MEMBERS PRESENT
Shirley Baldwin - Chairperson
Diane Howls - Vice Chair person
Margaret Valleley - Secretary
Molly Hodges Treasurer
Rose Price
Gordon Cartwright
Greta Ashford
Betty Marchant
Lillian Jones
Jim Harding
Doreen Gower
Jack Halfpenny
Betty Barnfield
Jess Bolton
Joan Robbins
Jo Anscombe
Leslie Beeks
Peggy Cavanagh
Jean Coverdale
Crawford Powney
Kim Davies Acting Principle Sheltered Housing Officer
Anna Toon (Chairperson to the Board for Herefordshire Housing)

1. Welcome and apologies
Shirley (Chairperson) opened the meeting and welcomed all members and guests.
Apologies were from: Gloria Godwin, Nancy Evans, Mary Cartwright and Joyce Harding.

2. Minutes from the last meeting
All members had received a copy of the minutes and they were accepted as a true record of the proceedings

3. Matters arising from the last meeting
Putson: They promised to cut back the trees before they came into bud. With the better weather Children are already climbing them.

Brierley Court: After a tenant liaison meeting we were told that letters were going out to all tenants regarding parking issues. After five weeks we received them ----but the Almshouses were missed out.

4. Guest speaker
Shirley welcomed Anna Toon, Chairperson to the Board of Directors for Herefordshire Housing as guest speaker this month.
Anna told the group that apart from being Chairperson to the Board of Directors of Herefordshire Housing, she is also a councillor. "I represent Three Elms in North Herefordshire and I am also the leader of Hereford City Council"
She talked to the group at great length about the job description of a local councillor and advised members how to get to know their own councillor by inviting them along to their community groups.

Anna said that the company has a new Chief Executive --- Peter Brown. Peter is working closely with his colleagues from heads of department and all other levels of staff.
She said that big changes were taking place in the warden service. Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Housing and Supporting People were working together to support the elderly and vulnerable with social care and health care. "We are trying to enable older people to stay in their own homes."
The council have been looking at new ways of providing this service. We have also looked at the way other Housing Associations provide their service.
A consultation campaign is underway across Herefordshire throughout April. " We want to hear from as many people who use the services as possible."
Anna passed the date and venue list around the group.
There is a national consultation about the Blue Badge Scheme. Many people think that the assessment is unfair.
Age Concern has a currant campaign about Council Tax bills. Many of the elderly are still not claiming Council Tax Benefits.
They are also looking at pensions. Are older people getting value for money? Pension increases are not in line with inflation.
Anna said, "please use your local councillor to get advice and information." She said there is also a local Community Liaison Officer who can help with community issues. Shirley thanked Anna for attending the meeting.

5. Treasurers report
After spending £85-80p on the fish and chip lunch we now have £295 in the account.

6. Tenant liaison meetings
There have been no tenant liaison meetings this month.

7. Chairpersons report
Shirley passed a copy of the e-mail she had received from Glen Collins around the group. Shirley said, "I am still waiting for the £200 grant from the Customer Involvement Team applied for in February. I have asked Sarah lames and Helen Greenway about the delay. I was told that they would chase it up. I am sorry to say that I am still waiting"

"I attended another voids meeting.
One property had a new bathroom and kitchen. Repairs had been carried out and it was redecorated, ready for re-letting. We noted a few minor things that needed to be done, otherwise it was in good condition.
The other property we viewed was recently vacated, it \vas left in a good condition and needed the usual check by Herefordshire Housing before re-letting.
It is very interesting seeing empty properties. How some are left well cared for and others -- quite the opposite"?

"I now have the photographs taken at the Christmas lunch that you ordered, please make sure that you have them to take home."

"I do hope everyone enjoys the Easter lunch after the meeting."


8. Report from Kim Davies
Shirley thanked Kim for arranging for the extra chairs.
Kim told the group that the information sessions regarding the changes in the wardens service went well. A lot of ideas came from these sessions.
There were many concerns regarding the care line.
Anna suggested a service reviev; group on the care line. The other service review groups had been very helpful.
Members said that the care line was very important on weekends when wardens \vere off duty.
Kim told members that all tenants would receive a card with the telephone number of the warden on it. This is so you can contact them if you need to.
Shirley thanked Kim.

9. Any other business
Putson: Anti-social behaviour is a big problem in this area. Fences have been smashed and tenants are having eggs thrown at the windows.
The police have been informed -- but we are told that they have to catch them in the act. Anna suggested that tenants telephone the police station to get an incident number. She also suggested that they contact the Anti-Social-Behaviour Officer for help and advice -and their local Councillor.

Fowbridge gardens: Please can you tell us when the water pipes that have been left in our gardens for five years are going to be connected?
We have been asking for sometime for the glass roofs on the porches to be cleaned. They are covered in moss and make the bungalows dark and cost tenants a fortune in electric.
Action KD

Barklie Court: Two tenants moved into the scheme. They are aged forty and thirty. Is sheltered housing for the over sixties?
Kim told members that generally the age was sixty, but people under sixty who are vulnerable and disabled would be considered and housed in sheltered housing.

Brierley Court: the problem with the black strips marking the edge of the steps on stairways was mentioned again.
Kim told the group that at present they are looking into alternatives that meet Government guidelines.
Anna suggested that they write to Andy Ballard.

Ballinger Court: Glen said at the last meeting that Status Heating had got the contract for the thermostats at Ballinger Court. Can they have a date when work will commence? Shirley asked Kim again when the work would be carried out regarding a white covering on the slanting roof in the communal room.
Action AT

Smallbrook Gardens: CCTV was promised for this scheme because of the amount of burglaries. We have had another attempted burglary and still no sign of ceTV.
Kim explained that the hold-up was due to tenants agreeing to have the cameras sited on their properties.
Crawford Powney gave a vote of thanks to Anna Toon.

10. Guest speaker for the next meeting
The group decided to invite Tony Jones as the guest speaker for the next meeting.

11. Date and venue for the next meeting
The next meeting will be held at Church Croft on Thursday May 1st 2008 at 10:30am.

Copies of the minutes to go to-----
Peter Brown---Chief Executive of Herefordshire Housing.
The Directors of Herefordshire Housing.
Anna Toon---Chairperson to the Board of Directors of Herefordshire Housing.
Wendy Jones---Chairperson of the Herefordshire Tenants Federation.
Kim Davies---Acting Principal Sheltered Housing officer.
Sarah James---Communication and Customer Involvement Officer. All Wardens.
Guest Speakers.