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South Somerset Homes tenants will by now have read every detail of what is supposedly going on with the company! Needless to say, things are now looking much better and so good riddance to the rumour mongering and inaccurate whispers being bandied about.
In light of these past events, this is a good time for tenants to get involved in tenant participation - we can only change things if we are involved. If you would like more information about how you can get involved and what that actually means, call Jim Bruckel at SSH on 404640 or drop a note in at 11 Lakefields with your name and 'phone number and I'll get back to you. Stan Hill has now retired and Jim Bruckel has temporarily taken the reins. If there are any complaints or compliments, Jim's your man.
The Tenant's Panel invited WS Atkins to a meeting and various complaints were dealt with. One of the outcomes of this meeting was that the weeds growing along some of the roads in West Coker have now been sprayed and are turning brown - soon to be gone! It seems not all of the weeds have been dealt with and hopefully WS Atkins will keep up the good work.
Some of the topics on the agenda were as follows: Decoration scheme for over 80's or registered disabled or being in receipt of full or partial housing benefit and having no-one willing or able to carry out redecoration; environmental improvements; gardening competition; Area South Tenants Newsletter; COMPACT meeting; Design Panel; allotment charges; housing benefit
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and a couple of new buzz words - Verification Framework (VF) and unannounced visits from the benefits agency.
Personally, I don't like the idea that anyone in receipt of benefits is a candidate for a spot check by the benefits agency - maybe it is felt that it's reasonable, and in some cases that may be true, but the vast majority of people who receive benefits are genuinely in need of them and for the older members of our community and the vulnerable, this is a concern. Fiona Johnson at South Somerset District Council is the housing benefit support person if you have any queries.
A successful Neighbourhood Watch group is now up and running and hopefully more are in the making. Each street needs about 10 homes within close proximity of each other to get involved. Did you know that if you are a member of a Neighbourhood Watch certain insurance companies will reduce premiums?
It's time to start looking for people to become officers of the Residents Group. Make a note in your diary for a general get together on Tuesday 16th October at Burrells. Burrells residents contributed greatly to the last meeting, hope to see you all again. Coffee, tea and cake will be served and if you're quick off the mark, cheese and wine! Who said tenant participation couldn't be fun! See you on the 16th October.
Sallie McCoy
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