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2 News from Nottingham City Homes December 2012 North Edition: Aspley•Bestwood•Bilborough•Bulwell to your edition of the Nottingham City Homes newspaper for tenants and leaseholders a message from the Chair It’s great news that we’re now starting to deliver on our promise to build new homes. I’m delighted about the investment the city council is making – the first of many new council homes over the next few years. And the programme for demolishing older, energy inefficient flats is going well too. Even more good news is that energy companies had the confidence to invest £10m in 2012 to make your homes even more efficient. They have to spend some of their profits improving homes – but they could send the money anywhere. They’re investing in Nottingham because they know we can deliver the best value. And the external cladding work – as you can read on page four – really does make a difference to those houses where heat ‘leaks’. All this adds up to us doing what we said we’d do – investing in our properties across Nottingham, creating jobs and a boost to the local economy. This is in addition to our promise to you to help cut your energy bills by making sure you live in a warm home. It just remains for me to say, on behalf of everyone at Nottingham City Homes, I hope you all have a fantastic festive holiday. Janet Storar MBE Chair, Nottingham City Homes 161 likes 667 followers 124 photos and counting … We’ve been on Facebook and Twitter for a while and some of you already either ‘like’ our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. It’s a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest Nottingham City Homes news, as well as being another means of making contact with us about any queries or questions you might have. a message from Jean As you know from previous issues of News, there’s lots happening in the world of tenant involvement – and lots more opportunities for you to get involved with NCH. One of the biggest changes is how we, as tenants and leaseholders, can now scrutinise in greater detail the work NCH does. I am delighted that Tim Morton is now on board, helping us with these new rules – you can find out more about him on page five. This time of year is a time of celebration as we mark Christmas and the New Year. But it is also an expensive time – which is why there’s lots of money saving tips throughout this issue to help you out. And while you’re celebrating don’t forget to also think of your neighbours. Don’t disturb them with noisy parties – you can be breaching your tenancy if people complain. And please spare a thought for elderly and vulnerable tenants – be a good neighbour and keep an eye on them. Why not make this into a regular thing as well – you could be next year’s Good Neighbour! Read about this year’s winner Peter Reynolds on page nine. Have a great Christmas and New Year! Jean England Chair, Tenant and Leaseholder Congress To ‘Like’ us on Facebook, simply search ‘nottinghamcityhomesinvolvement’ and follow us on Twitter @nottmcityhomes. And that’s not all. You can now see our films at www.youtube.com/nottmcityhomes, and see photos of events that we’ve been organising or supporting at www.flickr.com. Search ‘nottinghamcityhomes’. News from Nottingham City Homes Communications & Marketing Team Nottingham City Homes, Head Office, 14 Hounds Gate, Nottingham, NG1 7BA Telephone 0845 330 3131 Minicom 0115 915 7447 Email marketing@nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk Like us on: nottinghamcityhomesinvolvement Follow us on: @nottmcityhomes
News from Nottingham City Homes December 2012 North Edition: Aspley•Bestwood•Bilborough•Bulwell 3 Pictured right: Afzal Hussain receiving his apprenticeship award. Making the difference How we make a difference to your lives was the focus of our AGM this year. We took a close look at our vision of creating homes and places where people want to live – and our three goals: To be a first class housing organisation in the eyes of our tenants and leaseholders The meeting heard how customer satisfaction is increasing, how we’re getting ready for welfare reform in 2013, about our new customer service strategy and how we’re involving you with our new tenant and leaseholder involvement strategy. To be a major player in transforming the quality of life in our neighbourhoods Our success in fitting solar panels to more than 2,600 homes to help save you money was highlighted, along with our plans to regenerate areas and build new homes. To be a great place to work, widely respected as an efficient and professional organisation Chief Executive Nick Murphy highlighted the achievements of staff over the year, presenting apprentice Afzal Hussain (pictured top left) with a certificate to recognise his commendation in the East Midlands Apprentice of the Year awards, accountant Jason Straw with his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification and team leader Suzanne Cousins with her long service award. Pictured: Tenant Board Member Margaret Pugsley (right) listening to the AGM. Our new equality and diversity strategy was then presented before we all watched the film of our involvement in the Nottingham Carnival – which you can see on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nottmcityhomes). All a – Board! Tenant Janet Storar MBE was re-elected as Board Chair with independent Board member Mike Khouri-Bent being voted in as Vice Chair for the next year. Janet and Margaret Pugsley have been re-elected as tenant board members – and are joined by Loretta Seymour. Ade Aderogba MBE has been re-appointed as an independent board member. Councillors Alex Ball, Rosemary Healy and Toby Neal represent Nottingham City Council on the Board. William Blincoe and Patricia Nixon also join the Board as our Co-opted members. Avoid a Christmas debt hangover Don’t forget the everyday bills Rent, utility bills, food and other commitments still have to be paid for. If you don’t the consequences can be severe. Don’t bank on an overdraft If you need more money don’t just go overdrawn at the bank without talking to them first. It will work out more expensive. Keep it simple If you can afford to pay for your presents by cash, debit card or cheque don’t be persuaded into taking out credit agreements. They will often work out more expensive. Shop around Try as many different places as you can to find the best price for your goods. You can get great bargains online. And don’t be convinced by extended warranties – they can cost more than a repair. Buy safe to be safe Whatever the deal is, don’t buy from unauthorised traders and don’t borrow from unauthorised lenders. You may be buying illegal counterfeit goods – or be paying extortionate rates of interest. Make your own Many people will appreciate homemade presents and the effort that has gone into making them. Check out craft and recipe books at your local library for inspiration. Start planning for next Christmas Look at what you did well and what you didn’t do well. What did you learn And you can always start saving now! And they’re not just for Christmas – follow these and you’ll find it easier to manage your money throughout the year. Make a seasonal spending plan Knowing what you can afford at Christmas is even more important than putting together the perfect shopping list. Create a simple budget of what you can afford. Spend sensibly and stick to it!
Page 1: Issue 52 December 2012 from Notting
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