www.homesforchange.co.uk

FEB 14 ISSUE 238

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BOILERS, MINOR HEATING,PLUMBING OR ELECTRICAL

Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 8am–5pm,

emergency only 07912 206490

BOOKKEEPERPhil Boast

COMMITTEEJamie Redhead

Lee Fullwood Dave Redhead

Lianne Heys Mark Hodgkinson

Rob Harrison Saffron Gardenchild

Shelagh Murphycommitteemembers@homesforchange.co.uk

LIFT BREAKDOWN0800 181 363

EMERGENCYLee, flat 103, 07990 956629

Nicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627

FINANCERob Harrison

GARDENINGJohn Pugh

GM CHAIRPERSONKeith Underhill

IMPROVEMENTS Shelagh, Flat 222

shelatequila@aol.com

KEYS AND FOBSNicola, flat G03, 07445 291 627

MAINTENANCETony PaceFlat G0407983 272 513maintenance@homesforchange.co.uk

MEMBERSHIPKatherine Birdmembership@homesforchange.co.uk

NETWORKING Chris Middletonnetworking@homesforchange.co.uk

PUBLICITY & INFORMATIONSaffron Gardenchildpublicityinformation@homesforchange.co.uk

RENTSSue Corcoran at Mosscare 0161 226 4211

REPAIRS OFFICERSSimon Birch 213 Fiona Forster 302Hannah Berry 309Tony Pace G04

SECRETARYLianne Heys

SECURITYHEALTH & SAFETYLee, Flat 103; 07990 956629; maintenance@homesforchange.co.uk

TREASURER & DEPUTY GM CHAIRPERSON:Jamie Redhead07717 305 846red_jamie@hotmail.com

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RENT INCREASE

As you all know by now, Homes for Change – like all housing associations – reviews the rent it charges annually.

The HfC finance group met on January 10th and agreed unan-imously that we should propose a rent increase of 3.2% this year. This is based on the rate of inflation last year.

The committee meeting on February 4th also was unanimous that we should propose this rise to the membership for ap-proval at the General Meeting on Tuesday Feb 18th.Letters would go out in March informing tenants and the rise would take place from May.

According to our information the rent at other housing as-sociations in Manchester will be rising by 3.7%. We believe we can charge slightly less because our volunteers are doing work that others will be paying for.

Although we realise that it's a bit like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas, we are urging tenants to come to this GM to support the rise. Last year we had trouble getting tenants to accept our recommendation, and had to accept a below-inflation rise of 2.3%.

We are concerned that if the 2014 rise is not accepted:we may not have enough money in future years to fix the roofs/kitchens/floors/doors etcour role in managing the building ourselves may be ques-tioned by external bodies (again).

The finance group (and committee) also agreed to commis-sion a new 'stock condition survey' this year - which involves getting specialist surveyors in to calculate how the building is doing. As you may know there have been some leaks this winter – and the last survey is nearly 5 years old. This survey will hopefully form the basis of a new long-term financial plan.

Although we are amateurs, we do want to provide a fantastic housing service. Please help us by letting us have the money we need to keep it great. Come along on the 18th to support this motion.

Rob Harrison – HfC Finance Group

“Homes for Change Rent Increase 2014

Support your finance group!”

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(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)

WHAT’S ON IN HULMETHIS MONTH:

HULME COMMUNITY

GARDEN CENTRE

28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RG. Telephone: 0161 227 8198.www.hulmegardencentre.org.uk

Hulme Community Garden Centre (HCGC) is a unique community led inner-city horticultural project. Their mission is to bring the local community together

through gardening. Volunteers to help at Hulme Community Garden Centre (HCGC) are always welcome. The main volun-teering days are Wednesday and on the weekend. However volunteering can be undertaken at any time, with hours to suit you. To discuss vol-unteering opportunities please call Helene at HCGC on 0161 227 8198.

HCGC is open from 10am-5pm every day (except Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm). The venue is also available to hire for events, e.g. parties, wedding receptions.

WORKSHOPSThursdays: Toddler Gardening Club, craft or gardening session aimed at 0-3 years old, 11am-12pm, £2.50 per child including materials and refresh-ments.By arrangement: Wellbeing, therapeutic horticulture for adults who wish to improve their mental wellbeing. Call HCGC and

ask for Julie or email projects@hulmegardencentre.org.uk for more information.By arrangement: Plotting the Future, training and support for new and prospective allotment growers, free. Call HCGC and ask for Katherine or email thetrainer@hulmegarden-centre.org.uk for more information.

NEW COURSES COMING UP!HCGC will be offering new courses and workshops in March:• Organic gardening• Wildlife gardening• Small space gardening• No dig gardening

• Forest gardening: sustainable gardening that works with nature. Learn how to use all levels of your

garden space from the ground upwards, starting with ground plants, then shrub-

bery, small trees and then large trees.Call HCGC and ask for Katherine Ken-nedy for more information.

EVENTPotato Day 2014, Sunday 16 February,

11am-4pm. Potato expert Bill White-head will be on hand for advice and

information plus an extensive display of heritage and rare seed potatoes. Potatoes

will be available to buy along with garlic, onion and shallot sets, asparagus, rhubarb, many varieties of

bush and top fruit, organic vegetable, herb and flower seeds and mushroom kits. Refreshments and delicious hot food available.

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(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)

(COMMUNITY_LISTINGS)

(IN_THE_NEIGHBORHOOD_)

(COMMUNITY_LISTINGS)

A list of community venues in Hulme/Moss Side and their conta§ct details can be found below. Please contact venues for details of classes,

workshops and events.

CLAREMONT SURE START CHILDREN’S CENTRE: Claremont Road, Moss Side, Manchester, M14 7NA. Telephone 0161 227 3463. This venue offers a variety of play sessions for parents/carers and young children and also ESOL/functional English courses.

HULME COMMUNITY GARDEN CENTRE: 28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RG. Tel-ephone: 0161 227 8198. Informa-tion about current and forthcom-ing events, workshops and classes are available on their website: www.hulmegardencentre.org.uk.

HULME LIBRARY: Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5FQ. Telephone: 0161 227 3739. Email: hulme@libraries.manchester.gov.uk. The li-brary contains an IT suite, internet access and photocopying facilities. Please contact the venue for further information.

KATH LOCKE CENTRE: 123 Moss Lane East, Hulme, Man-chester, Greater Manchester, M15 5DD. Telephone: 0161 455 0211. A variety of classes and therapies are available.

Further information is also available on their website: http://www.thebiglifegroup.com/big-life-centres/

MOSS SIDE LEISURE CENTRE: Moss Lane East, Manchester M15 5NN. Telephone: 0161 226 5015

MOSS SIDE POWERHOUSE LIBRARY: 140 Raby Street, Moss Side, Manchester M15 4SL. Telephone: 0161 227 3758.

MOSS SIDE SURE START CHILDREN’S CENTRE:

Selworthy Road, Manchester, M16 7UH. Tel-ephone: 0161 226 0162.

THE WORKS: 130 Alexander Road, Moss Side, Manchester M16 7WD. Telephone: 0161 359 3388. Email: info@theworks-manchester.co.uk

YARD THEATRE: 41 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RF. Telephone: 0161 226

7696.

Z-ARTS: 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA. Tel-ephone: 0161 226 1912. The website http://www.z-arts.org/ has more information about all classes, workshops and events. ZION COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE: 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY. Telephone 0161 226 5412. A va-riety of classes, groups and therapies are available. Information is also available on their website: http://www.zi-oncentre.co.uk

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Bulky Waste Old Furniture

Environment On Call, the council’s ‘bulky waste’ collectors, has a new policy for collecting from the building:

Each flat can have ONE free collection a year (April to March).

They will take up to three items in one collection. After that you must pay £27 for each collection.

If you have any furniture etc please do not leave the items outside the building near the back gate or dump it within the compound for others to deal with. It is now the responsibility of the householder to remove the items themselves. If you do not have trans-port to do this you can call Environ-ment On Call on: 0161 954 9000

Remember you only get to do this free ONCE a year!

Please do not leave anything outside unless you have ar-ranged pick up with the council yourself.

Please leave your a note with your flat number on any goods you leave.

Please only put it out the night be-fore the collec- tion date.

If you need help with carrying the waste etc down-stairs please con-tact Jo in flat 301.

Thanks!

PEST CONTROL

GreenCare 0161 627 4044

LIFT BREAKDOWN

Please contact Nicola (07445 291 627 ) in the first instance. If you are unable to get hold of Nicola the phone number is 0800 181 363;

Lift reference number = 150191. Please arrange for “Motor Room” door to be left open

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HFC TENANT REPAIR REQUEST DO NOT RELY ON TELEPHONE CALLS, CONVERSATIONS OR EMAILS TO REPORT REPAIRS. OUR BRAINS ARE ADDLED AND WE HAVE POOR MEMORIES. YOU MUST ALWAYS COMPLETE THIS FORM AND HAND IT TO A REPAIRS OFFICER A.S.A.P.

NAME of person reporting repair:............................................................................................................ ...... FLAT No .....

NAME/S OF TENANT if different:: ...........................................................................................................

ACCESS DETAILS: (Please give morning or afternoon dates when we can gain access) DATE(S):.........................................................................................................................................................................................................(AM 8-12 or PM 1-5)CONTACT NAME (for keys):............................................................... flat No if different: ...................................................................

HOME TEL:.............................................................................................. MOBILE:........................................................................................

REPAIR OR PROBLEM DETAILS: (please be as specific as possible )

Who did you report repair to NAME:............................................... DATE:.........................................................................................

ARE YOU REPORTING AN EMERGENCY REPAIR? YES NOAN EMERGENCY REPAIR IS ANYTHING THAT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY, AFFECT YOUR HEALTH OR DAMAGE PROPERTY. ALWAYS WARN NEIGHBOURS.

GAS LEAKS turn off supply - ring Transco 0800 111 999 ventilate property & do not smoke!

WATER PIPE BURSTS turn off at stop cock.

ELECTRICAL WIRING etc – switch off at mains fuse box do not touch electrical switches. Contact ANY repairs officer immediately - Stay in or near property if safe to do so to ensure access.

For all BOILERS, basic plumbing, minor electrical you can call Didsbury Plumbing and Heating 0161 434 9455 Emergency only 07912 206490

Bulky rubbish e.g. furniture, electrical items call 0161 954 9000 to arrange for it to be collected.

REPAIRS OFFICERS FLAT NO. Simon Birch 213 Fiona Forster 302 Hannah Berry 309 Tony Pace G04

Emergency07990 956629 (Lee)07445 291 627 (Nicola)

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POST INSPECTION

Repair inspected by …………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................………………

Approved YES NO

Comments …………………………………………………………………………………………….....................................................................................

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TENANT SATISFACTION

Tenant ……………………………………………………….......................................……………..Date ………..........................................………………

Satisfied YES NO

Comments ............................................................................................................................................................................................................

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This is the result of the RSPB birdwatch that four of us took part in on Saturday 25th January. The aim is to count the different species that you see over the course

of an hour’s birdwatching and then submit the results to the RSPB so that they get some overall picture of bird populations.

There were four of us involved: Kim, Shelagh, John and Nickie. We were, of course, very hopeful of seeing the redwings that have been enjoying our rowan berries. in the end our audit was as fol-lows:

There were also sightings of a pink flamingo and a hum-mingbird, but as these took place when Herman was out-side his flat having a fag we are reluctant to add them to the list. Regardless, it’s quite a good tally, shows how much Vaughn’s idea to plant rowan trees was a good one, and how John’s niger seeds keep the goldfinches coming. And a good time was had by all!

Nickie Witham

RSPB BIRDWATCH

Redwings 7

Goldfinches 6

Mistle thrushes 3

Carrion crows 3

Feral pigeons 3

Magpies 2

Blue tit

Great tit

Blackbird

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COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

4th FEBRUARY 2014

2.2 Fire risk assessment to remain on maintenance agenda (4.2). Main-tenance also to query annual boiler checks – maintenance meeting 11th Feb

2.3 Saffron to edit and circulate ‘expected behaviour’ document

2.4 Compensation claim (3)• Rob to contact H4C solicitors by 7th Feb to seek legal representation• Gather data from maintenance archives re all work and repairs on prop-erty• Obtain invoices 2008/2009

2.5 Complaint (4)• Rob wrote letter to tenant• Maintenance provided de-hu-midifier for tenant – electricity used to be measured and tenant reimbursed• Mould cleaned and treated• Work on walkway yet to go ahead. Progress will be discussed at maintenance meeting 11th Feb and re-ported back• Committee unanimously ap-proved fitting high security door to property following 2 recent targeted incidents. Cost £500.

3. Finance Meeting

3.1 Committee support finance group’s recommendation for annual rent increase at rate of inflation at 3.2%

3.2 Committee support finance group’s recommendation for ‘stock con-dition survey’Both items to go to Feb GM

4. Policy review

Members present: Saffron Gar-denchild, Rob Harrison (chair), Lianne Heys (minutes), Mark

Hodgkinson, Shelagh Murphy.Apologies: Katherine BirdOthers present: Surrinder Swali (Moss-care), Keith Underhill (GM chair)

1. Mosscare Report

1.1 Apologies from Mosscare re non-representation at last meeting.

1.2 Closed Session: Discussed pro-posed NTQ from Mosscare. Tenant pre-sent.No NTQ to be issued at present. Case will be reviewed by committee in March.

1.3 Overall arrears increased £1,053 since January report.

1.4 Proposal to provide HB office with a list of ALL tenant’s names and flat numbers as confirmation of H4C as landlord to update their computer sys-tem

1.5 As of next month Surrinder to provide history of all arrears actions for cases in which Mosscare is proposing further action.

1.6 Mosscare suggested operating a surgery here in the near future for H4C tenants who wish to gain some ad-vice and guidance on rent arrears. Time and place to be arranged.

2. Matters Arising from January Meeting

2.1 Bedroom tax: meeting between Shelagh and Nicky took place (1.6)

4.1 Keith proposed systematic re-view and update of all H4C policies: one a month following AGM

4.2 Compensation policy to be re-viewed at first instance

5. Complaint to Environmental Health

5.1 E.H. found no trace of infesta-tion in storage room but advised all fruit and veg be stored in containers with lids

5.2 Committee to advise W4C to ask Greencare to regularly check storage room

5.3 Rob to inform tenant who made complaint on decision to take no action.

6. Leak flat 215

6.1 Maintenance to investigate leak on Friday 7th Feb and eliminate washing machine and condensation

6.2 Shelagh to liaise with Nicola

7. Working groupsCommittee do not advise any amend-ments to current structures of working groups

8. GM agenda

8.1 Rent increase of 3.2% to be added as item

8.2 Stock condition survey to be added as item

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GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

21st JANUARY 2014 Yard Theatre 18:30 GMT

GM AGENDA

18th FEBRUARY 2014

Chair: Keith UnderhillMinutes: Katherine Bird / Keith Underhill

1) Members present: (18 Committee members present 4/9)Clara Gooding, Eddie Koehler, Hannah Berry, Jason Morris, Jo Foley, John Phillips, John Pugh, Jonny Tasker, Katherine Bird, Keith Underhill, Lianne Heys, Mark Hodgkinson, Niki Quinn, Ricardo Vilela, Rob O’Neill-Jones, Saf-fron Gardenchild, Sarah Gilston, Sho-shanah Cohen

Non Members present: (6)Donna Turner, Jo Lane, Michelle Brand, Stuart Whitehead, Susanne Hofmann, Tommy Ollerenshaw

2) New people.Jo Lane and Tommy Ollerenshaw in-troduced Themselves

Minutes Of Last GM:3.1) Any corrections? - noneMinutes were PASSED as a true and correct record with 1 against

3.2) Matters arising - none

4) Committee report.Questions: none

5) Committee report RatificationThe committee minutesreport was approved with 1 Against and 2 ab-stentions.

6) Next GM: Tuesday 18th Febru-ary, 2014 @ HFC Yard Theatre 18:30 GMT

Next committee Meeting: Tues-day 4th February 2014 @ Meeting Room 18:30 GMT

Dead line for GM agenda: Tuesday 4th February 2014 17:00 GMT

7) AOBNone

Closed Session8. NoneThe meeting finished at 18:35 GMT

Prospective Member’s Surgery is from 6.00pm to 6.30pm and is for prospective members to get

any support and advice about becoming a member of the co-op.

1. Members and non-members present2. Introduction of new people3. Minutes of Last GM3.1. Any corrections3.2. Matters arising4. Committee report5. Ratification of committee report6. Rent Increase: The committee recom-mends that you vote in favour of this motion This GM resolves to increase the Rent by 3.2%7. Date, time and venue of next meeting 8. Any other business (to be given to the chair before meeting starts) Closed session 9. Other closed session business

Yard Theatre 18:30

COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEMBER’S ROOM @ 6:30PM

GENERAL MEETINGS the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM

NEXT GENERAL MEETING the Yard Theatre @ 6:30PM

ADD ITEMS TO GM AGENDAuntil 5pm on

ARTICLES for The BIG YELLER

Homes for ChangeUnit 25

41 Old Birley StreetHulme

ManchesterM15 5RE

m: 0161 232 9801e: info@homesforchange.co.uk w: www.homesforchange.co.uk

6 418 18

18

4 6

MAYMAR

MAYMAR

FEB

MAR

113

APR

APR

02: contacts

03: rent increase

04: in the neighbourhood

05: community listings

06: bulky waste

06: pest control

06: lift breakdown

07: tenant repair form

09: birdwatch

10: committee minutes

11: gm minutes

11: gm agenda

12: important dates

index

MAR

thebigyeller@homesforchange.co.uk