MEMBERS PRESENT
Jean Fishpool - Chairperson
Margaret Valleley - Secretary
Molly Hodges Treasurer
Greta Ashford
Gordon Cartwright
Nancy Evans
Diane Howls
Jo Anscombe
Peggy Cavanagh
Gordon Cartwright
Betty Marchant
Leslie Beeks
Rose Price
Mary West
Gloria Godwin
Lillian Jones
Jim Harding
Joyce Harding
Joan Robbins
Jim Russell - Head of Housing - Herefordshire Housing Ltd

1. Welcome and apologies
Jean opened the meeting and welcomed all members and guests.
Apologies were from: Roy Adams, Betty Barnfield, Jack Halfpenny, Crawford Powney, Doreen Gower, less Bolton and Tina Walsh.

2. Minutes from the last meeting
The Chairperson did not receive a copy of the minutes last month. They were accepted as a true record of the proceedings.

3. Matters arising from the last meeting
Kim told members that she was meeting with the discharge team concerning sheltered tenants coming out of hospital. A list of warden's duties would be made available for ward sisters.
Jean passed a letter that she had received from Janet Cole to members.

4. Guest speaker
This month's guest speaker was Jim Russell---Head of Housing
Jim said that he had stood in at the last minute for Gordon Shirley who was unable to attend the meeting. He said he had nothing prepared and suggested that he answered any concerns the group may have. Members agreed.
Penyard Gardens: After many complaints about Lovells, things have not improved. A tenant was left distressed after the plasterer mixed the mixture in their kitchen with an electric mixer. The walls, floors and doors were splattered with plaster and he left without cleaning up. The workman then walked through the property leaving a trail on the carpets. The tenant concerned lost her husband a few weeks ago and is vulnerable. Several tenants have also been without hot water for two weeks.

Penyard Gardens had a meeting in the community room with representatives from Lovells and Herefordshire Housing a couple of weeks ago. Many complaints were raised but things are still the same.
Tenants were told that completion of the work would take twenty days. Seven weeks later tenants are still awaiting completion.

A fridge freezer was plugged into a dangerous socket, which was hanging off the wall. Members expressed their concerns, as this had happened on other sheltered housing schemes. They said this was not acceptable for sheltered housing tenants.

Ballinger Court: Work started on the new communal kitchen in May, but has not been completed.
Jim advised that dissatisfied tenants should use the complaints system. He went on to explain the process in detail and said if tenants were still not satisfied then they could take it to the Ombudsmen.

A member said Care Line was upset because I refused to check on a neighbour. Care Line had been unable to make them hear because they are profoundly deaf. Kim said she would look into this. She said that it was not the responsibility of tenants to check on neighbours. Care Line should have contacted the next of kin.
Members asked if there was a relief warden to cover out of hours problems?
Jim said there was no relief warden in the Ross area. He said the next of kin was always called or --- if not the emergency services. In Hereford there is a relief warden, but we have a shortage of staff and are not always able to provide this service. Jim went on to say that most out of hours calls were because tenants had locked themselves out.
A member gave the group details of key safes that are available to purchase from Age Concern.

Two workmen were seen helping themselves to the emergency keys on a scheme. The warden had reported it and the key numbers have now been changed.
Would it be possible for the next of kin to inform the wardens when tenants go into hospital or return home?
Kim said she would look into this.
A member asked Jim if he knew when the private housing being built adjacent to Fowbridge Gardens was to be completed? Work had started Twelve months ago with lots of disruption to sheltered housing tenants.
Jim said he did not know --- but suggested that tenants contact the builders. "Thank you Kim we now have the glass case at Putson"
Jim told members that the Review Into Sheltered Housing was going well. There are still some questionnaires that had not been returned. "Please could you return them as it is very important to get a clear picture of tenants needs"?
Jean thanked Jim on behalf of the group.

5. Treasurers report
At present we have £347:60p in the fund. We also have £34:25p from the bring and buy.

6. Tenant liaison Meetings
Ballinger Court: The meeting was cancelled.
Penyard Gardens is still waiting for a date for their meeting. They are also waiting for the minutes from the last meeting.
Kim said she would arrange a meeting --- and would attend with the Housing officer.

7. Notification of the A G M
We need names of sheltered housing tenant members willing to stand for:-

Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary Treasurer

Names of interested nominee's are:
Chairperson ----Shirley Baldwin
Vice chairperson---- None at present
Secretary-------Margaret Valleley
Treasurer------Molly Hodges.

Please attend the A G M in October or contact the secretary by letter to select a nominee. Voting will take place at the AGM.

8. Kim Davies
Fowbridge Gardens: Tenants had complained about the untidy gardens. Kim said she would speak with the warden concerned.

9. Anv other business
Ballinger Court: Kim was asked if there was any news on the thermostats that are still not working on the heating.
Kim said she was always asking but didn't have an answer at present. She said that the dishwasher was now being fitted in the new kitchen.

Brierley Court: Janet Cole had said at the last meeting that there might be some money in the gold pot to replace the carpet in the community room.
Jim said it might have to come out of a different pot as the gold pot was for environmental improvements. He went on to say that wardens had a pot to use for community areas. Estate inspections were being carried out by Housing Officers at present. You are invited to take part and can raise issues like this.
A member asked if it would cover drop kerbs?
Jim said that the pavements might come under Highways. If so, you would have to make an application to their department.

A member at Putson had managed to get hold of a magic handle that enables you to open inaccessible windows.
Penyard Gardens: After the improvement on the kitchens --- the pull cords are now left hanging in the middle of the kitchens.

10. Guest speaker for the next meeting
Members agreed to invite Tony Jones as guest speaker at the next meeting.

11. Date and venue for the next meeting
The next meeting will be the AGM. It will be held at Legion Way on Thursday 4th October 2007 at 10:30am. You will need to have the minutes from last years A G M with you.
Jean announced that as she no longer lives in sheltered housing she would not be standing for chairperson at the AGM. She wished the group well for the future.
All SHTUG members are invited to attend Herefordshire Housings Annual General Meeting and Consultation Event.
It will be held at Silks Restaurant at the Hereford Racecourse 12:30pm and the AGM from 1:30 to 2pm.on Tuesday 25th September 2007.
The day will start with a consultation event at lOam, lunch at
Those wishing to attend please contact Helen Greenway on 01432 384010 by Monday 17th September.