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Bassetlaw District Council e-Newsletter |
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 We’ve teamed up with the local charity Groundwork Five Counties to provide our tenants with practical advice that helps to prevent mould, damp, and disrepair in your homes.
Over the last few months, the charity’s Green Doctors have been making home visits to residents across the district, helping people save money and use their gas, electricity, and water more efficiently.
A Green Doctor will also check your home for signs of damp and mould and put plans in place to remedy this as soon as possible, along with anything that is in need of repairing. This could be broken windows or doors, leaks, holes, weather damage or other issues.
The scheme works on a referral basis, and tenants should report any issues with damp or mould in the normal way to the council. Should it be deemed appropriate, we will refer cases to Groundwork Five Counties. We also run a proactive survey programme based on housing stock we know suffers disproportionally in terms of the risk of damp and mould.
Tenants are urged to regularly check their homes for damp and mould and report this, along with any disrepair, to the council by calling 0800 590 542.
Look out for more information in the next issue of In Touch, the Bassetlaw District Council Tenant Newsletter, which will be delivered with your April Rent Statement in the next few days.
Having problems paying your rent?
 If you have any problems paying your rent following the latest increases, please let us know as soon as possible; we can help.
We have experienced staff who can provide free, practical help and guidance. We’ll help identify the problem and together we can work out a plan to improve your financial position.
We also have a team of money advisors who can check if you are eligible to receive any support with benefits, Universal Credit or any reductions with Council Tax. They may also be able to help you to deal with any debts you may have.
Call us on 0800 590542 today or request a call-back by texting RENTHELP and the first line of your address to 07797 807045.
You can also use our Tenant Support and Well-being Service for a wider range of advice and support on issues such as money worries, legal advice, childcare and health and well-being.
Contact them on 0330 094 8845 or visit: www.tsws-assist.co.uk. To access the website, you’ll need to provide a username and password. The username is Bassetlaw, and the password is Tenant.
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Voter ID for elections on Thursday 2 May 2024
Don't miss out on your chance to have your say on 2 May.
Make sure that you have the right ID to take with you to the polling station.
You can find the full list of accepted forms of ID or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate at www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/voterid
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Sandy Lane litter pick
As part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, which Bassetlaw is a part of each year, we teamed up with local partners including ward Councillor’s, Poplars Church and residents to do a litter pick of Sandy Lane.
It was a great event and we are always looking for ways to speak with our tenants in the Sandy Lane area. So, if you have any ideas for events you would like to see or be involved with in the area please contact your Tenant Engagement team. Contact details are below.
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 We’d like to hear from people who are interesting in improving their estates, the environment, and making a difference in their community.
The new tenant group will look at improving green spaces where you live, smartening up any areas that are regularly targeted with vandalism or graffiti, and where we can work together to improve the appearance of your estates!
If this sounds like your thing, we’d love to hear from you! Full training will be provided by our Tenant Engagement Team. Contact details are below.
 Healthy neighbourhood inspections allow us to look for things that will improve your area, such as removing graffiti, tackling overgrown gardens and resolving parking issues.
Each area will have at least one inspection per year and they are carried out by your Housing Officer. People from other council departments, Nottinghamshire Police and other agencies may also attend, so that specific problems can be addressed.
We want to encourage tenants to be part of these inspections, even if it’s just for your street or to raise an individual issue, after all it is your estate and nobody knows it better than you.
In April and May, inspections will be taking place in Worksop, Retford, Tuxford and other villages across Bassetlaw. To see when your estate is being inspected, please visit: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/healthy-neighbourhood-inspections
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This fantastic community initiative organised by Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership returns to Bassetlaw for the 6th year, with bigger and better plans for 2024.
This year the aim is to collectively move 24,901 miles, which is the equivalent of once around the planet. Move More in May is for people of all ages, sizes, shapes and abilities.
The campaign aims to supports people to increase movement, boost well-being, and get people out into the community, having fun, and connecting with each other.
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We’ve recently had an increase in calls to the council about scams and people trying to enter your homes posing as our repairs staff and companies that carry out energy surveys.
With this in mind, we’ve put together some information that should help you to stay safe and avoid being scammed. You can also call us on 0800 590 542 to check the identity of anyone who calls at your home claiming to be from the council.
- We never cold call customers. If you are due to have any work done on your home, our contractors will send you a letter telling you what they plan to do, why and when. You’ll also receive a call 3-5 days (approx.) later to arrange an appointment.
- We work with Westville to carry out the installation of energy saving measures, such as solar panels, loft and cavity insulation. They will always show ID, have a letter of certification, wear branded Westville clothing, and not pressure to enter your home.
- Groundwork Five Counties and their Green Doctors help us to reduce damp and mould in homes and speak to customers about how they can save energy by making simple changes. They will always show ID and will make an appointment with you before visiting your home.
- Our Repairs Staff will always have an appointment before they attend your home. They also wear Bassetlaw District Council clothing, have ID badges and drive vehicles with the council’s logo on it.
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 The next Voices of Bassetlaw Meeting will take place on Tuesday 23rd April, in the Ballroom at Retford Town Hall, starting at 10:30am, and all tenants and residents are welcome.
On the agenda will be an update and a preview of the Council’s online portal, which is currently in development, where tenants will be able to report and monitor repairs.
Our Repairs Manager, Marie Bowler and ICT Services Manager Karen Smith will be on hand to answer questions about the portal and how the system will work.
For further information about this meeting or how you can join Voices of Bassetlaw, please contact: voicesofbassetlaw@gmail.com.
Tenants are being reminded about new rules regarding keeping XL Bully dogs in their homes.
Last year, the Government added XL Bully’s ’s list of banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. It means that any tenant who bought one after 1st September 2023 won’t be granted permission from the council to keep it at their home under their tenancy agreement.
Those who already had an XL Bully before the 1st September 2023 must have a certificate of exemption, in addition to other requirements.
If you do have an XL Bully dog in your home, you MUST notify the Council immediately, by contacting the Contact Centre on 0800 590 542.
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 Bassetlaw District Council’s complaints policy is designed to work with the requirements of the Housing Ombudsman complaint handling code. The Council is required to self-assess against the code and publish this.
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 The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking for your views on our electoral review for Bassetlaw. The Council will agree new ward boundaries across the council.
- Do you have suggestions about where your ward boundaries should be?
- Where do people in your area go to access local facilities, such as shops and leisure activities?
- Which areas do you identify as your local community?
Consultation closes 29th April 2024.
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Contact the Tenant and Resident Engagement Team
Get in touch, have your say, get involved, ask a question.
Email:
Call: 01909 533263
Facebook: @BassetlawDCHousing
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