News
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04/03/2013 |
Taking Care of the Home You Live in |
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02/04/2013 |
Useful information from Sheffield City Council, Rotherham MBC and Citizen Advice Bureau? |
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20/03/2013 |
How do you rate us? |
We have recently appointed a company called Voluntas to complete a telephone survey of residents. They will be asking questions about the services we provide and how you rate Arches as a landlord. This is your opportunity to say what you think about us and our opportunity to put things right if you are unhappy. If you receive a call, we would greatly appreciate it if you agree to take the time to answer the questions. The survey should not take more than five minutes.
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21/11/2012 |
Online Universal Credit Calculator |
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20/11/2012 |
Rotherham Borough Council Release Housing Benefit Information Leaflet |
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20/11/2012 |
"My Home Energy Switch Training" PowerPoint presentation |
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29/10/2012 |
Do you want to be challenged & involved in local housing? |
Arches Housing is a unique Black & Minority led registered housing provider that owns and manages 1000 affordable homes in Sheffield and Rotherham
We wish to recruit voluntary board members. Candidates would be particularly welcomed who have a strong treasury, financial, legal or business background. Women, young people and people with disabilities are currently under-represented.
The board has a strategic role and sets the vision and direction of the organisation. It is also responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring financial viability and meeting our legal and regulatory requirements.
Board members will serve for a three year period with the opportunity for serving a maximum of three terms.
Applications
If you are interested in joining us and can commit to a minimum of eight early evening meetings and any required training please ask for an application pack from Sandra Bates at Arches Housing Limited, 122 Burngreave Road, Sheffield S3 9DE. Telephone 0114 228 8127 or e-mail sandrab@archeshousing.org.uk.
Closing date for applications will be 30th November 2012 and interviews will be arranged from week commencing 3rd December until Thursday 13th December 2012
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27/09/2012 |
Press release ? Ellesmere Open Day |
Christopher Dean founder Board Member of Sheffield local housing association, Arches Housing, cuts the ribbon to open 19 new eco friendly affordable homes at Ellesmere.
The Chairman, Tariq Zaman thanked the association?s partners, Sheffield City Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, and the developer Southdale for their efforts to
facilitate the project. He said that the 19 new homes had been built to high quality standards and would achieve sustainable homes code 5 and secure by design. This is
the first estate in Sheffield to be built to these high standards which would alleviate fuel poverty for the residents that will be living there. The Homes and Communities
agency provided £1.6 million grant funding to help with the £2.8 million scheme.
Following the viewing of the show home local councillors, Ibrar Hussain and Talib Hussain congratulated Arches Housing on their achievement in the area and said they
would like to see this as just a start to building more new energy saving homes in the area.
Matthew Gibson from the Energy Council explained that homes accounted for more than 30% of the country?s CO2 emissions and therefore it was essential to future
generations that we built to a very high standard of energy efficiency to mitigate global warming. Eamonn Larkin Crime Prevention Officer of South Yorkshire Police
said that he would give secure by design accreditation for these new homes because the design would help prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.
The new residents will be moving into the new homes at Ellesmere in November and December this year.
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25/09/2012 |
Dispersal order granted on Staniforth Road, Darnall |
SYP are applying for a dispersal order to cover the period 15th October to 11th November, the dispersal order will cover the Staniforth Road area of Darnall, below gives you more information.
An order can be made under Section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. It can only be brought into effect after South Yorkshire Police have consulted with Sheffield City Council when anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in the area.
If a dispersal order is in force in your area and a police officer believes that a group of two or more people (of any age and at any time) have caused or are likely to cause intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress to any person, they can be told to split up and move on. The police officer can also tell anyone who does not live in the area to leave and not return for up to 24 hours.
Part of the dispersal order means that between the hours of 9pm and 6am, if they are under 16 and not supervised by a responsible adult, the police can take them home or to a place of safety.
The dispersal order will not prevent young people from taking part in or travelling home from a club or activity that ends after 9pm. As long as they are behaving responsibly and travel directly home, they should not be affected
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19/09/2012 |
Wensley Street Fun Day - Lottery Funded |
The weather came good for the local people of the Wensley Estate in Page Hall, as the programme of summer holiday activities came to a close.
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The project - developed by Arches Housing, Owlerbrook School, Wensley TARA, Whiteways School and Sheffield International Venues - provided a range of events to engage the community in more healthy and positive activities, and bring the community together. The project was awarded over £9,000 from the Big Lottery to provide a range of activities including Arts and Craft sessions, Zumba, Boxercise, Board Games, Swimming Lessons and Ice Skating.
On Saturday 15th September between 1pm & 4pm all the activities were brought together for a big Fun Day for the community to enjoy. There were a few additions including a Bouncy Castle, Magician, Face Painting and Henna tattooing which all went down very nicely. Refreshments were provided which turned out to be very valuable considering the weather, and at the end people pulled together for a litter pick to leave the area as it was found.
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Sheffield Homes, Arches Housing, Owlerbrook School, Wensley TARA and South Yorkshire Police all provided information about their services and a large proportion of the community came out for one last big party - as one child described it!
PTC Sports kicked off the event with some football and cricket and the Bouncy Castle, face painting and Henna gained regular queues.
A short survey about the activities was completed by the young people with all the forms been placed in a draw to win a remote-controlled helicopter - kindly donated by Arches. A young man named Omar won the Helicopter - he's here being presented it by Michael Hill from Arches Housing.
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30/07/2012 |
Wensley Street Summer Activities |
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30/07/2012 |
Mental Health & Debt 2012 |
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22/06/2012 |
Bedroom Tax! |
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13/06/2012 |
Smart Move Website |
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01/05/2012 |
Discretionary Housing Benefit Form ? 2012 |
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15/11/2011 |
New affordable homes for Sheffield Woodside open day |
Councillor Ibrar Hussain opened our new homes scheme on Wednesday 9th November 2011 at Woodside Lane, Burngreave, Sheffield.
The new homes include two 4 bedroom houses, seven 3 bedroom houses and five 2 bedroom houses. The new houses are built to Sustainable
Homes Code Level 3 ensuring high levels of energy efficiency.
| Councillor Ibrar Hussain presented a key and a bouquet of flowers to new tenants, Mr Abdirahman Adan and Mrs Faysa Ahmed,
who are now enjoying their new four bedroom house on Wood Fold. Mr Abdirahman Adan and Mrs Faysa Ahmed said that they were very pleased with their
new home which had excellent facilities to support their families lifetime needs. |
L to R, Mr Ibrar Hussain, Mr Abdirahman Adan and Mrs Faysa Ahmed. |
L to R, Craig Charlesworth, Mr Brian Summerson and Mr Eamonn Larkin. |
Craig Charleworth and Eamonn Larkin representing South Yorkshire Police presented Brian Summerson, Arches Chief Executive,
with the ?Secure by Design? certification for the Woodside properties. Secure by Design is incorporated in the design of these
new homes to assist in reducing opportunity for crime and the fear of crime, creating a safer and more secure environment.
The police are involved in the design from the beginning and certify the developments compliance when it is completed. |
The event was a huge success which included viewing the new homes, looking at an exhibition of the history of the scheme and networking with fellow
professionals and Burngreave residents. It was attended by local residents? representatives of Sheffield City Council, the Police, staff from the developers
and staff from the Arches Housing.
The new homes were built in partnership with Sheffield City Council who supported the project, Homes and Communities Agency provided affordable housing funding,
Synergy Solutions Limited project managers and Atkinson Construction Group were the building developers.
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19/09/2011 |
Job advert - Resident engagement officer |
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05/07/2011 |
Tenant Survey produces mixed results |
Tenant Survey produces mixed results
According to our tenant satisfaction survey, carried out over February and March, tenants have reported a slight reduction
in their level of satisfaction with the overall services we provide since the previous survey that was completed in 2008. Around
43% of tenants took part in the survey, which is carried out by landlords like us across the country every few years. The survey
covered all aspects of our services from repairs and maintenance to how we deal with anti-social behaviour and how helpful our staff
are. We use the results to track our progress since previous surveys and to compare ourselves with other landlords.
Overall satisfaction has reduced from 78% in 2008 to 77% this time. Although this is relatively high we still want to do better.
In particular, you told us that:
- We are improving the overall quality of your homes (up 1% to 76%)
- You feel you are getting better value for money from your rent (up 5% to 77%)
- You are happier with your neighbourhood as a place to live (up 2% to 72%)
But you also said that:
- You think we need to take your views into account more (down 1% to 69%).
- You think that we could keep you better informed. Satisfaction is down from 83% to 79%.
We will publish more about what we are doing to improve things as a result of the survey in the next issue of Arches News. You can also download a full copy of the report about the survey below.
Download PDF 
2mb
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04/07/2011 |
Sheffield Tenant & Landlord Networking Group ? Launched |
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02/06/2011 |
Job advert - Neighbourhood Services Assistant |
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25/02/2011 |
Tender Opportunity Insurance Renewal Procurement Project - M.O.I. |
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16/02/2011 |
Tender Opportunity Insurance Renewal Procurement Project |
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30/09/2010 |
The Forum changes its name! |
At the August meeting of the tenant forum, the group agreed a revised constitution. The existing constitution had been in place for a number of years and the group felt that it was no longer representative of the work that they do. Details of the main changes are set out below: -
- The name has been changed to ?Resident Forum? to reflect the different residents who live in our properties including owners, leaseholders and other members of the household;
- The aims and objectives have been expanded to more accurately reflect the work of the Forum;
- Membership has been made clearer;
- Details about meetings including AGMs, Special General Meetings and General Meetings has been detailed along with details about calling meetings and matters that can be discussed at these meetings;
- Details about election/appointment of Officers and their responsibilities are detailed;
- Responsibilities and roles of Members added;
- Conduct of Members expanded;
- How the Constitution can be altered or amended;
- Details of signatories.
Any residents that are interested in attending a resident forum meeting should contact Bob Berry on 0114-2288100 for further information.
Here is a copy of the revised constitution:
RESIDENT FORUM CONSTITUTION:
- NAME
- The group shall be known as The Resident Forum (hereafter referred to as the RF).
- AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To safeguard and promote the interests of residents living in properties owned and/or managed by Arches Housing Limited (hereafter referred to as Arches);
- To assist in improving living conditions, communal and community facilities in order to improve services and foster the interest of residents;
- To assist in improving the quality of life of residents;
- To represent the interest of all Arches residents, ensuring that members are consulted;
- To promote the work of the RF and encourage residents to participate in its work;
- To influence changes to Arches Housing Policy & Procedures and service delivery;
- To work in partnership with agencies to achieve our aims;
- To promote equality and diversity and oppose anything that hinders or tries to prevent this;
- To be independent of any political, religious or social group;
- To co-operate with Arches in the management of its housing stock;
- MEMBERSHIP
- Open to all adults persons:
- Aged 18 years or over;
- Whose permanent home is an Arches property;
- regardless sex, race, religion, disability, sexual preference, culture, family make-up, gender, marital status, mental health, political affiliation, religious belief, history of criminal conviction. This list is not exhaustive;
- Who accept the aims and objectives of the (RF);
- MEETINGS
- Annual General Meeting:
- The RF will hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February or March of each year;
- Members who have requested papers or those who have attended the previous two General Meetings will be sent papers;
- At least 7 days Notice will be given of the AGM;
- Residents wishing to table matters for the AGM must write to the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM;
- The AGM may be followed by a General Meeting;
- The Quorum for the AGM will be 3;
- The decisions of these meetings shall be final. All decisions at the AGM shall be taken by a simple majority of Members present and voting;
- Members attending will have one vote;
- The elected Chair will have the casting vote in addition to his//her own vote;
- At the AGM:
- Approve Minutes of the previous years AGM;
- Receive an Annual Report from the Chair
- Elect a Chair and any other Officer decided at or before the meeting;
- Presentation of Accounts and Financial Statements;
- Consider any resolutions put forward by residents/Members;
- Vote on any amendments to the Constitution;
- Special General Meetings (SGM)
- The Secretary must call a SGM at the written request of at least ten residents;
- The Secretary must give at least 7 days notice of the SGM to all Members of the RF who have been attending meetings as well as
thoughs who have petitioned for the SGM;
- The Quorum for SGM is 6
- The decisions of these meetings shall be final. All decisions at the AGM shall be taken by a simple majority of Members present and voting;
- Members will have one vote;
- The elected/appointed Chair will have the casting vote in addition to his/her own vote;
- General Meetings:
- The RF will hold at least four General Meetings (GM) per year;
- Members who have requested papers or those who have attended the previous two General Meetings will be sent papers;
- Members who miss at least two General Meetings without given a written or verbal apology will be removed from the circulation list to be sent papers;
- At least 5 days Notice will be given of each GM;
- Residents wishing to table matters for GM must contact the Secretary;
- Residents wishing to table matters for GM must contact the Secretary;
- The Quorum for the GMs will be three;
- The decisions of these meetings shall be final. All decisions at the AGM shall be taken by a simple majority of Members present and voting;
- Members will have one vote;
- The elected/appointed Chair will have the casting vote in addition to his//her own vote;
- At GMs:
- Approve Minutes of the previous meeting;
- Receive reports form Officers;
- Receive a report from the Chair;
- Consider any resolutions put forward by resident/Members;
- Sub Commitees:
- The RF may appoint Sub-Committees to carry out activities on behalf of the RF;
- Such Sub-Committees will be accountable and report to the RF;
- The RF will agree in advance the terms of reference for any Sub-Committee;
- All decisions shall be by a simple majority of Members present and voting;
- Members will have one vote;
- The elected/appointed Chair will have the casting vote in addition to his/her own vote;
- The RF can dissolve any Sub Committee;
- All Sub-Committees shall keep proper accounts and a record of all meetings;
- Reports and accounts shall be made available as required to the RF or a general meeting called by the Secretary;
- NOTICE OF MEETINGS
- Notice of all Meetings will be sent to each Member?s home address and will include the date, time and place of the Meeting and an Agenda of
matters to be discussed;
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OFFICERS OF THE RF
- The Chair is responsible for:
- Chairing AGMs, GMs, SGM and any other meetings so called;
- Making sure that the RF follows its constitution and any Standing Orders;
- Making sure that all Officers and Members carry out their duties properly;
- Representing the RF when required to do so;
- The RF may appoint a Vice Chair;
- The Vice Chair will carry out the duties of the Chair in his/her absence or when otherwise asked to do so
- The RF may appoint a Secretary
- The Secretary will be responsible for:
- Calling all Meetings in the correct and appropriate manner;
- Taking accurate Minutes of all AGMs, GM, SGM and Sub Committee meetings, where appropriate;
- Ensuring Minutes of meetings are properly approved;
- Ensuring Minutes are kept and retained of all AGMs, GM, SGM and Sub Committee meetings and that Members can inspect these Minutes;
- Ensuring membership records and all other records are kept up to date;
- Signing correspondence on behalf of the RF;
- Ensuring post is opened and dealt with appropriately;
- The RF may appoint a Treasurer;
- The Treasurer will be responsible for:
- Opening an maintaining bank accounts decided by the RF;
- Making sure all spending is authorized by the RF or delegated Committee and getting receipts for these payments as necessary;
- Signing cheques as approved by Arches;
- Filing all receipts and counterfoils for the independent auditors to examine;
- Ensuring and keeping proper accounts detailing income and expenditure from all sources so as to enable them to be
properly audited by a member of the Finance Team at Arches;
- Reporting regularly to the RF on the financial position of the RF;
- Presenting an annual Balance Sheet of income and spending accounts to the AGM;
- Supervising the RFs financial affairs at all times;
- The RF may appoint any other Officers they deem fit and appropriate;
- RF Members will be responsible for helping Arches Officers to promote the work of the RF and Association by:
- Being a contact point on schemes;
- Helping deliver leaflets, newsletters, meeting notices and so on;
- Helping to organize meetings locally;
- Helping to organize social and other activities;
- Writing articles for Newsletters;
- Attending meetings, working groups, Sub Committees etc as representatives of Arches and RF;
- Attending training courses, conferences etc to learn and promote the work of Arches, RF and contributing to good practice;
CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
- All Members must at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable manner at meetings or in premises used;
- A member may be suspended for failure to observe this, or for any other conduct not in line with its aims;
- Any member so suspended has the right of appeal at the following GM before expulsion takes place;
- Any form of discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated and will be grounds for suspension.
- Any inappropriate and offensive comments or behaviour, should be reported to the Secretary and/or Chair and/or other Officer;
- Any inappropriate and offensive comments or behaviour proved may result in suspension;
- The election and or removal of Officers or Members may only be carried out at the AGM. The RF may temporarily fill any vacancy arising
among the Officers from its Members until the next meeting of the AGM;
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
- Agenda items should be passed to the Secretary. Any additional items may be discussed under any other business other than
at SGM and AGM when there will be no any other business item;
- Members with specific issues about their properties or tenancy will not be permitted to raise those items at any of the Meetings including
AGM, GM, SGM, Sub Committee meetings etc. These matters should be raised with Arches representatives at the end of the formal part
of the meeting or using the Arches Complaints Policy;
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
- All Officers have a duty to further all the aims of the RF, including the promotion of equal opportunities and opposing all forms of discrimination;
- The Chair shall conduct the meetings of the RF. If the Chair is absent the Vice Chair, if elected/appointed will chair the meeting and if there is no Vice Chair appointed or present then RF Members will decide on the most appropriate person to Chair;
ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION
- Any proposal to alter this constitution must be submitted to the Secretary, not less than 28 days before the meeting at which it is to be discussed.
- Any alteration requires the approval of two-thirds of those present and voting at the meeting.
- The RF, or if a Committee/Forum no longer exists, a majority of remaining members of the RF, can propose that the RF should be dissolved.
They must give at least 14 days notice to all those eligible for membership of the meeting at which the matter shall be discussed. For the
sole purpose of dissolution, a quorum need not apply, and the RF may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of those present. The assets
remaining when the Forum has satisfied its liabilities will be returned to Arches Housing Ltd;
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT
- The RF is open to all;
- We encourage people from different backgrounds and different experiences to be part of the RF;
- We will take positive action to reach people that are underrepresented at our meetings;
- We will challenge any remarks or behaviour that causes offence;
- We will do our best to overcome any obstacles, which prevents people giving their view or getting involved in the RF;
- We will make people welcome to our meetings;
This Constitution was adopted as the Constitution of the Residents Forum at a meeting held at 122
Burngreave Road, Sheffield, S3 9DE on Tuesday 31 August 2010
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28/09/2010 |
New Vacancy - Financial controller |
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12/07/2010 |
Gas services |
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12/07/2010 |
Customer Services Administrator vacancy |
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14/04/2010 |
The national standards for social housing in England |
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14/04/2010 |
The Mayor of Rotherham opens new housing partnership scheme at Greencoft, Boomvalley |
The Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Councillor Shaukat Ali and Miss Wajida Naseem attended the opening of a new housing development at Greencroft, Broomvalley in Rotherham on Wednesday 14th April. This was to celebrate the successful completion of seventeen new affordable family homes.
The development was achieved by the partnership working of Arches Housing, Chevin Housing Group, Rotherham Borough Council, Southdale Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency. There is a mix of properties which includes seven large four bed family homes all designed to sustainable Homes code three to achieve high level of energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
The Mayor of Rotherham presented the Chief Executive of Arches Housing, Brian Summerson with a certificate of acknowledgement and thank you on behalf of Rotherham Borough Council.
The Mayor, Councillor Shaukat Ali cut a red ribbon to signify the opening of the scheme. He thanked Arches Housing and Chevin Housing Group for their work in providing an excellent scheme of new homes for the citizens of Rotherham.
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09/03/2010 |
Performance Review ? Quarter 3 |
The information set out below, is an overview of the Association’s performance covering a range of service areas during the third quarter of the current financial year. If you would like further information on how this data is collected, please contact Jamie Taylor on 0114-2288100
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
New cases reported by category within the quarter
Category of ASB |
Number |
Noise |
1 |
Verbal abuse/harassment |
2 |
Pets & Animal Nuisance |
2 |
Nuisance from Vehicles |
1 |
Garden Nuisance |
1 |
Misuse of communal areas / public space or loitering |
1 |
Prostitution / sexual acts / kerb crawling |
1 |
Live, resolved and closed cases at end of the quarter
Case Type |
Number |
Live |
5 |
Closed as case successfully resolved |
8 |
Closed as unresolved |
3 |
Complaint satisfaction survey
|
Number |
Number of satisfaction questionnaires returned |
11 |
Repairs & Maintenance
Repair Category |
Percentage Completed |
Annual Target |
% of emergency repairs completed on time |
91.04% |
97.75% |
% of urgent repairs completed on time |
88.22% |
97.75% |
% of routine repairs completed on time |
95.11% |
97.75% |
Income Management
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Percentage |
Annual Target |
Percentage of rent collected in the current year |
98.30% |
100% |
Rent Arrears as a percentage of the total rent charged |
7.05% |
5.99% |
Percentage of rent loss as a result of vacant dwellings |
2.36% |
2.51% |
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07/01/2010 |
Performance Review ? Quarter 2 |
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07/01/2010 |
New regulatory framework for Social Landlords |
The TSA's new regulatory framework for social housing in England document was published in November and we are currently in the process of consulting with our residents on the proposed standards. For further information on the standards please click on the following link to the TSA website.
www.tenantservicesauthority.org
The statutory consultation period is open until 5th February 2010 so if you have any comments or queries please contact Jamie Taylor on 0114-2288100.
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28/10/2009 |
Gas Servicing Update |
In April 2009, Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) began servicing the gas appliances of Arches Housing tenants after successfully applying for the contract. Gas Servicing was a new venture for FHM and this resulted in some initial teething troubles. In June 2009, Arches Housing and FHM agreed to suspend the contract for a period of 3 months in order that FHM could streamline its processes. During the period from June 2009 ? August 2009, Arches Housing employed XL Gas to service gas appliances. With effect from September 2009 FHM began servicing gas appliances again, and they will continue to do so until the end of the financial year.
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27/10/2009 |
Out of hours Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) phone line |
For a trial period from 21st December 2009 to 31st March 2010 Arches tenants and residents who are suffering from the effects of anti-social behaviour will be able to get advice outside of normal working hours using a new telephone helpline. The ASB Respect Action line, will offer tenants:
- The chance to speak to a trained advisor who can offer advice and support at
the time it is needed
- Referral of their problem to the emergency services if needed and to other
agencies that can help
- Prompt follow up by Arches Housing Anti-social Behaviour Officer.
The new phone line is being introduced as part of our ongoing work to effectively tackle ASB and provide the best possible service to our tenants who are experiencing problems from ASB.
Anti-social behaviour can happen at any time of the day or night and we recognise that in a serious situation our customers need advice and support there and then. The ASB Respect Action Line will extend our service to customers so that they can get access to professional help and advice on ASB outside of our normal office hours.
To contact the ASB Respect Action Line from 21st December 2009 onwards, customers should call 0800 075 6699. Please note that you should continue to contact our office during normal office hours to report or discuss an incident of ASB.
For further information on how we tackle anti-social behaviour please contact Daphne Roebuck on 0114-2288121 or visit www.archeshousing.org.uk
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15/10/2009 |
Position available - Finance Manager |
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17/09/2009 |
National Tenant Voice |
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09/09/2009 |
T.V Licensing Requirements |
New campaign urges residents in Sheffield to be aware of
TV Licensing requirements
Did you know you can be fined up to £1,000 if you are caught watching TV without a licence? Well, if you don?t have one, there?s no better time to get one, because TV Licensing enquiry officers are about to step up their visits in Sheffield. More than 1,700 people in Sheffield have been caught trying to evade the licence fee so far this year.
Hot on the heels of the launch of new online and text payment services for payment card members in late 2008, TV Licensing is working in partnership with Arches Housing in Sheffield to ensure that people are aware of when they legally need a TV Licence. This coincides with additional visiting and an information and awareness campaign taking place in the area during September.
Put simply, you need to be covered by a valid TV Licence to receive or record television programmes as they are being broadcast. And that is the case whether you are receiving the programmes via TV or any other device, such as a mobile phone or a PC.
TV Licensing understands that some people find it hard to pay the annual fee of £142.50 for a colour TV Licence or £48 for a black and white licence in one go. For this reason there are a number of different ways to pay for a TV Licence.
The TV Licensing payment card is designed to help anyone who would prefer to make regular small cash payments either weekly or fortnightly. Those using the payment card can pay over-the-counter at any of over 21,000 PayPoint outlets across the UK, or over the phone. Those using a payment card have also been able to pay and check their account status online or via text message using a credit or debit card.
Similarly, people can save towards the yearly licence fee in small, manageable amounts by using a TV Licensing savings card, making payments via credit or debit card, at a PayPoint outlet or over the phone.
People wanting to pay or save for their TV Licence in person can do so at any PayPoint outlet using cash or debit card payments. To find their nearest PayPoint, people can visit www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.htm or call 0845 155 0404. More people are choosing to pay by Direct Debit, now used by over 12 million licence fee payers, while others choose to pay via TV Licensing?s website or by putting a cheque in the post.
A free licence is available for people aged 75 or over and a short term licence for people aged 74. Anyone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired is entitled to 50% off the cost of the licence fee.
For people who do not have English as a first language, TV Licensing provides literature in 18 different languages and offers an interpretation service over the phone in over 170 languages. To use the translation service, call 0300 790 6044.
TV Licensing would always prefer people to be properly licensed rather than risk prosecution, which is why we make it as easy as possible to pay and work hard to ensure people are aware of their licensing requirements. Unfortunately some people still try to avoid paying for a TV Licence when they need one, and we will enforce the law on behalf of the honest majority who pay.
If you would like more information, or want to buy a TV Licence, please call 0300 790 6071 or visit http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk
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03/09/2009 |
Performance Review ? Quarter 1 |
The information set out below, is an overview of the Association’s performance covering a range of service areas during the first quarter of the current financial year. If you would like further information on how this data is collected, please contact Jamie Taylor on 0114-2288100.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
New cases reported by category within the quarter
Category of ASB |
Number |
Noise |
1 |
Verbal abuse / harassment |
6 |
Hate related incidents |
3 |
Vandalism |
1 |
Live, resolved and closed cases at end of the quarter
Case Type |
Number |
Live |
8 |
Closed as case successfully resolved |
8 |
Closed as unresolved |
2 |
Complaint satisfaction survey
|
Number |
Number of satisfaction questionnaires returned |
1 |
Repairs & Maintenance
Repair Category |
Percentage Completed |
Annual Target |
% of emergency repairs completed on time |
88.33% |
97.75% |
% of urgent repairs completed on time |
88.16% |
97.75% |
% of routine repairs completed on time |
96.49% |
97.75% |
Income Management
|
Percentage Completed |
Annual Target |
Percentage of rent collected during the quarter |
101.2% |
Not Set |
Rent Arrears as a percentage of the total rent charged |
6.3% |
5.99% |
Percentage of rent loss as a result of vacant dwellings |
3.85% |
2.51% |
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12/08/2009 |
Do you have a business idea that you?d like to take further?
If so, our competition is for you... |
Arches works with Manchester based agency Emerald who have built, redesigned and look after our website, and in conjunction with them we are offering all tenants the chance to win our ?in to BUSINESS with Emerald? competition.
The objective is to encourage residents whose landlord is a client of Emerald to submit their business ideas. The most promising submissions will be compiled into a shortlist; and a judging panel drawn from representatives of supporting housing associations and Emerald employees will select the two winners. The selection process will involve face to face interviews where shortlisted applicants will meet the judging panel to explain their submission and ?pitch? their idea.
The winning package includes:
- Initial set up assistance and guidance
- Business coaching
- Management consultancy
- Ongoing support throughout the first twelve months
- Access to online support and guidance notes
- Referrals to Business Link and similar organisations
- Advice on marketing, communications and sales planning
- Choice of company name and design of logo
- Domain name and brochure website for new company
- Laptop package or equivalent subject to the nature of business
- Stationery set
- Promotional flyer or small brochure
- Help with identifying and maximising PR opportunities
- Sales and Marketing advice and coaching
- Identifying the products and services offered
- Identifying customer needs from the new business Marketing plan
- Advice on forms of advertising
For further details and access to the application forms please visit the Emerald website on:
www.emerald-design.co.uk
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30/06/2009 |
Arches Housing has negotiated a Home Contents Insurance Scheme designed specifically for our tenant |
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25/06/2009 |
Move-on Homes prove partnership success for Rotherham Council and social landlord partner Arches Housing Limited |
A new partnership has been welcomed as a success for people living in the Rotherham area. Arches Housing and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have worked together for the first time to provide housing to meet an identified gap for people ready for independent living moving from supported housing.
| Housing support providers have been part of the initiative which has provided twenty six homes to date which have been built to eco-homes very good or excellent standard to help reduce residents? fuel bills. These homes are for the first time offering a choice across the borough of quality accommodation for people who are ready to resettle in to the community and live independently. A Support Worker from one of the agencies benefitting from the scheme said "I hope that as more units are provided a mixture of areas continue to be part of the scheme ? it is nice for the first time we are really able to offer a real choice to our client group" |
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The move-on houses and apartments are let via nomination through Rotherham Key Choices and to be eligible to bid for a property the applicant has to be on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council?s housing register. The partnership agreement between the two parties protects this arrangement for the future.
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All the rents are eligible for full housing benefit and range from £58.00 per week for a flat to £67.00 per week for a 3 bedroom house
Referred for the scheme from Target Housing, Barclay quotes - "Best thing ever...", "I?m not going anywhere..." "You?ve got to see it to believe it..."
The success of the initiative has been built through close community consultation by Arches and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in the selection of sites, mixing the units in with traditional general needs rented and owner occupied areas and estates. The support agencies continue their work with the clients initially up to three months. This ensures that the client does not feel isolated in their new home and help the new landlord build a good relationship. Another new tenant from support provider Action Housing said "I am grateful that you didn?t judge me and have given me that chance to prove I can start a new life". |
It is hoped that the scheme will continue to flourish and more units will be provided every year through the partnership.
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05/06/2009 |
BrowseAloud... Making Websites Talk |
To help improve the accessibility of our website we are pleased to announce that we have recently purchased a program called BrowseAloud which is a computer based package that reads aloud all website content. BrowseAloud can be downloaded directly free of charge from our website by clicking on the icon which is located in the bottom left hand corner of our home page.
Once downloaded, you will be able to move your cursor over the words on our website and they will be spoken aloud. By introducing this feature on to out website, we hope to assist users who may have literacy difficulties, mild visual impairments and those who speak English as a second language.
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04/06/2009 |
The second phase of the National Conversation |
The second phase of the Tenant Services Authority's National Conversation starts on 9 June and will run until 8 September 2009.
This is your chance to help the TSA fine-tune the standards it has drawn up for social housing landlords. These draft standards
are based on what you told the TSA earlier this year about the things that matter most to you.
There are many ways you can take part. The TSA will be at a number of events this summer, where they will be talking to tenants and landlords.
Details of where they will be and when ? and how you can join them ? are available online at: www.nationalconversation.co.uk
You can also get involved in the National Conversation using the website. You?ll find a short questionnaire you can fill in, or you can have your
say on one of the forums or by uploading a video of yourself. You can also take part by texting short answers to questions on the website.
There?s a document with more questions that you can download too, if you want to.
You can hold your own local events as well. The TSA has called these 'Local Conversations'. They don't have to be very formal ? they could be a group
of you getting together in somebody's home or they could be part of another meeting that's already been planned. To help you, the TSA has put together a resource
pack you can download, which contains some important questions, information notes, a leaflet, a form to fill in and a prepaid envelope to send the form back in
(you do not need a stamp).
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03/04/2009 |
Councillor Mazher Iqbal & Clive Betts MP Key presentation ? Acres Hill Road, Darnall, Sheffield |
Councillor Mazher Iqbal and Clive Betts MP opened our new homes scheme on Friday 3rd April 2009 at Acres Hill Road & Nidd Road, Darnall, Sheffield. The properties include five 4 bedroom houses, six 3 bedroom houses and four 2 bedroom bungalows for rent as well as six 3 bedroom houses for shared ownership. We achieved ECO-Homes very good sustainability rating which takes account of Energy, Transport, Pollution, Environmental impact of materials, Water, Land use and Ecology and Health and Well Being.
Councillor Iqbal and Clive Betts MP presented a key and a bouquet of flowers to a new tenant, Mrs Marsh, who will soon be enjoying her new two bedroom bungalow at Acres Hill Road. Mrs Marsh said that she was very pleased with her new home which had excellent facilities to support her with lifetime needs.
The event was a huge success which included viewing the new homes, looking at an exhibition of the history of the scheme and networking with fellow professionals and Darnall residents. It was attended by local residents? representatives of Sheffield City Council, contractors and developers and staff from the association.
Mazher has been keen to support Arches Housing Limited in building new affordable homes in Darnall and he was in discussions with the association about developing Acres Hill Road long before the first brick was laid. There is a huge demand for new homes in the area, where there is a large waiting list for family housing.
The new homes were built in partnership with Sheffield City Council who supported the project and sold the land to the association, Homes and Communities Agency who provided grant funding, Synergy Solutions Limited who did that project management and Clayfield Construction & Company Limited who was the main developer for the scheme.
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12/02/2009 |
The Mayor of Rotherham opens Dean Court, Bennett Street, Kimberworth, Rotherham. |
The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Ann Russell, opened a new development at Bennett Street, Kimberworth, Rotherham comprising of six 2 bedroom apartments for shared ownership and three units for move-on at affordable rents on Thursday 12th February.
Arches Housing Ltd have built the new homes in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the Housing Corporation, Transform South Yorkshire, Synergy Solutions Ltd. and Clayfield Construction & Company Ltd... The homes were designed to Eco Homes Excellent Rating to achieve high level of energy efficiency.
The Mayor of Rotherham unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening and the naming of the development as Dean Court, which was in honour of a founder board member of Arches Housing Ltd, Christopher Dean who attended the opening ceremony. For more than 25 years, Christopher has been a voluntary board member of Arches Housing Ltd.
The Mayor of Rotherham thanked Arches Housing Ltd for her invitation to perform an official opening ceremony. She was pleased that Arches Housing Ltd was contributing to the delivery of Rotherham?s affordable housing programme and that the new homes were being built to low energy usage standards which provides affordable warmth and less adverse impact on the climate.
Christopher Dean responded to the Mayor?s remarks by saying that he had always supported measures to reduce carbon emissions and provide affordable warmth for tenants.
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