CLACKMANNANSHIRE TENANTS & RESIDENTS FEDERATION
MINUTES OF LIAISON MEETING
HELD THURSDAY 17TH APRIL 2014
PRESENT: Catrina Mackey (Chair); June Anderson; Councillor Sharp; Susan Robertson; Sandy Pollock; Brian Doyle; Pat Duff; Johanna Wilkinson ; Angela Leask; Jane McTaggart
APOLOGIES: Rae Christie; Michelle Flynn
Min No / Agenda Item / Action / Target Date / Priority Ref1. / Welcome
The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. / Apologies
Rae Christie and Michelle Flynn gave their apologies for today's meeting.
3. / Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of previous meeting on 20th March 2014 were approved -
Proposed: Catrina Mackey Seconded: Sandy Pollock
4. / Matters Arising
Voids Report - Group have requested size of properties to be added onto the report, it has been confirmed this will start from next month.
5. / Housing Convenor Report
Councillor Sharp handed out copies of report.
· Housing Staff Conference in Alloa Town Hall, very well attended and staff appreciated the days work involving taking the service forward in a positive way. This proved to be a very proactive day with lots of ideas from staff, the day also included staff members from Rents and Revenues and PCU.
· Councillor Sharp attended Clackmannanshire Older Adults Forum at Carsebridge where he accompanied Maureen Dryden to answer questions on new charges, housing and disability adaptations. Questions were raised about the possibility of Sheltered type housing being built/delivered in Clackmannanshire. This could form part of the Demand and Needs assessment currently being undertaken.
· The Housing Minister, Margaret Burgess was welcomed to open the new Housing Options Shop at Kilncraigs, Home@Clacks, the event went well and Minister stated on Twitter how much she had enjoyed the visit and that Clacks were forward thinking. There were some negatives received from an RSL who felt aggrieved at lack of an invitation. New signage will be in place to highlight the entrance of the new facility.
· There is a paper in the pipeline regarding Lock-ups and Garage sites, Councillor Sharp has asked Ahsan to circulate a brief questionnaire and site map to all Elected members asking if they are aware of any specific areas either; not on our map or of special interest e.g. dilapidated, vandalised, or simply underused particularly garage sites. Councillor Sharp stated he would be delighted if the Federation members would agree to take part. It is intended that this will allow a formal strategy to be put in place and determine the future of this area of stock.
Catrina confirmed the Federation would like to take part in this.
· Councillor Sharp has been working with community to prepare new wild flower meadow at the western entrance to Menstrie, the work is being carried out in conjunction with 'On The Verge' from Stirling, should anyone feel this would have a place in their own Community Councillor Sharp would be happy to provide introduction, seeds are provided free of charge (£120.00/kilo) and the preparatory work done by either the community and/or CPO.
6. / WRWG/Alliance Update
No update regarding WRWG.
Brian will now be attending all future Alliance meetings and Sandy will return to being standby.
7. / Clackmannanshire Council
Guest Speaker - Murray Sharp
Scottish Housing Regulator Visit - Murray informed the group that the Regulator is due back for an informal visit in September to see how the new door entry systems are coming along.
Kingdom Visit - This should take place about June. Kenny Hutton will be in touch with further information soon.
Changes to staff hours - All unions accepted terms and conditions to the recent ballot. All employees hours will be reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours per week. No confirmed date of when these changes will start.
Housing Revenue Account - Murray handed out copies of the breakdown of all claims that go through the HRA over £10,000. A discussion took place regarding this handout.
8. / Any Other Business
Repairs Centre - Sandy advised he has added his comments to the study visit report for the Repairs Centre - June confirmed she still needs to add her comments before sending this back to Michelle.
Another visit to the Repairs Centre to be arranged.
AGM - Due to take place on Tuesday 27th May. Ahsan unable to attend.
9. / Date of Next Meeting