DHN

DERBY HOMES NEWS - JANUARY/FEBRUARY EDITION 2008

Fall in Criminal
Damage and Vandalism!

In our spring edition of DHN last
year we announced a new joint
agreement between Derby Homes
and Derbyshire Police to tackle
tenants who falsely report criminal
damage and vandalism to get free
repairs.
Between April and November
2007 figures show the number
of criminal damage reports has
dropped - 469 fewer offences were
reported compared with the same
period in 2006.
As part of the agreement, all
criminal damage reports from
tenants are investigated jointly.
False claims are dealt with in two
ways:
• Derby Homes taking action
against conditions of tenancy.
• Police issuing fixed penalty
notices against tenants causing
damage to properties in order
to obtain free repairs.
Maureen Davis, Operations
Manager said: “The statistics are
very encouraging and good news
for our tenants and leaseholders.
The money saved is being
invested into carrying our more
repairs for genuine victims of
criminal damage and vandalism.”
For more information please
contact Maureen Davis on:
01332 711152

For all enquiries call 01332 711000 or email enquirycentre@derbyhomes.org

 Happy New Year to
all our tenants and
leaseholders. Welcome
to the first issue of Derby
Homes News for 2008!
In this issue you’ll find a
special feature on Tenant
Board Members past and
present and our Local Housing
Board South. You can also
find out about how we are
working with our partners to
tackle anti-social behaviour
– a top priority identified by
you. Plus - all the latest news,
events and a chance to win
some fantastic prizes in our
competitions on pages 8-9.
A big thank you to
the Publications and
Communications Team, for
their contribution to this and
other publications over the
past year. Turn to page 5
to find out how you can get
involved.
Please contact us with any
comments or suggestions
about Derby Homes News, we
welcome your feedback.
The Communications Team
Telephone 711044
e-mail marketing@
derbyhomes.org
We can give you this information in any other way,
style or language that will help you access it. Please
contact us on 01332 711000, minicom 01332 711080
fax 01332 711001.
| 01332 711000
| 01332 711080
01332 711000 |
| 01332 711080
enquirycentre@derbyhomes.org
www.derbyhomes.org
Derby Homes News : Page  : July/August 2007 : www.derbyhomes.org
COMMUNITY NEWS
100th birthday celebrations
Pictured proudly displaying
her telegram from the Queen,
Norah credits her good health
to a positive attitude and healthy
eating, good advice which
was passed on by her beloved
grandmother, Mary Ann Millington,
who was herself lucky enough to
celebrate her 103rd birthday.
Norah has lived in Derby since
1936 and has been a Derby Homes
tenant for over 30 years. She
worked as a caterer in her younger
days and has stayed active all her
life working as a WRVS volunteer at
the DRI for over fifteen years.
Norah told us that she had a
Derby Homes Supported Living
wonderful day and says she felt
service user, Norah Fry, celebrated
like a celebrity because of all the
her 100th birthday on 7November
attention she was getting. We
with a tea party held at Acorn
would like to wish Nora a happy
Close community room. The event
and healthy year ahead.
was attended by many of Mrs Fry’s
friends and neighbours from Acorn
Close, who gathered together to
celebrate the occasion and enjoy a
slice of birthday cake.
01332 711000 | | 01332 711080
| 01332 711000 | 01332 711080
| 01332 711000
| 01332 711080
01332 711000 | | 01332 711080
Enquiry Centre calls may be recorded
and/or monitored
Derby Homes Limited is a local authority controlled company, being under the
control of Derby City Council. Registered number 4380984. Registered Office Floor
2, South Point, Cardinal Square, 10 Nottingham Road, Derby, DE1 3QT
Derby Homes News July/August
Produced by in-house Graphic Design and Marketing Department
00147 07/07 VERSION 1.0
Volunteers give it some
Welly!
During October volunteers
helped to transform a communal
garden at Garsdale Court,
Alvaston. The community project
was delivered with the help
of RedWelly, a ‘not for profit’
organisation and a team of 12
volunteers from Derby College
Prince’s Trust. Residents were
invited to give their views and
ideas on making the area more
attractive, safer and easier to get
around.
Brush and Smile!
Campaign update
During October and November
three Primary schools took part in a
campaign run by Derby Homes and
Derby City Primary Care Trust (PCT).
The ‘brush and smile project’ was
a huge success and taught school
children the importance of brushing
their teeth and good oral health.
Derby Homes provided toothbrushes
and toothpaste for over 900 children
at the participating schools. The Oral
Health Promotion Team - who cover
both Derby City and County PCTs -
delivered the programme.
Work involved:
• Clearing overgrown vegetation
• Relaying paving
• Cleaning pathways
• Building raised flower beds
• Incorporating shaded areas.
Ann Crump, Garsdale Court
resident said: “We’re over the
moon! The volunteers worked
really hard and made a fantastic
job of the garden - it’s just want
we wanted”.

Have Your Say
In A Brand
New Way
Our customer satisfaction
surveys allow you to feedback
your comments and suggestions
to us on the services you receive.
From early 2008 a selection of
surveys will be available on our
website. Submitting a satisfaction
survey online means you can
inform us of any issues quicker
- which will help us improve the
services we provide.
All comments from the surveys
will be sent to the managers for
that service area and used for
continuous improvement. For
example, a recent furnished
tenancy satisfaction survey
identified that tenants were not
always aware that furniture pack
items can be replaced at the
end of their life. In response to
this, the Housing Projects Team
are creating a leaflet that can be
handed out on individual visits
to raise awareness about the
service.
The customer satisfaction surveys
are a great way to feedback
your issues and concerns and
provide an opportunity for you
to influence our policies and
practices.
Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org
Supported Living Activities
Do you want to get out, meet We can also help arrange travel if
new friends and enjoy the needed.
company of others? Look out for the new
CommUNITY Link Social
There are events taking place Activities newsletter produced
across the city waiting to by the Derby Association of
welcome you! Community Partners. You can
get a copy at your nearest
If you’d like to plan, facilitate or housing office, community
take part in an event please contact room, or call the Derby Tenants
Lucinda Inglis on 01332 201724. Resource Centre for a copy.
SERVICE UPDATES
Annual Gas Safety and Servicing Change to Osmaston Housing
Surgery
Over the next few months we will
be making appointments to carry From 2 January 2008 Osmaston
out the annual gas safety checks. Housing Surgery will open on
The three areas we will be visiting Mondays and Wednesday instead
in the coming months are: of Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Surgery opening times will stay the
January / February same – 10am to 12noon.
Allenton Area
You can call in to discuss any
February / March housing related matters and make
Osmaston Area appointments with your Housing
Officer.
April / May
Stockbrook Street Area Successful move for Alvaston.
It is a legal requirement for your We officially marked the successful
gas to be serviced every year. re-location of our Alvaston Local
Housing Service to Alvaston
Remember - if you keep your Library at an event on 11
appointment you will be entered December. Since July, residents
into a prize draw to win a £50 have been accessing a wide range
voucher. of services at the library.
 Mystery Shopping Team
carry out their first ‘shop’!
Derby Homes’ tenants
carried out their first
mystery shop of local
housing services in
October. The results
were very positive with
the Mystery Shoppers
giving staff a good or
excellent rating.
What is mystery shopping?
Mystery shopping involves tenants
pretending to request services
from Derby Homes staff to ‘test’
the quality of the service provided.
Mystery shopping happens in two
ways: visits to local housing offices
and by telephone. They take
place twice a year.
What’s involved?
Tenants fill in a questionnaire that
asks key questions about quality
of service. The questionnaires are
developed by tenants. Tenants
receive training for the role.
All travel expenses and phone
calls are reimbursed.
The identities of tenants will
remain top secret whilst they
are members so as not to give
themselves away. Well done to the
shoppers who took part and to
Derby Homes staff.
For more information or to
become a member of the Derby
Homes Mystery Shopping Team,
please contact Mark Crown on
01332 711063 or E-mail: Mark.
Crown@derbyhomes.org
Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org
Your complaints
sorted!
During July, August and September
2007 we handled a total of 88
complaints. Of these, 22 were
regarding housing management
issues and 31 were regarding day
to day repairs. We acknowledged
100% of these complaints within the
target time of 2 working days and
gave a full response to 97% within 5
working days.
For further information regarding
our complaints procedure, please
visit: www.derbyhomes.org/
getintouch/complaints or contact
us on 01332 711000.
Good read? Think
you could do better?
We are keen to hear what you
think about this or any other issue
of Derby Homes News. If you’re
reading this, you could be just
the sort of person we need. We
hold regular meetings of our
Publications and Communications
Team (PACT) at the Derby Tenants
Resource Centre, St Peters House,
Gower Street.
Meetings usually take place on the
first Tuesday of every month. If you
have a computer, you can check
the dates on our online calendar at:
www.derbyhomes.org/Partnerships/
DACP/
Get involved and help make sure
that this and our other publications
are informative and something
tenants want to read. For more
information, contact our Marketing
Officer on 01332 711044 or the
Tenant Participation Team on 01332
711046.
 NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY / REGENERATION
Communal Door Entry
System
Regeneration scheme on target
Derby Homes has properties that
are served by communal entrances.
The majority of these have security
in the form of a controlled access
system linked to each property.

These are controlled with a Fob like

key, which is put to the keypad at
the entrance door to allow access
into the block. These ensure your
security.

You will receive two Fobs when you

sign up for your property. Fobs will
only work on the door system it has
been assigned to.
From 1 April 2008 additional and
replacement Fobs will be at a
cost of £14 per Fob (rising to £20
from 1 April 2009). The Fob will be
issued once payment is made. This
charge applies to lost Fobs and
Fobs not returned at the end of
each tenancy.
If a Fob stops working we will
re-programme it free of charge.
The enquiry centre can arrange
for your Fob to be checked and
reprogrammed or replaced as
necessary. You must give us your
old fob for this to be done. Lost
and replaced fobs will be deleted
from the system.
You can buy additional Fobs for
family and carers. You will not be
reimbursed for additional Fobs
when your tenancy ends.
If your Fob is lost or stolen call the
Enquiry Centre on 01332 711000
who will need to seek authorisation
for a replacement. New Fobs
will be delivered to your nearest
housing office within five working
days.
For more information please
contact Peter Howell
on 01332 711158
Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org
Sussex Circus
A regeneration scheme to
transform the Sussex Circus
area started in September and
is on target to meet its spring
completion date.
The project has been jointly
funded by Derby Homes and
Derwent Community Team and
aims to improve the long term
sustainability for residents and
businesses in the area.
Benefits include a 4m wide
pathway to provide better access
for wheelchairs, pushchairs and
cyclists. Extra lighting will be
installed and thick tree canopies
have been removed to open the
area and increase visibility at night
– helping to combat anti-social
behaviour and making the area
safer for residents. A nature trail
and play area will make the area
more appealing for residents,
especially families. A proposal for
a youth shelter is also underway.
Disabled car parking and new
block paving will also improve
accessibility in and around the
area.
Mercaston Road
The Mercaston Road shop
area, which has Derby Homes
flats above has also undergone
refurbishment. It is hoped the
improvements will make the
area more secure and safer for
residents and shopkeepers as well
as improving the appearance of
the shop fronts and encouraging
people back to the area.
Improvements include the
replacement of broken handrails
and resurfacing the paved area
around the shop fronts which
was badly cracked. New lighting
will also discourage youths from
hanging around the area – a
problem identified by residents.
A detailed plan of the
improvements can be seen at
Sussex Circus Housing Office.
For more information contact
Sue Featherstone, Estates
Regeneration Officer on 01332
711036.
 neighbourhood Safety
A man has been served an Anti-
Social Behaviour Injunction after
terrorising local residents on the
Austin Estate. We successfully
obtained the injunction with a
power of arrest and Exclusion
Order against Leighton Murray in
October last year. Whilst Leighton
was not a Derby Homes tenant, we
were still able to take action due
to his partner living in a council
house.
Mr Murray was terrorising the
Austin estate with his two pet
dogs, believed to be Pit bull/
Staffordshire bull terriers. He was
also deliberately encouraging
his dogs to attack local residents
and filming the attacks using his
mobile telephone. It was also
alleged that he used his pets for
dog fighting on the local park.
Man who
terrorised Derby
Estate receives
Injunction
Leighton Murray was well known
to have associated with youths
known for gang fighting and using
offensive weapons. These gangs
had intimidated local residents by
stopping them in the street and
demanding cash and personal
items. It’s believed that the gangs
Leighton Murray associated with
were responsible for carrying out
a number of robberies within the
area.
Such was the extent of the fear
created by the gangs, many Local
residents were too frightened to
come forward with information.
Derby Homes stepped in and
took the lead on collating hearsay
evidence with the support of the
Local Police. Using this evidence
they were able to apply for an
injunction.
The injunction excludes Leighton
Murray from the Austin estate until
October 2009. The order will help
control the anti-social behaviour
that Leighton Murray used to
cause and will provide protection
and assurance to local residents.
The Police have powers to arrest
Leighton Murray should he breach
the order.
Members of the public are urged
to contact the Police should they
see Leighton Murray causing anti-
social behaviour.
You can also call Derby Homes
Enquiry Centre on 01332
711000 in the first instance to
report anti-social behaviour.

If you have any information about the above, call:

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Derbyshire Police 0845 123 3333
Derby Homes Enquiry Centre 01332 711000
Care Link - out of hours 01332 256060
In an emergency 999 Its your community help keep it safe...

Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org

 Derby Homes Rewards

Here’s another chance to Win

a Brand New Television in our
Third Free Prize Draw

BIG
APOLOGY
In every edition of Derby Homes
News, we will be running a
free prize draw for all our
tenants and leaseholders that
are members of Derby Homes
worth £500. You must return
your entry form no later than
Friday 22 February 2008.

The winner is responsible for

Rewards. buying the correct TV licence,
In the last edition of this will not be provided by
Derby Homes News By completing the enclosed Derby Homes.
we advertised three entry form and answering a
competitions, which question you have the chance of Good Luck.
were:
winning a brand new Television
• It Pays to Pay
• Television Prize Draw

It Pays to Pay
• Cricket Spot the Ball

Unfortunately we didn’t
include the entry cards
for It Pays to Pay or
the Television Prize Do you want to win £1000?
Draw. We are very sorry If you are a member of Derby
for this error and we Homes Rewards then £1000
will be running these could be yours. There are also
competitions again in
two runners up prizes of £500.
this issue.
Your ‘It Pays to Pay’ entry
card is in this edition of Derby
Homes News. Answer the
simple question and fill in your
k n o w …?
name and address. Post the Did you rent
h a v e a clear cause
card to reach us before Friday If you
t a n d do not
22 February 2008 – you don’t accoun al behaviour
ci a
need a stamp. anti-so utomatically es
ea m
you ar of Derby Ho
er
memb .
s
Reward

Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org

Spot the Ball

Comp e t i t i o n
In the last edition of Derby Homes News we ran
a competition sponsored by Derbyshire County
Cricket Club who kindly donated the prizes.

Congratulations to Mr G Woodhouse from

Sinfin, who correctly marked the location of the
cricket ball on the picture. Mr Woodhouse wins
a 2008 Twenty20 season ticket for Derbyshire
County Cricket Club.

Congratulations also go to the runner up, Mr

R Jackson from Chaddesden, who guessed the
correct location of the ball and has won tickets
to any home Derbyshire County Cricket match
of his choice.

Mr G Woodhouse fro
m Sinfin

addesden.

y 2 0
om Ch

t
Mr R Jackson fr

Tw e n Derby Homes News : Page  : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org

Your Tenancy

Your succession rights

Succession is the transfer of a
tenancy to another person when
the tenant dies. The two main
examples of this are:
• A tenancy that used to be in
joint names which changes to
one name only.
• A sole tenancy that is passed
on to a family member.
Succession can only happen once.
You have an automatic right of
succession if you are the husband,
wife or civil partner of the tenant,
as long as there has been no
previous succession.
All other applicants must have
lived there for a minimum of 12
months and must be a member of
the tenant’s family.
In the case of carers, we will give
consideration to applications
and may allow a succession
to the tenancy under certain
circumstances.
Husbands, wives and civil partners
have a right to stay in the property
if they have a right to succeed.
All other people may need to
move, even if they have a right to
succeed.

For more information please

contact your Housing Office.

HomeSwapper
Derby Homes has partnered with • HomeSwapper has over 36,000 your requirements and these can
HomeSwapper to provide a free members. Any tenant from any be viewed in your personalised
mutual exchange service for our social landlord can register. area of the website.
tenants. Launched in January 2008, • You can swap with tenants of
this new service includes access any registered social landlord, HomeSwapper will send alerts
to a mutual exchange website, not just Derby Homes. of potential new swaps by email
allowing you to find other tenants • HomeSwapper covers all of weekly, if you have email; or
within Derby and elsewhere in the UK, so you can find swaps text message fortnightly, if you
the country who would like to locally or nationally. have a mobile phone. For more
exchange their home. information on what the service
You can search the HomeSwapper provides visit: www.homeswapper.
HomeSwapper is the largest website without registering. You co.uk
mutual exchange service in the can also access maps to help work
UK and over 70% of new members out the location of the home you The Council’s mutual exchange
are matched automatically to one may want to swap to. scheme, HomeSwop, will continue
or more potential swaps within 24 to run alongside HomeSwapper
hours. It can also help tenants find If you register, HomeSwapper will for local exchanges. HopeSwop is
a swap quickly because: automatically search every night being improved and re-launched
for potential new swaps that meet this year.
Useful information

Jobcentreplus
offers free retail training
opportunities
Derby city residents* have help is available for people whose to learn new skills and take
the chance to train and gain first language is not English – they advantage of the growing number
qualifications in retail and catering are able to access a 13 week of jobs in the area.”
thanks to extra funding provided training course - and can gain a
by a number of organisations and nationally recognised qualification. To find out more visit your
local employers. Local training nearest Jobcentreplus Office.
companies are running short Ann Bourne, Training Provision *you must be aged 18 or over
courses up until the end of March Manager for Jobcentreplus who and not currently working
2008. are handling the courses said:
“The recent investment into
Anyone enrolling on these courses Derby city has created thousands
has the opportunity to gain of new opportunities in retail.
certificates in health and safety, These training courses will give
food hygiene and first aid. Extra Derby city residents a real chance

Recycling
New regulations have been
introduced that affect how
household appliances such
as fridges, freezers, washing
machines, cookers and
dishwashers are disposed of.
Items are now separated and no
longer sent to land fill. This is to
promote cleaner, greener waste
management.
If you want to dispose of a
household appliance you can do
any of the following:
• Ask the supplier of your new
appliance to remove your old
appliance and any packaging
from the new one for you.
• Take the appliance to your
nearest (Raynesway) Municipal
waste transfer station.
• Contact Derby Direct on 01332
255256 to remove old fridges
and freezers - this service is free.
For other large items you can get
them removed by:
• Taking them or get someone
else to take them to your
nearest (Raynesway) Waste
Transfer Station.
Or
• Contacting Derby Direct to
arrange for the removal of bulky
items. There is a charge for this
service. Contact 01332 255256
for information about this and a
list of charges. Sharing the cost
with a friend or neighbour will
work out cheaper.
The regulations also apply to
other electrical items such as
microwaves.
To dispose of appliances in
any other way such as fly
tipping is illegal and can lead to
prosecution and heavy fines.
For more information visit: www.
recycle-more.co.uk

Derby Homes News : Page 11 : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org

Spotlight on
Tenant Board Members
Elections were held during
summer 2007 for Tenant Board
Members to represent the North
East, South East and South West
of Derby on Derby Homes Board.
We had a lot of interest from
tenants living in these areas. As a
result, a number of tenants came
forward to stand for election in the
South West and South East areas.
Ken Whitehead has been elected
as the Board Member for the
South East area for 1 year.
Ken has lived in Derby for over
15 years and for a large part
of that time has been involved
with the Osmaston Community
Panel, as a member and later as
its Chair. For the past 5 years he
has represented the Panel on the
Local Housing Board South.
Ken is currently involved with
the Osmaston Park Community
Centre (OPCC), to get a new
building on Osmaston Park, local
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
set up through the Panel and
the master-planning exercise in
Osmaston.
Derby Homes News : Page 12 : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org
Mary Rowland has been elected
as the South West area Board
Member for 3 years.
Mary has lived on the Austin
Estate since 2000 and as a result
joined the Villages Panel where
she has been Chair for the last 2
years. Mary has also represented
her Panel on the Local Housing
Board South for the last 3 years.
Like Ken, Mary has been involved
in her local community. She is a
key member of the Austin and
Sunnyhill Community Champions,
a Freedom Programme facilitator
and regularly attends the Austin
Action Group. She also attends
the Austin, Sunnyhill and Old
Normanton Forum meetings.
Ken and Mary bring a great
amount of experience and
knowledge to the Board and are
looking forward to the challenges
and opportunities being a Board
Member will bring.
The position for the North East
area was not opposed, which
means Gwen Stubley was re-
appointed to the Board for a
further 3 years.
Gwen said: “I’m delighted to stay
on the Board. The last 3 years have
given me many new opportunities
and skills. I look forward to
continuing with the work I have
contributed to over the past 3 years.”
Jenny Bradley, who retired as
a Leaseholder Board Member
in December speaks about her
experience.
“It is now more than 6 years since
I joined Derby Homes Shadow
Board and then the main Board.
In that time I have seen many
changes in strategies, procedures,
members and attitudes.
“I enjoy a challenge and, believing
that I could make a difference to
both the standard and the delivery
of services, I was very pleased
to be elected by tenants and
leaseholders to join the Board. It
has been an interesting journey
and one I would not have missed.
“I will miss working with the Board
and Derby Homes staff. I also
retire from full time work in the
NHS in June 2008 when I will be
grateful for the time to spend
with my family and take a few
holidays…or just put my feet up!
“I certainly will not be idle
as I have been elected as an
Independent Management Board
Member for the Derby Association
of Community Partners, so I will be
around for a while yet.”

Derby Homes Local Housing Board South
Our two Local Housing Boards
for the North and South meet
every two months to discuss and
make decisions affecting housing
management, maintenance
and other customer services
Members of the Local Housing Board South.
we provide. The Local Housing
Boards’ members are made up
of representatives from our main
Board and Community Panel
representatives.
EVENT NEWS /
MEETINGS
Derby Homes Meetings
Why not come along to one of our
meetings to hear Board Members
discuss and make decisions that
affect your homes and estates.
Meetings take place at Derby
Homes’ head office at Cardinal
Square.

We provide refreshments before

the meetings start to give Board
Members and staff a chance to
have an informal chat with tenants
and leaseholders.

For more information please

contact the Governance Services
Team on 01332 711107.

January 2008
Trevor Lamb - Ray Bradbeer - Margaret Dove - Tabani Ndlovu - Harry
Margett - Win Buchan - Ken Whitehead - Mary Rowland - John
Newbould - Paul Bayliss (Chair) - Bob Troup. 31st Development and
Regeneration Committee - 4.30pm
Not Pictured, Jim Dodgson - Susan Boon - Jack Wray - Lyn Gadsby - 31st Derby Homes Board - 6pm
Asaf Afzal - Georgina Carr.
February 2008
Win Buchan describe her role and experience on the Local Housing
Boards South LHBS. 5th Performance Management
Committee - 6pm
Win Buchan 7th Local Housing Board North - 6pm
Q: Why did you become a LHB representative? 14th Local Housing Board South
A: I volunteered for the South Board so that I could take an active part - 6pm
in the meetings, report to the Leaseholders’ Committee the decisions
made at the South Board, and raise any issues of particular relevance to March 2008
leaseholders.
27th Development and
Q: Have you seen any changes or improvements in the area you
represent that have been made by the LHB? Regeneration Committee - 4.30 pm
A: I can only speak for the area in which I live where a number of City 27th Derby Homes Board - 6pm
Housing Improvement Plan (CHIPS) bids agreed by the South Board
have improved the environment. April 2008

Q: What are the advantages of being a LHB representative? 3rd Local Housing Board North
A: Being a member of the South Board has given me the opportunity - 6pm
of a much greater understanding of the pressures on Derby Homes and 10th Local Housing Board South
the factors affecting the decisions they make. - 6pm
24th Resources and
Remuneration - 6pm

Derby Homes News : Page 13 : January/February 2008 : www.derbyhomes.org

The DACP held its annual Christmas Party
The DACP held its annual
Christmas Party at the Derby
Engineers Club on Friday 14
December, and over 150 of you
joined us in the celebration!
The DACP Christmas Party is
more than just a celebration, it’s
our chance to say a BIG THANK
YOU to you all for your time
and efforts throughout the year.
Because of this we wanted our
party to be a memorable and
enjoyable night for everyone.
We always welcome feedback,
and in response to the 2006
Party we made some changes.
These included drawing the
raffle differently to save time,
opening the buffet a little earlier
and we spent a little more on
entertainment to ensure the night
went with a real bang!
DACP play their part in the
Neighbourhood Forums
We are pleased to announce a new
agreement between ourselves and
the Neighbourhood Team. On
1 December we started carrying
out the administration for the
new Neighbourhood Forums,
very much like we do now for
our Community Panels and Focus
Groups.
This will be on a temporary
basis, and we have negotiated
a fee for doing this work. This
is a great opportunity for the
DACP to play a practical role in
the Neighbourhood Forums, as
well as attracting new business
opportunities.
The party is FREE for Derby
Homes tenants, and there are
lots of other events organised
throughout the year. If you’d like
to attend next year party, or want
more information about the many
other events taking place contact
the DACP on 201724.
The DACP would like to encourage
all tenants and leaseholders
to go along to their local
Neighbourhood Forum, raise local
issues and their your say on how
their area could be improved.
Andy Mellors, Neighbourhood
Manager attends our Open
Meetings which are held on the
last Monday of each month at
the Resource Centre. If you
would like to attend one of our
Open Meetings, or would like
information about anything else,
give us a call on 01332 201724.
Resource
Centre
celebrates
record
numbers
The DACP is celebrating a
massive increase in numbers
of people visiting the Derby
Tenants Resource Centre.
Visitors to the DTRC have
increased by 93% since a
variety of new services were
introduced. The DTRC boasts
a FREE Internet Café, FREE
refreshments, a FREE phone to
Derby Homes and other council
departments plus lots more.
Barbara Elks, a volunteer who
helps run the Centre, said: “We
used to get around 2,200 visitors
a year, but since April numbers
have been steadily increasing
– at this rate we will reach 5,000
visitors in 2007/2008.”
New services being planned for
in the newly extended centre
include a Community Art Gallery
Facility, for local art enthusiasts
to exhibit their work, a large
leather seating area, and a
bistro style café seating area for
visitors to enjoy a FREE brew!
Why not call in and see us on the
ground floor in St Peters House,
Gower Street in the City Centre;
or call 01332 256213.
 New Councillor Surgery @ the Resource Centre
DACP in A new service is being offered at resolve housing issues.”
the Resource Centre for Derby Carl Willis said:“We have been
residents. Councillor Margaret working closely with Councillor
ACTION! Redfern will be hosting a drop in Redfern to provide a one stop
session for anyone to raise issues shop for people who want to raise
Our monthly newsletter called
DACP in ACTION is being or concerns they may have. their concerns face to face with a
nominated for a Communications Councillor. We are delighted that
Award in the New Year. The Any Derby resident with issues Councillor Redfern has agreed to
magazine has gone from relating to any of the services take part in this exciting project.
strength to strength since it offered by Derby Homes or Derby
was revamped and re-launched City Council can call in to see It is hoped that lots of people will
back in July. The handy A5 Councillor Redfern. take advantage of the drop in
colour magazine features the sessions whilst in town shopping.
latest updates about the DACP Councillor Redfern said: “I think
and tenant involvement, up and it’s important for all Derby’s The new pilot drop in sessions
coming events for tenants and residents to have access to a will be held on:
leaseholders to attend, news Councillor, and what better
and reviews, meetings dates and place than at the Derby Tenants Tuesday 29 January         
times, plus lots more. Resource Centre. If you’re in town 10.30am-12pm
shopping and want to raise an
If you would like to start receiving issue come along and see me.” Tuesday 19 February       
DACP in ACTION call Rich on 10.30am-12pm
01332 256213 or to receive the Councillor Redfern went on to
magazine by email contact: dtrc@ say: “Often people have a variety Tuesday 25 March            
derbyhomes.org of issues, including housing, anti 10.30am-12pm
social behaviour or problems with
refuse or street lighting. Normally No appointment is needed,
I have to wait until after the just call in, you will be made
surgery to find out more details very welcome and we serve
but by holding a surgery at the FREE refreshments. For more
Resource Centre, I can quickly get information call 01332 256213 or
the information, or use the FREE email dtrc@derbyhomes
internet café to log problems or
Homefinder comes to the DACP
Tenants looking for a new home can now access
an up to date Property List at the Resource
Centre. Why not avoid the hustle and bustle of
the Housing Options Centre, and grab a FREE
drink and browse the new property lists at
your leisure? There is also help and advice on
expressing an interest via the web, in the new
Internet Cafe. Give us a call or drop in.
 DACP COMMUNITY NEWS
T H E G AT E W A Y T O Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y
Tenants have their say on the future
of Community Panels!
The last few months have been
busy discussing the future
of Community Panels. With
Neighbourhood Forums now
established in each part of the City,
the role of the Community Panel
has needed to change. The DACP
first came up with the proposal for
Housing Focus Groups (HFGs) back
in August – and since then the idea
has been expanded and consulted
on, which has led to 92% of Panel
members being in favour of these
groups replacing the existing
Panels. These groups will secure
local involvement for tenants and
leaseholders with their landlord.
Nita Murphy Chair of the DACP
said: “Housing Focus Groups will
provide the opportunity for tenants
and leaseholders to influence
and monitor local performance,
and have their say on Derby
Homes’ policies and procedures.
The groups will also fit perfectly
into the structure of how Derby
Homes involves its tenants and
leaseholders in the delivery of the
Housing Service.
Watch this space for more updates
about HFGs, or if you want more
information then contact the DACP
on 01332 201724.
S t P eters H ouse , Gower S treet, D erby D E 1 1 S B T elephone 0 1 3 3 2 2 5 6 2 1 3