Housing Newsletter - November 2023
Welcome to the November Better Homes, Better Lives newsletter
In this edition, you can find out about our ongoing new build programme and Pilot Homes, ensuring the next generation of Council Homes are energy and carbon efficient. We have important information about protecting yourselves from door step scams and how you can get support from our Tenancy Sustainment team with their drop in sessions as well as our monthly hamper prize draw. There is also information on the consultation on Wiltshire Councils Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Remember, information about Wiltshire Council's Supporting you through the rising cost of living, including energy cost advice, housing advice and financial support, can be found at Supporting you through the rising cost of living and these pages will be updated regularly.
Win a food hamper donated by Tesco in our monthly prize draw!
We're giving away a free food hamper, sponsored by Tesco, to our newsletter readers. To enter, simply follow the link below and email us with your name and address before the closing date of Friday 10 November and you will be entered into the draw.
Your entry email must include your name and address for it to be valid and go into the draw. Please do not simply send a blank email.
Our October hamper winner, Mr Houston, told us "I don't believe it, can't remember the last time I won something."
Better Homes
Pilot Homes incorporate cutting edge technology for the Housing Energy Efficiency Programme
The two properties chosen for the project in Salisbury are now complete and ready to let. Both properties have had a complete external rebuild and have been insulated internally and externally. New UPVC windows and doors with A+ ratings and a new roof and guttering round this out. As well as being up-to-date with the latest materials, the properties are now Pre-cast Reinforced Concrete certified, meaning they are regarded as being up to modern standard.
Internally the walls were removed, framed, insulated, plastered and redecorated. New kitchens and bathrooms were fitted and all the internal doors & staircases were replaced. Finally, the front and rear gardens have been landscaped, fitted with new fencing and fresh tarmac driveways provide off road parking.
One of the key purposes of the project was to provide a test bed for the latest technology and the homes do not disappoint in this regard. One property is fitted with the latest Air Source Heat pump and expanded radiators while the other has Infrared panel heaters in every room. Both benefit from Sun Amp Thermino water systems, which use the energy from the Photo Voltaic (PV) solar panels to heat the water for the home. The solar diverters fitted ensures all of the energy generated by the Solar PV panels is used to run the water heater and electric vehicle charger that each property has been fitted with next to the driveway.
This technology means these homes will have a reduced carbon footprint compared to other properties of their age and design. The systems in these properties will be monitored remotely for a year to observe the efficiency of these new systems and provide valuable data for the Housing Energy Efficiency Programme going forward.
YouTube: Wiltshire Council Housing - Pilot property video 2 (opens new window)
New build programme continues with our latest development in Ludgershall
Wiltshire Council Housing is leading the way in a vision of zero carbon, energy efficient, cheap to run, easy to build and maintain, low-pollution flats and houses, which it intends to build in the town of Ludgershall, near Andover. Bartlett House was a retired care home on Old Common Way, Ludgershall and was demolished in 2023 whilst the design team worked on the layouts, incorporating essential elements such as landscaping, drainage and parking.
The innovations we will be installing as standard include the south-facing solar panels, enhanced insulation and modular construction which will enable the council to plan for the future by providing modern fit for purpose general needs housing. Eighteen housing units are planned, and the full application has been submitted with a decision expected around the end of this year. It is anticipated that the actual building of these homes will start in 2024.
Better Neighbourhoods
Stay safe with fireworks this year
At this time of year, if you are considering using fireworks as part of your celebrations, we would ask that residents please do so with respect and understanding for their neighbours. Let your neighbours know if you intend to let off fireworks and try and hold displays earlier in the evening where possible.
Always follow the safety instructions on the fireworks, including the safe distances that are needed between fireworks and houses, fences and outbuildings.
You can find more advice from Wiltshire Police: Fireworks (opens new window) and from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue: Fireworks (opens new window).
You said, we did! - Everything's rosy at Suffolk Road
You said - Residents in Harnham asked for some additional grounds maintenance to be carried out to the rose beds that line the path to the main entrance of the sheltered scheme.
We did - Our grounds maintenance team were able to attend to carry out additional weeding, pruning and dead heading to ensure the rose bushes remain healthy and at their best. A resident of the scheme told us "We are so pleased with the result, even passers-by enjoy our roses."
You said, we did! - New hardstanding for the communal bins improves access in Amesbury
You said - Residents in Amesbury asked for the new hard standing areas to be put in place at the side entrance to Lanfear Close. The bins had outgrown the previous space and the area had become cluttered with the bins encroaching on the footpath.
We did - The Area Maintenance surveyor instructed our contractor Collinsons to provide new, level hardstanding and footpath to the door for easier access for residents. In addition another path was replaced at the same time and the patio at one of the side doors to the garden was re-laid. A resident told us "The guys were amazing. Worked really hard. Everything had to be precise, which was a bit of a struggle out the back, but they did it!"
Upcoming estate inspections in November
Residents are welcome to join us on the inspections, either for the whole route or just their street or the area around their property. This will help us assess the housing stock, the communal areas and the environmental aspects such as parking, pavements and grassed areas. This is also a great opportunity to speak to your Neighbourhood Team and discuss your local community and the opportunity for you to get more involved in your housing service.
Residents of the areas being inspected will receive an email prior to the inspection, inviting them to take part in a survey and give any feedback regarding the area they live in.
24 November - Amesbury
The inspection will start at the entrance of Queensberry Road at 10am and move on to Aragon Close, Hudson Road, Lanes Close and then the rest of Queensberry Road to finish at Darrell Road.
You can find out more about upcoming estate inspections, as well as read the reports from previous inspections on our website at Resident involvement.
For more information about how we can support you in holding events and setting up new groups and activities in your area, please contact the team at Tenantparticipation@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
Better Lives
Beware of doorstep scams
Residents in Rowde reported being visited by a contractor driving an unmarked van who cold called them. The contractor told the resident they had come to check all the properties in the street with solar panels on behalf of Wiltshire Council. When challenged they were unable to produce ID and quickly left the scene.
The tenant contacted Wiltshire Council Housing who confirmed no contractor was due to visit the site to check the solar PV panels.
We always advise residents to check for ID before letting callers into their homes. All Wiltshire Council Housing staff and contractors will carry photo ID as well as often being in uniform and with liveried vehicles. Any official visitor will be happy to wait for you to confirm their identity with the Housing Department by telephone before you allow them to enter. Call the team on 0300 456 0117 and select the option appropriate to the officer who is visiting, for example option 2 for repairs and maintenance.
Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey gives residents a chance to express how they feel about the service
Residents across the county recently received our new Tenant Satisfaction Measures survey. These cover five main themes: repairs, building safety, effective complaint-handling, respectful and helpful tenant engagement, and responsible neighbourhood management.
Unlike the previous STAR survey which took place every two years, the TSM survey will run yearly with half our residents polled one year and the other half the next. If you did not receive a survey this year you will get one next summer.
As always, we held a prize draw taken at random from returned surveys and Ellen was picked as the first prize winner of £150 in shopping vouchers. She was awarded her prize by Caz from the Resident Engagement team.
We will bring you the results of the survey shortly and more information will be included in a forthcoming newsletter.
Tenancy Sustainment Service drop in sessions offering support around the county
Although we are seeing high demand for our Tenancy Sustainment Service, remember, at the moment you can attend any of our drop-in sessions with no appointment needed.
Bemerton Heath Estate Office
151a Gainsborough Close
Every Thursday 9am - 12 noon
The Friary Estate Office
White Friars Road, Salisbury
Every Wednesday 9am - 12 noon
Evergreen Court
Amesbury, SP4 7YT
Every Wednesday 9am - 12 noon
The Atrium, County Hall
Bythesea Road, Trowbridge
Every Wednesday 9am - 12 noon
Needham House
Devizes, SN10 1FA
Every 1st Monday of the month 9am - 12 noon
If you want to contact the team, you can do so by phone on 0300 456 0117 (Option 1) or you can email the team at housingtso@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
Proposed changes to Council Tax Reduction Scheme - take part in the consultation
Wiltshire Council is looking to make potential changes to its Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working-aged people.
The council currently provides a Council Tax Reduction Scheme that helps people on a low income with up to 100% of their council tax costs.
For the first time in four years, the council is proposing to make changes to the scheme which was first introduced in 2013. The changes that are being proposed do not affect pensioners and, if agreed, will be brought in from 1 April 2024.
The council believes these potential changes, if agreed, will result in a more generous scheme for people who need council tax reduction. It will also improve the customer experience during the claiming process and help the council run the scheme as efficiently as possible.
The consultation is now under way and runs until 27 November 2023. You can complete a survey online to provide your feedback or a hardcopy can be found in all local libraries or main council hubs.
More information, including how to take part in the consultation, can be found at Council tax reduction (CTR).