Bevendean Tenants Association updates

                                                                         
It seems a long while since our last meeting, which sadly had to be cancelled because Ken Finn, of the Salvation Army had some complications following heart surgery. Thankfully Ken is now recovering and our best wishes are with him. Meanwhile, we need a new date, and possibly location, for our next meeting which should also be our AGM.
We did OK in the Estate Development Bids (EDB), you never come away with all the funding for all the projects on the ‘wish list’ and we were not after as much funding as in previous years. We can only bid for suggested projects and not many people came through, before the deadline, with bids for fencing. If you require fencing, or can think of any other  projects where EDB funding might help, then let us know by the end of the year so that they can be   put forward in our 2014 bid.
I’ve attended a few other meetings recently. The City Assembly was held at Hove Town Hall in May. This is a twice yearly event and open for anyone to attend. One of the major topics was benefit changes and the ‘bedroom tax’. We would be interested to hear if anyone on the estate has been affected as we might be able to point you towards help & advice.
I also attended the Lewes Road Consortium, which is a forum for tenants groups from Bevendean, Moulsecoomb, Coldean, & Bates Estate. We were advised that, by the end of 2013, all Council Homes (in Bevendean) should have been surveyed in regards to new door requirements. I imagine most of the estate have already had this done but, also starting in 2013, is a 3 year plan to survey all properties and install WHERE REQUIRED,            replacement windows.
Community funding (EDB) has been granted for a Boxing Gym near the 67 Centre in Moulsecoomb and this project will also be open to youngsters from Bevendean.
The Council’s Illegal Money Lending Team has had rumours of money lenders/loan sharks in the area. If you are, or know of a victim, of loan sharks then please report this to the Hotline number of 0300 555 2222, or report it to your local housing Office or your PCSO. Credit Unions are available, to lend at very low rates, and offer a much safer option.
Finally, please come along to our AGM and we also have the Brighton & Hove Standard survey form available for completion.