MEMBERS PRESENT
Jean Fishpool
Shirley Baldwin
Margeret Valleley
Molly Hodges
Jack Halfpenny
Greta Ashford
Betty Barnfield
Betty Marchant
Lillian Jones
Menai Roberts
Peggy Cavanagh
Leslie Beeks
Jo Anscombe
Roy Adams
Joan Robbins
D iane Howls
Gordon Cartwright
Douglas Green
Gwyneth Hutt
Eddie Clarke - Herefordshire Housing


1. Welcome and apologies
Jean opened the meeting and welcomed all members present. She hoped everyone enjoyed their Christmas and wished all a happy New Year.

Apologies were from: Mary West, June Bates, Crawford Powney, Gloria Goodwin, Tina Walsh, Nancy Evans, Doreen Gower and Sally Ann Smith.

2. Guest speaker Bob Jones
Bob Jones is The Building Manager for the Repair Section.
Our Repairs and Maintenance Services are looking at options that offer tenants more security when repairs are carried out. The options are a password or repair number." Other suggestions are most welcome.
A password will be given to tenants when they report a repair. Tenants can also choose a password that is personal to them.
When you report your repair you can also opt to use the repair number as a password.
Members suggested that another possibility would be to receive a telephone call on the day the repair is to be carried out, stating whether the trade's person will be calling morning or afternoon.
Concerns were expressed by SHTUG that the very elderly or vulnerable might not remember a password. Bob explained that some tenants may not wish to use this option.

Bob said that any feedback would be most welcome. Details were on page 10 of the newsletter. Please telephone Helen Greenway on 01432384010. Jean thanked Bob very much for coming to the meeting.

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

4. Matters arising from the last meeting
Elm Grove: Thank you very much Herefordshire Housing, the paths have now been cleaned and tenants are very happy.

Penyard Gardens: Street lighting has been agreed outside number 30. Also the extra lighting needed in the dark areas, between numbers 14 to 17.

Eddie: The breakdown of the Service Charge. I appreciate that it is important to tenants but I think it will be very hard to give a breakdown.

5. Guest speaker

The group's second guest speakers were Beverly Humble and Jenny from The Occupational Therapy Department. They are both attached to Ross on Wye's Community Hospital - but they also work in other parts of Herefordshire. They are very short staffed and most of the team are only part time. A map of the area they cover was passed to members.

Beverly explained how to get referred to an 0 T. (through your Doctor, district nurse, hospital or direct to the 0 T department). She also gave a description of all equipment used by the department and its usage. When you get a visit from the OT department you to see what aids and adaptations you require to make life more comfortable. All equipment is on a long-term loan basis. If you require mechanical devices the department has to apply to a committee for funding.
With the help of Jenny members were shown pictures of aids and adaptations.
Jean thanked them both for coming to the meeting and giving a very informative talk.

6. Treasurers report
Members have £291:17p in the fund.

7. Tenant liaison meetings
There were no tenant liaison meetings this month.

8. Eddie
Eddie apologised for not being able to attend the Christmas meeting. He said Disraeli Court tenants and staff had enjoyed it very much.

Brierly Court: The lights on the verandas will be cleaned next time the window cleaner visits.

Fowbridge Gardens: The catwalks needed after the loft insulation will be put forward in the next budget.

Tony Jaques: All members of Herefordshire Housing staff received a letter to say Tony had won his appeal and was reinstated on 19th December 2006.

Next years budget: I shall soon be putting in a bid for monies to be spent on Sheltered Housing over the next year.
With work to be done highlighted by the Disability Audit, we are hoping that we will be able to get most of the work finished.
Before the end of March work on paths on some schemes will be carried out.

9. Any other business
Fowbridge Gardens: Tenants on this scheme are worried that the occupants of the new houses will abuse the path ways on Fowbridge Gardens.
Eddie told the group that the lower back path was a public right of way.
Only time would tell what would happen elsewhere when occupants moved in.
Work is to start soon to widen the entrance to the new houses and some bungalows on the scheme.

A bungalow has now been empty for eight weeks and a pile of rubbish has been left outside. Action E C
Southgate Court: The Drier is not working again Actlon EC

Work has gone out to tender concerning lifts to be installed at some schemes.

Ballinger Court: The floor covering in passageways will be replaced by the end of March. Work on the much-needed communal kitchen will start in February.

Church Croft: Eddie to liase with a representative from that scheme after the meeting to discuss the problem with their back door.

The bin area is not very clean. Some tenants are not putting waste in the bins provided.

Eddie is to write letter to all tenants on the scheme reminding them to use the bins.

There are old chaIrs that need removing from the community room. Action E C

Smallbrook Gardens: Police were unable to gain access to master keys to enter a property.
A tenant had fallen.

Eddie said he would follow this up.

A letter was passed to all members from the T S B.

10. Guest speaker for the next meeting
It was decided to invite Pam Sunders as guest speaker to the next meeting. Pam is The Single Assessment Co-ordinator for Herefordshire.

11. Date and venue for the next meeting
The next meeting will be held at Disraeli Court on Thursday 1st February 2007 at 2-OOpm.

Sadly Menai Roberts is retiring from the group. Menai who is in her nineties has decided its time to take things easy.
Eddie presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a card signed by him by all SHTUG members. He thanked her for all her input with the group and wished her well in the future. Jean thanked Menai on behalf of members and also wished her well in the future.