DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY FEDERATION OF TENANTS & RESIDENTS
Minutes of Meeting 27th April 2016
Present
Mary Muir (Gretna) ChairMark Shaw (Cresswell) Vice-chair
Diane Currie (Annan) TreasurerDorothy Grant (Troqueer) Secretary
Margaret Johnston (Locharbriggs)Ronald Ritchie (Mid Annandale)
Rab Davidson (Dalbeattie)Sybille Trimble (Kirkconnel & Kelloholm)
Jeanette Barnes (DGHP)
Apologies: Muriel Irving (Dickshill), Eillish Warner (Troqueer), Robert Kerr (Locharbriggs),Janice Walker (Dalbeattie), Mary McCartney (Gretna), Margaret McKeand (DGHP)
Welcome
Mary welcomed everyone for attending the meeting.
Previous Minutes:Matters Arising, Amendments and Approval
Amendments made
Proposed by Ronald RitchieSeconded byMark Shaw
Actions of Previous Meeting
Ronald gave members copy of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Amendments to Code of Conduct
Members agreed to the new Code of Conduct
Proposed Sybille Trimble Seconded Diane Currie
Guest Speaker
Jeanette Barnes, DGHP Supporting People Manager gave a very informative and useful presentation on Dementia Awareness. Dorothy has copies for members not present.
Secretary Correspondence
Email re. Social Housing Charter Event on 17th June, TPAS Estate Management & Anti-Social Behaviour training, email from Marie McCarry (CAB) via Gordon re. Communicator for new hospital, Dorothy will arrange for speaker to come to the Federation, Furniture@work catalogue.
Chairperson’s Report
Mary asked for names of people interested in attending this year’s TPAS Conference and Mary Muir, Sybille Trimble, Ronald Ritchie, Mark Shaw and Dorothy Grant are interested in attending. Diane Currie will be a reserve. Mary also mentioned the International Union of Tenants Congress which takes place in Glasgow 11-14th October.
All TARA’s have received the latest copies of the Universal Credit Books.
Members were asked for suggestions for the team bonding/away day. Diane had asked James Shirazi about were new build properties are and works about to start. Members agreed to visit, the Vennel in Dumfries and Thornhill. Dates to be arranged.
All members please ensure that you have up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your laptops. Federation will not be liable for any repairs needed if anti-virus software is not installed.
DGHP Report
No report.
Region 6 Report
Region 6 AGM takes place tomorrow, 28th April in Ayr.
Website Report
Either bring or email approved minutes to Mark, let him know of any events your TARA are planning to hold. Please let him know, at least 3 weeks in advance, when your TARA AGM is please.
Mary asked about photographs which were taken which are not on the website, use the website and let the Federation get value for money. Office Bearers will learn as much as possible about each other’s tasks.
Project Report
Still no dates arranged, will be as soon as everyone is available. Promotional materials have been ordered for the FIV and Cresswell TARA Information Day.
TARA Reports
Annan
No meeting. Next meeting 16th May.
Cresswell & Larchfield
Good attendance. Police report included, changes to Air Weapons legislation will be introduce 1st June. Surrender of weapon between 23rd May to 12th June. Rural Crime increasing and impacting on rural and agricultural communities. Police Scotland has over 1 million followers on Social Media. There is an online survey to give your thoughts on shaping of police priorities. This can be found at
Next TARA meeting, will also be AGM and TARA Constitution will be amended and brought in line with other TARA’s. TARA received book on Universal Credit, TARA Information Day and History of Cresswell are progressing and the ‘Bring a Buddy’ idea, will hopefully be used next meeting. Gordon still busy will schools, and window replacement programme has begun. The issue of parking when Slimming World was raised again and the Hall keeper will try and deal with the issue. Tin of paint was thrown at a window however; this appears to be a case of mistaken identity.
Next meeting and AGM 8th June.
Dalbeattie
No meeting. Next meeting 6th June.
Dickshill
No meeting. Next meeting 29th April.
Gretna
Good Attendance. Elaine Murray MSP gave a presentation, which was non-political and very informative and answered member’s questions.
Members were informed that income from the Registry Office at Gretna went to Edinburgh and Glasgow and members strongly felt that the income should stay and be spent on Gretna. Next meeting 4th May.
Kirkconnel & Kelloholm
Issue was raised about Homes for D&G website. DGHP and Home Scotland tenants would like to see their neighbourhood managers in the area more often, many tenants don’t know who they are. It was suggested that the landlords hold surgeries, perhaps every 2 months, so that tenants can talk to them face to face. Mark will contact Home Scotland Neighbourhood Manager. (ACTION) Next meeting to be confirmed.
Locharbriggs
Smart Water Markers, which were ordered as a result of Police Safety talk have been delivered. No Police or Council Reports. DGHP still continuing with Gordon’s school visits, they are promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness and being watchful about grass cutting. Next meeting 31st May.
Mid Annandale Action Group for Tenants & Residents
No meeting Next meeting 9th May.
Troqueer
Previous issues raised have been dealt with and TARA is pleased to have played a role in getting issues resolved. Members were informed about the Social Housing Charter Review. Donations were received from a Councillor and the ‘Teenyboppers co-ordinator for our Prize Bingo Night which takes place on Friday 13th May. We now have a name for our other event and ‘Funday Sunday’ will take place on August 14th. A resident brought up an issue of grass cutting behind her property. She was informed by a Councillor that the council did not have the funds to cut the grass. Same Councillor said that the potholes were in hand. TARA will keep pushing this issue. Next meeting 18th May.
Treasurers Report
Main £4, 757.48Project £5,452.21
Members were informed, due to Diane being on holiday, next month’s expenses will be paid on 29th May.
AOCB
Ronald asked members present, for help/advice regarding disabled tenants who are having boilers and radiators replaced, with regards to re-decorating etc. Members gave Ronald their feedback.
Ronald also brought photographs of a road which was unsatisfactory tarred in Lockerbie. Brought photographs of the mess left in a garden by a property abandoned by the owners.
Mark informed those present, that as a result of last month’s discussion that the 3 Office Bearers’, have sent letters to Mary and Ronald and that is the end of the matter as far as they are concerned.
Membership applications for Janice Walker (Dalbeattie) and Jim McCulloch and Alexandria Gill (Whithorn) were approved.
Dorothy brought 2 items of Scottish Housing News.
Gretna Primary School are taking part in ‘Get Gretna Reading’, which DGHP have been supporting.
Foodbanks are at a record high, figures published by ‘The Trussell Trust reveal.
In 2014/15 financial year, 133,726 emergency supply packages were given out to people in crisis. A 13% increase on the previous year. The total includes 43,962 packages for children.
Across the UK, foodbank use rose 2%. A total of 1,109,309 three-day emergency food supplies were provided by 424 foodbanks in 2015/16 financial year, compared to 1,084,604 of which 415,866 went to children in the previous year. Dorothy to copy for Mary, Sybille and Ronald (ACTION).
Mary thanked those present for attending and wish all a safe journey Home,
Date of Next Meeting
Meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th May, 10am in the Crichton Golf Club.