In this newsletter:
- Homesearch Website
- White Ribbon Campaign
- Paying Rent over Christmas
- Fuel Poverty - Do you need help?
- Employment and Skills Development
- Fire Safety this Christmas
- Boiler Maintenance this WINTER
- Housing's Annual Report 2019/20
- Property of the Month
- Illumination Week
- Look out for your Neighbours
- COVID19 Updates
Homesearch Website Change
The website that is used to apply for housing and bid for properties is changing this December.
Look out for the date on our social media channels.
Why is it changing?
The system is currently used in partnership with colleagues at Gedling Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council, the system will now be just for Broxtowe.
What does it mean for applicants?
The main change will be the address used to access the site. The current site is www.home-search.org.uk will be soon replaced by the new site broxtowe-home-search.org.uk. The way that some screens look is also changing. The way in which the system works however will remain largely unchanged.
To read the full article and FAQs, take a look at our November Housing news bulletin.
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White Ribbon Campaign
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On Wednesday 25th November, Broxtowe Borough Council and Broxtowe Women's Project invited local agencies and partners around the borough for a virtual coffee morning to discuss good practice and awareness to the White Ribbon Campaign.
There were talks from the White Ribbon CEO Anthea Sully and Broxtowe's Mayor Cllr Janet Patrick.
The Fire Service and Police also shared their video of the 'Promise Pledge', plus a survivor read out a poem of her experience with living through domestic abuse. Furthermore, the Council shared their video of staff saying the 'Promise Pledge.'
Kirsty Barker, Housing Options Managers said ''A big thank you to those staff members and partners whom supported the Housing Options Team in delivering a very successful event this morning for “White Ribbon Day 2020”.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a surge in domestic violence reports. This event continues to highlight this very important campaign to “stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women”.
Keep your eyes peeled on the council’s social media platforms for White Ribbon Campaign and feel free to share & retweet posts to continue to raise awareness to the campaign.''
Christmas Lights
Have you spotted our White Ribbon Christmas Lights in Eastwood and Beeston Town centres?
Why not pop down (keeping safe), take a social distancing photo, tag us and share using the hastag #whiteribbon. The White Ribbon lights will be switched on from Monday 23rd November.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse please visit our Domestic Abuse web page or call 999 if life is in danger.
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Pay Your Rent over Christmas
Make the holiday period enjoyable. Pay your rent first and remove the worry from your mind.
Did you know that there are two rent free weeks in December?
The two rent free weeks are over the Christmas period:
- w/c 21st December 2020
- w/c 28th December 2020
Please note you will still need to pay rent during the Rent free weeks if you are in arrears of Rent or you are subject to an agreed payment plan or Court Order.
There are many ways to pay your rent:
Telephone Payments via a Debit card
You can pay by debit card by calling 0845 8350144. The line is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Please note we do not accept payment by credit card.
Payment by Standing Order
Your payments can be made monthly from your bank account by standing order. To arrange a standing order please contact the Income Collection Team on 0115 917 7777 and an instruction will be sent to you. Once completed please post this onto your bank.
Internet Payments
To make a payment via the internet simply log on to our website at ‘www.broxtowe.gov.uk’ and click on the green ‘Pay it’ icon.
To make a payment you will need your Rent Account Reference number.
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Fuel Poverty
Do you need help?
The government and energy suppliers are running a scheme to help those at risk from fuel poverty in England, Scotland and Wales get a rebate from their electricity bill.
If you are eligible, the Warm Home Discount will offer a benefit of £140 against your energy bill, including those on pre-payment meters.
You will need to talk directly with your energy supplier to see if you are eligible and complete the application.
Employments and Skills Development
Are you looking to learn new skills? Do you want to develop your CV to open up more employment opportunities?
We are developing links with partners and agencies that offer support that may be of interest to Housing customers. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to access support and training for free.
Study programmes are available for 16 – 24 year olds and there are opportunities available for adults too.
There is a wide range of courses and training opportunities available, with support on hand to assist with:
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Developing your CV
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Interview Techniques
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Confidence Building
Most partners and agencies we are working with will provide tailored one-to-one support to assess and agree your starting point, with a personalised plan in place to help you achieve your goals.
Want to know more? Contact the Housing Engagement Team for a chat about skills you would like to develop and we will help put you in touch with the right support.
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Fire Safety at Christmas Time
 Christmas is coming!
All around the country people are already popping up their Christmas trees and decorating their houses with lights. This is a great way to bring joy in what has been a challenging year. However, we want you to stay safe whilst spreading joy.
Here's a few Fire Safety tips to help you stay safe this Christmas.
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Going out or to bed? Switch off & unplug the Christmas lights.
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Candles: Never leave burning candles unattended.
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Outside Lights: Why not pop a timer onto the plug. It's a great way to keep energy bills down, stay safe and lower light pollution.
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Keep hallways clear: This includes putting up decorations. Make sure that they not in communal areas.
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Avoid heaters: When decorating, avoid placing anything over radiators or heaters.
Find out more tips on overall fire safety in your home by downloading the Nott Fire - Safe and Well guide.
Boiler Maintenance this WINTER
As the days are getting colder, here are some tips to keep you warm this winter.
- Do not turn off the radiators in rooms that are not used. It does not save money and puts extra pressure on other radiators to heat the house. It can also cause damp issues
- Frozen Pipes? Grab your hot water bottle to thaw out the pipework. Don't forget to turn off the water
- Need to re-pressurise? Always set it to 1! Not sure how to? Watch this short video by Worcester Bosch. Still not sure? Give us a call on 0115 917 7777
For more tips about repairs and details on what are tenants responsibilities download our Repairs Handbook.
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Annual Report for 2019/2020
This year has been a busy year for the Housing Department with the approval of a NEW Housing Delivery Plan and the Income Team have welcomed five new colleagues to provide greater support to customers with the roll out of Universal Credit across the Borough.
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Key Facts
4406 properties owned by Broxtowe Borough Council Housing.
155 households where homelessness was prevented as a result of housing advice.
2020 people on the Council' Housing waiting list.
287 Homeless interviews completed.
To read more visit the Housing Annual report web page, where you will also be able to download the full report.
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Property of the Month
The Spinney
Close to Kimberley Town Centre, with great bus links and a local shop.
What do you get at The Spinney?
Private accommodation with fitted kitchen and bathroom
Onsite Parking
Lift
Laundry Room
Access to 2 quiet rooms
Social activities delivered by Activities Co-ordinators
24 Hours Tunstall Call System
Communal lounge with facilities
Personalised contact with Independent Living Co-ordinators
Properties available now!
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Illumination Week
7th - 13th December
Illumination Street Week, is declared a ‘National Calendar Campaign’ to help combat those shorter days and cloudy skies.
This is a celebration to help build relationships and create memories with neighbours and communities to cherish for years to come.
From Christmas wreaths on your front door to flamboyant bold ideas, we are calling for the nation to light up their streets this Christmas and tell us your magical story!
Why not get involved and light up your home. For more information visit the Illumination street website.
Look out for your Neighbours this Christmas
 With the nights drawing in and with Christmas around the corner, people in Broxtowe are being encouraged to keep looking out for their neighbours.
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Call on a neighbour: Check if they need anything over the Christmas period. Remember to keep space, cover face and maintain distance.
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Bulky items? Please do not fly tip and instead use our bulky waste service.
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Be mindful: Please be considerate and ensure your actions do not disturb your neighbours. The volume of music, the times that you are doing any DIY etc...
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Share information: Not everyone is online and not everyone follows the Council’s updates. We’re working with partners to get important messages to them in other ways but please help us by sharing our updates.
For more ways to look out for each other head to our website.
COVID19 - Staying to do date
Check out the latest service changes in Housing by visiting our dedicated Coronavirus webpages.
They contain useful information on:
We also share daily updates on our social media accounts.
Share this
Please share the information in this email bulletin with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to help us pass on these important messages, particularly if they're not online.
Please also encourage anyone who isn't already subscribed to this Email Me Service to sign up at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/emailme so they can receive these updates.
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