Free workshops help tenants brush up their DIY skills

Tenants of Hull City Council and Chevin Housing took part in four free DIY training workshops this summer.
The half day workshops were the brainchild of the council's tenant participation team, who also funded them.
Chevin Housing's maintenance officer taught the sessions.
The July and August workshop attendees learned painting, wallpapering and decorating, tiling, small scale plastering and joinery skills.
"The workshops have been very informative and will save me a small fortune," says council tenant, Penny Rodmell.
"The training provides tenants with the skills and confidence to attempt DIY projects in their home and help them maintain and improve their homes," says interim head of housing Angela Dearing.
"We were delighted to be able to work with Chevin Housing." The Tenant Participation Team regularly runs courses for tenants.
For more information about these or any other Tenant Participation Team organised courses, ring 300300 or email tenant.resident@hullcc.gov.uk

tenant news in brief

Tenants' Forum The next Tenants' Forum is at the Guildhall, Thursday 19 November, 7pm - 9pm. A representative from Humberside Police will be attending. For more details ring the tenant participation team on 300300. New members are always welcome. At September's Tenants' Forum elections Betty Peck remained as chair and Penny Rodmell was elected as vice chair. The vacant secretary position will be discussed at their first committee meeting. Don't lose it – use it! Elections for tenant vacancies on the seven area boards take place this month. All tenants and leaseholders will receive a ballot paper. This is your opportunity to vote for who joins your local board. Correction: The Arcon Drive and Lindsey Place Residents' Association's November meeting is Friday 27 not 30 as printed in October's tenant news. Alternative ways to pay your rent The council offers a variety of ways to pay your rent. by Direct Debit by Banker's Orders in cash at any ALLPAY or PAYPOINT outlet with a swipecard in cash at some customer service centres (CSCs) and information points (IPs) automated Telling Machines at some CSCs by phone using a debit or credit card online using a debit or credit card. Direct Debit or Banker's Orders are the easiest and cheapest ways to pay your council bills and are the methods preferred by the council. If you would like advice about paying your rent or any other council bill by direct debit, ring 300300 or visit your nearest CSC or IP. New Bilton Grange Residents' Association (NBGRA) NBGRA has started taking bookings for its festive Christmas activities. The association members' party starts at 7pm, Tuesday 1 December. Bookings for its other events will only be taken at its monthly association meetings. The next one is Tuesday 3 November, 2pm, at St.Philip's Church, Amethyst Road.

Did you know

Leaving trees to grow unchecked at the bottom of your garden can leave you or your neighbours with security problems. They can be used to hide in, or as an aid to climb over garden fences. For advice call 300300 or visit your local customer service centre or information point.

	You told us You did not know how to or that you could, invite members of the Tenant Involvement Roadshow team to your meetings or events.
	We did We explained how in October's Hull in print tenant news pages as a Did You Know item.

Diamond Gal 60 years a tenant

Enid Savill has lived most of her life in the same council home in north Hull. Since moving in as a child, she has seen a lot of changes over 60 years

Enid plants a lilac tree to mark her diamond anniversary and replace the lost tree whose heady perfume entered her bedroom window every spring.

"If there's a lilac tree and roses in the garden, cream paint in the hall – I'll have it," were Enid's Mum's instructions to her Dad when he went to view the property, which was exactly what he found as he turned into the grove.
Enid distinctly remembers her Dad's exact words on returning home – "You can start packing!" On a cold, rainy 5 November 1949, Enid's family moved into their three bedroom semi-detached home.
"Our neighbour who had three sons offered my brother some fireworks which Dad added to the box he always bought us and rain or not, we celebrated our arrival in our new home," says Enid.
Rent in those days was less than 10 shillings (50p) a week.
Enid's family paid an extra sixpence (21/2p) a week for a smart, tiled fireplace instead of a big, black old fashioned range.
In 1972, Hull's council housing went through a major modernisation programme.
The Savill family moved out temporarily while the old pantry was knocked out to make way for a bigger, up-to-date kitchen.
Gas central heating was installed, making the house warmer and more comfortable.
Later, all the windows were double-glazed, helping to keep the house warmer and more energy efficient.
"Mam was wheeled to a neighbour's to watch Coronation Street, while I sat there and shivered," chuckled Enid.
Recently, Enid has had a battery powered seat fitted in the bathroom by the council, to lower and lift her in and out of the bath.
Enid's home recently underwent a few more changes.
Her kitchen was partly renovated with new units and other changes were made especially to suit Enid – this included moving a radiator to a more convenient place.
Enid's home was completed in time for her to celebrate 60 years as a tenant.

Reviewing your tenancy and licence agreements

In June, we told you about the Housing Service's tenancy and licence agreements' review project.
This may now be affected by the Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) social housing standards.
"The TSA standards are due to be published in the spring," says project leader, Jane Medforth.
"These standards will regulate all social housing landlords and we are keen to consider them when writing our new agreements."
"All our tenants, licence holders, area housing board members and interested partners will have the opportunity to comment on draft copies of the documents next year after the TSA standards have been considered."
Once the consultation timings are agreed, every tenant, licence holder and area housing board member will hear how they can comment on the new agreements.

If you have any queries about the new agreements or the consultation, please contact tenant participation manager Sally Smith on 300300 or email tenant.resident@hullcc.gov.uk

STAR mapped training needs Training was one of the subjects covered in our Tenants' and Residents' Associations' (TARAs) survey earlier this year. The results showed a demand for a wide range of training courses, the most popular ones being the roles of committee members writing newsletters finding funding carrying out surveys keeping a group active and focused Housing Service finance and policy guides. "Our survey shows that TARAs in Hull are keen to learn more about a huge range of subjects and we are working closely with the council to organise training that addresses this in an accessible way." says STAR service coordinator, James Russell. "The most requested training was Equality and Diversity, which is one of the Housing Service's criteria for TARAs seeking grant funding." The next Equality and Diversity session organised by the council is in early December. To find out more, call STAR on 485918 or email star@goodwin-centre.org