MEMBERS PRESENT
JEAN FISHPOOL CHAIRMAN
SHIRLEY BALDWIN VICE CHAIRPERSON
MOLLY HODGES, TREASURER
ROY ADAMS
MARY WEST
JACK HALFPENNY
BETTY MARCHANT
JO ANSCOMBE
NANCY EVANS
LILLIAN JONES
MENAI ROBERTS
PEGGY CAVANAGH
LESLIE BEEKS
GORDON CARTWRIGHT
NANCY EVANS
DOUGLAS GREEN
GRETA ASHFORD
JOAN ROBBINS
MRS BARNFIELD
TONY JAQUES HEREFORDSHIRE HOUSING
EDDIE CLARKE SHELTERED HOUSING OFFICER
HELEN GREENWAY CUSTOMER INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
PAM HASKELL ASSISTANT SHELTERED HOUSING OFFICER
SUSANNA PIOHTEE COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER

1. Welcome and Apologies
Jean opened the meeting and welcomed all members present.She welcomed a new member to the group; Joan Robbins.

Apologies: Diane Howls, Mary Cartwright, Crawford Powney, Jack and Lily , Halfpenny, Lil Jones, June Bates, our Secretary Margaret Vallely and Head of Housing Jim Russell.

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

3. Matters arising from the last meeting
No comments on the last meeting.

4. Guest Speaker
Jean welcomed Pam Haskell: Assistant Sheltered Housing Officer.
Pam told the group that her role was to assess the needs of people seeking accommodation when they reached the short list for Herefordshire Housing properties. This is very important as each individual has different needs.

Firstly this requires finding out if they can care for themselves: i.e. assisted by a Warden Service, use of the Care-line Service or having the Care-line Service in their own homes. Security is also a priority and care is always taken when re-housing different age groups.

Answering questions from members Pam explained that Sheltered Housing was generally let to over 60s, with special needs.

Approx one hour is taken to do an assessment and to complete the support needs and general information form.

Young people with disabilities and with children would not be offered Sheltered Housing.

Anyone in Sheltered Housing can apply through Home-Point to move within schemes but an assessment is always required for Sheltered Housing lettings.

Jean thanked Pam on behalf of the group.

Tony Jaques
Tony told members that the management at Herefordshire housing are looking at ways to improve schemes, such as: Installing lifts to first floor Flats, stairway service being the only access to many Flats, also looking at ways to improve properties that are difficult to let. Outdated stock is also a problem.

Eddie Clarke
Eddie that he was waiting for the budget application return and estimates for floor covering.
Notes to go out to Staff: Door chains should only be used when opening the door.
Transport: Taxi service was reported as being good today.

We are still awaiting quotes for floor- covering.

7. Tenant Liaison Group Meetings

Ballinger Court: well attended.
We are still waiting for news about the installation of a Kitchen in the main lounge. The small cupboard area in use at the moment only has a plug-in kettle and crockery. The Cooker and Fridge long ago had to be dis-connected as they were too dangerous to be used next to the sink.
Tony said.that he would contact Shirley regarding this problem. Still awaiting quotes for floor-covering.

8. Any Other Business :
Brierley Court: Tenant asked Eddie about break-down on service charges. Sheltered Housing review to come back to S.H.T.U.G.

Standard level of service to be reported back from review team.

Susanna told members that many groups have signed up for the garden competition.

Photo shoot at Wye Vale next week.

Ledbury Road: Problem with over-hanging tree.
Southgate Court: Tree branches over-shadowing windows.
Ballinger Court: Work carried out in Laundry room day of Meeting.

9. Guest speaker for the next Meeting.
We would like to invite Martin Smith Director of Communications to our next meeting.
Tony said that he would ask him, on our behalf.

10. Date and Venue for our next Meeting
The next Meeting will be held at Brierley Court on Thursday 4th May 2006 - at 10:30am.

Jean closed the meeting with many thanks to Tony, Eddie, Pam, Helen, and Susanna for attending.

An Easter Lunch was enjoyed by everyone.

Many thanks once again to Jean and her little helpers for their hard work.