In this Newsletter:
Energy Saving Tips
There are things we can all do to be more energy efficient. Many are completely free and can save you money too!
Follow these helpful energy saving tips to see where you can make savings:
- Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can save you as much as £80 per year.
- Layer up. Wearing more jumpers, socks and slippers around the house and putting an extra blanket on the bed means you won’t be tempted to turn the heating up.
- Take it slow. To save energy try using a slow cooker to cook throughout the day – they only use about as much energy as a light bulb.
- Only fill your kettle up with the water that you need
- Ninety per cent of a washing machine’s energy expenditure is spent heating the water, so if you wash your clothes at 30°C, you can save a third on your washing bills.
Visit our website for more energy saving tips around the home.
Struggling to pay your bills?
Visit our cost of living webpage to see what assistance may be available to you.
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Rent Free Weeks
There are two rent free weeks coming up in December!
If your rent account is up to date and you are not in arrears or have a payment plan in place, you will not need to pay rent for the following weeks:
w/c 19th December 2022
w/c 26th December 2022
Please ensure that if you are in rent arrears or have a payment plan in place you continue to make payments for these weeks.
The Housing Income Team are here to help, if you need to talk to us about your rent account, the sooner you do this, the easier it will be for us to help you.
housingincome@broxtowe.gov.uk
0115 917 3658
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Condensation and Damp
Have you seen our handy guide to help with condensation and dampness? It details the main causes of condensation and damp and steps you can take to prevent it.
If you find dampness within your home, the main causes may be condensation, rising damp, penetrating damp, plumbing faults or broken pipes.
A Guide to help with Condensation and Dampness
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Lifeline Service
Our Lifeline Service is available for all residents of the Borough, providing round the clock support and linked to a Control Centre who can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ideal for those who want to remain in their own home, but need some support at hand through the push of a button. The Lifeline unit plugs straight into a telephone socket and includes a discreet alarm you can wear as a pendant or wristband.
Why Choose Lifeline?
- 24 hour support when you need it
- Gives you the confidence to live independently
- Not just for medical emergencies, it can also give your loved ones reassurance that your personal safety is being monitored every day
- Flexibility, no minimum contract length
- Convenient monthly, quarterly or annual payments
- Service provided by professional, friendly staff
- Industry accredited UK based Control Centre
Starting from as little as £3.93, the weekly fee includes:
- Lifeline unit and pendant or wristband
- 24 hour UK based monitoring
- Installation by our dedicated Lifeline Coordinator
Visit our Lifeline webpage to find out more or to apply online.
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Recycling
With Christmas approaching, many households have more waste to dispose of. Do you know what can be recycled in your green-lidded recycling bin and glass bag or red-lidded bin?
Ensuring the permitted items are only disposed of, will ensure that waste collected can go be recycled. Wrong items can mean that a whole lorry load is un-recyclable. The most common items that make a load un-recyclable are:
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays
- Plastic film
- Glass
- Tetra paks (or cardboard cartons)
- Textiles
If you live in an area where you have communal bins, please ensure you are using the correct bin for the waste being disposed of and the areas are kept clean and tidy.
Visit our website for more information about what can be recycled.
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Rough Sleepers
Do you know what to do if you spot someone sleeping rough in Broxtowe this winter?
Please contact us on 0115 917 3439.
We work closely with Framework Housing Association’s Street Outreach Team, to try and positively engage with and advise rough sleepers with in the Broxtowe Borough.
Further Information
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RIG On the Move
The Resident Involvement Group (RIG) is on the move and holding meetings in different areas of the Borough to talk to tenants and leaseholders about Housing themes and gain thoughts and views around these.
The RIG enables tenants and leaseholders to have a conversation with Housing employees about services to:
- Share views and ideas
- Share experience of services
- Work together to improve services
- Highlight what’s working well….
- … and where improvements are needed!
- Influence decision making
All tenants and leaseholders are welcome to join the meetings, even if you just want to observe.
Want to find out more?
To be added to the contact list for RIG meetings contact us at housingengagement@broxtowe.gov.uk or call 0115 917 3935 for a chat with the team.
Alternatively visit our Housing Engagement web pages for more information.
Next Meeting: 13th December 2022, Hopkins Court, Eastwood at 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
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Winter Fire Safety
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service provide a range of tips and guides available to help ensure you keep fire safe this winter in and around your home.
Over the festive period you might plug in strings of fairy lights that have been packed away for 12 months. Please check that cables and plugs are in good working order and that sockets are not overloaded.
Many people are looking for alternative ways of keeping warm, which may include electric blankets, portable heaters and wheat bags.
Electric blankets – store flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring. Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless it has a thermostat control for safe all-night use. Never use an electric blanket if you have an airflow pressure relief mattress, or use emollient creams.
Wheat bags – continual heating and drying of the wheat bag may overheat it to ignition point, let the bag cool down completely before heating. Place a cup or bowl of water in the microwave with the wheat bag to reduce this risk.
Portable heaters – Switch off when not being used and before going to bed. Do not leave unattended. Make sure that they have a British or European safety mark.
Ensure all heating methods are completely cool before storing.
For more tips and advice, visit the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue website. If you want to arrange a Safe and Well visit to ensure you home is fire safe, you can also organise this on the website.
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Beeston Christmas Lights Switch On
Housing will be attending, so come chat to the team about housing services including: Independent Living, Lifeline and Engagement.
WIN: Come visit the stall and sign up to 'Your Voice, Your Views' and be entered into a prize draw to win £30 Love2Vouchers, just in time for Christmas.
LUCKY DIP: There is also a FREE toy Lucky dip for Children.
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