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Bassetlaw District Council e-Newsletter

Bassetlaw Tenant Forum and Festive Lunch

• Monday 4^th December 2023
• 10:30am to 1:00pm

Bassetlaw Tenant Forums are an opportunity for tenants and leaseholders from around the district to hear about key housing information for our district.

On the agenda for this meeting is information on getting your home ready for winter, with helpful hints and tips on preventing condensation, damp and mould and getting the most out of your energy consumption.

An update on how the redevelopment of Westmoreland House in Harworth and Bircotes is going, and our plans for our other Independent Living Centres, as well as an opportunity to join some of our new tenant groups.

And... As it's December we’ll also be having a festive buffet lunch!

Hearing the views of tenants is extremely important to us and as an incentive, we will refund any expenses you incur by coming to the meeting; for example, a mileage allowance if you drive or public transport costs. Car parking is available in the pay and display carparks behind the Town Hall and Cinema, and limited disabled parking can be reserved in advance.

To confirm your place at this event, or to reserve a disabled parking space, please call Anita Fairweather, Tenant and Resident Engagement Officer, on 0800 590 542, text 07725 768 474 or email bassetlawconversations@bassetlaw.gov.uk

We're Listening! Tell us your views on...

We’re going to trial a new way of listening to what tenants have to say about their experiences of our services and what we can do to improve.

The first of these one-off group sessions will talk about occupancy visits, how you interact with your Housing Officer, and how we can get to know our tenants better.

There is no commitment to join future groups and you can take part in as few or as many sessions as you wish. We want to hear the collective views of even more people and to enable even more people to join this interactive session, there will be the opportunity to join online and have your say.

If this sounds like something you would like to get involved with, please sign up to sessions that will be starting in January 2024.

You can do this by contacting Anita Fairweather, Tenant, and Resident Engagement Officer, on 0800 590 542, text 07725 768 474 or email bassetlawconversations@bassetlaw.gov.uk

How safe is your electric blanket?

If you are planning on using an electric blanket this winter, it’s vital that you make sure it is safe, because old, worn or faulty electric blankets can cause house fires.

During December, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team is running free events across Nottinghamshire to test residents' electric blankets and check if they are safe to use.

Testing will take no more than 15 minutes and if your electric blanket is found to be unsafe, they will replace it for FREE.

Appointments in Bassetlaw are available on:

Wednesday 6^th December at Worksop Library, between 9am and 4.30pm.

To book an appointment please call 0115 804 4555.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

As part of National Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Thursday, 30th November 2023), and the regular Warm Spaces session at The Oasis Center in Worksop, Bassetlaw District Council’s Housing and Money Advice Teams, Groundwork Five Counties’ Green Doctors and Bassetlaw Action Centre have provided residents with support and advice on rising heating bills and heating their homes. 

If you have any concerns relating to fuel poverty, please contact: 

• Bassetlaw District Council Housing Team - 0800 590 542
• Bassetlaw District Council Money Advisors -  01909 533 744
• Groundwork Five Counties - 0115 978 8212
• Bassetlaw Action Centre - 01777 709 650

Need Help? Our Tenant Support and Well-being Service is here for you.

We have partnered with Life and Progress to offer a Tenant Support and Well-being Service (TSWS).

The Housing Service receives a high level of enquiries from tenants seeking advice on financial issues, legal related issues, mental ill health and other health concerns, which can all now be fully addressed by TSWS.

TSWS provides practical information, resources and counselling to help you balance your work, family and personal life. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year to answer your questions, whatever you may need. They will also refer you to the most appropriate source of support, including counselling, legal, financial, childcare and consumer experts if needed.

There is no cost to use the service for Bassetlaw tenants and there is no limit to the number of issues you can gain support on. These could include but are not limited to:

• Health and well-being information
• Mental health and well-being
• Relationships
• Family matters
• Managing debt
• Workplace issues
• Tackling stress and anxiety
• Parental challenges
• Your rights as a consumer
• and much more

Visit our website to find out more ways TSWS can help you.

Choice Based Lettings Policy Consultation

Bassetlaw District Council is currently consulting on proposed changes to its Choice Based Lettings and Allocations Policy and is reminding tenants and residents to give us their views.

The new policy is designed to improve the way that the Council allocates its housing stock to those in need and reduce the number of empty properties we have. The new policy will also assist in discharging the Council's legal duties and reduce homelessness, alongside reducing the financial burden it currently faces.

The consultation was launched on Monday 16^th October and has been extended to Sunday 17th December 2023. Everyone who completes a questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Love to Shop voucher. 

You can have your say, as well as viewing the current policy and proposed changes, by visiting www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/AllocationsConsultation

XL Bullies and other banned breeds of dogs

From 31^st December 2023, XL Bully Dogs will be placed on the Government’s list of banned dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

To provide tenants with information about these changes, and what will be required by owners of XL Bully Dogs, we advise that you read the Government advice in the following links:

• www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs
• www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

As a result of these changes, any tenant who has purchased an XL Bully Dog after 1^st September 2023 will not be granted permission from Bassetlaw District Council to keep the dog at their home. This is when the Government announced its intention for XL Bully Dogs to be included on the list of banned dogs, and therefore classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act, 1991.

Section 8.18 of the Tenancy Agreement states that you must not keep Dangerous Dogs, as classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act, 1991.

If you are a tenant of Bassetlaw District Council and purchased or owned an XL Bully Dog prior to September 2023, you must complete a ‘Pet Application Form’ (telephone the Contact Centre on 0800 590542 to request a form), and provide details of the purchase.  

In order to own an XL Bully Dog, the dog will need to be microchipped and have third party public liability insurance cover – you must provide a copy of those certificates with the Pet Application Form.

You will also need to indicate when you will be getting the dog neutered (please see Government advice/guidance regarding this), and you must also apply for a Certificate of Exemption, a copy of which must be provided to the Council if your application is granted.

All of the requirements for owners of all banned breeds can be found in the links provided. If you are worried about dangerous dogs or believe one of your neighbours may own an XL Bully Dog, please contact the Council’s Contact Centre on 0800 590542, and give details. A Housing Officer will then investigate.