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A positive future for council homes in Sheffield (17/5/2012)
Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Homes today announced a positive future for the city’s 42,000 council homes.
The Management Agreement between Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Homes, the Council’s Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) expires on 30 March 2014.
Tenants recently voted in favour of returning the management of their homes back to Sheffield City Council. On 21 March the Council’s Cabinet approved this decision.
A Future of Council Housing project board will oversee the process of integrating Sheffield Homes into the Council. Plans are now starting to design a first class service for the future, building on what has been achieved over the past decade. Tenants, as well as Council and Sheffield Homes employees will be at the heart of deciding this vision for the future.
The Council today published the options for timescales of integration with Sheffield Homes, with a preferred option, at this stage of April 2013. A final decision on timescales will be made at the first full project board meeting on 14 June.
Tenants are being asked to get involved with designing the new housing service. There is more information at www.sheffield.gov.uk/planningthefuture.
Tenant who stole from pensioner is evicted from his home (8/5/2012)
A 38 year old COUNCIL tenant who stole money from a pensioner has been evicted following a police raid on his home which uncovered a quantity of cannabis bushes, along with equipment to produce the plants.
In June 2010, Matthew Booth of 167 Deer Park Road, Stannington, helped to distract the 91 year old resident at his own front door whilst his partner, Cheryl Kempton, tricked her way into his property and stole the money.
In March 2011, Miss Kempton tricked another local resident, aged 87, into withdrawing their savings from the bank. Miss Kempton was sentenced to a total of 35 months imprisonment.
In September 2011, the police found a quantity of cannabis bushes in Mr Booth's home, along with equipment to produce the plants. He was convicted of producing cannabis at the property on 4th January 2012.
The Council and Sheffield Homes issued possession proceedings. At a trial on 16 March 2012 the court made an outright possession order. The court also ordered that Mr Booth was to pay the Council's costs of £6580.54.
Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration said, “We will simply not tolerate this completely unacceptable behaviour from any of our tenants. Not only was the tenant using his home to produce an illegal drug but he also stole from vulnerable local residents which is a particularly cruel and mean offence. There is absolutely no other alternative for this tenant but eviction from his home.”
Mr Booth was evicted from the property on 4th May 2012.
Outdoor gym gets tenants in a spin (2/5/2012)
Residents of a Sheffield Homes sheltered scheme will be glad when the sun finally puts his hat on so they can start making good use of their outdoor gym!
St George’s at Netherthorpe was the lucky sheltered scheme to be selected to pilot the new gym equipment. Presentations were made to nine Sheffield Homes’ schemes and after great deliberation it was decided that the health conscious tenants of St Georges would be most suited to put the outdoor equipment through its paces.
The residents were taken to an outdoor gym area at Endcliffe Park to get a feel for the types of equipment they could have and which they felt would be best suited to their needs. They finally decided on a recumbent bike, a hand bike and 2 waist whittlers!
The funding was secured by Sheffield Homes Maintenance and Partnership Team and the equipment was supplied by Park Leisure and fitted by the Council’s Parks Officer Stuart Walton.
St George’s resident Vic Gibson aged 84 said, “We’ve all been looking forward to getting the gym equipment fitted in our garden, and we held an open day on 23 April as it was St George’s Day, so that other sheltered scheme tenants could come along and have a try out on the equipment and enjoy a buffet lunch!”
Resident Albert Hearnshaw aged 80 said, “I’m really looking forward to having a go on the bikes, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to pedal but I’ll give it a go. It’s a shame about the weather though; we’ll have to find a way of fitting umbrellas to the equipment!”
Sheltered Housing Manager Rhian Owen said, “We tend to find that older people are very unlikely to use the more conventional type of gym, but are much more likely to exercise outdoors. As well as the physical and mental benefits this gym will offer, we hope it will encourage the tenants to have fun and socialise together as the gym has been designed especially for the young at heart.”
If the gym equipment proves successful then Sheffield Homes will look into more funding for equipment for its remaining 8 schemes.
Council tenant loses home after ignoring final warning from Court (25/4/2012)
A 35-year-old Sheffield Homes tenant has agreed to leave her property by 18 June 2012 or face being evicted following numerous breaches of her tenancy conditions.
Sarah Newey of Grimsell Close, Foxhill, had appeared in court in September 2010 having breached an injunction that was granted against her in May 2010 after she played excessively loud amplified music and made serious threats to her neighbour. Having admitted to all 12 pleaded breaches of the injunction Ms Newey received a 28 day suspended prison sentence. The injunction was also extended to expire in September 2011.
As a result of persistent and ongoing anti-social behaviour, Sheffield City Council was instructed to make an application to court for possession by Sheffield Homes.
On Thursday 3 February 2011 at Sheffield County Court Ms Newey made 14 admissions as to her conduct and a Suspended Possession Order was granted.
His Honour Judge Bullimore, who heard the case at the time, told Ms Newey, “You have run out of options now. If this matter returns to court you are likely to lose your home.”
Following frequent breaches of the Suspended Possession Order, the Council and Sheffield Homes returned to Court to enforce the Order. The incidents included noise nuisance consisting of loud music, noisy parties and shouting from visitors leaving the property disturbing neighbours.
At an initial hearing on 23 December 2011, Ms Newey denied the incidents. The Court set a trial date of 20 April 2012, at which it would be decided whether or not Ms Newey should be evicted.
During this time Ms Newey again made further breaches of her tenancy agreement which included playing loud music excessively on two occasions which led to a neighbour having to sleep elsewhere on each night. On another occasion Ms Newey shouted foul and abusive language from her window.
At the Court hearing on Friday 20th April 2012, Ms Newey agreed to leave her property by 18 June 2012.
She also agreed in principle to be responsible for the Council's legal costs of £3495.50.
Sheffield Homes Assistant Director of Customer Services, Dean Butterworth said, “Ms Newey was given plenty of opportunities to see the error of her ways and to abide by the rules of her tenancy agreement. We take any breach of our tenancy conditions seriously and will not tolerate any kind of anti social behaviour taking place in our properties. As Ms Newey chose to ignore the warnings given she now pays the ultimate price by losing her home.”
If Ms Newey continues to cause a nuisance to neighbours then the Council can apply to the court to bring forward the date for the eviction.
If Ms Newey fails to leave then she will be evicted by bailiffs.
Tenant escapes eviction but receives prison sentence (11/4/2012)
A 53 year old COUNCIL tenant and his partner narrowly escaped eviction following the discovery of 29 cannabis plants being grown in a sophisticated hydroponics set up at their home at 31 Trenton Rise, Woodhouse in May 2011. The Police estimated the value of the plants at approximately £11,600.
James Nuttall and his partner, 50 year old Jacqueline Clarke, were convicted of the offence of the production of cannabis on 25 Oct 2011 in Sheffield Crown Court and were sentenced on 2 Dec 2011. Mr Nuttall was sentenced to 2 yrs imprisonment and Ms Clarke was given a suspended sentence of 12 months and a community penalty order.
On receiving details of the convictions, Sheffield Homes and the Council served a Notice Seeking Possession and the case was heard in Sheffield County Court this week.
Deputy District Judge Thompson made a possession order but suspended it until 10 October 2014 on the basis that there would be no more illegal drug activity at the property.
Sheffield Homes Assistant Director of Customer Services, Dean Butterworth said, “It is completely unacceptable for any tenant to behave this way in a council property. Eviction is a last resort but one we are quite prepared to take if it means we improve the quality of other people’s lives. These tenants know that if they breach their tenancy conditions again, they will most certainly lose their home.”
Mr Nuttall is still serving his prison sentence and is due to be released in July 2012.
Nuisance neighbour faces eviction from home (5/4/2012)
A COUNCIL tenant who caused a noise nuisance and threatened her neighbours faces eviction from her home.
Numerous complaints were made against Demi Paynter, of 157 Deer Park View, Stannington, including:
Threatening neighbours when they asked her to turn music down
Cannabis smells emanating from her flat, following which police found equipment used to cultivate cannabis along with stalks from cropped cannabis plants
Loud music and dog barking in the flat
Visitors to her property climbing on the canopy above the communal foyer to gain entry and exit from Ms Paynter's flat
Ms Paynter, aged 18, was granted a temporary tenancy of the 1 bedroom flat in June 2011 on the basis that she was homeless.
She was warned about her behaviour but continued anyway, so was served with a Notice to Quit in October 2011, which brought her tenancy to an end on November 14th 2011.
On 2 April 2012 at Sheffield County Court, Judge Robinson ordered Ms Paynter to pay the Council’s costs of £655. The bailiffs will now set a date to evict Ms Paynter.
“We will not tolerate behaviour from tenants that makes the lives of those living around them a misery,” said Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.
“Ms Paynter ignored warnings to stop her behaviour and paid a high price, losing the home she had only lived in for a few months. We will continue to take action against people who behave in this way, using all the powers available at our disposal.”
Council tenant narrowly escapes eviction following partner's jail term (21/3/2012)
A 41 year old COUNCIL tenant was told she was ‘on very thin ice indeed’ when it came to nearly losing her home following a police raid at her property in November 2010, which saw her partner being convicted in August 2011 and given a custodial sentence of 42 months for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, supplying a controlled drug and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Joanne Edwards of 31 Oxford Street, Upperthorpe, came before District Judge Kirkham in March 2012 following a claim by Sheffield Homes and the Council for possession of her home as Ms Edwards is responsible under the terms of her tenancy and under legislation for those who live in the property with her.
Ms Edwards accepted that her partner had been convicted of the offences stated but denied that she knew he was involved with illegal drugs.
District Judge Kirkham made a possession order, but suspended it for 3 years. Ms Edwards has to comply with all her conditions of tenancy including responsibility for those living at her address as well as any anti social behaviour or criminal activity committed by them at or near her home.
Sheffield Homes Assistant Director of Customer Services, Dean Butterworth said, “We take any breach of our tenancy conditions seriously and will not tolerate any kind of criminal activity taking place in our properties. The tenant is responsible under the terms of their tenancy for any other person or persons living at that property and we will not hesitate to take action, which could ultimately lead to an eviction, if there is any further breach of Ms Edward’s tenancy agreement over the next 3 years by herself or others living at the address”.
Ms Edwards was also ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £4215 within 14 days.
Tenant evicted after growing cannabis at home (14/3/2012)
A council tenant who was caught growing cannabis at her home was evicted last week.
Police raided Michelle O'Brien’s home at 15 Standish Road, Shirecliffe, in February 2011 and found 10 cannabis plants and equipment to produce the drug.
They also found evidence to suggest drug dealing, including a set of electronic scales, small plastic bags and an envelope with prices written on it.
Miss O’Brien, aged 33, was convicted of producing cannabis at the property and sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 25th November 2011 to 20 weeks imprisonment.
There were also allegations that Miss O'Brien and her family caused noise nuisance by playing loud music, shouting, swearing and allowing a dog to bark in the property.
Sheffield Council requested an eviction warrant from the court and the tenant was evicted last Friday, 9th March.
“We will not tolerate illegal activity in any of our properties,” said Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.
“We don’t take evicting people lightly but where there is clear evidence that someone has breached their tenancy conditions, we will act swiftly and decisively.”
Pupils' tree-mendous effort at planting event (7/3/2012)
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Green-fingered primary school pupils dug deep to help plant five new trees at High Green.
Around 20 youngsters from High Green Primary School helped community forester Angus Hunter plant the London Plane trees on land off Angram Road.
Sheffield Homes and Sheffield City Council decided to plant the new trees in the area after locals had tried to save nearby trees that had been vandalised.
“Projects like this are great because they get youngsters thinking about their local environment and estate,” said Claire Lane, North Area Manager for Sheffield Homes.
“By getting them involved we are hopefully prompting future generations to think about green issues and how important they will be in years to come.”
History brought to life for young and old at sharing our lives celebration (1/3/2012)
Sheffield Homes residents bridged the generation gap with local school children this week at a Sharing Our Lives Celebration.
The event celebrated the Sharing Our Lives project which ran in the autumn of 2011. The intergenerational project was funded by Sheffield Homes and facilitated by Art in the Park and brought together residents from Sheffield Homes sheltered housing accommodation and youngsters from local primary schools.
The sheltered residents reminisced about their childhood, school and family life, their first job, memories of the war, toys they got for Christmas and the games they used to play.
During the project, professional writers led creative writing activities with the older people, increasing their confidence in writing. In later sessions the older contributors shared their stories with the school children and the pupils were able to question them. The children found the personal histories fascinating, for some of them it was the first time they had spoken to someone of this age about life in the past. It was a chance for history to be brought to life for them and for the older people to see that children are genuinely interested in what they have to say about their past.
The project was a real bridge between the young and the old and a great chance for them to socialise together. The residents genuinely learnt from the children and really enjoyed hearing their chatter and laughter.
A resident said, “I felt apprehensive at the outset (about the seniors getting on with the younger people), but it’s turned out to be exactly the opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s been very therapeutic”.
Residents also found that talking to each other triggered memories of their own. “It was a challenge, and quite emotional talking about our memories, but it was good”, said one resident. “I personally have learnt more about the tenants who have attended the sessions than I have in all the years I have known them”, said a Park View warden.
The project ran across 4 sheltered housing schemes, Park View Lodge, Elm Tree House, Kinsey Road and Painted Fabrics. In total 46 children were involved and 37 adults.
Lasting links were made between the schools and the schemes. Rhian Owen, Sheltered Manager at Sheffield Homes said, “This has been a fantastic project to be involved with. I feel our sheltered residents have really benefitted from this inter-generational work. The links made with the primary schools will benefit both them and our sheltered schemes. We have made some wonderful friendships and long may they continue into the future."
All the older people and primary schools involved in the project were invited to the celebration to reconnect with each other and hear readings from writers and participants and to receive a small publication containing a selection of the work created.
