[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Tina

We don’t, as it happens. But free ‘attendance’ on a Fire Awareness online training course (available on this website) should cover most of what your people need to know, I would have thought.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Well …

Signal Obstruction:
Smart meters rely on a wireless network to send readings to energy suppliers. As you say, thick stone walls, like those found in older buildings, can significantly reduce the signal strength of these wireless transmissions.

Dual-Band Technology:
Some newer smart meters utilize dual-band technology, which involves using a different radio frequency designed to penetrate thick walls more effectively. These meters can potentially have a stronger signal and wider range compared to single-band meters.

Alternative Solutions:
If a smart meter struggles to connect due to thick walls, energy suppliers may offer solutions like moving the meter to a more accessible location or using a dual-band meter if one is not already installed. Or both.

Potential for “Dumb” Mode:
If a smart meter cannot be reliably connected, it may be placed in “dumb” mode, where it functions like a traditional meter without smart features.

I think you should speak to your electricity suppliers ASAP, mentioning all this, and asking for dual-band meters (on the basis that it’s better not to mess about, right from the outset). And warn them that they might well have to relocate all the meters – so they should earmark the staff to do this, if dual-band meters don’t connect.

Finally, remind them that it will be their responsibility to read any ‘dumb’ meters (not that of you or your residents). All avoidable extra lifetime costs to the electricity supplier…. !

Be firm but polite and persistent – as I’m sure you were planning to do, anyway. Good luck.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Hazel

I tend to prefer employment under PAYE arrangements, so I have clearly defined employment rights in law, and running a payroll is simple enough. And (using BrightPay) it can absolutely be done for free by any almshouse charity.

But you could:

1. Google ‘simple standard editable self employed contract suitable for Almshouse new Clerk in UK’, and accept a free trial with Law Depot (which comes up near the top of the list). Their Free Independent Contractor Template is as good a start as any, I would have thought.

2. Add to it, as an annex or schedule, the job specification for a Clerk, to be found in SAM – so it is clear to all parties what is expected of you. And then invite your trustees to examine the draft contract for flaws.

3. After incorporating their comments, and provided you are happy with it too, you should have a pretty good contract.

4. If you still have worries about it, show it to your own, or the charity’s, solicitor, for comment.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Lesley

Have a look at this article:

https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/the-landlords-essential-guide-to-periodic-property-inspections

and you could perhaps adapt the checklist here:

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/849/propertyinspectionchecklist

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Lisa

If you Google ‘fire risk assessment fomat uk’ you will get a good, concise, AI generated brief on this subject.

Scroll down to ‘Where to find fire risk assessment templates:’ and choose your preferred link. The London Fire Brigade site is as good as any:

https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/media/imhennwd/gn_66_lf_format.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-5-step-checklist

or you could look at the GOV.UK link.

I think you’ll find all you need that way.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Ah, OK.

This might be a useful article to read:

https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/the-landlords-essential-guide-to-periodic-property-inspections

and you could perhaps adapt the checklist here:

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/849/propertyinspectionchecklist

I confess that we tend to rely on our periodic QI reports.

Nick

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Peter

Can you expand, please, on the type of work done for you , where you are NOT already getting a signed certificate of satisfactory work completion? Where such a certificate matters?

Those undertaking work related to electrical, fire, gas, stair/passenger lift, water and vehicle safety are already legally bound to provide certificates of satisfactory completion. I’m thinking of Annual Landlird Gas Safety Certificates, Electrical Installation Condition Reports, Vehicle MOTs, Certificates of Conformity to the Requirements of Fire Safety, Water Certificates of Compliance (for plumbing work), and Stairlift Servicing Certificates (eg LOLER certificates).

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

In 2025/26, the minimum total auto-enrolment pension contribution is 8% of qualifying earnings, with employers contributing at least 3%. Employees are typically required to contribute 5% to make up the remaining 8%. This minimum contribution applies to earnings between £6,240 and £50,270.
Here’s a breakdown of the minimum contributions:

Employer: 3%
Employee: 5%
Total: 8%

The 5% employee contribution is typically made up of a 4% contribution from their salary, and a 1% tax relief contribution from the government.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Clare

I presume you got your first ‘temporary password’, sent to you by text message, OK? It took a call to CAF Bank for me to discover that my text message had gone to the text-message app’s spam folder. Yes, Messenger has a spam folder, accessible from the app’s profile – who knew?

There were lots of messages in there … .

Beyond poimting that out, I don’t think I can help you, sorry.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Tina

It’s a bit of a ‘curates egg’, isn’t it?

We like the new screen layout compared to the previous one. Being able to add a Payee Reference on the same screen as the payment amount is a great improvement.

The case-sensitive Payee search is a bit daft. For example, I have to type ‘N’ rather than ‘n’ to find my name as a Payee.

The CSV historical transactions download is OK, but we don’t use the bank statement as our primary accounting record. Thus, I record transactions in my accounts first, then set up the payments, and then get them authorised for payment. I manually reconcile entries in my accounts with the bank record of transactions, in due course, after manual inspection of the online banking ‘state of play’.

I have never downloaded bank transactions into my accounts, so can’t help you there, I’m afraid.

One thing I have yet to check out is the bank’s record of recorded but as-yet-unauthorised payments.

Oh for the slick simplicity of a Lloyds Bank business account – but, when we applied, the bank wouldn’t agree to us having one.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Janet

From my research it seems that policies on electric bicycles (e-bikes) and (certain up-market) mobility scooters very often address safety concerns, especially regarding fire risks associated with their lithium-ion batteries. Most policies prohibit bringing e-bikes or mobility scooters fitted with lithium-ion batteries inside buildings and generally restrict their use to designated outdoor areas or racks. Charging is also typically restricted, and policies often recommend following manufacturer guidelines for safe charging practices.

That said, we allow mobility scooters with lead-acid batteries to be charged in the entrance foyers of our blocks of flats so long as they do not obstruct the fire exits. We consider their charging to be no more dangerous than that carried out 24/7 on our stair-lifts.

Any machines with lithium-ion batteries (and thus all e-bikes) on the other hand have to be stored and charged in a designated, lockable shed well away from our flats – that also houses bulky items such as the almshouse BBQ! So far, none of our residents have lithium-ion powered mobility scooters – and we fear that (a) our shed will be too small for them as well as the bikes and (b) too far from our flats anyway. By definition, scooter users can’t walk far.

We may have to consider getting special storage units close to the flats for e-scooters- and maybe the residents will have to pay for their own units as they don’t come cheap. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. The likelihood is that those who could afford ‘swep-up’ e-scooters could also afford the secure storage boxes … .

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

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