Sgwrs Winter 2012 Eng

News and views for residents of

Bro Myrddin Housing Association

sgwrsNEWS,

ADVICE,

PUZZLES,

INFO

Find out how to prepare, page 4

Big run for charityBro Myrddin’s team in the Cantref 5k, page 6

What you said and what we did, page 3

How your feedbackmakes a difference

Winter 2012/13 Issue 42

A WARM welcome

to your Winter 2012-

13 issue of sgwrs.

The festive season is

firmly in sight and

another year will soon

be at an end. Let’s trust 2013 brings

the long awaited recovery!

As usual, we hope you find the

information and advice that we’ve

packed into this issue of Sgwrs really

useful. However, if you have any

specific items you would like to see

covered in the next issue, please

email me at [email protected]

or call direct on 01267 239418.

In this issue, we focus on the

welfare reforms taking place next

year, starting with the under

occupation tax.

We know that many of you may be

worried about these reforms and what

they could mean for you and your

How to get in touch

Sgwrs is published by:

Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd

Designed and produced by:

Andrew Buchanan Communications

www.buchanan-communications.co.uk

Phone: 01267 232714

Text: 07797 801628

Email: [email protected]

Write to: Bro Myrddin

Housing Association,

Cillefwr Industrial Estate,

Johnstown, Carmarthen

SA31 3RB

Emergency numbers

Christmas and New Year office closure

l How to

prepare for

the benefit

changes

l Team

Bro Myrddin

runs 5k for

charity

l New

energy

efficient

homes

4

6

6l Your rent

statement

explained

l Festive

decorations

on a budget

7

8

Sgwrs can be provided in

large print, Braille, audio or

your preferred language on

request. Please call us on

01267 232714.

Cover image: © Og-vision | Dreamstime.com

In thisissue

IT’SALL FOR

YOU!Welcometo your crisp and

even winter Sgwrs!

If you have an emergency in your home when we

are closed, there are two numbers to ring:

n For out-of-hours emergencies (including gas

and oil fired heating system emergencies) call

Carmarthenshire County Council’s 24 hour

emergency Careline 01558 824283.

n For gAs emergencies, call Transco on 0800 111999.

family, so we have put together some

valuable information to help you

prepare for the changes.

If you would like to know more

about the changes, please contact

Bro Myrddin on 01267 232714 or

Community Housing Cymru on 0300

3031073. If you have access to the

internet, there are lots more details at

www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk

From all of us at Bro Myrddin, we

wish you a merry Christmas and a

happy, peaceful new year.

Aled ReesEditor

PS Don’t forget to like us!

Facebook:

Bro-Myrddin-Housing-Association

Got amaintenance

problem? Call

us FREE on

0800 316

9602

The office will be closed from 4:00pm on Friday, 21 December and will re-

open at 8:45am on Wednesday, 2 January 2013.

If you would like to receive Sgwrs by email, please call 01267 232714 or

email [email protected] You can also download Sgwrs at

www.bromyrddin.co.uk

2 Sgwrs Winter 2012/13

Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd is a charitable association registered under the

Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965 (23055R) and with Housing for Wales (L069).

Competitions: Prize draws and competitions are only open to Bro Myrddin residents.

Board members and staff may not enter competitions, unless otherwise stated.

Accuracy: We try to make sure that information in Sgwrs is correct, but readers should

seek independent advice before relying on any content. We cannot accept

responsibility for errors in articles. We reserve the right to edit material sent in. Sgwrs

may not be reproduced without prior permission.

Our Estate

Walkabouts schedule is

on our website, in

Sgwrs and sent out to

you in advance of our

visit. We now give out

meter keys in the form of

fridge magnets with our

contact details on them.

There are

now only two

options. One takes

you to our heating

and plumbing

contractor, the

other straight to a

staff member.

We have signed

up to ‘My Home’

contents insurance

which allows residents

to get affordable

insurance through the

National Housing

Federation.

These are now

included in Sgwrs.

RESIDENT FEEDBACK

Sgwrs Winter 2012/13 3

We’ve done just

These are some of the changeswe’ve made to our services asa direct result of what you’veasked us to do:

We now have

a rolling

programme of

estate visits.

I would like to see

staff visiting my area

regularly.

It would be useful

to know the estate visit

programme in

advance.I’m always losing

my meter key. It would be

good if we could stick it

to the fridge.

Can you tell us about

residents’ and community

group meetings for the

year?

We could

do with some

advice on home

insurance.

We are now

members of

‘Homeswapper’

(www.homeswapper.

co.uk), the largest

service for tenants

wanting to swap homes.

Files to browse are

available in reception.

It would

be good if you

could help with

moving home in

Carmarthen and

to other

areas.

You have so many

options on your phone

system that it takes ages

to get to speak to

someone.

A very happy 97th birthday to Mrs

Margaret Jones.

Mrs Jones has been with us for some 25 years and isour oldest resident. She told Sgwrs editor Aled Rees thatBro Myrddin had been wonderful to her over the years. “Iam very happy with my home and the service from boththe association and the contractors,” she said.If you, or a Bro Myrddin resident you know, is

celebrating a big birthday or anniversary, please let Aledknow so that we can include it in the newsletter.

Bank Holidays

1 January (New Year)

29 March (Good Friday)

1 April (Easter Monday)

6 May (May Day)

27 May

26 August

25 December (Christmas)

26 December

(Boxing Day)

staff Training

19 March

25 June

24 September

13 December

Over the past couple ofmonths the housing teamhave been trialling a newmethod of working toensure you get the bestpossible service, as well aseffective answers to yourquestions and queries.As a result there are

some new responsibilities:

Rent and rent arrearsAll rent arrears cases arenow managed by HousingOfficer Samantha Jonesand Income ManagementOfficer Eirlys Smith.

Anti-social behaviourAll anti-social behaviourcases are now managedby Housing Officer DylanGoddard, supported byHousing Officer JonathanStevenson.

For more information,please contact Head ofHousing, MarkRichards,on 01267232714.

Housingchanges

Datesof officeclosure in2013

Ways to pay your rent:l at our officel using Allpayl by phonel online

BENEFIT CHANGES

Will you beready for thehousing benefit

The UK Government is reducing the amount of housingbenefit some people can claim. We know that many ofyou will be worried about what this could mean for youand your family, so this information is to help you find out

what’s happening and what you can do to prepare.


The UK Government is reducing theamount of housing benefit somepeople can claim.If you claim housing benefit to help

pay your rent you may be affected bychanges. This means you may soonreceive less housing benefit than youcurrently get.

Under occupancy charges

If you live in a council or housingassociation home and have one ormore ‘spare bedrooms,’ you may beaffected by these changes.

What?It’s called ‘under occupancy’ charge orbedroom tax and is a brand new charge.

When?This will affect tenants from April 2013.

Who? This could affect you:• if you are 16 to 61 years old• even if you only get a small amountof housing benefit – for example, ifyou are working

• even if you are sick or disabled.

Under the new rules, if you have morebedrooms than the UK Governmentsays you need, you will lose part ofyour housing benefit. The new rulesmean you will be allocated onebedroom for:• each adult couple• any other person aged 16 or over• two children of the same sex underthe age of 16

• two children under the age of 10regardless of their sex

• any other child• a carer (who does not normally livewith you) if you or your partner needovernight care.

It does not matter how the ‘spare’bedroom is used, the new rules willapply even if:

BENEFIT CHANGES


• you and your partner need to sleepapart because of a medical condition

• the main residence of your children isanother address, but you have aspare room for when they stay withyou.

How much? If you have one ‘spare’ bedroom yourhousing benefit will be cut by 14 percent of your full weekly rent. If you havetwo or more spare bedrooms, you willlose 25 per cent.If your benefit is cut you will have to

pay your landlord the differencebetween your housing benefit and yourrent. You can pay your landlord in a

number of ways, including in housingoffices, over the phone and online. Tofind out more about how to make apayment, contact your landlord.

What should I do? If you are worried about not being ableto afford to pay your rent from April2013 you should ask for advice now. Ifyou don’t pay your rent you could loseyour home, so talk to your landlordabout different ways to pay.You can also:• Talk to your landlord abouttransferring to a smaller home

• Consider taking in a lodger• Get advice on budgeting and savingmoney on household bills

• Contact your council to ask aboutextra financial help. Councils have alimited amount of money available tomake discretionary paymentstowards housing costs. Your councilmay prioritise your claim if you have a

disability and your house has beenadapted

• Get in touch with your local citizensadvice bureau (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) or other local adviceagencies

• Make sure you are claiming all thebenefits you can – for example,money to help with the costs of adisability

• Try to find some paid work toincrease your income

Do you have adisability and needovernight care?If you are of working age, have adisability and need a ‘spare’ bedroomso that a carer can stay overnight, youshould contact your local council nowso that staff can help you keep more ofyour housing benefit.If you have any questions about the

information in this leaflet you can talk toyour:• landlord• local council• citizens advice bureau• local advice agency.

You can also find out more about helpavailable and what other tenants havedone at www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk You won’t be affected if:• you live in a one bedroom flat orbedsit, or if

• you or your partner are old enoughto receive pension credits. In April2013 the pension credit age will bearound 61 years and 6 months.

shauni and Lewis live in a three-bedroom house with their four year

old daughter Erin and eight month old son Dion.

They currently receive housing benefit. Under the new rules they will have

one spare bedroom as Erin and Dion will be expected to share a bedroom

until Erin reaches the age of ten.

Next April their housing benefit will be reduced by 14 per cent of their

rent. This means they will have to find this extra money each week to pay

their rent.

Shauni and Lewis are making plans to prepare for the changes. As well as

looking for work, the family have cleared their debts and are planning how

they will budget to cover the weekly payments.

The Carmarthenfoodbank, based atTowy Church, uses avoucher scheme to provide foodfor people in crisis.If a voucher holder assesses that

an individual (or family) seeking helpis in need of food, they give out avoucher, which can be redeemed atthe foodbank for a box containingthree days’ supply of nutritionallybalanced, non-perishable food.Menu planners are included in eachbox to help recipients preparehealthy meals.The food is donated by super-

markets, shoppers and members ofthe community and the service isrun by a team of trained volunteers. The foodbank is open on

Mondays and Tuesdays from 11amto 2pm and offers a place to sit andhave a drink and a chat. To find outmore, call the foodbank on 01267232101.If you feel it is a service you might

like to use, please contact AledRees on 01267 232714 or [email protected] can email the foodbank at

[email protected]

Here is an example of how the underoccupancy charge works in practice:

Where to findadvice on copingwith debtproblems:

National debt line:

0808 808 4000 or

www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Consumer Credit Counselling

services (CCCs):

0800 138 1111

www.cccs.co.uk

Credit Unions:

To find the nearest, call 0161

832 3694 or visit

www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk

Citizens Advice:

To find your nearest bureau visit

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

£


RARING TO GO: Aled, Amy (far left)and Rosie get set for the Tai Cantref5k run. Bro Myrddin raised £334 forthe Breast Cancer Unit at PrincePhilip Hospital, Llanelli.

Bro Myrddintakes on theCantref

Colleagues, family and friends beganto sponsor the runners as soon as thenews spread so there was no backingout!Aled, Amy and Rosie began training

by going for runs after work twice a

week. For people unused to runningthis proved quite a challenge and manya morning at the office was filled withgroans of pain and walking like ducks. Nonetheless, with a week to go and

five weeks’ training under their beltsthey were feeling confident, fitter andkeen to get the run completed. On 14thSeptember, accompanied bysupportive colleagues, the threemusketeers made their way toNewcastle Emlyn for the big race. Tai Cantref were very welcoming and

provided hot food for the supporters,children’s entertainment and a medalwith goody bags for all the runners.The race was not looking promising

when the group warm up appeared tobe a struggle for the Bro Myrddin team. Despite this shaky start Aled, Amy

and Rosie all managed to complete therace in around 35 minutes sporting redfaces, big smiles and an air of relief. A total of £334 was raised for the

Breast Cancer Care Unit at PrincePhilip Hospital, Llanelli, by Bro Myrddinstaff and friends of the participants. To say that the race was a struggle

would be an understatement, but staffat Bro Myrddin are keen to enter therace again next year, raise even moremoney and complete the course in aquicker time. Watch this space...

RUNNING FOR CHARITY

Bro Myrddin has

taken on three

brand new, energy

saving homes in

Cwmgwili.

The family homes have been built

and finished to a very high standard

by AP Sauro Construction. With

photovoltaic panels installed on the

roof, smart energy meters and high

levels of thermal insulation, they are

highly energy efficient and

affordable to run.

Solar photovoltaic is now, after

hydro and wind power, the third

most important renewable energy

source in terms of globally installed

capacity.

NEW

FUEL

SAVING

HOMES

By Rosie Green

In August, three Bro Myrddin staffmembers committed themselves totake part in the Tai Cantref 5kmcharity run.

Renewable energy is key feature

days out


‘A first class day out...’

‘The demoswere very goodespecially thecooking one...’‘Good day out

with the kids...’

‘Very rewarding and

a good day out...’

‘Great day out meeting Bro Myrddin

staff and stall holders.

Great shows for the children.

Brilliant day out...’

The code which identifies your property

Your unique account number

The Bro MyrddinResidents Fun Day,26 July 2012.

WINTER8 DecemberCrafts from Carmarthenshire

Guildhall Square, Carmarthen.

www.craftsfromcarmarthenshire.

org.uk 01267 222326

8 & 9 DecemberChristmas Craft Fair

National Botanic Garden of

Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.

www.gardenofwales.org.uk

01558 667149

15 & 16 DecemberChristmas Food Fair

West Wales producers sell their

wares. National Botanic Garden

of Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.


01558 667149

22 Decembersanta’s grotto

St Catherine's Walk, Carmarthen

01267 243040

12 & 13 JanuaryAntiques Fair




01558 667149

19 & 20 JanuaryWoodcraft Weekend




01558 667149

9 & 12-16 FebruaryHeart Cart to Celebrate st

Dwynwen’s Day

National Wool Museum, Dre-

Fach Felindre, Newcastle Emlyn,

Llandysul SA44 5UP. Families/

free. www.museumwales.ac.uk

029 2057 3070

16 FebruaryMake and Mend:

Cards and Envelopes

National Wool Museum, Dre-

Fach Felindre, Newcastle Emlyn,

Llandysul SA44 5UP. Adults/£5/

booking essential.

www.museumwales.ac.uk

029 2057 3070

WHAT YOU SAIDABOUTTHE FUNDAY

YOUR RENT STATEMENT

Rent statements

Statement details arecorrect at this date

Please let us know ifyour name and/oraddress need updating

Your Housing Officer’s name

The Technical/MaintenanceOfficer for your area

This column shows arunning total of allcharges and paymentsmade to your account

Where anyadjustments to youraccount are made

Method of payment, eg Allpay

The amountyou paid

The amountof rent due

The date paymentsor charges were

made. Not exactlythe same as the

date on yourreceipt as

payments take awhile to reach us

Rent plusservicecharge

The amount ofservice charge(for cleaning,grass cutting, etc)

The amount ofrent charged

several. Make holes and hang them up with string or ribbon.2. Brighten up

Fill large tubular vases with red cranberries to add a beautiful splash ofChristmas red to any room. Or take clear glass wine bottles or otherhousehold bottles and fill them with cranberries. You can even go astep further and add flowers, twigs or greenery with water. 3. Nature in its element

Natural elements, like evergreen and fir branches, pineconesand holly, can make a festive display for a table ormantelpiece.

4. Make your own Christmas wreath

Go outside and cut almost any type of greenerythat you see, bend it into a circle and tie itwith anything you have, whether it’sfishing string, ribbon or string. Hang itwith a few ribbons or ornaments.You can also use these as a tabledisplay with a candle in themiddle.

CHRISTMAS CORNER

1. show your cards

Recycle last year's cards by attachingthe fronts to cardboard using SprayMount, double sided tape or rubbercement. Trim the cardboard to fit just asingle card, or cover a large piece with

Decorations on a


Turkey pot pie

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 100g/3½oz smoked

bacon lardons

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 garlic clove,

crushed

• 2 carrots,

chopped

• 200g/7oz

roast turkey,

shredded

• 100g/3½oz

cooked prawns,

peeled

• 1 red chili,

chopped

• 1 tbsp tomato purée

• 200ml/7fl oz red wine

• 100ml/3½oz chicken stock

• 1 free range egg, beaten for egg wash

• 250g/10oz short crust pastry

Method

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a

medium heat. Fry the bacon lardons

until crisp. Remove the lardons using a

slotted spoon and set aside.

2. In same pan, fry the onions and

garlic for 5-6 minutes, or until golden-

brown and softened.

3. Add the remaining ingredients,

except the egg and pastry. Bring the

mixture to the boil and simmer for 25

minutes. Set aside to cool.

4. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas

5.

5. Divide the mixture between four

individual pie dishes. Cut the pastry into

four pieces, each big enough to cover

the pie dish. Brush the edge of each

dish with egg wash and cover with the

pastry. Trim any excess pastry and

brush the lid with the remaining egg

wash.

6. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the lid

is crisp and golden-brown.

Try this delicious recipe for leftover roast turkey. Serves 4.

Less than 30 mins preparation 30 mins to 1 hour cooking time

After 12 years with Bro Myrddin,

Christine Thornton of the

Maintenance Department has

decided to take early retirement to

spend more time with her family and

grandchildren.

Christine has been a valuable

member of the team and has

provided a first class service from

the very start. She will be missed by

members of staff, contractors and

residents alike.

We all wish Christine the very best

for the future and a wonderful

retirement.

Christine calls it a day

Sgwrs Winter 2012 Eng

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