Minutes of Highland and Argyll & Bute AGM
Held on Saturday 12 September 2015 at 11 am in
The Spectrum Centre, 1 Margaret Street, Inverness.
1. Present
Steve Byrne, Chair / Dablintober & Millknowe TRAJennifer MacLeod / West Alness Residents Association & Firhill TARA
John Rodewald / Milton Albyn Housing Forum
Judith Foottit / Kyle of Lochalsh Residents Association
Arthur Harris / Smithton Community RA
Danuta Van Zyl / Balintore Residents Group
Alex Platt / South Kessock Residents Association
2. Apologies
Cameron Grant / Cardross TARABobby Begg / Cardross TARA
Isabell McLauglan / Milton Albyn Housing Forum
Kaye Begg / Kirkside Area Residents Association
3. In Attendance
Lesley Baird / TPAS ScotlandAnn Marie Stanley / Scottish Government
4. Welcome and Introductions
Steve Byrne welcomed everyone to the 2015 AGM of Highland and Argyll & Bute Regional Network of Registered Tenant Organisations.
Steve said that he had the privilege to be Chair of this Regional Network and thanked everyone coming and giving up their time. He also welcomed their guest, Ann Marie Stanley from the Scottish Government and Lesley Baird, Chief Executive of TPAS Scotland.
Steve said that he was sat to say that since our last AGM, John Croy. a former committee member passed away. John was a long standing member of both Craigendoran TRA and Argyll Tenants Panel and a great supporter of the Regional Networks since their inception. He is sadly missed by the committee and all that knew him.
Following the 2014 AGM, the committee consisted of the following tenant reps from:
Highland:
· Jennifer Macleod of West Alness Residents Association,
· Arthur Harris of Smithton Tenants Community Association,
· Isabell McLaughlan of Milton Albyn Housing Forum,
· John Rodewald, of Milton Albyn Housing Forum, and
· Judith Foottit Kyle of Lochalsh Residents Association
Argyll and Bute:
· Steve Byrne of Dalintober and Milknowe TARA,
· Cameron Grant of Cardross Tenants and Residents Association,
· Michael Brown of Cardross Tenants and Residents Association and
· Andy Birnie of Argyll Tenants Panel.
5. Previous Minutes of 14 April 2014 and Matters Arising
The minutes of the previous AGM were agreed.
Proposed – Arthur Harris, Smithton Community RA
Seconded – John Rodewald, Milton Albyn Housing Forum
There were no matters arising.
Steve informed those present that the 2015 AGM was out with the 15 month timescale as stipulated in the constitution for a variety of reasons. There were no objections raised.
6. Chair’s Report
It is only at a time like this when preparing an annual report I realised what has been achieved over the year by the committee as a whole.
Our 'year' started in April 2014 with the AGM on the 14th followed by a meeting of the Chairs & Secretaries from all the 9 regions on the 15th attended by Jennifer & myself. Among the matters discussed were the Housing Revenue Account guidelines which had just been issued. This was the first piece of work that the Networks had presented to the Scottish Government and the Government had accepted.
Also discussed was the role of the Housing Regulator and how the Networks would interact, Cameron Grant represents our Region on the Liaison Group which meets with the Regulator at least 4 times a year and gives tenants the chance to engage with the Regulator and put their point of view.
In June we held our committee meeting here in Inverness and Anne Cook came along to discuss the then Housing Bill and progress being made by tenants being empowered by their landlord since the introduction of the Scottish Social Housing Charter.
At the TIS Annual Conference, Cath McArthur, from Region 5 and Ann Marie Stanley presented a workshop the on the background to the Regional Networks and an overview of the work that they undertake on your behalf.
Committee members attended events on the Scottish Social Housing Charter which were commissioned by the Scottish Government, and facilitated by TIS and TPAS.
The purpose of these events was to identify how tenant involvement in the Charter is progressing and to highlight areas of good practice. A report on these events has now been published and I would encourage you to read this and compare how you think your landlord is progressing in meeting the Charter Outcomes.
We come now to August where the main event was the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 which received Royal Assent. This was the culmination of many months of consultation and we, as a committee contributed fully on your behalf.
We also met as a committee in Highlander House in Glasgow.
In September we held our meeting using a combination of video and telephone links in preparation for the Chairs & Secretaries meeting. Among the subjects discussed at both meetings were welfare reform and planning for the Scottish Housing Conference which was to be held later in the year.
In October the Chairs of the Regional networks continued their dialogue with the Minister, Margaret Burgess, MSP, at their regular meetings, and discussed a variety of topics including the Housing Revenue Account, Welfare Reform, Constitutional Reform and Housing in Scotland going forward.
On the 28th of October, the regional networks came together for their National Conference in Edinburgh, I must say I was delighted to be invited to Chair the conference.
In my opening remarks I recalled that it had been ten years since Communities Scotland began talks with tenant and resident groups from across Scotland to establish a way for tenants to become directly involved with Scottish Government to influence national housing policy.
I am pleased to say that all the hard work and dedication from tenant representatives has paid off as the Regional Networks do influence the Ministers thinking on national policy development.
We were delighted that Margaret Burgess, Minister for Housing and Welfare, presented the opening address and highlighted that it is tenants within communities who witness the impact of Government housing policies and she needs to know from tenant representatives their thoughts on what should be changed for the better.
The Minister thanked all those who had contributed to the development of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014.
Mrs Burgess noted the progress being made since the introduction of the Social Housing Charter, with the focus now being directed towards tenant scrutiny. The Minister was pleased that Government support for tenants and landlords is available through the ’Stepping Up to Scrutiny’ training and learning programme. The Minister concluded by saying she was very grateful to tenant representatives for giving your time and energy to help make your communities better places to live.
Delegates also attended workshops on Universal Credit, Credit Union and the provisions contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014.
The conference was ended by a brilliant, comic performance from a TPAS award winning Anne Cameron and Margaret Anderson, from South Ayrshire Council, on a tenant’s perspective on current housing policy matters.
TPAS held their Annual Conference and again a workshop was presented on the background to Regional Networks from Region 4, Central Regional Network, Hugh McClung and Susan McLellan from the Scottish Government.
We were all delighted that Anne Cameron, from South West Scotland Regional Network (Region 6) was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award for her long standing support of tenant participation in South Ayrshire for over 23 years.
On the 18th of November there was a Scottish Government National Housing Event held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Representatives from the Regional Networks were the only tenant representatives to be invited to attend and gave, on your behalf, their insight on a collective housing strategy for Scotland. Jennifer and I attended this on behalf of Region 1. Tenants from the Regional Networks will also be involved in the Housing Policy that comes from this event.
In December we responded to the Private Rented Sector Consultations. I would like to say at this point that as Region 1 covers such a large part of Scotland in between face to face meetings we do a lot online with a series of e-mails until we reach a consensus when responding to any consultation.
We now come to this year.
On the 7th of January the Regional Networks on behalf of tenants were invited to give evidence to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee who were looking at the role of the Scottish Housing Regulator.
We also held a committee meeting and there was a meeting of the Chairs & Secretaries of the 9 regions.
In February we completed the HRA consents consultation at the end of February, the SHBVN (Scottish Housing Best Value Network) held the first of a series of 4 events for Regional Network and other tenant representatives meet to discuss HRA tenant training.
As usual before the Chairs of the networks met with the Minister, Margaret Burgess, we held a meeting to discuss what we wanted to bring to the Ministers attention.
0n the 13th May, not one but two meetings were held with the Minister for Housing and Welfare, both which I attended. The first meeting had been called by Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights, who wanted to hear from RTO’s directly on the following 3 subjects:
1. The quality of service that social landlords are delivering – including any feedback on the condition of social housing when it is allocated to new tenants;
2. The extent of tenant empowerment and opportunities that tenants have to influence their landlords; and
3. Whether the introduction of the new Regulator and the Social Housing Charter are having a positive impact on services and tenant empowerment.
The networks then had their regular meeting with the Minister and brought up issues relating to:
Ø Welfare Reform
Ø Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 - Allocations and tenancy guidance
Ø SHQS (Scottish Housing Quality Standards) Post 2015
Ø Housing Supply – Mid-market rents
Ø PRS - Regulation of Letting Agents
Ø Landlords’ compliance with Tenant Participation provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001
I took the opportunity during the meeting to ask the Minister to visit my own association in Campbeltown as part of her summer tour to my surprise the Minister said yes. I was delighted then the realisation set in. Someone had to do all the planning and that someone was me I was lucky that I had Ann Marie to help me; I will come back to this later.
In June we responded to the consultation – Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 – Part 3 overcrowding.
On the 4th of August I was delighted that the Minister for Housing and Welfare visited Campbeltown as part of her summer tour and as I said earlier I was involved in the organisation of this event which exceeded my expectations and showcased the best that Campbeltown had to offer, including a private tour of the Springbank distillery. The highlight of the day was the Minister meeting with Dalintober & Millknowe Tenants & Residents Association. It is difficult to quantify the positive effect the Minister had on the members of the association they all have a new found confidence and realise that all the work they do on behalf of tenants is appreciated by not just the tenants they help but by the Scottish Government as well. On a personal note I would like to thank Ann Marie for her help as without it could all have gone horribly wrong.
We have recently responded to the Consultation on Further Extension of Coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to More Organisations and will be responding to the Consultation on Draft Regulations that Prescribe Eligibility Criteria for Appointment to the Scottish Tribunals.
And that as they say is all folks, another very busy year for the committee.
7. Secretaries Report
There was no correspondence received specifically in relation to the AGM.
Jennifer highlighted another consultation had been received regarding a draft code of practice and training requirements for letting agents in the Private Rented Sector that the committee will consider and respond to.
8. Treasurer’s Report
It was noted that Jennifer was acting treasurer and the Annual Financial Report was read out for the period 1 April 2014 to 1 September 2015:
The opening balance from 1 April 2014 was £474.70 and we received a total income of £1500.00. Since April 2014 the direct running costs of Highland & Argyll and Bute Regional Network has been £458.99.
The total amount for the year to date in the bank account was £1974.70 minus the direct running costs of 458.99 leaves the Network with a closing balance of £1515.71. This balance will be taken forward for the next audit from September 2015 to April 2016.
The accounts had been audited by Annabel MacMillan, Scottish Government, Tenant Participation Team as supplied by the Treasurer – Jennifer Macleod, Highland and Argyll Bute RTO Regional Network.
9. The Constitution
Ann Marie explained the following amendments to the constitution which were discussed and proposed by Steve Byrne, Chair and seconded by Jennifer MacLeod, Secretary. The constitution at present stipulates that: