It is only around 100 days to go before digital TV switchover starts in north Wales:
· The Llanddona transmitter group with its 22 relays, serving c.95,000 homes in North west Wales switches in two stages on 21 October and 18 November 2009
· The Moel Y Parc transmitter group with its 20 relays, serving c.179,000 homes in north east Wales switches in two stages on 28 October and 25 November 2009
· The Long Mountain transmitter group with its 14 relays, serving c.24,000 homes in parts of east and central Wales switches in two stages on 4 November and 3 December 2009
Our latest research indicates good levels of awareness about the forthcoming change to terrestrial TV services and that the majority of viewers are well prepared:
· Nine out of ten households in the North Wales area (90%) have already connected their main set to digital TV.
· Seven out of ten people in the North Wales area (71%) know precisely what to do for switchover against 70% in the nations/regions yet to switch.
All households will shortly be sent a 20-page guide to switchover, which explains their options for going digital, what happens during switchover and the need to retune. On-screen captions on analogue channels will resume shortly telling viewers to get ready. These will be backed up by TV, press and radio advertising, reminding viewers of the date and their options for going digital.
The Switchover Help Scheme (helpscheme.co.uk) has sent out information packs to all eligible older and disabled people in the last few months. People must respond to the Help Scheme to get help - if they do not reply, they will be contacted twice more before switchover. The Help Scheme will be reaching out to the wider community to encourage people to tell older and disabled relatives, friends and neighbours about the help they can receive to convert one TV set to digital.
Our lead charity covering the Llanddona transmitter group area is Care and Repair Gwynedd, which is co-ordinating charity and volunteer organisation activity, including joint training with the Help Scheme. Age Concern North East Wales is the lead charity for the Moel Y Parc transmitter group area and PAVO (Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations) is the lead charity for the Long Mountain transmitter group area. Charities will be encouraged to carry out presentations, events and one-to-ones, continuing until a month after switchover. A small grants programme is made available to assist with this.
Emyr Byron Hughes
National Manager Wales, Digital UK
c/a: S4C l Parc Ty Glas l Llanisien/Llanishen l
Caerdydd/Cardiff l CF14 5DU
e: wales@digitaluk.co.uk
g/w: www.digitaluk.co.uk
Monday, August 03, 2009
TENANTS VOTE YES TO TRANSFER TO TAI CALON
At 5pm on 23rd July, an announcement was made at Blaenau Gwent’s civic offices in Ebbw Vale on whether tenants have voted to transfer the housing stock to Tai Calon or remain with the council.
The majority of tenants voted to transfer to Tai Calon Community Homes, a new community housing mutual set up to inherit the council housing in Blaenau Gwent. The result of the ballot is as follows:
Turnout: 55%
Yes: 73%
No: 27%
The majority of tenants voted to transfer to Tai Calon Community Homes, a new community housing mutual set up to inherit the council housing in Blaenau Gwent. The result of the ballot is as follows:
Turnout: 55%
Yes: 73%
No: 27%
New housing powers sought to protect social housing and rights of tenants
The Welsh Assembly Government today (Tuesday) announced that it was going to seek new, more wide ranging powers to modernise social housing.
Ensuring better quality and more affordable housing remains a top priority for the Welsh Assembly Government and we have undertaken a thorough review of policies over the past two years. This fresh thinking is set out in the draft National Housing Strategy, Supporting People Strategy and Homelessness plans as well as our work with partners to implement the Essex Review. All of these will be complete and published in the autumn.
These strategies address the challenges facing housing through the current economic climate, including the tightening public purse, but also challenges such as climate change which we will face over the long term.
We are now seeking powers so that the Welsh Assembly Government has the legislative and regulatory tools to deliver our vision, and to respond innovatively to future policy challenges.
The new housing Legislative Competence Order will incorporate the aims of the Affordable Housing LCO to preserve social housing stock, which is being withdrawn from Parliament.
It will seek to modernise the system, meet tenants aspirations for home equity ownership and reform the Right to Buy scheme.
Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies said:
“There have been some considerable developments in housing since 2007, not least the economic downturn which has impacted on the availability of homes and mortgages.
“Work is already underway to seek additional powers so that we’re able to deliver our wider housing ambitions and it makes sense to incorporate our commitments within the previous LCO into one wide-ranging LCO.
“Since 2007 we have done some considerable work in the area of affordable housing.
“We must look at how we can preserve and protect social housing for tenants now and in the future for the people of Wales.
“We now need powers to deliver social housing that takes on board the Essex Report and our strategies which cover national housing, homelessness and supported housing.”
The Assembly Government needs to address the considerable developments in housing to address the impact of the recession as well as the longer term problems of access to affordable housing and climate change.
The previous LCO looked only at the disposal of land by social landlords but this new LCO will look at much more: supported housing, the recommendations of the Essex Review and powers over tenancy law.
Housing remains a top priority for the Assembly Government and Ministers and officials look forward to working with the Secretary of State for Wales, who has said he will work with the Assembly Government to deliver this.
Ensuring better quality and more affordable housing remains a top priority for the Welsh Assembly Government and we have undertaken a thorough review of policies over the past two years. This fresh thinking is set out in the draft National Housing Strategy, Supporting People Strategy and Homelessness plans as well as our work with partners to implement the Essex Review. All of these will be complete and published in the autumn.
These strategies address the challenges facing housing through the current economic climate, including the tightening public purse, but also challenges such as climate change which we will face over the long term.
We are now seeking powers so that the Welsh Assembly Government has the legislative and regulatory tools to deliver our vision, and to respond innovatively to future policy challenges.
The new housing Legislative Competence Order will incorporate the aims of the Affordable Housing LCO to preserve social housing stock, which is being withdrawn from Parliament.
It will seek to modernise the system, meet tenants aspirations for home equity ownership and reform the Right to Buy scheme.
Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies said:
“There have been some considerable developments in housing since 2007, not least the economic downturn which has impacted on the availability of homes and mortgages.
“Work is already underway to seek additional powers so that we’re able to deliver our wider housing ambitions and it makes sense to incorporate our commitments within the previous LCO into one wide-ranging LCO.
“Since 2007 we have done some considerable work in the area of affordable housing.
“We must look at how we can preserve and protect social housing for tenants now and in the future for the people of Wales.
“We now need powers to deliver social housing that takes on board the Essex Report and our strategies which cover national housing, homelessness and supported housing.”
The Assembly Government needs to address the considerable developments in housing to address the impact of the recession as well as the longer term problems of access to affordable housing and climate change.
The previous LCO looked only at the disposal of land by social landlords but this new LCO will look at much more: supported housing, the recommendations of the Essex Review and powers over tenancy law.
Housing remains a top priority for the Assembly Government and Ministers and officials look forward to working with the Secretary of State for Wales, who has said he will work with the Assembly Government to deliver this.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Supporting Communities/ Transforming Lives
Welsh Tenants Federation Conference and AGM 2009
2nd July, The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil.
Attention all Members - Its that time of year again!!
Come and join us for our AGM this year, where you can find out what we have been up to over the last year and our plans for the future. Have you say and vote on any resolutions put forward by you the members and vote for new management committee members (where applicable).
During the conference part of the day, there will be interesting speakers and enjoyable workshops where you can learn new things and gain new skills.
One of our exciting workshops will show you how to use social media sites - by the end of the session you will have a facebook page and new friends!
NB/ Only 'Full' Members are eligible to vote at the AGM
2nd July, The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil.
Attention all Members - Its that time of year again!!
Come and join us for our AGM this year, where you can find out what we have been up to over the last year and our plans for the future. Have you say and vote on any resolutions put forward by you the members and vote for new management committee members (where applicable).
During the conference part of the day, there will be interesting speakers and enjoyable workshops where you can learn new things and gain new skills.
One of our exciting workshops will show you how to use social media sites - by the end of the session you will have a facebook page and new friends!
NB/ Only 'Full' Members are eligible to vote at the AGM
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Implementing Essex: Have your say in delivering change.
Implementing Essex: Have your say in delivering change.
Since publishing the Essex Report last year the Welsh Assembly Government, Community Housing Cymru, the Welsh Local Government Association and social housing sector in Wales have been finding ways to ease the delivery of affordable housing in Wales. We are holding two seminar events to give stakeholders a chance to hear about and influence work in progress.
Six Workshops held at the seminars will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give us their views and help us shape what will happen in the future.
The dates and venues are –
North Wales 27th April - Venue Cymru, Llandudno
South Wales 29th April - Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Workshops held in both the morning and afternoon will cover:-
· A new Social Housing Grant system
· A new Regulatory Framework for Welsh RSLs
Workshops held either in the morning or afternoon will cover:-
· A new Intermediate Rent product
· Making best use of public sector land
· The Local Authority strategic housing role
· A potential Welsh Housing Bond
Delegate costs are £50 per head (to cover costs only) and includes lunch.
For booking information please contact Community Housing Cymru on 02920 557400
http://www.chcymru.org.uk/essex-review/index.html
Since publishing the Essex Report last year the Welsh Assembly Government, Community Housing Cymru, the Welsh Local Government Association and social housing sector in Wales have been finding ways to ease the delivery of affordable housing in Wales. We are holding two seminar events to give stakeholders a chance to hear about and influence work in progress.
Six Workshops held at the seminars will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to give us their views and help us shape what will happen in the future.
The dates and venues are –
North Wales 27th April - Venue Cymru, Llandudno
South Wales 29th April - Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Workshops held in both the morning and afternoon will cover:-
· A new Social Housing Grant system
· A new Regulatory Framework for Welsh RSLs
Workshops held either in the morning or afternoon will cover:-
· A new Intermediate Rent product
· Making best use of public sector land
· The Local Authority strategic housing role
· A potential Welsh Housing Bond
Delegate costs are £50 per head (to cover costs only) and includes lunch.
For booking information please contact Community Housing Cymru on 02920 557400
http://www.chcymru.org.uk/essex-review/index.html
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
From CORGI to GSR
Many tenants will be aware that landlords are required to undertake gas safety checks including, flues, appliances and fittings annually. From the 1st April 2009 the old Corgi gas registration scheme has been replaced by the ‘GAS SAFE REGISTER’. The GSR is now the only authorized body recognized by government to undertake gas service checks.
From the 1st April only GSR registered engineers will be able to fulfill the statutory gas safety responsibilities as outlined by government. Gas appliances that have been tested prior to 1st April will still be valid until they expire. If you are not sure whether your gas engineer is properly registered with GSR this can be checked by visiting http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk If you require further information contact kerry@welshtenantsfed.org.uk
From the 1st April only GSR registered engineers will be able to fulfill the statutory gas safety responsibilities as outlined by government. Gas appliances that have been tested prior to 1st April will still be valid until they expire. If you are not sure whether your gas engineer is properly registered with GSR this can be checked by visiting http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk If you require further information contact kerry@welshtenantsfed.org.uk
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Breaking News - Gwynedd Council Tenants Vote YES! to stock transfer
Gwynedd Council yesterday received the results of the tenants vote in the ballot to decide whether they are in support of Gwynedd Council stock being transferred to a new housing association 'Gwynedd Community Homes'.
The results of the ballot was
Yes to transfer 72%
No to transfer 28%
The turnout was 65%
Numbers eligible to vote - 6,315
Following this result and a consultation period, the Council will now be able to move ahead to set-up the new and not-for-profit independent housing association. As with all other social housing landlords, Gwynedd Community Homes (GCH) will be regulated by the Welsh Assembly Government and run by a voluntary management board made up of four tenants, four Gwynedd councillors and four independent people chosen for their skills and experience.
Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Gwynedd Council Leader said:
“Tenants have told us they want the benefits that transfer would bring which gives us a clear mandate to move forward with the process of transferring our housing stock to Gwynedd Community Homes. This is good news for our tenants as it means substantial investment can be made to their homes.
“This has been a long consultation process and one of the largest that Gwynedd Council has ever undertaken. I am confident that we have done all we can to ensure that tenants received all the facts and I believe the high turnout is a reflection of this.”
The results of the ballot was
Yes to transfer 72%
No to transfer 28%
The turnout was 65%
Numbers eligible to vote - 6,315
Following this result and a consultation period, the Council will now be able to move ahead to set-up the new and not-for-profit independent housing association. As with all other social housing landlords, Gwynedd Community Homes (GCH) will be regulated by the Welsh Assembly Government and run by a voluntary management board made up of four tenants, four Gwynedd councillors and four independent people chosen for their skills and experience.
Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Gwynedd Council Leader said:
“Tenants have told us they want the benefits that transfer would bring which gives us a clear mandate to move forward with the process of transferring our housing stock to Gwynedd Community Homes. This is good news for our tenants as it means substantial investment can be made to their homes.
“This has been a long consultation process and one of the largest that Gwynedd Council has ever undertaken. I am confident that we have done all we can to ensure that tenants received all the facts and I believe the high turnout is a reflection of this.”
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