MEMBERS PRESENT
Jean Fishpool - Chairperson
Margaret Valleley - Secretary
Molly Hodges Treasurer
Gordon Cartwright
Nancy Evans
Betty Barnfield
Diane Howls
Jo Anscombe
Lillian Jones
Peggy Cavanagh
Mary West
Douglas Green

Kim Davis Herefordshire Housing

1. Welcome and apologies
Jean opened the meeting and welcomed all members and their guests.

Apologies were from: Shirley Baldwin, Greta Ashford, Crawford Powney, Roy Adams, Leslie Beeks, Doreen Gower, Joyce Harding and Jim Harding.

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

3. Matters arising from the last meeting
Thank you Herefordshire Housing, Brierley Court has now had its lift installed.
There is still no sign of the post in the car park being repaired. Action K D

4. Guest speaker
Jean welcomed Jim Russell Head of Housing as the guest speaker this month.
Jim told members that he would like to up-date the group on the progress of the review into Sheltered Housing. He asked Jean if she had received his letter. Jean said that a copy of his letter had gone out to all members.
"It may seem to you that it has dragged on. We have used this time to get a better understanding and have recognised that we need some help. We have enlisted the help of Kate McAllister, who is a Consultant and works with organisations in this field"

Kate will be meeting wardens and some tenants' to get views on the needs of tenants. She will be putting together a proposal for a way forward.

Members spent some time discussing many areas of the service with both Jim and Kim. Jean thanked Jim and members said they had found the information very interesting and informative.

5. Treasurers report
We now have £267:61p in the fund.

6. Tenant liaison meetings
Penyard Gardens: We had a good meeting. Main topic was the amount of food that is put out for the birds. The scheme has a big problem with rats and large numbers of noisy Rooks. During the meeting a tenant came out and was seen putting out a whole loaf of bread for the birds.

7. Report from the federation
There isn't a report from the Federation this month.

8. Report from Kim
Kim was asked if the weeds and shrubbery could be cut back at WaIlace Row. It spoils the area as the gardens are all well-kept.
The large puddles are also in need of attention.

The guttering needs clearing at Small brook Gardens.
Work is at last to be carried out on the extractor fan. After reporting it on fuariy occasions a tenant telephoned to see when the work was to be carried out and was told that it was not recorded on the computer.
Kim said that it should have been on the computer as she had reported the matter.

The paving slabs at Southgate Court need attention.
Kim said that the paving slabs at BarkIie Court had been reported to repairs. She would eventually be visiting all schemes and would be looking into these matters.

The glass case for notices at Putson will be in place as soon as possible.
Members congratulated Kim on a wonderful job.

9. Any other business
Penyard Gardens: The weeds are pushing through the tarmac on the paths and it is
dangerous. Someone is going to trip-up. Action K D

Innesfield: The heat from the sun is causing the new doors to expand. The tenants are very pleased with the doors, but it becomes a big problem when you are not able to open and shut them until they cool down.

Fowbridge Gardens: The dangerous tree that has been mentioned at the last two meetings is still in need of attention.
Tenants are feeding the birds and we have rats again.
A rumour is circulating that the estate agent who is selling the new private houses wants to put up a fence. This is to block out the sheltered housing bungalows because the houses are not selling. Action K D

Barklie Court: Verandas on this scheme have not been cleaned for sixteen years. They
are making the scheme look shabby. Action K D

Brierley Court: Would it be possible to remove the pots left by previous tenants? They are full of weeds. Action K D

The matter regarding the dropped kerbs was reported with the Disability Audit.
Kim told members that her husband had telephoned a number concerning potholes. When they got up the next morning they had been filled in. Kim will let members have the telephone number.

10. Guest speaker for the next meeting:
Members decided to invite Stephen Goodchild Benefits Officer as guest speaker for the next meeting.

11. Date and venue for the next meeting
The next meeting will be held at Smallbrook Gardens on Thursday 7th June 07 at 10:30am.