi nancial support to help tenants downsize to a smaller home. We will off er a fl exible incentive payment and this can be put towards the cost of: removals, new fl ooring in your new home, payment of rent in advance and or towards any rent arrears etc.

For further information please contact us on 01392 273462.

Parking management policy

One of the reviews recently undertaken by the Performance Panel was our parking management policy. The aim has been to ensure we have a fair and consistent policy on dealing with parking issues across our housing stock, including our homes outside of Exeter.

Where we have schemes with limited parking spaces available we operate a waiting list. Following the review we will now be giving priority to those on the waiting list in the following order:

1) Tenants with a blue badge due to poor mobility

2) Tenants with a household member with a blue badge due to poor mobility

3) All other tenants by time on the list

If you have any queries regarding this article please contact Anita on 01392 273462.



Hoarding AwarenessAt Cornerstone we are working to make Hoarding Disorder more widely known and understood within our community. It is estimated that hoarding effects 2-5% of the population.

Hoarding is a very misunderstood condition and more awareness is needed to know the best way to talk with those affected and how to support them. Hoarding is often mistaken as purely being about collecting items but the problems starts when the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living and the person has difficulty discarding objects.

Hoarding can often be due to underlying mental health issues or can be brought on by traumatic events. Many may not realise they have a problem or are reluctant to seek help due to embarrassment or guilt. It is important to encourage a person who is hoarding to speak about the issue and to seek help. If left untreated it can lead to serious problems; such as fire safety, rodent infestations, injuries from trips and falls, causing break downs within family relationships and preventing the person from living the life they want; leading to further mental health issues.

What is Cornerstone doing to help?Our tenancy review process now has a more holistic approach, which allows us to engage more with tenants and spend more time with them. Our housing team have undertaken training on mental health first aid and hoarding awareness, so they understand the need to address the underlying causes of hoarding and how to support tenants. We understand that there is no simple or quick solution, but we will work with tenants to de-clutter their homes, maintain their tenancies and encourage them to achieve their aspirations.

Home

Where can I find more help and advice?Your local doctors surgery will be able to offer help and support. There is also more information available from these web sites:

• Change your Space – (changeyourspace.co.uk/)

• Hoarding UK (hoardinguk.org)

• Help for Hoarders (helpforhoarders.co.uk)

• Fire Service (dsfire.gov.uk)



Asbestos in your home

As part of Cornerstone’s commitment to keeping our customers safe, we hold records of any materials containing asbestos in the communal areas of our buildings. We also keep records of individual properties in order that we can provide advice and information to tenants and contractors on the potential presence of asbestos.

The presence of asbestos in the home is not a problem so long as it is not damaged or disturbed and remains in good condition. It was used in construction due to its strength and fire rating properties, and if encapsulated, painted, sealed or is inaccessible, it is perfectly safe.

Asbestos only becomes an issue if fibres become airborne, for example, by drilling, sanding or cutting. If you are completing DIY work in your home and are unsure about a material, please contact Cornerstone who can provide advice. The Health and Safety Executive website has a wealth of knowledge and guidance on the subject: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos.

What is asbestos? Asbestos is the name given to a naturally occurring fibrous raw material, generally derived from rock and found in various parts of the world. Asbestos fibres are strong and resistant to heat and chemicals. In the past, this led to it being used in a wide range of building materials and products. There are many types of asbestos but without a laboratory test it is hard to determine what type a product contains. Some types are known to have been associated with certain building materials but this cannot confirm its presence, which can only be done by testing.

It is illegal to import or use asbestos in the UK and its use was gradually withdrawn in the UK until being outlawed in 1999. Therefore, any building built or refurbished before the year 2000 has the potential to contain asbestos materials.

You must not attempt to remove any asbestos yourself. All work must be carried out by a competent person or, depending on the type of asbestos, by a licensed contractor. Asbestos waste must be removed and disposed of in an approved manner in line with regulation.

What measures does Cornerstone take to deal with asbestos? We keep an asbestos register that details information on all the properties we own and manage, with specific asbestos information recorded against each address. We provide this information to contractors working on our homes and tenants if they request it. We use a method of representative sampling of our domestic properties. This means that when asbestos surveys are completed to certain types of property we will assume that others of the same type will offer similar results and record information against those properties in the same way.

Some properties where asbestos containing materials (ACMs) have been found are periodically re-inspected by our Asset Management team to ensure they remain in good condition.

Where required, Cornerstone will carry out a specialist survey, which can involve taking samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos, these are then tested in a laboratory and the results recorded in our register.

It is not considered necessary nor is it a requirement of the law to remove all asbestos from a property; this is because if it is in good condition it poses less of a risk than if it was removed. If an asbestos containing material becomes damaged and is reported to us or noted on a routine inspection visit, we will arrange the necessary repair or removal work.

Where could asbestos be found in the home? Common materials that may have previously contained asbestos include but are not limited to:

• Roofing materials (corrugated sheets) and artificial slates

• Bath panels, soffit boards, fire surroundings, flue pipes, cold water tanks, guttering and drain pipes

• Decorative coatings such as Artex

• Plastic and vinyl floor tiles • WC cisterns and WC seats • Some components of

central heating systems, including hot water boilers, gas fires, electric storage heaters

• Insulating board used for fire protection and ceiling tiles

• Ducting, covering service pipes (Loft or cavity wall insulation does not normally contain asbestos).

If you have any particular concerns please contact our maintenance team on 01392 424244.



Smoke AlarmsYour smoke alarms need to be tested every month to ensure they are working safely. If your smoke alarm is beeping then you will need to replace the battery yourself, however if you feel it is faulty then please report this to the depot on 01392 424344.

Working smoke alarms save lives - who presses your buttons?

Be a Local EagleAre you keen to take an active part in your community and keep us advised of any issues? We are looking to pilot a new ‘local eagle’ scheme, with tenants who are willing to report back on things aff ecting their community. For example, this could include things like the cleanliness of their estate or anti-social behaviour. This way we can be made aware of issues quickly and work together to resolve them. Please contact us if you are interested in taking part in this scheme.

Performance Panel ReviewThe next review for the Performance Panel is regarding communal gardens. This review will look at how we manage your green spaces and requests from tenants regarding their communal areas. If you would like to be a part of this review, for example by attending a meeting or being an Email Eagle to share your views, please contact Anita or Rosie at the offi ce on 01392 273462.

Get Involved



Communal areas and fire safetyIf you live in a flat or building with a shared communal hallway please remember to keep them clear, as in the event of an emergency this is your escape route.

In some of our blocks of flats we operate a Stay Put policy, please refer to the notices in your communal hallway.

If you have any concerns about your building or any queries regarding the Stay Put policy, please contact the office on 01392 273462.



Window restrictor safety updateNow that the warmer weather is here, Cornerstone would like to remind tenants who have window restrictors fitted in their properties of the importance of using these correctly and not overriding them. Serious injuries and fatalities can and have occurred when people have fallen from windows. Window restrictors are especially important where children are in a property to prevent them from falls or from being able to get out of the property.

Falls from open windows can happen when people sit on window sills or where windows are positioned in such a way that someone could trip and fall through. There are also cases where people in a confused mental state, possibly suffering from dementia or other mental disorders, have tried to use windows as a form of escape and have suffered injuries as a result.

As well as keeping safe, an added bonus of these restrictors is that they allow a window to be left partially open to let in fresh air whilst still being secure.

If you already have window restrictors fitted, please report any faults with them to our repairs department.

Following a review, where our properties have no restrictors in rooms above the first floor, Cornerstone will look to install these where requested so please let us know if you would like this done.

Window restrictors will also be fitted on all of Cornerstone’s properties that come up for re-let and as standard on all new build properties.



Days out over thesummer holidays...

Walks for Little LegsFamilies are being encouraged to put one foot in front of the other onto the streets, forests, parks, beaches and countryside. The choice of walks in the county is vast and if you’re needing a little direction there are plenty of great websites to look at that are fi lled with ideas for several walks of varying diffi culty – from easy circular routes in the woods to strenuous lengthy stretches of the coastline.

For ideas see:

South Devon: www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/explore/walks-trailsWest Devon: www.devon.gov.uk/west-devon-wayCoastal: www.southwestcoastpath.org.ukDartmoor: www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/active-dartmoorNorth Devon and Exmoor: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/walkingEast Devon: www.eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside/our-reserves/walk-the-east-devon-way

St Thomas splash pad: open May - September

Water fountains, tipping buckets and cannons on a brightly coloured surface. There is also a large children’s playground, public toilets and parkland nearby.

IKEA Summer Spectacular 28th - 29th July

As a kick off to the school holidays, IKEA are holding a fete with games including Football Frenzy, Hook-A-Duck and Mini-Golf!

Exeter Fringe Festival 26th July - 4th August

A festival of events taking place at Barnfi eld Theatre and Exeter Phoenix.

Dawlish Celebrates Carnival 10th - 16th August

A week of events organised by the community for everyone to enjoy. Traditional family fun with a few surprises!

Paignton Festival Saturday 27th July - Sunday 4th August

A 9-day long event on Paignton Green, throughout July and August each year, raising money for local charities and groups.

Exeter Street Arts Festival 24th August

Gandy Street in the heart of the city will turn into a celebration of street art for all.

St Thomas Festival Saturday 7th September

St Thomas Pleasure Ground will be taken over with stalls, games, food, drink and live music.

Heavitree Pleasure Grounds

Facilities for picnicking, skateboarding, basketball, BMX, tennis, bowls and play, make the pleasure ground a favourite family day out.

Support and AdviceParking

Don’t have a parking space? Did you know that depending on your address and proximity to an Exeter City Council car park, you can benefi t from a residents season ticket which costs £150 for 12 months (£12.50 pcm), payable in full upon purchase, or £75 for 6 months, payable in full upon purchase.

These are available for the following car parks: Richmond Road (8:00am to 6:00pm only), Bystock Terrace, Howell Road, Belmont Road, Parr Street, Triangle, Magdalen Road (Monday to Friday only) Cathedral & Quay and Haven Banks. Call Exeter City Council on 01392 277888 to see if you qualify.



Did you know?

Westcountry Savings & Loans off er a range of services and helpful information.

To sign up for the Westcountry Savings & Loans newsletter please visit their website: www.westcountry.org.uk.

Christmas 2019

It’s not too late to start saving for Christmas! It’s a costly time of year. Make sure you’re prepared. Open a Christmas Saver today and get your savings paid as a lump sum in November ready for all those festive bills.

Visit www.westcountry.org.uk/Christmas-savings or call us on 0800 304 7041

Taking control of your fi nances

The debt charity Step Change provides a wealth of information about how to manage your money. Their newsletter this month featured a great article about one of their employees and how he turned his life around after falling into debt. There are loads of tips on how to plan your fi nances and reduce the amount we waste on unnecessary luxuries. Visit www.stepchange.org.

A message from Westcountry Savings and Loans

Watermelon is one of summer’s best summer treats. Did you know that watermelons are not a fruit, but a vegetable instead? They belong to the cucumber family of vegetables.

More thunderstorms occur during summer than any other time of year. They also take place more commonly in the south east of England.

Snow in June!

On 2 June 1975 snow showers forced the abandonment of several cricket matches across the country.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in summer in the UK is -5.6 C recorded on the 9 June 1955 in Dalwhinnie and again on the 1 and 3 June 1962 in Santon Downham in Norfolk.

Manhattanhenge

Twice a year around May 28 and July 12 New York is home to a fascinating sunset phenomenon.

Owing to the city's design on a grid rotated 29 ° clockwise from true east-west, twice a year the sun sets directly at the end of many of New York's major streets to create a spectacular sunset to see the sun slightly above the horizon and nestled between the rows of buildings.

Similarly, Milton Keynes' central road is designed so that when the sun rises on the solstice, it shines straight down Midsummer Boulevard and refl ects in the glass of the train station.

(Met Offi ce UK) www.metoffi ce.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather



We can provide copies in large print and braille on request, other language versions may also be available

Cornerstone HousingCornerstone House, Western Way, Exeter, Devon EX1 1AL

Contact us:

General enquiries - 01392 273462

Repairs enquiries - 01392 424344

[email protected]


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93965 cornerstone tenants newsletter july 2019 a4 12pp · asbestos in your home as part of...

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